First NExT exam in October 2024, future tests in February, August; NCISM frames guidelines

NEW DELHI: The National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) has issued a notification regarding the conduct of National Exit Test (NExT). As per the notification, future NExT exams will be conducted twice a year, in February and August. However, the NExT 2024 exam will be held tentatively in October.

The exam will be held for granting license to practice as medical practitioner of respective discipline of Indian system of medicine and for enrolment as a registered medical practitioner of Indian system of medicine after completing one-year internship.

As per the NExT 2024 exam date notification, candidates securing fifty per cent and above shall be declared as qualified in the National Exit Test. "Those interns who have not completed their internship, but qualified in the National Exit Test shall be eligible to register in State or National Registration boards only after completion of one year internship" NCISM said.

NExT 2024 exam pattern

The NExT 2024 examination will be problem based to test the clinical competency, understanding of medical ethics and the ability to deal with medico-legal cases. The questions may include images, videos, clinical case scenario etc. The NExT structure is given below:

NExT 2024: Languages of question paper

• Ayurveda - English and Hindi
• Unani - English & Urdu
• Siddha - English & Tamil
• Sowa-Rigpa - English and Bhot

NEXT 2024 eligibility criteria

As per the official notification, an intern who has completed minimum 270 days of internship as on closing date can appear for NExT 2024 exam.

Graduates of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Sowa-Rigpa who have completed one-year compulsory internship.

"Foreign nationals whose medical qualification has been recognized under schedule-3 of IMCC Act, 1970 or section 36 of the NCISM Act, 2020 are eligible to appear", NCISM notice added.