NExT exam likely in second half of 2023; AIIMS may conduct it

Update: An NMC official has told Careers360 that the notice shared widely and covered below is fake. There are, however, news reports predating the circulation of this 'notice' that suggest that these decisions was under consideration.

NEW DELHI: The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) will conduct the National Exit Test (NExT) exam, according to an NMC notice shared on social media. According to the notice, NExT exam will be conducted in the second half of this year. The exam is going to replace the National Eligibility Entrance Test for Postgraduate (NEET PG) exam for admission to postgraduate programmes in medical colleges across the country.

Sharing the notice, Dr Rohan Krishnan, an orthopaedic surgeon in New Delhi and an adviser to the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA), a network of postgraduate medical students and doctors, claimed that the notice is true “as per sources” and asked the National Medical Commission (NMC) and the ministry of health and family welfare to clarify the details of exam, exam dates, eligibility, pattern, and more.

Also Read | NExT: Exam in two steps? NMC drafts guidelines on schedule, duration, scores, papers

“This is a true notice as per our sources. Requesting NMC_IND, MoHFW_INDIA to clarify everything about the NEXT exam, including eligibility, pattern, and what abt those candidates who have already given NEET PG & would re appear. Any sudden abrupt changes will nt b tolerated!,” said Krishnan in a tweet.

This is a true notice as per our sources.
Requesting @NMC_IND , @MoHFW_INDIA to clarify everything about the NEXT exam, including eligibility, pattern, and what abt those candidates who have already given NEET PG & would re appear.
Any sudden abrupt changes will nt b tolerated! pic.twitter.com/RRQJ4UXECa

— Dr. Rohan Krishnan (@DrRohanKrishna3) June 7, 2023

“As per notice dated May 26, 2023, the meeting was held on the date of June 7, 2023 and it is to be informed that the upcoming exam National Exit Test (NExT) is finalised to be held in the second half of 2023. The detailed schedule along with its rules and regulations will be disclosed shortly,” read the notice.

Also Read | ‘Create MCQ-cracking robots’: Doctors, students on NMC's NExT exam guidelines

“It is also to be informed that National Exit Test part 1 will be conducted by All India Institute of Medical Sciences,” it added. The notice further read that the exams will be commenced in a month after the schedule is announced.

The Federation of Resident Doctors' Association (FORDA) called the NMC "callous" and "irresponsible" over the notice. "With the dense fog around the timeline & conduct of NEXT exam, it is imperative that the schedule & rules and regulations are released well in advance and NOT JUST 30 days prior. This is very callous and irresponsible on the part of NMC_IND. This is the first time that an entirely new exam is being held just 30 days after it’s brochure release!!"

With the dense fog around the timeline & conduct of NEXT exam, it is imperative that the schedule & rules and regulations are released well in advance and NOT JUST 30 days prior.

This is very callous and irresponsible on the part of @NMC_IND.

This is the first time that an… pic.twitter.com/CpH40XmXjO

— FORDA INDIA (@FordaIndia) June 7, 2023