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Internship & Licensing Process After MBBS in Georgia
March 29, 2025What is the NEXT Exam?
The National Exit Test (NEXT) is a mandatory licensing examination for medical graduates in India. It is designed to replace the Foreign Medical Graduates Examination (FMGE) and the NEET-PG exam. The National Medical Commission (NMC) has introduced NEXT as a uniform standard for both Indian and foreign medical graduates to obtain a license for medical practice in India.
Purpose of the NEXT Exam
The NEXT exam serves multiple functions:
- Medical Licensing – Required for MBBS graduates to practice medicine in India.
- PG Admissions – Replaces NEET-PG for entrance into postgraduate medical courses.
- Evaluation of Foreign Graduates – Ensures foreign medical graduates meet Indian medical standards.
Who Needs to Take the NEXT Exam?
The following categories of students must take the NEXT exam (Basically every medical Graduate) :
- MBBS graduates from Indian medical colleges (to obtain a license and for PG admissions)
- Indian students who completed MBBS abroad (to qualify for medical practice in India)
- Foreign nationals aiming to practice medicine in India
Structure of the NEXT Exam
The NEXT Exam is divided into two parts:
1. NEXT 1 (Theory-Based Exam)
- Conducted after final year MBBS.
- Computer-based multiple-choice questions (MCQs).
- Covers all major subjects of MBBS.
- Required for both Indian and foreign medical graduates.
- Determines eligibility for internships and PG admissions.
2. NEXT 2 (Practical-Based Exam)
- Conducted after the completion of a mandatory one-year internship.
- Assesses practical and clinical skills.
- Necessary to obtain a final medical license in India.
Key Features of NEXT Exam
- Conducted twice a year by the National Medical Commission (NMC).
- No limit on the number of attempts for NEXT 1.
- Validity of NEXT 1 scores for PG admissions is 3 years.
- Candidates must clear NEXT 1 before starting their internship.
- NEXT 2 is a pass/fail exam (not rank-based).
Impact on MBBS Abroad Students
- Foreign medical graduates must pass NEXT 1 before beginning their internship in India.
- If a student completes their MBBS abroad, they must clear NEXT 1 to qualify for the Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI) in India.
- Unlike FMGE (which had a passing rate of ~15-20%), NEXT is expected to have a higher pass percentage due to its structured approach.
- NEXT ensures foreign MBBS graduates meet the same standards as Indian medical graduates.
Exam Syllabus
The syllabus includes all subjects covered in the MBBS curriculum:
- Medicine
- Surgery
- Obstetrics & Gynecology
- Pediatrics
- ENT
- Ophthalmology
- Pathology
- Pharmacology
- Microbiology
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Community Medicine
NEXT Exam vs. FMGE
| Feature | FMGE | NEXT |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Screening test for foreign MBBS graduates | Common exit test for all MBBS graduates |
| Passing Criteria | 50% marks | Standardized score (expected higher pass rate) |
| Exam Type | Single screening exam | Two-part exam (NEXT 1 & NEXT 2) |
| Validity | One-time license approval | NEXT 1 valid for PG for 3 years |
Conclusion
The NEXT Exam will standardize the medical licensing process in India, ensuring uniform competency for both domestic and foreign MBBS graduates. It serves as a crucial step for foreign medical graduates aiming to practice in India and will replace FMGE from 2024 onwards.
Students planning to pursue MBBS abroad should ensure their chosen university is recognized by NMC and prepare accordingly for NEXT to secure their medical license in India.
