NExT: NMC took consideration of over 6,500 comments during consultation process

Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya said in Parliament that over 6,500 comments were received during the process of consultation for the National Exit Test (NExT) regulations.

Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya apprised the Rajya Sabha that over 6,500 comments were received during the process of consultation for the National Exit Test (NExT) regulations which were framed by the National Medical Commission (NMC) and notified on June 27.

The health minister informed that these draft regulations were discussed and then approved in a meeting with universities and state medical councils.

"The regulations were prepared after taking into consideration the large number (nearly 6,500) comments received during the consultation process," Mandaviya said. 

"Several apprehensions were raised by students which were taken into consideration and hence, NExT was deferred vide a public notice dated July 13," he added.

NExT exam will be replacing NEET PG and FMGE exam, conducted for foreign medical graduates to get registration for medical practice in India.

Comprehensive, computer-based examination with multiple-choice questions (MCQ) — NExT will be looking at higher domains of knowledge aligned to competencies that one can expect from a medical graduate practicing the modern system of medicine, he added.

It is the basis of certifying the eligibility of the medical graduate to register to practice the modern system of medicine in India and therefore, serves as a licentiate examination, he further added.

As per the academic calendar released by National Medical Commission recently, NExT exam's first edition will be held in February 2028 for MBBS students of the 24 batch.

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