If you’re an MBBS student or planning to study medicine in India, you’ve probably heard about the National Exit Test (NExT). This exam has been making headlines for years—not because it’s happening, but because it keeps getting delayed. Let’s break down what NExT is, why it matters, and the complete timeline of its postponements.
What is the NExT Exam?
The National Exit Test (NExT) is a proposed single exam that will serve three big purposes for MBBS graduates:​
1. Medical License – Permission to practice medicine in India
2. Postgraduate Entry – Gateway for admission to MD/MS courses
3. Foreign Graduate Screening – Replacement for the FMGE (Foreign Medical Graduate Examination)
Currently, students take separate exams: final MBBS exams for their degree, and then NEET-PG for postgraduate admissions. NExT would replace both, plus the FMGE.​
The exam is designed in two parts:​
NExT Step 1: A computer-based theory exam with 540 multiple-choice questions covering six subjects (Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Pediatrics, ENT, and Ophthalmology)
NExT Step 2: A practical/clinical exam with hands-on assessments and viva voce covering seven subjects
The Complete Timeline of Delays
2019-2020: The Beginning
The National Medical Commission (NMC) Act came into force in September 2020, introducing the concept of NExT. According to the law, NMC had to conduct NExT within three years—meaning by September 2023.​
The 2019 MBBS batch was initially supposed to be the first batch to take NExT.​
2022: First Extension
By September 2022, it became clear that NMC wasn’t ready. The government invoked special provisions in the NMC Act to extend the deadline by one year—from three years to four years. This pushed the timeline to September 2024.​
The notification stated that “regulations in the matter are yet to be framed and also constitution of the examination cell is under process”.​
June-July 2023: Regulations Released, Then Deferred
In June 2023, NMC officially notified the NExT Regulations 2023, outlining how the exam would work. A mock test was scheduled for July 28, 2023, through AIIMS Delhi.​
But protests erupted across the country. Medical students from the 2019 batch raised concerns under the hashtag #NONEXTFOR19BATCH, arguing they didn’t have enough time to prepare for a new exam format.​
On July 11, 2023, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare advised NMC to defer NExT. Two days later, on July 13, NMC issued a public notice: “The National Exit Test examination is deferred till further directions from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare”.​
AIIMS Delhi promptly cancelled the mock test scheduled for July 28, 2023, and began refunding registration fees.​
August 2023: New Timeline Announced
After discussions between the Health Ministry and NMC, sources indicated that NExT Step 1 would likely be held in August 2025 for the 2020 MBBS batch—not the 2019 batch.​
This meant the exam was pushed back by approximately two years from the original plan.​
October 2025: Another Major Postponement
On October 28, 2025, the latest and most significant postponement was announced. Following a meeting between NMC Chairman Dr. Abhijat Sheth and representatives from the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA), it was confirmed that NExT would not be implemented for another 3-4 years.​
Dr. Sheth stated that instead of immediately rolling out the exam, NMC would conduct fully funded mock tests over the next 3-4 years to assess feasibility and gather feedback from students and institutions. Only after evaluating these trial runs would the final implementation be considered.​
The exam originally scheduled for August 2025 is now deferred until at least 2028 or 2029.​
Why All These Delays?
Several major challenges have caused these repeated postponements:
1. Infrastructure Issues
Many medical colleges, especially those established in the last 10-15 years, lack adequate computer labs, proctoring capability, and trained personnel to conduct a nationwide computer-based test.​
2. Lack of Uniform Standards
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) and other medical bodies argued that medical education standards vary widely across India’s 700+ medical colleges. Nearly 50% of colleges were established recently and may not have the same quality of teachers and systems as older institutions.​
Testing all students with one standardized exam when education quality differs so much seemed unfair.​
3. Student and Stakeholder Concerns
Medical students and resident doctors raised several concerns:​
- Increased pressure: Balancing NExT preparation with final MBBS coursework
- Short preparation time: Unlike NEET-PG which students prepare for after completing MBBS, NExT Step 1 would be taken during the final year​
- Sudden format change: Students were not given adequate notice about the new exam structure
- Training quality issues: Over 40% of medical students at premier colleges reported working in toxic environments, affecting their preparation​
4. Legal and Policy Gaps
The NExT regulations left critical questions unanswered:​
- How would existing exams (MBBS finals, NEET-PG, FMGE) be phased out?
