National Medical Commission Invites Stakeholder Comments on National Exit Test (NExT)

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has invited comments from stakeholders on the implementation and conduct of the National Exit Test (NExT). The call for feedback comes following the recommendations of a committee formed by the Union Health Minister to examine the implementation and preparation for the NExT exam.

Key Points:

1. Committee Formation: In October last year, the Union Health Ministry constituted a seven-member committee to assess the readiness of states and medical colleges for the implementation of NExT for final-year MBBS students of the 2020 batch.
2. Scope of Examination: The committee is tasked with examining the application of NExT as a final year examination, PG entrance, and licentiate exam. It will also assess the need to limit its application.
3. Feedback Request: The NMC has requested stakeholders to provide valuable feedback on the NMC, National Exit Test Regulations, 2023. The feedback can be submitted online by February 7.
4. NExT Regulations 2023: The NExT exam will be held in two phases, NExT Step 1 and NExT Step 2, twice a year. It will serve as a licentiate examination and determine eligibility and ranking for admission to postgraduate medical education.
5. Multiple Attempts: Medical students can make multiple attempts at NExT Step 1, provided they pass it and NExT Step 2, within 10 years of joining the MBBS course.
6. Exam Format: NExT Step 1 will be a theory examination conducted in a computer-based online mode. NExT Step 2 will include practical/clinical and viva voce examination covering seven clinical subjects/disciplines.
7. Common Counselling: The NMC will specify the manner of conducting common counselling by the designated authority for admission to postgraduate broad specialties seats in medical institutions.

Conclusion:
The NExT is a significant step in medical education and is aligned with the broader goals of medical qualification assessments and admissions. Stakeholder feedback is crucial for refining the implementation process and ensuring the success of the NExT examination.

For more details and to provide feedback, stakeholders can refer to the official NMC website and the NMC, National Exit Test Regulations, 2023.

Source: National Medical Commission

Author: Chetan Raj