NEET-PG v/s NExT – Doubts and Myths.

There is a huge fuss about the upcoming Next exam among the MBBS Students and Graduates. NeXT has been introduced not only to replace the NEET-PG examination , but it will change the various dynamics about the Medical License to practice in India and entrance to the Post Graduate programmes for Medical Graduates. Today, when confusion and misinformation is causing chaos in the student's mind . Let us try to bust the doubts and fear by simplyfying the facts and guidelines laid by the NMC.
WHY NeXT ?
At first let us understand why NeXT was introduced ? What the NMC wants to achieve through it.

The NMC visioned to transform the medical education in India and produce better trained and more competent Doctors as per Knowledge and their Clinical Skills. As there is lack of Doctors needed to take care of such a large population in India.
Following are the objectives NMC seeks to achieve via NExT implementation.

1. A Single Exam gateway for the Foreign Medical Graduate (FMG) and Indian Medical Graduates for licensing and Post Graduate Programs.
2. To bring uniformity in the Final Year Examination faced by the Indian Medical Graduates.
3. To bring the multiple exams held for Medical Graduates under a Single Umbrella.
4. To resolve the problem of delay in the MBBS course progression as seen in many of the states.
5. To turn the focus of the Internship in understanding and learning clinics rather than preparing for PG Exams.
6. Break the Pattern of selective study among the Indian Medical Graduates.
Q. Which batch is going to face NExT ?
The 2019 Admission Batch of IMGs onwards are going to face the NExT exam. From Next year NEET-PG and INICET are going to be phased out by the NMC. The 2018 Admission Batch will be the last batch to appear for NEET-PG and INICET Exams.
Q. What are the changes that are going to occur after NExT is Implemented ?
For the ease of understanding of our readers , here we have laid down the changes that are going to occur in a tabular form for an easy comparison and understanding.
Earlier :-
For Indian Medical Graduates (IMGs)
1. For the Indian Medical Graduates each University conducted the Final Year University exams( IIIrd year part II professional ) both theory and practicals (viva voce) as per their course progression and time.

2. Only Final Year i.e ( IIIrd year part II professional )Subjects were asked in the exam.

3. The Final Year University exams served as an licensing exam also to the IMGs.

4. IMG have to appear for NEET-PG and INICET to take admission in PG courses.
For Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs)
5. FMGs have to appear for the licensing exam named Foreign Medical Graduate Exam (FMGE) to get the license to practice in India.

6. After clearing FMGE they have to do a 1 year compulsary internship program in India after which they were eligible for practice in India equivalent to a IMG.

7. If a FMG wants to study for PG courses then similar to a IMG have to appear for NEET-PG or INICET.
After NExT :-
For Indian Medical Graduates (IMGs)
1. The Final year Theory exam will be converted into NExT paper 1 , a nationwide common exam for all Indian Medical Graduates and Practicals (viva voce) will be conducted after 1 year of internship in form of NExT paper 2 , Both of them conducted by National Body.
2. Both Third and Final Year subjects i.e ( IIIrd year part I and part II professional ) will be asked in the exam.

3. NExT paper 1 will serve the pourpose of the licensing exam for IMGs.

4. Now NExT paper 1 will replace both the exam.
For Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs)
5 ,6 ,7 . Now FMGs have to appear for only one exam i.e NExT Paper 1 for the pourpose of liscense and PG courses. After a FMG cracks the NExT paper 1 i.e 50% marks he will be eligible for the license. For the liscence FMG has to do a compulsory 1 year internship after which he will have to appear for NExT paper 2 passing which he will become eligible for practice in India but PG seat will depend upon the marks scored by the candidate and the then cutoff score.
Furthurmore , This is inshort what the NMC's Guidelines mean and what are the things which are going to change after NExT is implemented. We will also cover other aspects of the exam in details and try to present you in the simplest way possible.

Stay Tuned with us !!!!

What is NExT Step 1 ? Click here to know more.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top