Health Ministry Considers Fee Waiver for NExT Mock Test, AIIMS to Conduct Exam
In a recent development, the Health Ministry has initiated discussions with the National Medical Commission (NMC) regarding the possibility of waiving the fees for the mock National Exit Test (NExT). The NExT mock test is scheduled to be held on July 28, primarily for the 2019 batch of final-year MBBS students across the country. The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, has been entrusted with the responsibility of conducting the computer-based examination, which aims to familiarize candidates with the test format and process flow.
The notification issued by AIIMS last week outlined the fee structure for the mock test. “General” category and OBC candidates were required to pay Rs 2,000 each, while SC, ST, or EWS applicants were expected to pay Rs 1,000. However, persons with benchmark disabilities were exempted from any fees.
Following the announcement, the Health Ministry intervened and urged the NMC to consider waiving the fees, thereby alleviating the financial burden on the aspiring candidates. Deliberations are currently underway at the NMC, which is reviewing the proposal and its feasibility.
The NExT, scheduled for July 28, forms a crucial examination for final-year MBBS students. It will be conducted in two phases next year, serving as a licensure examination and a qualifying test for pursuing postgraduate medical education in India.
The NMC recently issued the NExT (National Exit Test) Regulations, 2024, which stipulate that the NExT will be conducted in two phases—NExT Step 1 and NExT Step 2, held twice a year. Successful completion of NExT Step 1 will enable students to proceed with a year-long internship, while the NExT Step 2 examination will determine eligibility for obtaining a license and registration to practice modern medicine in India.
Foreign medical graduates who wish to practice in India will also be required to undergo the NExT examination process. They will need to appear for NExT Step 1, complete the internship, and subsequently clear NExT Step 2 to become eligible for licensing.
The mock test, organized by AIIMS, Delhi, will provide candidates with a simulated experience of the computer-based examination. It aims to familiarize them with the software interface, question formats, and overall process flow at the designated examination centers.
While the sample questions in the mock test will exemplify the pattern and format of NExT Step 1, the actual examination will consist of six subject papers with specific weightage and time allocation.
The Health Ministry’s proposal to waive the fees for the NExT mock test is a significant step towards supporting aspiring medical professionals and ensuring equal opportunities for all candidates. As discussions continue at the NMC, aspiring MBBS students eagerly await a positive outcome, which would enable them to participate in the mock test without financial constraints.
The government’s decision to invoke the provisions of the NMC Act, extending the time limit for conducting the NExT for final-year MBBS students until September 2024, reflects its commitment to the welfare of medical students. The NMC Act mandates the commission to conduct a common final-year undergraduate medical examination—NExT—within three years of the Act coming into force, which occurred in September 2020.
The Health Ministry and NMC’s efforts to facilitate the mock NExT test and explore fee waivers demonstrate their commitment to supporting and nurturing the future healthcare professionals of India. As AIIMS prepares to conduct the examination, the focus remains on providing aspiring doctors with the best possible preparation and a level playing field to excel in their healthcare careers.
