NEET PG 2022 To be Replaced By NExT Exam from 2021, Read Details

New Delhi, 24 June 2022: As per the latest updates, it is likely that the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Post Graduate (NEET PG) exam will be replaced by the National Exit Test (NExT). This exam is most likely going to start from the batch of students that will be graduating in 2023. As of now, the discussions regarding its implementation are being worked out. 

Note: The National Exit Test (NExT) will be a common test for multiple purposes that are meant to be implemented across the board. 

NExT 2023 – Overview

Exam conducting bodies	National Medical Commission (NMC) Or National Board of Examinations (NBE) Or National Testing Agency (NTA)
Year of implementation	2023
Aims	To have a common and uniform national-level entrance/qualifying exam throughout the country To do away with the need of having too many exams. To have a common standard for the medical education sector in the country.
Levels of assessment	Common qualifying examination for final year MBBS students.  Also, as an MBBS exit exam for students.
Exams NExT might replace	National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Post Graduate (NEET PG)  Foreign Medical Graduates Examination (FMGE)

What is NExT?

• The National Exit Test (NExT) will be a qualifying exam for MBBS students if they want to practice medicine in India.
• This exam might also replace the Foreign Medical Graduates Examination (FMGE).
• The proposal for having a common exit test for all medical graduates was initially introduced by the National Medical Commission (NMC) when it came into being in 2020 after the National Medical Commission Act, 2019.
• The aim of introducing the National Exit Test (NExT) is to have a common and uniform national-level entrance/qualifying exam throughout the country and to do away with the need of having too many exams.
• The National Exit Test (NExT) will also serve as a common qualifying examination for the final year MBBS students and also as an MBBS exit exam.
• The National Exit Test (NExT) will also be applicable to institutes of national importance such as the All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in order to have a common standard for the medical education sector in the country.

NExT 2023 – Present Deliberations

• With the National Exit Test (NExT), there is a possibility that students might get more than one chance to qualify for this exam as per the suggested terms & conditions.
• Further, if the National Exit Test (NExT) is implemented, the National Medical Commission (NMC) and other authorities are likely to hold a mock test as well in order to familiarise the students with the exam pattern.
• There are also chances of the National Exit Test (NExT) being conducted either by the National Medical Commission (NMC) or the National Board of Examinations (NBE). 
• As per reports, there are discussions going on to bring the National Testing Agency (NTA) on board to conduct NExT.

Note: 

• There is also no official confirmation on the National Exit Test (NExT) being the sole qualifying and MBBS exit exam from 2023. 
• It has been suggested that the government is holding rounds of discussions on how NExT can be implemented in a uniform way. The decision as to whether or not it will be implemented is yet to be finalized.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is NExT?

The National Exit Test (NExT) will be a qualifying exam for MBBS students if they want to practice medicine in India.

What are the aims of NExT?

To have a common and uniform national-level entrance/qualifying exam throughout the country, to do away with the need of having too many exams, and to have a common standard for the medical education sector in the country.

When will NExT be implemented?

NExT is likely to be implemented from 2023 onwards.