National Exit Test to apply from 2020 MBBS batch: Health Minister Mandaviya.

On Thursday, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced that the National Exit Test (NExT) would not include the 2019 MBBS batch but would be applicable to the subsequent batch. Speaking to students at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Raipur, where he laid the foundation stone for a critical care unit, the minister emphasized that the government and the National Medical Commission (NMC) would avoid making decisions that lead to confusion.

As per the NMC Act, the National Exit Test serves multiple purposes, including serving as a qualifying final-year MBBS exam, a licensure exam for practicing modern medicine, a screening exam for foreign medical graduates seeking to practice in India, and a merit-based admission exam for postgraduate courses.

When asked about the potential stress on medical students due to NExT, Mandaviya reassured them, stating that no student would be required to undergo unnecessary stress. He clarified that the 2019 batch would not be included in NExT, while the 2020 batch would be subject to it.

Furthermore, he mentioned that the final exam would not be considered as NExT. Students would receive their degree, but registration would only be granted upon passing NExT, making NExT equivalent to NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test).

The minister reiterated that the government and NMC were committed to avoiding any decisions that might confuse students.

About NExt

The National Exit Test (NExT) is a qualifying exam for final-year MBBS students, a licensure exam for practicing medicine, and an admission test for postgraduate courses, designed to ensure standardized assessment and proficiency in the medical field. The 2019 MBBS batch is exempt from NExT, while subsequent batches will be subjected to it, as clarified by Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.