Doctors and medical students from AIIMS Delhi, along with representatives from AIIMS Nagpur, Patna, and RML Hospital, have urged authorities to implement the National Exit Test (NExT) without further delay.
They argue that NExT can address major gaps in the current medical examination system, which they describe as inconsistent and fragmented. In an editorial published in the Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, the authors emphasized that existing undergraduate assessments often fail to align with competency-based medical training.
Introduced under the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, and detailed further in a 2023 Gazette notification, NExT was designed as a single, unified exam to replace final MBBS exams, NEET-PG, and the FMGE. However, repeated postponements have created uncertainty and slowed down much-needed reforms.
According to the authors, NExT would bring a standardized, transparent, and clinically relevant evaluation system. They highlighted that current university exams vary significantly in quality and fairness, with subjective theory papers and inconsistent evaluation standards across institutions. This inconsistency makes it difficult to determine whether graduates are truly prepared for medical practice.
They also pointed out that current postgraduate entrance exams rely on a limited number of multiple-choice questions, which may not adequately assess the full MBBS curriculum. This approach often encourages rote learning and coaching-based preparation rather than developing real clinical skills.
NExT aims to resolve these issues by combining assessments into a single, structured examination. Step 1 will focus on a larger pool of clinically oriented MCQs based on real-life scenarios, while Step 2 is expected to evaluate practical skills, communication, and overall clinical competence.
The proposed system will apply uniformly to all medical graduates, including those from private and government institutions, as well as foreign-trained doctors. This, the authors say, will ensure a consistent standard of competence and strengthen public trust in the medical profession.
Additionally, a single NExT score could be used for postgraduate admissions, government jobs, and scholarships, making the selection process more transparent and reducing the burden of preparing for multiple exams.
The editorial also warned that rapid expansion in education sectors without strong evaluation systems has previously led to declining standards. In medicine, such lapses can have serious consequences. NExT, they believe, will help maintain a minimum national standard for all practicing doctors.
To support implementation, the authors recommended adequate preparation resources such as mock tests, sample papers, detailed syllabi, and study materials to help students transition smoothly to the new system.
