NExT Exam deferred for 3 to 4 years by the National Medical Commission

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has officially confirmed the deferment of the NExT Exam for 3 to 4 years, marking a significant development in the landscape of Indian medical education. The National Exit Test (NExT), initially scheduled for introduction in August 2025, will now be delayed due to unresolved infrastructural, logistical, and academic challenges.

The deferment of the NExT Exam for 3 to 4 years has brought clarity to lakhs of medical students across the country. It allows the NMC to prepare institutions better, ensure syllabus uniformity, and design mock assessments before the test’s full-scale rollout. This article covers the reasons for the delay, its implications for MBBS students, and the NMC’s future roadmap for successfully implementing the National Exit Test (NExT).

 

Background of the NExT Examination

The National Exit Test (NExT) was introduced under the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, to create a standardized medical assessment system across India. This single national-level examination was meant to replace multiple existing tests, such as NEET-PG and FMGE.

The deferment of the NExT Exam for 3 to 4 years means that the following purposes of the exam will be postponed:

1. Licensing of MBBS graduates: Students must pass to obtain registration to practice medicine.
   
   
2. Admission to postgraduate medical courses: NExT was meant to serve as a qualifying test for MD/MS seats.
   
   
3. Screening test for foreign medical graduates (FMGs): It was also to replace the FMGE entirely.
   
   

By deferring the NExT Exam for 3 to 4 years, the Commission has ensured that existing systems such as NEET-PG and FMGE will continue without disruption.

 

Official Announcement of the Delay

In a recent meeting between FAIMA (Federation of All India Medical Association) and senior NMC officials, the Commission addressed student concerns about readiness and infrastructure. Following extensive discussions, Dr. Abhijat Sheth, Chairman of the NMC, announced:

“The NEXT (National Exit Test) will not be implemented immediately. For the next three to four years, NMC will conduct mock tests funded by the Commission to assess feasibility and collect structured feedback before any official launch.”

This clearly establishes that the deferment of the NExT Exam for 3 to 4 years is not a cancellation, but a structured postponement. It reflects the NMC’s commitment to data-backed decision-making and student welfare.

 

Key Highlights of the NMC’s Announcement

The table below provides a detailed summary of the NMC’s official position on the deferment of the NExT Exam for 3 to 4 years and the key factors influencing it:

Analysis: This structured table emphasizes that the deferment of the NExT Exam for 3 to 4 years reflects a planned and evidence-based reform. The mock test phase will be critical in evaluating institutional readiness before introducing the National Exit Test (NExT) across all medical colleges.

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FAIMA’s Role and Recommendations

FAIMA played a crucial role in securing a 3- to 4-year deferment of the NExT Exam. The association presented findings from a national survey highlighting the lack of infrastructure, faculty training, and syllabus uniformity.

FAIMA’s primary recommendations included:

• Upgrading institutional digital capacity.
  
  
• Ensuring consistent academic curricula across all states.
  
  
• Conducting pilot assessments before the nationwide rollout.
  
  
• Prioritizing student mental health and reducing academic burden.
  
  

The NMC accepted these inputs and announced that upcoming mock tests will be designed based on FAIMA’s feedback. By deferring the NExT Exam for 3 to 4 years, the Commission aims to implement the National Exit Test (NExT) more inclusively and fairly.

 

Implications for Medical Students

The deferment of the NExT Exam for 3 to 4 years directly impacts students across multiple MBBS batches. The table below outlines how each group will be affected:

Observation:

This gradual transition ensures that the deferment of the NExT Exam for 3 to 4 years protects current MBBS students from sudden curriculum changes. The NMC’s phased approach offers ample preparation time before the full launch of the National Exit Test (NExT).

 

Reasons Behind the Deferment

The NMC has cited several reasons for the deferment of the NExT Exam for 3 to 4 years, including:

1. Infrastructural Inequality: Not all medical colleges possess digital resources for standardized testing.
   
   

2. Curriculum Non-Uniformity: Varying teaching standards across states require alignment.
   
   

3. Legal Complexities: Petitions and representations concerning NExT are still under review.
   
   

4. Training Deficiency: Faculty and exam administrators need orientation programs to manage the new system.

Addressing these challenges through mock tests will make the National Exit Test (NExT) more robust and equitable once it launches officially.

 

Broader Implications for Medical Education

The deferment of the NExT Exam for 3 to 4 years symbolizes a cautious but constructive move by the NMC. It prioritizes institutional readiness, student feedback, and examination credibility. Once fully implemented, the National Exit Test (NExT) will serve as a single, unified assessment for licensing, postgraduate admission, and FMG screening.

This delay allows policymakers to refine processes and ensures that India’s medical education system evolves toward international assessment standards.

 

FAQs

Q1. Why did NMC announce the deferment?
The deferment of the NExT Exam for 3 to 4 years is due to infrastructure, curriculum, and legal readiness issues that require time to address.

Q2. Will NEET-PG continue?
Yes, NEET-PG will remain the primary postgraduate entrance test until the National Exit Test (NExT) is officially implemented.

Q3. Who will participate in mock tests?
Select MBBS batches from government and private colleges will participate in trial rounds conducted during the deferment of the NExT Exam for 3 to 4 years.

Q4. What will the mock tests achieve?
They will evaluate technical readiness, identify institutional gaps, and gather real-time feedback for refining the National Exit Test (NExT).

Q5. How will the delay affect current MBBS batches?
The deferment of the NExT Exam for 3 to 4 years ensures that students graduating before 2028 continue under the NEET-PG system, without any disruption in career progression.

 

The deferment of the NExT Exam for 3 to 4 years highlights NMC’s student-first approach and focus on sustainable reform. This cautious timeline allows all stakeholders: students, colleges, and faculty to adapt to the forthcoming evaluation model.

When launched, the National Exit Test (NExT) will redefine the standards of medical education and licensing in India. Until then, the deferment of the NExT Exam for 3 to 4 years provides an opportunity to build a transparent, fair, and technologically advanced examination framework that aligns with the future of healthcare education.


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