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What is the NEXT exam?
In 2019, a bill was passed by the Indian Parliament (called as NMC bill 2019) which replaced MCI (medical council of India) with NMC (National medical commission) and since then NMC is responsible for regulating norms related to medical education and related protocol in India. In addition to this replacement, all the medical grads (from now on) ought to appear for MBBS exit test, aptly termed as, the National exit test ie. NEXT. Thus, in simpler terms, it is an India level entrance exam for the UG and PG level in medical field.
The NEXT exam has been proposed as a uniform national exit test for MBBS graduates who wish to practice medicine in India or pursue higher education in the medical stream. NEXT medical exam is a common gateway for students to gain license and practice as a doctor in India. Immediately after the implementation of NMC bill 2019, the NEXT exam 2021 has become operational and has also replaced the NEET-PG exam. Read on for NEXT exam details!
Significance of the NMC bill 2019
As aforementioned, the MCI is replaced by NMC and because this decision has been affirmed by the president of India, this “NMC bill 2019” is now a law.
Furthermore, the health ministry has now abolished the post graduate admission via NEET PG exam for courses like MD and MS. In fact, the bridge courses under AYUSH like Yunani, Ayurveda, Siddha and homeopathy has also been cancelled.
Objectives of the NEXT Exam
- For one, it’s conducted for the students who have pursued MBBS from abroad. Earlier the same students were supposed to appear for FMGE and after the NMC bill 2019; they now have to sit for NEXT medical exam.
- Second is to ensure the selection of the best candidates for the PG courses as the top rankers of NEXT will be offered the seats.
- NEXT exam aims to uplift more of qualified and skilled medical professionals in India.
- Another objective is to regularize and improve medical services in rural India. The MBBS grads who qualify national exit test will be asked to serve in tribal/rural area for a span of at least 3 years.
- Also, if the MBBS grad wishes to pursue MD/MS or any other PG medical course then, they will have to undergo another 3 years in tribal/rural areas in relevance to their chosen specialization.
NEXT: Exam pattern and Syllabus
NEXT Exam details: Exam pattern
The NEXT exam pattern will encompass 2 parts:
1. NEXT -1 (Theory part)
2.NEXT-2 (Practical part)
Speaking of NEXT 1, it will be held after the final year of MBBS but before internship. This part will have multiple choice questions (MCQs) and after you’ve passed NEXT-1, you can continue with your internship. After you’ve successfully qualified NEXT-1, you will now have to appear for NEXT -2, after your internship.
Additionally, the score that you’ve got in NEXT-1 will lead you to get a PG seat after internship. Coming to NEXT-2, it will be a pass/fail type of exam and will not contribute to PG seats allocation in any way. Therefore, NEXT 1 will be both a competitive as well as a qualifying exam.
The best part is there are no restrictions on the no. of attempts (unlimited attempts). Also, the score of NEXT-1 exam will be valid for another 2-3 years for the purpose of PG entrance ranking.
NEXT exam MBBS syllabus:
As per the new curriculum of NMC, all of the 19 subjects will be included for national exit test. However, the subject-wise marks distribution would be different than what it was in MCI screening test or NEET-PG exam. This means that now the clinical subjects would be disproportionately weighing more marks as compared to the pre and Para clinical ones. Here is the distribution according to the NEXT exam latest news for the syllabus for NEXT exam:
| Days |
MAJOR SUBJECTS |
ALLIED SUBJECTS |
TOTAL NO. OF MCQS |
MINOR SUBJECTS |
TOTAL NO. OF MCQS |
MCQS(IN TOTAL) |
| 1 |
Medicine |
Dermatology, psychiatry |
120 |
Pediatrics |
60 |
180 |
| 2 |
Surgery |
Orthopedics, anesthesia |
120 |
ENT |
60 |
180 |
| 3 |
Obstetrics & Gynecology |
Radiology |
120 |
Ophthalmology |
60 |
180 |
| 4 |
Total no. of MCQs |
360 |
|
180 |
540
|
Now, in the above mentioned table there are total 540 MCQs,
- Out of which 10% from each field will be based on the basic applied sciences. I.e. from physiology, anatomy, microbiology, biochemistry, pharmacology and pathology.
- Another 10% would be on PSM (Preventive and social medicine)
- 10% will be based on your ability to recall
- 30% will be for analysis and comprehension
- 60% will be dedicated for problem solving
Point to be noted: This percentage proposal is as discussed in the official meeting on 15 February 2020 by board of governors (NMC commission). The official announcement is yet to come from NBE, NMC or NTA.
NEET Exam: Advantages and Disadvantage
Advantages:
- There’s no need for conducting NEET PG exam separately for the post graduate medical courses, after NEXT is implemented.
- In the medical stream, NEXT is now a common entrance exam for all sorts of UG and PG level courses.
- You now will not be asked to show up for JIPMER and AIIMS individually since NEXT is inclusive of all medical colleges such as AIIMS and JIPMER.
- It’s mandatory for every international student to appear for NEXT, in order to obtain license for practicing medicine in India.
Disadvantages:
- NEXT is bound to create some apprehension in the minds of those MBBS students who are studying in Government colleges in India.
- In the perception of medical professionals, NEXT is nothing but a bane to MBBS final year students who must work hard now, without a choice.
- Last but not the least, if the students fail to qualify the NEXT exam, the time spent for theoretical and practical exams would simply be a waste.
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Conclusion:
NEXT exam is still in consideration and in process of approval. Therefore, it can’t be predicted that what will mark the end of this proposal. It can either be a success or failure. However, definitely NEXT will remove the flaws of the MCI procedures and norms.
