What Indian Students Need To Know About the NEXT Exam MBBS?

Indian students often ask about the NEXT exam MBBS updates proposed by the NMC, i.e. National Medical Commission. It is set to revolutionise the medical education landscape as well as licensure in the country. The commission is planning to replace the FMGE, i.e. Foreign Medical Graduate Exam, with NEXT, which is about to serve as the gateway to PG programs in India. The picture is clear. NEXT will be the one and only exam that will be unified with multiple purposes. For Indian MBBS students, understanding the structure of NMC NEXT exam and its implications is important. It will help them prepare for the new ear of medical licensing exam.

NEXT: What Exam Is It?

NMC NEXT exam, or the National Exist Test, is a comprehensive, yet standardised test intended to assess the theoretical knowledge as well as clinical skills of medical graduates, preferably MBBS degree holders. It will serve three main objectives. These are:

• It acts as the final year MBBS qualifying test.

• Functions as the medical licensure test for getting registration as a qualified medical practitioner in India.

• It also serves as the merit-based entrance test for admission into PG medical programmes.
  

This entrance test is expected to be conducted for the MBBS batch graduating in 2026. Although the pilot phases and the detailed notifications are already in progress.

Why Is NMC Going To Conduct the NEXT Exam?

The primary aim of introducing the NMC NEXT exam is to streamline the process of licensing as well as standardise the quality of medical education in the country. With standard variations in the quality of education, especially MBBS education in different states and medical institutions, a one exam can ensure that all medical graduates are evaluated by the same format and criteria. It also addresses the long-term problem of separate exams in different states for Indian MBBS graduates and those Indians who completed their MBBS from foreign medical schools.

Eligibility for NEXT MBBS Exam

NEXT, or the National Exit Test, is one of the toughest qualifying exams for MBBS graduates in India. It applies to both those who are trained in India and abroad. The eligibility for the NMC NEXT exam is -

• You must have completed an MBBS degree from an NMC-recognised medical university

• If you are trained in India, you must be in your final year

• FMG must also be approved by the National Medical Commission

• You must have completed a compulsory 1-year internship after passing your NEXT. 
  

 What Do You Do Next?

• If you are an Indian MBBS aspirant, you can apply for NEET-UG in early May

• If you are an MBBS graduate seeking PG, you can prepare for NEET PG in FMGE and plan for the NEXT

• If you are a foreign medical graduate coming back to India, you can register for FMGE and plan for the NEXT

• If you aim to practice medicine in other countries, you can choose PLAB or USMLE
  

 What Do Foreign Medical Graduates Need To Know?

If you are an MBBS graduate from one of the foreign medical schools, you should know that you will have to appear for the NEXT exam MBBS in place of the current FMGE (Foreign Medical Graduate Exam). Also, you must qualify for the NEXT exam 1 to start your internship in India and then appear for NEXT 2 for further licensing and practising procedure.

The next exam for MBBS will be administered in numerous stages throughout the year, giving adaptability to applicants. The exam will be in computer-based multiple-choice tests spanning all subjects taught in the programme of MBBS.

Endnote

For the NEXT exam update MBBS, you can mark the dates on your calendar! Also, you must stay updated via the official website or notifications from NBEMS, NTA, GMC ECFMG and NTA. 

Start preparing as soon as possible. Don’t forget that you are going to compete with some of the best brains in medicine in India. You are on track to attain your dream medical career in India or abroad. 

MBBS in Vietnam is becoming a preferred choice for Indian students due to its affordable fee structure, globally recognized universities, and quality medical training. It offers a good balance of cost and education for aspiring doctors.

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