The National Exit Test (NExT), which was to be attempted by final year MMBS students, has been postponed as it was stated: “deferred on the advice of the (health) ministry… till further directions” by the higher authority of medical education. The test was authorized by National Medical Commission Act, with an initiative to replace MBBS final exams.
The test would further, act as a licentiate exam for practicing medicine in India and further provide a foundation for entrance exams conducted for PG courses such as the NEET PG test.
The NExT focused on providing practical training and sustained quality of education for MBBS students. Medical final-year students on the other hand are demanding this examination should be delayed which will provide adequate time to prepare for a new format of examination. Earlier the Health Minster declared that the next passing batch of medical students have to appear in this examination.
In case the examination is not conducted in 2023, the government has to officially notify the masses. The test was conducted under the National Medical Commission Act enforced in 2020, and the test was required to be applied within three years of being enforced. It was extended for a year till 2024 by a gazette notification.
There are no official statements to cancel the mock test by National Medical Council or the health ministry, a mock test is likely to be conducted by All India of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi on 28 July.
