Should 2019 MBBS batch give NExT exam? Doctors point out violations of NMC Act

New Delhi:MBBS Students and doctors have opposed the recent Gazette notification regarding the "NMC, National Exit Test Regulations, 2023" specifying the mode and manner of conducting the common exit test cum licentiate examination i.e. NExT.

While the National Medical Commission (NMC) has confirmed that MBBS batch of 2019 will be the first to appear in the National Exit Test (NExT) examination next year, several doctors have pointed out that implementing NExT exam for the 2019 batch is actually a violation of the NMC Act 2019.

On the one hand, the students have pointed out that there is no clarity regarding the schedule for the NExT exam, on the other, they have strongly opposed the decision to hold the examination at such short notice.

Several students of Dr. Radhakrishnan Government Medical College in Hamirpur in Himachal Pradesh staged a protest on Saturday against the decision to hold the National Exit Test (NExT) at “such short notice”, adds PTI.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that the NMC NExT Regulations, 2023, were published in the official Gazette on June 28, 2023. "These Regulations shall come into force at once from the date of their publication in the official Gazette," mentioned the apex medical commission.

NMC has made these regulations in exercise of the overall powers conferred upon the Commission in general and particularly vide Section 15 read with Section 57 of the National Medical Commission Act, 2019.

Also Read: Rs 1000 to Rs 2000 for NExT Mock Test: Doctors, Students Slam NMC for Charging Huge Fees

This comes after recently NMC organised an webinar to address the concerns and doubts of medical students regarding the National Exit Test. Meanwhile, NMC has also released the Information Brochure for the exam, announcing that All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi will be in charge of conducting the examination.

These newly notified NMC, National Exit Test Regulations, 2023 include different topics including the purpose of NExT, who can appear in the examination, etc. Apart from these, NMC in these Regulations have discussed about broad outline and general features of the NExT, details about NExT Step 1, NExT Step 2, and different factors regarding NExT score such as the nature of Scoring, Minimum Scores to pass, Calculation of NExT step 1 scores, Utility of NExT scores etc.

Further, these Regulations include Information regarding NExT Step 1 including its objective, distribution of items and knowledge level of questions, papers and distribution of subjects etc. These Regulations also specified about proposed time scheduled of papers, Information regarding NExT Step 2 such as its objectives, evaluation methods, distribution of subjects etc. They also include the time schedule of NExT exam and associated events.

Is NExT for the 2019 batch a violation of NMC Act, 2019?

Opposing the decision of conducting the NExT exam for the 2019 MBBS batch, doctors have termed it to be a violation of NMC Act, 2019. According to Section 49 of the National Medical Commission Act, 2019,

"(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, any student who was studying for a degree, diploma or certificate in any medical institution immediately before the commencement of this Act shall continue to so study and complete his course for such degree, diploma or certificate, and such institution shall continue to provide instructions and examination for such student in accordance with the syllabus and studies as existed before such commencement, and such student shall be deemed to have completed his course of study under this Act and shall be awarded degree, diploma or certificate under this Act."

Referring to this, social and political activist Dr. Vivek Pandey mentioned in a Tweet, "Imposing NeXT on 2019 batch is violation of clause 49 (1) of NMC act because 2019 batch started on 1st Aug 2019 while NMC act was published on 08/08/2019."

United Private Clinics' & Hospitals' Association of Rajasthan (UPCHAR) also expressed a similar opinion and mentioned in a Tweet, "Why NExT is being implemented on 2019 batch retrospectively ? Why @NMC_IND is violating section 49 of NMC act 2019 is a big question ?"

Opposition from Medical Fraternity:

The Federation of Resident Doctors' Association (FORDA) has also strongly opposed the NExT Gazette notification. "We strongly oppose the new Gazette," the association mentioned in a Tweet.

Calling the National Exit Test (NExT) a "mental torture", a medical student Tweeted, "NMC and Govt is responsible for Mental torture that is now faced by each and every Medical students across the Nation that's it."

Meanwhile, several doctors and medical students have pointed out that there is not enough clarity regarding the schedule for the upcoming examination. The students are confused over the fact that whether NExT examination will be conducted for the 2019 batch in November or May. They want clarity from the authorities from the negative marking as well.

"#NMC forcefully putting #NEXT On 2019 batch We don’t want #NEXT Let’s Unite with each other and so #NMC take back his decision," a medico mentioned in a Tweet.

Another student called it a "burden" and Tweeted, "NExT mean Physically, mentally and financially burden on students." Opposing this sudden implementation of NExT exam, a medical student mentioned in a tweet, "#NMC forcefully putting #NEXT On 2019 batch. In the first 3.5 years of mbbs,students studied as per old pattern of exam and now suddenly they are told to face entire new pattern of exam."

Protest Against NExT Exam:

PTI adds that protesting against the NExT Examination, students of Dr Radhakrishnan Government Medical College in Hamirpur in Himachal Pradesh staged a protest on Saturday.

In a statement issued here, a spokesman for the agitating students said that competing for a national-level examination that too at such short notice while maintaining college attendance and taking classes “is unjust and we all stand together against the decision”. The protesting students of the 2019 batch said it was “a gross violation” of Section 49 of the National Medical Commission (NMC) Act, 2019.

The students said their protest was part of a nationwide agitation being held between July 1 and 7. They said another protest will be organised in Hamirpur on July 3.

Students of Prasad Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow are also protesting against the upcoming examination. Meanwhile, students of SMMH Medical College, Saharanpur have submitted a petition to the principal saying that NExT should be implemented from the new MBBS batches and not the existing ones. Students of PRM MCH Odisha are also opposing the exam. Demonstration in this regard was also shown by the students of IMS and SUM hospital. Photos and videos of these protests are circulating on the social media platforms.

Also Read: NMC releases NExT Regulations 2023, Check out gazette details