This editorial outlines the urgent need for the National Exit Test to improve medical education outcomes in India, suggesting a student-centred rollout strategy.
A BSTRACT India’s medical education system is undergoing rapid expansion, yet notable variations in teaching quality, assessment methods, and institutional accountability continue to affect student outcomes. The National Exit Test (NExT), mandated under the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, and detailed in the 2023 Gazette notification, is designed to create a unified, competency-based national assessment that simultaneously functions as the MBBS exit exam, licensure examination, and postgraduate (PG) eligibility-cum-ranking test. Despite a clear regulatory mandate, its rollout has been repeatedly delayed. This editorial outlines why the implementation of NExT is urgently needed, how it addresses the shortcomings of existing university and PG entrance examinations, and how it benefits students, medical colleges, and the broader health system. A phased, student-centred implementation strategy is proposed to ensure a smooth transition and build confidence among stakeholders.
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Sarthak et al. (2026) studied this question.
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