Q and A: National Exit Test against students from backward sections

The central government is trying to dissolve the Indian Medical Council and constitute the Indian Medical Authority. For this purpose, a separate bill has been passed in the cabinet. According to the bill, the government plans to introduce National Exit Test during the final year of MBBS. Those students who clear the exam could only get PG medical seats. Also, students should clear the exam to practice as a physician

Medical students are accredited by the Indian Medical Council or State governments. They clear examinations conducted by State and Central universities and they could only practice after working as a trainee doctor for a year. But the new move will create confusion. Also, students would prepare for NEXT instead of studying the syllabus. This will affect quality doctors.

There is no clarification about the students who have completed MBBS already — whether they should write exit test or not. Also, the announcement fails to specify the students appearing for re-exams. NEXT will go against the students from socially backward sections and scheduled sections.