Finance
National Exit Test (NExT) 2024: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has stated that the National Exit Test (NExT) will begin in 2024. According to the information provided, NExT would take the place of final-year MBBS exams and the National Eligibility admission Test Postgraduate (NEET PG) admission test. It will serve as a qualification test for doctors seeking registration as well as the foundation for postgraduate seat distribution.
Previously, it was assumed that NExT would be conducted by the National Medical Commission. However, according to the most recent information, AIIMS Delhi will hold the exam to assess students’ clinical and practical learning. The dates and other crucial information for the NExT exam will be posted on the official website shortly.
NExT 2024: What are the important highlights
Those who will be appearing for NExT 2024 can check below the important highlights related to the exam:
- NEET PG 2024 to be held between January and March, will be the last entrance exam for PG Medical Courses. Eligibility is limited to batches prior to 2019
- NExT – 1 will be conducted in May 2024 for Batch 2019
- For batches prior to 2019, they have the option to take NExT – 1 in May 2024. However, the counselling process for PG courses will be held after one year, in June 2025, following the completion of NExT – 2 for the 2019 batch. The batches prior to 2019 are not required to appear for NExT – 2
- NExT – 1 will be conducted twice in a year like INICET (May and November). So, from June 2025 onwards, 2 PG batches will come in 1 year.
NExT 2024: About the Exam
For admission to postgraduate medical courses, the National Exit Test (NExT) will be conducted. A licentiate exam is required for undergraduate medical students in India before they can practice. Candidates who have completed their MBBS in India or abroad must pass the exam in order to register with the Medical Council of India. The exam will be conducted in computer-based mode twice a year, in May and November.
The 2019 MBBS students will be the first to be eligible for the NMC NExT exam. The test will be divided into two parts, Steps 1 and 2. For NExT MBBS, there will be a total of 6 subjects in step 1 and 7 subjects in step 2. There was no word on when the exam will begin. The exam body is likely to issue an official announcement regarding NExT dates soon.
NExT Mock Test and Exam Pattern
According to information provided by NMC, a mock test will be accessible on July 28. On July 28, registration for the NExT mock/practice test will open. The mock test is designed to familiarize applicants with computer-based tests (CBT). They will understand how the software interface and process flow at the examination center work.
The NExT exam format calls for 6 subjects in step 1 and 7 subjects in step 2. To be qualified for step 2, candidates must pass step 1 and complete an obligatory internship. The first level will be a theoretical exam that will assess deep understanding of a certain subject, followed by a practical exam.
Who can apply for NExT 2024?
Those interested in taking the NExT exam should review the eligibility requirements:
All undergraduate medical students enrolled in MBBS programs in National Medical Commission (NMC)-approved Medical Colleges. These authorizations are provided by the Medical Assessment and Rating Board and the Undergraduate Medical Education Board.
All Foreign Medical Graduates who have received NMC approval. This approval is required to obtain a license to practice medicine as a registered medical practitioner in India, as well as enrolment in either the state or national registers. Regulations will specify how this process will take place.
Those with a Medical Degree who want to pursue an academic course, an observership, or any other purpose permitted and specified by the NMC through notifications or regulations from time to time.
NExT 2024: How many MD/MS Seats and Colleges are there?
According to Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, there has been a 105% rise of PG seats between 2014 and 2022. In 2014, there were 31,185 PG seats, which will expand to 64,059 by 2022. The government intends to have 80,000 PG medical seats available by 2024. Check out the course-specific amount of seats and colleges listed below:
MD General Medicine
| Type of Seats | Number of Seats | No. of colleges |
| Government Seats | 2,211 | 145 |
| Private Seats (Including seats of Deemed Universities) | 1,315 | 147 |
MS General Surgery
| Type of Seats | Number of seat | No. of colleges |
| Government Seats | 2081 | 141 |
| Private Seats (Including seats of Deemed Universities) | 1119 | 147 |
MD Dermatology
| Type of Seats | Number of Seats | No of colleges |
| Government Seats | 452 | 105 |
| Private Seats (Including seats of Deemed Universities) | 399 | 133 |
MD/MS Obstetrics & Gynaecology
| Type of Seats | Number of Seats | No of colleges |
| Government Seats | 1,675 | 144 |
| Private Seats (Including seats of Deemed Universities) | 866 | 142 |
NExT 2024: Most Preferred NEET PG Programmes
To take admission to PG medical courses such as Masters of Surgery (MS ) and Doctor of Medicine (MD), candidates have to qualify in the medical entrance exam – NExT. They can check below some of the most preferred NEET PG programmes below:
- Medicine
- Radiology
- Anatomy
- Forensic Medicine
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Paediatrics
- Orthopaedics
Source:JJ
