The National Medical Commission (NMC) Chairman, Dr. Abhijat Chandrakant Seth, announced on Monday that the NExT (National Exit Test) will be implemented in the next two to three years. This exam will replace the MBBS final-year exam, NEET-PG, and the FMGE for students returning from abroad.
Dr. Seth said, “NExT is a robust and innovative system that will shape the future of medical education in India. All stakeholder concerns are being addressed, and the exam will be implemented only after full approval.”
Highlighting current discrepancies, he noted that government and private medical institutions operate under different systems, leading to inefficient use of resources. Dr. Seth suggested that a public-private partnership (PPP) model could strengthen the education and healthcare sectors while providing better opportunities for underprivileged students.
The NMC has also issued guidelines on medical college fees and seat allocation. According to the rules, 50% of total seats will be reserved for meritorious students from the state, while the remaining can be allocated under the management quota.
Dr. Seth added that over the next five years, a total of 75,000 new UG and PG seats will be introduced. In the academic year 2024–25 alone, 18,000 new seats were added.
Foreign-educated students often face challenges in exams due to differences in language, curriculum, and teaching methods. To address this, the NMC, in collaboration with the Ministries of External Affairs and Home Affairs, has set up a committee to identify curriculum gaps, provide recommendations, and establish a process for recognizing qualified foreign institutions.
To increase the number of doctors in rural areas, the NMC plans to develop and implement a Family Medicine course. This initiative aims to improve healthcare quality in rural regions and incentivize doctors to serve in underserved areas.
What is NExT?
Replacement for NEET-PG: MBBS graduates will no longer need NEET-PG for MD/MS admissions; selection will be based on NExT scores.
Replacement for FMGE: Students returning from foreign medical institutions will have to clear NExT to practice in India.
NExT will be a single examination aimed at simplifying and streamlining the process of medical education and practice in India.
Dr. Seth emphasized that once implemented, NExT will make India’s medical education system uniform, strong, and aligned with international standards.
