NExT 2025 – Counselling, Cutoff, Result, Scorecard,Trend & Top colleges

The National Exit Test (NExT) is a pivotal national-level examination conceived by the National Medical Commission (NMC) to revolutionize medical education and practice in India. This examination is designed to serve a dual purpose: acting as a mandatory qualifying examination for all medical graduates to obtain a license to practice modern medicine in India, and simultaneously serving as the basis for admission to postgraduate medical courses such as MD/MS across the nation. NExT is intended for all Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) graduates, including those from Indian medical colleges and foreign medical graduates (FMGs) seeking to practice in India. It aims to standardize the assessment of medical competency, ensuring that all practitioners meet a uniform benchmark of clinical knowledge and skills. The examination is structured into two distinct steps: NExT Step 1 and NExT Step 2. NExT Step 1 is envisioned as an online, computer-based theoretical examination. It comprehensively assesses the applied knowledge of six core clinical disciplines derived from the entire MBBS curriculum. These include Medicine and Allied Disciplines, Surgery and Allied Disciplines, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Ophthalmology, and Otorhinolaryngology (ENT). Each paper under NExT Step 1 is proposed for a three-hour duration, with multiple-choice questions designed to evaluate the practical application of medical concepts. NExT Step 2, on the other hand, is a practical, clinical, and viva-voce examination to be conducted at the university or institutional level, focusing on evaluating hands-on clinical skills and communication abilities. While the National Medical Commission initially outlined a robust framework for NExT, including a pilot examination in July 2023, the full-scale implementation of the test has been deferred indefinitely by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare until suitable readiness. Consequently, specific examination dates, application periods, and detailed fee structures for upcoming sessions have not yet been finalized or announced. This deferment means that the transition from existing examinations like NEET PG and FMGE to NExT is on hold, and candidates should refer to the latest official announcements from NMC for any updates regarding NExT National Exit Test. Historically, NExT Step 1 was proposed to be conducted twice a year, potentially in May and November, to offer flexibility to candidates. The NExT Step 1 score is intended to be valid for two years for the purpose of postgraduate admission, providing graduates with multiple opportunities to secure a desired PG seat. Once both NExT Step 1 and Step 2 are successfully cleared, a medical graduate is granted a permanent license to practice medicine in India. The introduction of NExT is a significant reform, designed to streamline the assessment process, enhance the quality of medical education outcomes, and ensure that only qualified professionals enter the healthcare system. This unified approach aims to eliminate the need for separate entrance exams for licensure and postgraduate studies, offering a more integrated pathway for medical professionals. Aspiring medical students and graduates are encouraged to stay updated with official NMC notifications regarding the re-initiation and detailed operational guidelines of the NExT examination.

A unified examination for both medical licensure and postgraduate admission, standardizing assessment for all medical graduates.

Centralized counselling by MCC for All India Quota and Deemed/Central Universities, followed by state-level counselling for state quota.

Qualifying the National Exit Test (NExT) does not facilitate admission into undergraduate medical colleges; instead, it serves as a critical prerequisite for all medical graduates to obtain their license to practice medicine in India and to gain admission to postgraduate medical courses across all institutions. This transformative exam is envisioned to replace NEET-PG, becoming the singular entrance examination for MD and MS programs in India's most prestigious medical colleges. Consequently, NExT will be instrumental in determining entry into institutions universally recognized for their academic excellence, robust industry connections, and advanced research facilities. While NExT does not directly lead to 'placements' in the traditional sense, a high NExT score will unlock opportunities for postgraduate studies at premier medical colleges such as All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, and Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research. These institutions are renowned for their rigorous training, access to diverse patient populations, and opportunities for super-specialization. Graduates from these colleges, post-specialization, often secure coveted positions in leading hospitals and healthcare systems across India and globally, with lucrative career paths. Therefore, excelling in NExT will be the foundational step towards a specialized medical career, offering unparalleled return on investment through advanced education and access to top-tier medical environments, eventually leading to impactful roles in the healthcare sector.

