The NExT will be the single gateway for medical licensing, PG admissions, and foreign graduate screening in India. Here's everything you need to know — and how to start preparing now.
The National Medical Commission (NMC) has deferred NExT implementation by 3-4 years. NEET PG remains the active exam for PG admissions. FMGE continues for foreign graduate screening. However, NExT is confirmed as the future replacement — preparation should begin now.
The National Exit Test (NExT) is a unified examination mandated by the National Medical Commission Act, 2019. When implemented, it will serve three purposes simultaneously:
This makes NExT the single most important exam in Indian medical education — every doctor must pass it.
| Aspect | NEET PG (Current) | NExT (Upcoming) |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | PG admission only | Licensing + PG admission + FMGE replacement |
| Format | 300 MCQs in 3.5 hours | Theory (MCQ) + Practical (OSCE-style) |
| Frequency | Once a year | Twice a year (Jan & Jul) — planned |
| Eligibility | MBBS graduates post-internship | Final-year MBBS / interns |
| Passing Requirement | Percentile-based cutoff | 50% aggregate (licensing threshold) |
| Conducting Body | NBE | NMC |
| Replaces | Nothing (standalone) | NEET PG + FMGE + State registration |
NExT is expected to have two components, making it significantly different from NEET PG:
Multiple-choice questions covering all 19 MBBS subjects. Similar to current NEET PG format but aligned with NMC's Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) curriculum. Expected to emphasise clinical application over rote recall.
Objective Structured Clinical Examination — standardised clinical skill stations. This is new for Indian medical exams. Tests clinical examination, history taking, procedures, communication, and clinical reasoning in a timed station format.
Even though NExT is deferred, the NMC has made clear that it will happen. Smart preparation means preparing for NEET PG now (the active exam) while building the OSCE skills NExT will require. MedNext Academy's curriculum is already aligned with NMC's CBME framework.
NEET PG is still active. Your NEET PG preparation covers 90% of NExT theory content.
Use MedNext's viva coach and clinical reasoning modes to practise station-based clinical skills.
NExT emphasises CBME competencies. Practise scenario-based questions and clinical calculators.
We update this page when NMC announces NExT dates or format changes. Bookmark it.
Yes, eventually. NExT will replace NEET PG, FMGE, and state registration exams. However, NExT has been deferred by 3-4 years as of March 2026. NEET PG remains active.
The earliest expected implementation is 2029-2030, based on the NMC's 3-4 year deferment announced in 2026. This is subject to further NMC decisions.
NExT will have two components: Step 1 (Theory — MCQ-based, similar to NEET PG) and Step 2 (Practical — OSCE-style clinical skills assessment). This practical component is new for Indian medical exams.
Prepare for NEET PG now — it's the active exam. Your NEET PG preparation covers 90% of NExT theory. Additionally, build clinical reasoning and OSCE skills using MedNext's viva coach and clinical tools.
NExT adds a practical (OSCE) component that NEET PG doesn't have, making it broader in scope. The theory portion is expected to be similar in difficulty but more focused on clinical application per the CBME curriculum.
Yes. MedNext's curriculum is aligned with NMC's CBME framework. Our 15 study modes include clinical reasoning, viva coaching, and OSCE-style practice — all essential for NExT's practical component.
Whether it's NEET PG today or NExT tomorrow — MedNext Academy has you covered.