National Exit Test, popularly known as the NExT Exam, is a mandatory licensing and postgraduate entrance examination for MBBS students in India. It is introduced by the National Medical Commission, designed to replace the existing National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test for Postgraduate seats (NEET PG) and the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE).
The National Exit Test (NExT) is a computer-based and practical examination, categorised into two-step i.e. NExT Step 1 and NExT Step 2. The format of the exam includes multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and clinical assessments. With the implementation of this system, the NExT Exam Compulsory rule will be applied to all MBBS graduates seeking licensing and postgraduation in India.
In this blog, we will cover all the latest updates of the National Exit Test (NExT), including the registration process, eligibility, exam pattern, syllabus, and exam dates.
The official NMC NExT exam registration is expected to be conducted online through the National Medical Commission (NMC) portal. Although the detailed notification is still awaited, students can expect the following steps:
Note: Students are advised to regularly check the latest NExT exam update NMC notifications for registration announcements and deadlines.
Candidates must fulfil the NExT Exam eligibility criteria for taking the exam. The National Exit Test will only be open to individuals who satisfy the following requirements:
As mandated by the National Medical Commission (NMC), candidates must fulfil the NExT Exam Eligibility Criteria to appear. The eligibility for the MBBS NExT exam is expected to include:
1. Indian Medical Graduates (IMGs)
2. Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs)
NExT exam pattern is one of the most discussed topics among medical students. As per the proposed guidelines, the exam will be conducted in 2 steps, which are NExT Step 1 and NExT Step 2. NExT Step 1 features 540 clinically-based MCQs focusing on problem-solving (60%), analysis (30%), and recall (10%) across 19 subjects. While NExT Step 2 is a practical & clinical-based examination.
The NExT Step 1 is a theoretical examination conducted in CBT (Computer-Based Test) mode. It focuses on evaluating the knowledge of students related to medical sciences, covering both clinical and preclinical subjects.
Structure: The exam contains 6 papers that cover various topics and subjects of MBBS. Each paper has multiple-choice questions (MCQs). The subjects include:
The NExT Step 2 is a practical & clinical-based examination that evaluates the practical knowledge, clinical skills, and patient management abilities of candidates.
Structure: The NExT Step 2 is conducted after the completion of a one-year internship. It focuses on practicals, viva voce, and real-life case management studies. It also includes core clinical subjects like
As per the draft published by NMC (National Medical Commission), the following would be the NEXT Exam pattern (for Step 1):
|
Days |
Subjects |
Number of Questions |
Allotted Time |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Day 1 |
Medicine & allied subjects |
120 |
180 minutes |
|
Pediatrics |
60 |
90 minutes |
|
|
Day 2 |
Surgery & Allied |
120 |
180 minutes |
|
ENT |
60 |
90 minutes |
|
|
Day 3 |
Obstetrics & Gynaecology |
120 |
180 minutes |
|
Ophthalmology |
60 |
90 minutes |
|
|
Total |
540 |
810 minutes |
|
As per the latest NExT exam news, the official implementation timeline is still under discussion. The National Exit Test (NExT) for MBBS is officially postponed by the National Medical Commission in India for 2 to 3 years, with expected implementation now around 2028–2029. The expected NExT exam schedule is as follows:
|
Event |
Tentative Date |
|---|---|
|
Notification Release |
Expected Soon |
|
Registration Starts |
To Be Announced |
|
Admit Card Release |
Before Exam |
|
NExT Step 1 Exam |
Tentative |
|
NExT Step 2 Exam |
Tentative |
|
Result Declaration |
After Examination |
Note: For the latest NExT exam update and announcements, regularly check the National Medical Commission‘s official website.
NExT (National Exit Test) is a mandatory licensing and postgraduate entrance examination for medical students in India. It is designed to replace the existing Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) and National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Postgraduate (NEET PG).
Yes, NExT is set to replace the NEET PG and act as the final year MBBS practical exam, serving as a unified, multi-purpose exam for licensing (medicine practice) and PG admission (entrance exam) in India.
The NExT exam will be mandatory for all the final year MBBS students in India (including AIIMS), all Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) seeking a license to practice medicine in India, and medical graduates who want to pursue postgraduate studies.
NExT (National Exit Test) is a computer-based examination, categorised into 2 steps, which are NExT Step 1 and NExT Step 2. NExT Step 1 is a theory-based, computer-based test (CBT), while Step 2 is a practical exam.
The NExT exam syllabus covers all 19 subjects of the Indian MBBS curriculum, divided into 3 phases, i.e. clinical, pre-clinical, and para-clinical areas. Subjects that are included in the syllabus are Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Pathology, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Forensic Medicine, etc.
The National Exit Test (NExT) has been officially postponed by the National Medical Commission in India, with an extension of 2 to 3 years. It is expected that the examination will be implemented around 2028–2029.