National Exit Test (NExT) for Ayush to be Implemented for 2021-2022 Batch, Announces Union Minister Prataprao Jadhav
The Minister explained that the NExT will apply to students enrolled in the 2021-22 academic session under the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) and National Commission for Homoeopathy (NCH) Acts, 2020.
Union Minister of State for Ayush (Independent Charge), Prataprao Jadhav, announced today that the National Exit Test (NExT) for Ayush graduates will be implemented from the 2021-2022 academic batch. Speaking at a press conference held at the Ministry of Ayush, Jadhav clarified that the decision follows recommendations from a committee set up to address students' concerns regarding the examination.
Jadhav further clarified that students who have not yet completed their internship but have passed the NExT will only be eligible for registration after finishing their one-year internship.
The Minister explained that the NExT will apply to students enrolled in the 2021-22 academic session under the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) and National Commission for Homoeopathy (NCH) Acts, 2020. This move clears any ambiguity about its implementation for Ayush students.
The committee responsible for reviewing and formulating these recommendations was chaired by Prof. Dr. Sanjeev Sharma. The group evaluated suggestions from students and submitted their findings to the Ministry of Ayush. The NExT, as outlined by the committee, will be a mandatory assessment for licensing and registration in State or National Registers upon completion of a one-year internship. The test will feature problem-based questions, including clinical case scenarios, images, and videos, designed to evaluate practical medical skills.
The announcement follows multiple representations from Ayush students concerning the implementation of NExT. Representatives from the Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) and Bachelor of Homoeopathic Medicine and Surgery (BHMS) streams had earlier met with the Minister to discuss their concerns over the exam.
The NCISM and NCH Acts came into effect on 11th June and 5th July 2021, respectively, mandating the NExT under these Acts to be conducted within three years of their enforcement. The Minister emphasized that the objective of NExT is to ensure a transparent, fair process that maintains the quality of education and healthcare in the Ayush system.
The NExT is a critical examination introduced under the NCISM Act, 2020, to assess the clinical competency of graduates in Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, and Sowa-Rigpa. It also evaluates their understanding of medical ethics and their ability to handle medico-legal cases.
Q: Has AIIMS announced dates for NExT?
No. AIIMS has not announced date for NExT MBBS exam. However, it had announced date for NExT mock exam. The mock test of NExT was schedule to be held on July 28, 2023 but it was cancelled. AIIMS had released application form for NExT mock exam on June 28, 2023 and July 10, 2023 was the last date for basic registration. NExT exam will be held in two steps, twice a year. The exam will be held in May and November sessions. NExT Step 1 will be theory based exam where questions will be asked from 6 subjects. NExT Step 2 will be practical exam. NExT exam could be held in August 2025 for the first time.
Q: Will NExT exam be held in offline mode?
NExT exam will be held in two steps. NExT Step 1, the theory based exam will be held in computer-based mode, while NExT Step 2 will be conducted in offline mode. NExT Step 2 will test practical/clinical knowledge of candidates. AIIMS will release NExT exam attern along with the official information brochure. As per the available details, there will be six paper in NExT Step 1. The exam will be held for three days in two shifts. Candidates who qualify NExT Step and mandatory 1-year internship can appear for NExT Step 2 which will be held by respective state authorities.
Q: Who will be conducting NExT exam?
NExT MBBS exam will be conducted by AIIMS Delhi as per recent updates. Earlier National Medical Commission (NMC) was supposed to conduct the exam. National Exit Test will be conducted in two step, Step 1 and Step 2. NExT Step 1, a theory based exam will be conducted in computer-based mode while NExT Step 2, a practical exam will be held in offline mode. Candidates have to qualify NExT 1 and serve internship to appear for NexT Step 2 exam. AIIMS has not released NExT exam date though a mock exam schedule has been released.
During the press conference, Jadhav also launched a new nationwide campaign titled "Desh Ka Prakriti Parikshan Abhiyan," aimed at promoting health and well-being through natural practices. This campaign, led by the Ministry of Ayush and the NCISM, will engage more than 4.5 lakh participants, including 1.35 lakh students, 20,000 postgraduate students, 18,000 teachers, and 3 lakh practitioners, in an effort to raise public awareness of Ayurveda and boost the sector's economic growth.
The campaign also aims to set five Guinness World Records, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of integrating Ayurveda into daily life, encapsulated in the mantra "Jan-Jan Tak Ayurveda" and "Har-Ghar Ayurveda."
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Abhay an alumnus of IIMC and Delhi University, has over a decade long experience of reporting on various beats of journalism. During his free time he prefers listening to music or play indoor and outdoor games.