NExT Introduced for Licensing Medical Practitioners: National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) has initiated the implementation of the National Exit Test (NEXT) under the provisions of the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Act, 2020. As per the Act, specifically outlined in Section 15 (1)(2)(3), the NEXT will be conducted for final-year medical undergraduate students.
Expanding on this initiative, the National Examinations for Indian System of Medicine Regulations, 2023, have been formulated. Section 6, sub-section (1)(2)(3)(4)(5) clause (a)(b)(c) and sub-section (6) articulate the framework for the National Exit Test:
- Discipline-specific Test:
- A National Exit Test will be conducted for each discipline, including Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, and Sowa Rigpa, within the Indian System of Medicine. The Commission will oversee the examination through a designated authority.
- Licensing and Registration:
- The primary purpose of the National Exit Test is to grant licenses to practice as a medical practitioner in the respective discipline of Indian System of Medicine. Successful candidates will also be eligible for enrollment in the State Register or National Register as registered medical practitioners after completing a one-year internship.
- Problem-Based Assessment:
- The examination will be problem-based, aiming to assess clinical competency, understanding of medical ethics, and the ability to handle medico-legal cases within the disciplines of Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, and Sowa-Rigpa.
- Examination Schedule:
- The National Exit Test is scheduled to be conducted biannually, in the months of February and August, every year.
- Eligibility Criteria:
- To be eligible for the National Exit Test, candidates must fulfill the following criteria:
- (a) Interns who have completed a minimum of two hundred and seventy days of internship as of the closing date of the application submission.
- (b) Graduates of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, and Sowa-Rigpa who have successfully completed the one-year compulsory internship.
- To be eligible for the National Exit Test, candidates must fulfill the following criteria:
This strategic move aligns with the commitment to uphold high standards of medical practice and ensure the competency of practitioners in the field of Indian System of Medicine. The National Exit Test is poised to play a crucial role in shaping the future landscape of medical practitioners and promoting excellence within the diverse disciplines of the Indian System of Medicine.
Source: NCISM Notification (25-01-2024)