NMC Issues Regulations for NExT: All FAQs Answered—Eligibility, Attempts, 10-Year Rule

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has recently released comprehensive guidelines for the National Exit Test (NExT), addressing various frequently asked questions related to eligibility, attempts, and the 10-year rule.

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has recently released comprehensive guidelines for the National Exit Test (NExT), addressing various frequently asked questions related to eligibility, attempts, and the 10-year rule. The NExT, which serves as both a licentiate exam and an entrance exam for postgraduate medical courses, aims to streamline the assessment process for medical students in India.

Under the NMC regulations, all undergraduate medical students pursuing MBBS in NMC-approved colleges, including Institutes of National Importance (INI), will be required to undertake the NExT. Additionally, foreign medical graduates who meet the necessary requirements for obtaining a medical license in India and wish to practice or pursue postgraduate courses will also be eligible to appear for the NExT.

Here are some of the key highlights from the NMC guidelines for NExT:

1. Purpose of NExT: The NExT will certify the eligibility of medical graduates to practice the modern system of medicine in India, acting as a licentiate exam. It will also determine the eligibility and rank of candidates for admission to postgraduate medical courses and serve as an entrance exam for postgraduate medical education in India.
   

2. Attempts and 10-Year Rule: Candidates can appear for NExT Step 1 multiple times, without any restrictions, as long as they pass both NExT Step 1 and NExT Step 2 examinations within 10 years of joining the MBBS course. However, candidates are not allowed to appear for NExT Step 1 to improve scores until they have completed NExT Step 2. The NExT Step 1 scores for determining merit in broad specialty postgraduate courses will remain valid for five years. If a candidate appears for NExT Step 1 again, only the scores from the last attempt will be considered for rank determination. A supplementary exam for NExT Step 2 will be conducted twice a year for candidates who have failed in one or more subjects. Candidates who fail in more than three subjects will be required to appear in all seven subjects again.
   

3. Exam Schedule: The NExT Step 1 mock registration will close on July 10, and the mock test is scheduled to be conducted on July 28 at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi. The exact dates for the NExT Step 1 and Step 2 exams will be announced later.

The NMC's introduction of the NExT has sparked both support and opposition from various stakeholders, including students, doctors, and medical associations. Some have raised concerns regarding the implementation of the NExT regulations, including issues of clarity, violation of the NMC Act 2019, and the impact on specific batches of medical students.

As the NMC continues to address these concerns and refine the guidelines, it is essential for medical students and professionals to stay updated with the latest information and follow the official notifications from the NMC. The NExT aims to create a standardized assessment system for medical education and practice, ensuring the quality and competency of future medical professionals in India.

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