New Delhi, October 31, 2025: In a move that has brought relief to thousands of medical students in India and abroad, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has decided to defer the implementation of the National Exit Test (NExT). The commission announced that the exam will not be rolled out immediately and that it will take the next 3-4 years to refine the model through mock tests and feedback sessions before its official launch.
The decision comes as part of NMC’s effort to ensure that when NExT finally arrives, it is well-structured, fair, and beneficial for students across all medical institutions.
The announcement followed a meeting between Dr. Abhijat Sheth, Chairman of NMC, and representatives from the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA), a key body representing resident doctors across the country.
“The Hon’ble Chairman announced that the NExT exam (National Exit Test) will not be placed immediately. However, for the upcoming 3 to 4 years, NMC has a plan in which they conduct mock tests, which will be fully funded by NMC, to assess feasibility and gather feedback from students and institutions.”
This means that before introducing the final version of NExT, the commission will test the waters by organizing trial exams to identify any challenges and fine-tune the process.
The NMC’s decision is largely based on feedback from various medical associations, students, and academic experts who raised concerns about the country’s readiness for such a major change.
The main reasons behind the delay include:
By taking this step back, the NMC aims to create a student-friendly and transparent system that truly evaluates medical competence instead of just theoretical knowledge.
The National Exit Test (NExT exam), introduced under the NMC Act, 2019, is designed to serve multiple purposes within a single exam. Once implemented, it will:
In simpler terms, NExT will be the final gateway for every MBBS student, whether they studied in India or abroad, to begin practicing or pursuing higher education.
Medical student organizations have largely welcomed the NMC’s decision, calling it a balanced and sensible approach. The phased rollout through mock tests will help identify potential gaps in the system and allow medical colleges to prepare well in advance.
FAIMA, which led the discussion with NMC, also highlighted the importance of student well-being, mentorship programs, and uniform training quality. The NMC has reportedly agreed to take these points into account during the test phase.
Over the next few years, NMC will organize mock NExT examinations across India’s medical institutions. These trial runs will help the commission collect valuable feedback on question formats, logistics, and technical efficiency. Only after this data is reviewed and necessary improvements made will the final version of the NExT be introduced.
