Indian Medical Association (IMA) stood against these Regulations, they said it is not possible to apply these policies in current circumstances until NMC ensures to provide uniform standards in medical colleges across India.
National Medical Commission (NMC) recently issued the National Exit Test 2023 Regulations, this included instructions about the examination which stated that it will be held in two phases, NExT Step 1 and NExt Step 2 being conducted twice a year.
IMA has further requested the central government to instruct NMC to reconsider National Exit Test 2023 regulations, they demanded an in-depth discussion with the responsible authorities in which all the possible problems would be addressed before the imperfection of these regulations across medical colleges in India.
NMC responded and stated that National Exit Test will provide the basis for certifying the eligibility criteria for medical graduates who are looking forward to practicing medicine in India with the help of a licentiate examination. Students opting for PG courses in medicine would also have to follow these guidelines, they will act as a base for eligibility and securing admission to medical colleges across the country.
IMA said that 50% of total medical colleges in India don’t meet the standards of established systems and lack well-trained teachers, further stating that, “That too AIIMS conducting National Exit Test will be detrimental to the students of newly started medical colleges. A minimum common standard of education should be ensured prior to uniform examination by periodic assessment and upgradation,”.
The IMA further said organizing an exit test for the medical license is “mocking at our own system”. They mentioned entrance examinations for licensing and PG courses could never be the same due to different purposes. IMA stated, “If at all a central exam is being conducted for licensing, the set of questions should be different from that for PG entrance,”.
IMC mentioned their concerns and suggestions and asked for action from the central government, “Under these circumstances, we appeal to the central government to intervene and instruct NMC to reconsider the proposal for National Exit Test ’.