Qualifying the National Exit Test (NExT) is poised to become a transformative milestone for aspiring medical professionals in India, unlocking unparalleled opportunities for both licensing and advanced academic pursuits. While currently deferred, NExT's proposed implementation aims to streamline the process of medical practice and postgraduate admission across the nation. All medical students completing their MBBS from recognized institutions in India, alongside foreign medical graduates, will need to clear NExT to secure their license to practice modern medicine. Beyond licensing, NExT is intended to serve as the sole gateway for admission into all postgraduate medical courses, including MD and MS programs, at every medical college in India. This means that a strong NExT performance would be crucial for entry into highly sought-after specializations and prestigious institutions known for their academic rigor, cutting-edge research, and state-of-the-art infrastructure. The examination would eliminate the need for separate entrance tests for postgraduate admissions, simplifying the pathway to advanced medical education and opening doors to a wide array of career outcomes in clinical practice, research, and medical academia. It positions NExT as a singular launchpad for a successful and impactful career in the healthcare sector, ensuring uniform standards of medical education and practice nationwide.

The National Exit Test (NExT) continues to evolve, or rather, its implementation status is frequently updated, reflecting ongoing efforts to align medical education standards with modern healthcare demands. As of the current period, the most significant update regarding NExT is its indefinite deferment. The exam, initially planned for implementation in 2023 and subsequently postponed, currently has no confirmed date for its rollout in 2024 or 2025. This deferment impacts aspiring medical professionals, as the transition from existing examinations like NEET-PG and FMGE to NExT remains pending. Despite the delay, the proposed structure of NExT, as outlined in the National Exit Test Regulations, 2023, remains relevant for understanding its future form. It is conceptualized as a two-step examination: NExT Step 1, a theory-based, objective-type examination, and NExT Step 2, a practical and clinical assessment. The purpose of these updates and ongoing deliberations is to ensure the examination's fairness, comprehensive coverage of medical knowledge, and its utility as a uniform standard for both licensing medical practitioners and admitting candidates to postgraduate medical courses across India. While operational details like specific dates, application processes, and fees for the upcoming years are not yet announced due to the deferment, students are encouraged to stay informed through official National Medical Commission notifications.

The National Exit Test (NExT) represents a transformative shift in medical licensure and postgraduate medical admissions in India, administered by the National Medical Commission (NMC). This national-level examination is specifically designed for all MBBS graduates, serving as a dual pathway for obtaining a medical practice license and securing admission into postgraduate MD/MS courses. NExT also aims to streamline the process for foreign medical graduates (FMGs), integrating them into a unified evaluation system. While the comprehensive framework for NExT has been detailed, including its structure into a theoretical NExT Step 1 (an online Computer Based Test) and a practical NExT Step 2, its full implementation has been officially deferred indefinitely by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Consequently, key operational details such as the application timeline for the upcoming sessions, specific examination dates, and detailed fee payment methods and amounts are currently not finalized or announced. Prospective candidates, including those aspiring for the NExT 2026 attempt, must closely monitor official NMC communications for any future updates regarding the re-initiation of NExT. Eligibility for NExT generally encompasses all students pursuing an MBBS degree in India and those with equivalent foreign medical degrees seeking to practice in the country. The examination is poised to replace the existing Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) and the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Postgraduate) (NEET PG). For NExT Step 1, the syllabus covers the applied aspects of all 19 MBBS subjects, categorized into six major clinical disciplines. The proposed exam pattern for NExT Step 1 suggests papers will consist exclusively of Multiple Choice Questions. Once NExT is operational, the admission process for postgraduate seats will likely involve centralized counselling by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) through the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) for All India Quota seats, with state authorities managing state quota admissions. The NExT Step 1 score is envisioned to be valid for two years for postgraduate admission purposes. Candidates are advised to avoid common mistakes like relying on unverified information and ensure they only refer to official guidelines for practical guidance and accurate instructions.