- How would tie-breaking for PG rank lists work?
- What happens to students who fail?
The IMA also questioned whether one exam could fairly serve two very different purposes: basic licensing (which requires minimum competency) and postgraduate selection (which requires high merit).​
5. Logistical Challenges
Coordinating thousands of test centers across India for an exam with 540 questions spread over multiple days is a massive undertaking. AIIMS Delhi was designated to conduct NExT, but even a single mock test proved difficult to organize.​
What Happens Now?
Mock Tests for 3-4 Years
NMC plans to conduct a series of mock NExT examinations, fully funded by the commission. These trial runs will help:​
- Test the exam structure and logistics
- Gather feedback from students and institutions
- Identify problems before full implementation
- Allow time for medical colleges to upgrade infrastructure and standardize teaching​
Current System Continues
Until NExT is implemented, MBBS students will continue with:​
- Regular final-year MBBS exams
- NEET-PG for postgraduate admissions
- FMGE for foreign medical graduates
Focus on Medical Education Quality
Dr. Sandeep Dagar from FAIMA emphasized that the delay offers an opportunity to “upgrade medical education” by focusing on standardization of teaching methods, updating curriculum, and faculty training.​
What This Means for Students
For Current MBBS Students (2020-2024 Batches)
You will not need to take NExT. You’ll follow the traditional route:​
- Complete your MBBS final exams
- Finish your internship
- Take NEET-PG for postgraduate admissions (if interested)
For Future MBBS Students (2025 Batch Onwards)
The 2025 batch might be the first to take NExT, but this depends on the success of mock tests over the next few years. The earliest realistic implementation is now 2028-2029.​
For Students Studying MBBS Abroad
If you’re studying medicine abroad, you’ll continue taking FMGE until NExT is implemented. When NExT does roll out, it will replace FMGE as the screening exam for foreign medical graduates.​
The postponement gives you more time to prepare under the current system, but stay updated on NMC announcements.
The Bigger Picture
The repeated delays of NExT highlight a fundamental challenge: implementing a single standardized exam across a diverse medical education landscape requires careful planning, infrastructure investment, and stakeholder consensus.​
While the postponements have created uncertainty, they also reflect NMC’s willingness to listen to student concerns and ensure the system is ready before launch.​
Plan Your Medical Education Journey with Confidence
Navigating medical entrance exams and admissions in India can feel overwhelming—especially with changing regulations like NExT. Whether you’re planning to study MBBS in India or exploring options abroad, having the right guidance makes all the difference.
At Think ED First, we help students and parents:
✓ Understand the latest medical education updates and exam changes
✓ Choose the right path—NEET, MBBS in India, or studying abroad
✓ Prepare effectively for entrance exams
✓ Make informed decisions about medical colleges
Don’t let confusion about NExT or other medical exams slow you down. Our expert counselors stay updated on every change in medical education policy and can guide you through your options.
👉 Contact Think Education First today for personalized guidance on your medical education journey. Whether NExT happens next year or in 2029, we’ll help you stay prepared and make the best choices for your future.
Key Takeaways:
- NExT has been postponed multiple times since 2019, with the latest delay pushing implementation to 2028-2029
- The exam was originally scheduled for the 2019 batch, then 2020 batch, then August 2025—all deferred
- NMC will conduct mock tests for 3-4 years before final rollout
- Current students will continue with traditional MBBS exams and NEET-PG
- Delays are due to infrastructure gaps, lack of uniform education standards, student concerns, and logistical challenges
- Stay updated with official NMC announcements for the latest information
Have questions about NExT, NEET, or medical admissions? Connect with Think Education First for expert guidance tailored to your needs.
