NExT Exam From 2029? NMC New CBME Guidelines Includes National Exit Test for 2024-25 Batch Students

NExT exam would be conducted in 2029 as the National Medical Commission has included it as one of the Phases in University exams for the current batch. While clarity on National Exit Test's implementation pertains, the new CBME guidelines issued by NMC has proposed NExT exam in two steps for 2024-25 batch students. NMC has released the new guidelines for maintaining Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) in MBBS.

In the CBME guideline, NMC has proposed NExT Step 1 for the newly admitted students in March 2029 while the NExT Step 2 will be held after the completion of their internship i.e. March 2030. As of now, the document mentions that NExT for MBBS will be held as per the guidelines.

The generic academic calendar for batch 2024-25 states that the proposed NExT Step 2 will be held at the end of mandatory internship i.e. one year after conducting the NExT Step 1 exam- in February. Check phase wise University exam under the new guidelines below.

NExT Exam Update: Phase Wise University Exam

1. Phase-I shall be held at the end of Phase I training (in the 12th month of that training), in the subjects of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry.
2. Phase-II examination shall be held at the end of Phase II training (12th month of that training), in the subjects of Pathology, Microbiology, and Pharmacology
3. Phase III Part 1examination shall be held at the end of Phase III Part 1 of training (12th month of that training) in the subjects of Community Medicine, Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Ophthalmology and Otorhinolaryngology.
4. Phase III Part 2 / National Exit Test (NExT) as per NExT regulations– (Final The professional) examination shall be at the end of the 17th / 18th month of that training, in the subjects of General Medicine, General Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, and allied subjects as per NExT Regulations.

As per the eligibility criteria, MBBS students will be required to maintain at least 75% attendance in the electives and submission of log book maintained during electives to appear in the University MBBS examination/ NExT.