It’s official — the National Medical Commission (NMC) has decided to postpone the National Exit Test (NExT) for another 3–4 years.
This decision came after a key meeting with the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA). Instead of launching the exam soon, the NMC will now conduct mock NExT exams across India to test how ready colleges and students are.
For lakhs of medical students in India and abroad, this update brought a mix of relief and confusion. Let’s break down everything clearly — what NExT actually is, why it’s delayed, and what you should do now.
The Original Plan — What Was Supposed to Happen
The NMC had earlier announced that NExT would start soon, possibly around 2026.
Students were preparing for it in two stages:
- NExT 1 – A computer-based theory exam (similar to NEET-PG).
- NExT 2 – A practical/clinical skills exam held during internship.
The goal was to make medical education more uniform and transparent across India.
But now, that timeline has changed — the real exam will not happen for at least 3–4 more years.
The New Update — NMC Delays NExT Until 2028–2029
In late October 2025, the National Medical Commission (NMC) officially announced that the National Exit Test (NExT) will not be implemented immediately.
Instead, the commission will run a 3–4 year pilot phase before the actual exam begins.
During this phase, the NMC will conduct mock NExT exams across different medical colleges in India. These mock tests will be fully funded and organized by NMC itself to check whether:
- Colleges have the right infrastructure for computer-based testing,
- Students and faculty understand the exam pattern and syllabus, and
- The system can run fairly and smoothly on a national scale.
Only after collecting feedback, refining the question pattern, and ensuring every state and college is ready, the final NExT implementation will take place — tentatively around 2028 or 2029.
Until then, the current exam structure will continue:
- NEET-PG remains the entry exam for postgraduate seats,
- FMGE will still be required for foreign medical graduates, and
- University MBBS finals will continue under their respective universities.
So in short, the NMC isn’t cancelling NExT — it’s pressing pause to test the system thoroughly, so that when it finally launches, it’s stable, fair, and nationwide-ready.
Why Did NMC Postpone the Exam?
Here are the key reasons — in simple terms:
- Infrastructure Not Ready:
Many colleges don’t yet have proper facilities for large-scale, computer-based exams. - Uneven Education System:
Big differences exist between state universities and private colleges. NMC wants a level playing field before one national exam. - Student Pressure & Feedback:
Thousands of students and medical bodies requested more time, saying the sudden shift could affect current batches. - Trial Run Needed:
NMC wants to test the exam pattern, difficulty level, and digital setup through mock exams first. - Policy Alignment:
Since NExT replaces three major exams, the government wants a watertight system before implementation.
In short — the delay is not a cancellation. It’s a pause to prepare better.
What This Means for Students (2025–2029)
The NExT postponement changes how students will move through medical education over the next few years. Here’s what it means for each group:
For Indian MBBS Students
If you’re currently studying MBBS in India, nothing changes immediately.
- You’ll continue to appear for your regular university final exams as before.
- For postgraduate (MD/MS) admissions, you will still write the NEET-PG exam every year until NExT officially replaces it.
- Use this time to focus on building a strong clinical foundation instead of worrying about the new format.
When NExT finally arrives, students who already have solid basics will adapt faster.
For Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs)
If you’re studying MBBS abroad, this update gives you more clarity and time.
- You will still need to clear the FMGE (Foreign Medical Graduate Exam) to get your license in India.
- NExT will eventually replace FMGE, but not before 2028–2029 — and only after official notification.
So for the next few years, continue your FMGE-based preparation and track NMC updates through official channels.
For Medical Colleges and Institutions
Colleges must now upgrade their digital infrastructure, train exam staff, and prepare for computer-based testing.
The upcoming mock NExT exams will help NMC judge which colleges are ready and which need improvement.
This period is like a testing ground for both institutions and students — to build a more uniform and transparent evaluation system.
Is This Delay a Relief or a Setback?
This decision feels like a double-edged sword.
Relief:
Students get breathing space.
No last-minute exam changes.
Time to prepare calmly without uncertainty.
Setback:
Lack of clear timeline can confuse juniors.
Students studying abroad may face more uncertainty about when FMGE will be replaced.
Still, many experts say it’s better to delay than to rush an exam that decides a doctor’s career.
The Silver Lining — Mock NExT Exams
Even though the official NExT exam has been delayed, there’s a positive side to this decision — the introduction of mock NExT exams by the NMC.
These mock exams are not just sample tests. They are official pilot runs conducted across selected medical colleges to check how the entire system performs before the real exam begins.
Through these mock tests, the NMC aims to:
- Understand whether colleges have proper infrastructure for large-scale computer-based exams.
- Collect feedback from students and teachers about question style, subject weightage, and difficulty level.
- Identify technical or procedural issues early, so they can be fixed before the national rollout.
Another big plus is that these mock exams will be free of cost and organized directly by the NMC, not individual universities. That means every student — from government or private colleges — will get an equal opportunity to experience what NExT feels like.
For students, this is a valuable practice ground. Participating in these mock exams will help you:
- Understand the real exam format,
- Learn time management in computer-based testing, and
- Build confidence before the final version of NExT launches.
So while the actual exam is delayed, these mock tests are a great opportunity to prepare early and get comfortable with the new system.
What You Should Do Now
Don’t overthink the delay — use it smartly.
✅ Focus on NEET-PG or FMGE depending on your path.
✅ Strengthen your core subjects — Medicine, Surgery, Pathology, Pharmacology.
✅ Keep track of official NMC notices — avoid rumors.
✅ Build clinical and practical experience — it’ll help in both old and new systems.
Remember: Good doctors don’t depend on exams — they depend on strong fundamentals.
Final Thoughts — A Step Back to Move Forward
The postponement of NExT isn’t a failure — it’s a reset.
NMC has decided to listen, test, and prepare — and that’s the right move.
Yes, it means waiting. But it also means a better, fairer, and more transparent exam when it finally arrives.
Until then, keep learning, stay calm, and focus on what you can control.
Your journey to becoming a doctor continues — just with a little more time to breathe.
Still Confused About Your Medical Journey?
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