NExT to be conducted twice a year: NCISM

NEW DELHI: The National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) has issued a notification regarding the National Exit Test. With the introduction of NExT, medical students will have one single exit examination that serves as both a licentiate and entrance test.

According to the information provided by NCISM, the National Exit Test of each discipline such as Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Sowa Rigpa shall be conducted by the commission through a designated authority.

“The National Exit Test shall be held for granting license to practice as a medical practitioner of the respective discipline of the Indian system of medicine and for enrollment in the State Register or National Register as a registered medical practitioner of the Indian system of medicine after completing a one-year internship,” read the press release.

The NExT will be conducted twice a year, in February and August. The examination will include problem-based questions to assess clinical competency, and knowledge of medical ethics, and capacity to handle medico-legal problems as a medical practitioner in the disciplines of Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, and Sowa-Rigpa, as applicable.

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National Exit Test: Eligibility criteria

Candidates can have a look at the eligibility criteria to appear for the National Exit Test below.

• An intern who has completed minimum 270 days of internship as on closing date of the submission of the application form of NExT; or
• Graduates of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Sowa-Rigpa who have completed one year internship, or
• Foreign nationals whose medical qualification has been recognized under section 36 of the Act.

“Without qualifying National Exit Test, any graduate of bachelor of ayurvedic medicine and surgery or bachelor of unani medicine and surgery or bachelor of siddha medicine and surgery or bachelor of Sowa Rigpa medicine and surgery, shall not be eligible for enrollment in the state register or national register, as the case may be,” read the press release.

NCISM asked principals of Ayush, Siddha, Unani and Sowa Rigpa colleges to disseminate information to all final year and interns of their respective colleges to make them aware about NExT exam. Exam process has to be completed by NCISM within three years from the date on which NExT exam comes into force.