NExT exam evaluation criteria must be moderate, allocate ample time for preparation, release schedule early: Parliamentary panel tells Health Ministry

New Delhi: After the recent suggestion from the Indian Medical Association (IMA) to reconsider the implementation of the National Exit Test (NExT) exam, a parliamentary committee has recommended to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to thoroughly examine the implications of NExT exam, which will serve as a common qualifying final-year MBBS exam, a licentiate exam to practise modern medicine and also as the gateway to get admission to postgraduate medical courses.

Besides, the Parliamentary panel has also advocated for due diligence in addressing the concerns of all the relevant stakeholders, reports PTI. The committee recommended that the government allocate ample time for thorough preparation and provide an early release of the exam schedule, along with other relevant details regarding the examination.

This will enable the first batch of candidates to prepare adequately and smoothly transition to the new examination format. Additionally, considering the diverse background of medical colleges from which the first batch of NExT aspirants would come, the committee suggested that the evaluation criteria should be moderate.

In its report, which was tabled in the Parliament this week, the panel mentioned, "It is imperative to ensure that no group of graduates faces an undue advantage or disadvantage in the examination. Striking a fair and equitable balance in the evaluation process will be pivotal in ensuring the success and fairness of the NExT exam."

The panel noted that the assessment of medical graduates would ensure that all medical graduates have a uniform level of knowledge and skills, regardless of where they studied.

"This improves the quality of medical education and training in India and makes the process of licensure and postgraduate admissions more transparent and fairer," said the panel.

The issue of the NExT exam has been making waves in the medical fraternity ever since its first announcement. Although last year NMC released the NExT regulations and announced conducting the exam for the 2019 MBBS batch, it was ultimately put on hold for an indefinite time.

Thereafter, the Union Health Ministry has constituted a seven-member committee to look into the preparedness of States and medical colleges for the implementation of the exam for the final year MBBS students of the 2020 batch.

Amidst the debate and uncertainty regarding the conduct of NExT exam, NMC made the issue open to all the stakeholders. Recently, issuing a notice, NCM asked the stakeholders to submit their feedback on the NMC National Exit Test Regulations, 2023 by 07.02.2024. The deadline was further extended by the Commission till 17.02.2024.

Also Read: Reconsider implementation of National Exit Test: IMA to NMC

Meanwhile, recently, submitting its feedback on the NEXT examination, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has opposed the Commission's plans for conducting the exam as it opined that since the standards of medical education across all academic institutions vary, testing the entire country with one test would not be "feasible".

Now, a parliamentary committee has also recommended to the Union Health Ministry to thoroughly examine the implications of NExT Exam and advocated for due diligence in addressing the concerns of all the relevant stakeholders.

Further, the panel stated that in addition to standardised final assessment of graduates, there is an urgent need to universalize or standardise undergraduate and postgraduate education.

Reputed institutes like AIIMS impart different quality of medical education while newly opened medical institutes need such quality.