New Delhi: NEXT is likely to replace NEET-PG from the year 2023 as per senior Central Government officials for admission to various postgraduate medical courses such as MD, MS, DM, and MCh.
Informing about the changes in the medical courses admission process, Counsel for the Government said, "This may be the last year that NEET PG takes place. We will come out with the "National Exit Test ''. Just like AIBE is for lawyers, an exit test will be developed for doctors".
"All doctors, while passing out the MBBS will have to qualify this exam after which they will be registered as "Practitioners", the same merit will be taken for admission to PG courses" the counsel further added.
As of now, there is no official announcement regarding the implementation of NEXT as a common medical entrance test in the country. If approved, the exam could also be held as a qualifying exit examination for last year's MBBS students.
The idea behind proposing NEXT is to introduce a common and uniform exam in India that will be held at the national level as a sole qualifying examination for PG medical courses. This step will be taken so that medical students won't have to prepare for too many entrance exams.
NEXT vs NEET PG: Possible Changes from 2023 Session
As per the sources, If NEXT replaces NEET PG from the academic session 2023, students might get more than one opportunity to clear their admission entrance exam. The authorities are now considering terms and conditions on which students will have multiple entry options.
To introduce students to the entrance exam and ease their anxiety, there is a possibility that the exam authority might hold a mock test before the NEXT exam. The exam was proposed by NMC as a part of the bill, which was passed in the year 2019.
Sources have mentioned that the entrance exam will be conducted either by the National Board of Examination or by the NTA. On the other hand, some reports have suggested that the responsibility to conduct NEXT might be outsourced.
There are speculations that if NEXT will replace the NEET PG exam next year, the authorities will also revise the examination pattern for the medical entrance exam. However, there has not been any confirmation in this regard.
Other sources have stated that there has not been any discussion on the possibility of introducing any changes in the execution, exam dates, and NEET PG exam pattern for the coming session.
Referring to the exam, a senior Central Government official said, "The exit exam is most likely going to start from the batch of students that is going to graduate in 2023. The modalities are being worked out".
He added that if NEXT is approved, there is a chance that authorities might do away with the need for the NEET PG exam. The EXIT exam will be held as a common test for multiple purposes so that medical students from all states can focus on only one.
Officials stated that students will be informed regarding any changes in the NEET PG through the official website of the exam authority. For the latest updates, candidates are advised to keep a tab on the official website of the NTA at nta.ac.in.
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