For admissions to Medical colleges after the national eligibility cum entrance test (NEET) the government is likely to conduct the NExT (national exit test) from next year for the students who are in their final year of graduation, as informed to Hindustandtimes.com by the individuals familiar with the developments.
National Exit Test
This exam will serve not only as a qualifier round for the MBBS students going to give the last year’s exams but also as a ticket to get a licence to practice modern medicine in the country. This exam will also be counted in the merit basis allocation of the postgraduate seats in different specialties and a pass for the foreign graduates to practise in the country.
A senior government official remarked, “The exit exam is most likely going to start from the batch of students that is going to graduate in 2023. The modalities are being worked out.”
Further added, “If NExT is introduced in the education system then it will do away with the need to conduct NEET-PG (national eligibility-cum-entrance examination). It will be a common test for multiple purposes that are meant to be implemented across the board.”
Possibility Of Third Party Handling The Process
As informed to the portal from the individuals familiar with the matter, the national board of examination of National Sciences will probably conduct the exams but there is a sufficient possibility of a third party handling the complete process.
Before the execution of the final exam, there will also be a preparatory mock test for the students, to make them familiar with the process.
Also read:
Agnipath Scheme, Age, Eligibility, Salary And All You Need To Know
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya On National Exit Test
“The importance of the NExt Exam lies in the fact that it will be the same for everyone whether trained in India or any part of the world and hence it will solve the problem of foreign medical graduates (FMGs) / Mutual recognition… The Government of India is committed to creating quality medical education and transparent examination infrastructure and health services and is relentlessly working with all stakeholders to achieve this objective.” said by Mandaviya, as per the statement from the Government.
However, few experts are not so pleased with this method of testing everyone’s ability.
“How can one single exam decide all three?” asserted Dr. RV Asokan, Ex-Secretary General, Indian Medical Association.
He further added, “The methodology to assess has to be different, as for PG entrance you have to look for the best among medical professionals who you send for further specialisations as opposed to assessing those who want to be able to practise medicine. You cannot use the same benchmark, which is why we raised concerns regarding the way NExT has been envisaged.”
