- Despite the postponement, a mock test organised by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi is still scheduled to take place on July 28.
The recent communication from the apex medical education regulator to all stakeholders states that the implementation of the National Exit Test (NExT) for the current final year MBBS batch has been postponed based on advice from the Ministry of Health.
The NExT, which was mandated by the National Medical Commission Act, was intended to replace the MBBS final exam. Its purpose was to serve as a licentiate exam to grant registration for medical practice and as a qualifying test for entrance into PG courses, replacing the NEET PG test.
The primary goal of the NExT was to ensure a uniform standard of education and place emphasis on practical training for all medical students. However, the graduating students of the current year have demanded a postponement of the examination, citing insufficient time to prepare for the new format. Earlier this month, the health minister had announced that the next batch of MBBS graduates would be subject to the new examination.
If the exam is not conducted this year, the government will need to officially notify the deferment in the gazette. As per the National Medical Commission act, the test was originally required to be held within three years of its implementation in 2020. However, a gazette notification extended the deadline to 2024.
Despite the postponement, a mock test organised by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi is still scheduled to take place on July 28. Officials familiar with the matter have mentioned that there has been no request from the health ministry or NMC to cancel the mock test at this time, and preparations for it are proceeding as planned.
