NExT Exam

The National Exit Test (NExT) is the new common exit examination being rolled out by the National Medical Commission (NMC). It replaces the FMGE for foreign medical graduates and the NEET-PG for Indian graduates — a single exam that acts as both the licentiate exam and the PG admission ranking test.

See All FAQs

At a Glance

Quick Facts

Steps

NExT Step 1 + Step 2

Rollout

From 2024-2025 batches onwards

Step 1

Theory (MCQ + Reasoning)

Step 2

Practical / Clinical

Purpose

Licensing + PG entrance in one

Conducted By

NMC / NBEMS

Eligibility

Who can appear

All MBBS graduates from NMC-approved institutions (Indian & Foreign)
For foreign graduates: WDOMS-listed foreign medical school
NEET-UG qualified admission (mandatory for post-2019 admissions)
Completion of 6-year MBBS programme (including 1-year internship)

Exam Pattern

Structure & format

Step 1 mode	Computer-Based Test
Step 1 sections	6 clinical + para-clinical papers
Step 2	Clinical practical assessment
Duration	Step 1 spread over 3 days, ~4 hrs/day
Score usage	Same score for licensing + PG ranking
Language	English

Syllabus

Subjects & topics covered

NExT Step 1 — Theory

General Medicine + allied (Dermatology, Psychiatry, Radiotherapy)
General Surgery + allied (Orthopedics, Anaesthesia, Radiodiagnosis)
Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Paediatrics
Ophthalmology + ENT
Community Medicine + Forensic Medicine + Emergency Medicine

NExT Step 2 — Practical

Bedside clinical exam
OSCE-style stations
Communication & ethics
Clinical decision-making

Exam Fee

To be announced by NBEMS (expected in line with NEET-PG structure)

Certificate Validity

Qualifying certificate is permanent — the ranking score, however, is used for PG admission in the year of appearance.

After you qualify

After clearing both NExT Steps 1 & 2, foreign graduates complete a 12-month CRMI at an NMC-approved Indian hospital and receive their permanent medical registration.

Preparation Tips