First edition of NExT exam to be held in February 2028 for MBBS 2024 batch: NMC

The first edition of National Exit Test (NExT) will be conducted in the year 2028. The MBBS batch of 2024 will be the first batch to take the NExT. The decision has been published in the academic calendar published by the National Medical Commission (NMC). The Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) regulations 2023 uploaded on the NMC website states that NExT step 1 will be conducted in February 2028 and NExT step 2 will be held in February 2029. 

Earlier,  union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya had said that the first batch of MBBS students who will have to appear for the National Exit Test (NExT) will be the MBBS 2020 batch. The 2019 MBBS batch will not have to take the NExT. AIIMS Delhi was scheduled to conduct NExT mock test on July 28.However, NMC in its notice dated July 13 postponed the exam till further notice.

MBBS students all over the country were protesting against the NExT stating that they have not got enough time to prepare for the exam and it will increase their academic burden. 

What is NExT exam? 

National Medical Council (NMC) in its official notification stated that NExT will be conducted for MBBS students who want to practice in India.  National Exit Test (NExT) shall form the basis of certifying the eligibility of the medical graduate to register to practice the modern system of medicine in India and therefore serve as a Licentiate Examination and determining the eligibility and ranking for the purpose of admission of those desirous of pursuing further Postgraduate Medical Education in the country in broad medical specialities and therefore serve as an entrance Examination for admission to courses of Postgraduate Medical Education. NExT, therefore, will replace NEET PG and FMGE (Foreign Medical Graduates Exam).