NExT — National Exit Test, explained
What NExT is, when it will (eventually) replace NEET PG and FMGE, and what it means for Indian and foreign graduates.
Current status (June 2026): NExT is DEFERRED
NMC Chairman Dr Abhijat Sheth confirmed a 2–3 year deferral from the originally planned August 2025 launch. NMC will conduct mock NExT tests before the actual exam. NEET PG and FMGE continue until NExT launches.
What NExT replaces — when operational
- NEET PG → PG admissions ranking for Indian graduates
- FMGE → Screening test for foreign medical graduates
- Internship → CRMI before medical license
- →NExT Step 1 replaces NEET PG for PG ranking
- →NExT Step 1 replaces FMGE for foreign graduates
- →NExT Step 2 replaces existing licensing mechanism
NExT Step 1 — Theory Exam
CBT
Format
6 core
Subjects
Unlimited
Attempts
None (draft)
Negative marking
Subjects covered (as per NMC draft regulations)
- Pre-clinical: Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry
- Para-clinical: Pathology, Pharmacology, Microbiology
- Clinical: Medicine (General), Surgery (General)
Purpose: Step 1 score will serve as the PG admissions ranking score — replacing NEET PG. The score may also be used for FMGE equivalence for foreign graduates.
NExT Step 2 — Clinical Assessment
After 12-month internship
Timing
Hands-on / OSCE
Format
Must pass within 3 years
Time limit
7 clinical subjects (as per NMC draft)
Purpose: Step 2 will grant the medical license to practise in India. Cannot be attempted before completing 12 months of internship. Must be cleared within 3 years of becoming eligible.
Foreign graduates — transition from FMGE to NExT
Currently (as of June 2026)
Foreign medical graduates must clear FMGE (conducted by NBE) to register with NMC and practise in India. FMGE continues until NExT launches.
When NExT launches (deferred — 2–3 years from Aug 2025)
- 1.Complete MBBS abroad (per FMGL 2021 requirements)
- 2.Clear NExT Step 1 (replaces FMGE)
- 3.Complete 1-year internship in India (or same university + same country as per FMGL 2021)
- 4.Clear NExT Step 2 → receive medical license
CBME and NExT — clinical reasoning focus
Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) was introduced by NMC in 2019 for MBBS (Phase-wise, completed by 2023 for all phases). NExT is designed to test CBME outcomes — emphasising clinical reasoning, integrated knowledge, and skill-based assessment rather than rote recall.
Students trained under CBME curriculum are expected to be better aligned with NExT's Step 2 clinical assessment format. CBME is already in effect for all MBBS batches from 2019 onwards.
Questions about NExT preparation strategy?
Our counsellors track NMC updates. Book a session to understand what NExT means for your timeline.
Book a counselling sessionNMC — NExT Regulations (draft)
Source: National Medical Commission (NMC) · EduPath verified Jun 2026
Visit official sourceNBE — NEET PG (current exam)
Source: National Board of Examinations (NBE) · EduPath verified Jun 2026
Visit official source