The introduction of the National Exit Test (NExT) for MBBS, BAMS, BUMS, BSMS, and BHMS students marks a significant turning point in India’s educational policy, but it also raises profound concerns about the direction of reforms in higher education. While the goal of NExT is to standardize the evaluation of medical graduates and ensure a uniform standard of competence, it inadvertently questions the credibility of degrees awarded by India’s central, state, and deemed universities. As a national issue, this development calls for an immediate and critical review by the Hon’ble Prime Minister and the concerned ministries. The implications of NExT, if not thoroughly understood and addressed, could undermine the trust and autonomy of Indian universities, posing risks to the very foundation of the country’s education system.
Eroding Autonomy and Academic Credibility
NExT mandates that all medical graduates pass a centralized examination in order to obtain a license to practice and to qualify for postgraduate admissions. This approach undermines the institutional autonomy of Indian universities, suggesting that their rigorous internal evaluation systems are inadequate. Historically, India’s higher education institutions have operated under the oversight of statutory bodies such as the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Ministry of Education, Government of India, which ensure high academic standards through well-established mechanisms.
By introducing a one-size-fits-all exit test, the message conveyed is one of doubt: that despite following UGC guidelines, Indian universities are not capable of producing competent medical professionals. This casts a shadow over the value of degrees awarded by these universities and raises concerns about the broader implications for Indian higher education. Institutions that have contributed to India’s intellectual and professional landscape for decades now find themselves questioned, not for their potential to improve, but for their core competencies.
The Burden of Bureaucracy and Overregulation
One of the most troubling aspects of NExT is its imposition of yet another regulatory layer on students who have already undergone extensive academic and clinical evaluations. According to UGC data, over 70% of professional courses in India, including those in medical sciences, are subject to strict accreditation standards. Adding an additional exit examination after years of coursework, clinical training, and examinations introduces unnecessary complexity and bureaucracy into an already heavily regulated system.
Rather than addressing any legitimate concerns over the quality of education by reforming curricula, upgrading training facilities, or enhancing faculty competencies, NExT shifts the burden onto students. Students, having already completed their academic obligations, are now expected to validate their entire educational journey through a final, centralized test. This form of regulatory overreach not only questions the competency of educational institutions but also creates an atmosphere of mistrust between students and their universities.
Misguided Comparisons with International Standards
Advocates of NExT often point to international standards, such as the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) or the Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) in the United Kingdom, which assess foreign-trained professionals seeking licensure. However, comparing these international benchmarks to the Indian education system is both misplaced and reductive. These exams are primarily intended to assess the competence of foreign-trained professionals entering these countries’ healthcare systems, not to question the capabilities of domestic educational institutions.
In India, medical students are already rigorously evaluated through comprehensive examinations, practical assessments, and clinical internships under UGC and Ministry of Education guidelines. To subject them to an additional centralized exam like NExT is to cast doubt on the credibility of a system that has been successfully training healthcare professionals for decades. Moreover, this approach undermines the distinctiveness of the Indian education model, which, while it can certainly benefit from improvements, does not warrant the same criteria applied to foreign-trained professionals in different regulatory environments.
Financial and Psychological Impact on Students
Introducing NExT also places an enormous financial and psychological strain on students, many of whom come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The cost of a medical degree in India is already considerable, not to mention additional expenses related to clinical internships, materials, and accommodation. The imposition of an additional examination will further increase the financial burden on students, particularly those from marginalized communities who may struggle to afford the fees for preparatory courses or re-examinations.
Psychologically, the added pressure of clearing NExT after years of intense academic and practical training introduces unnecessary stress and anxiety. Many students, having successfully completed their academic and clinical requirements, will now face the challenge of passing a final test that could determine their entire future. This undermines the trust they have placed in their institutions to prepare them for professional life and fosters a climate of uncertainty, further complicating an already difficult academic journey.
Evidence of Overregulation
A recent 2023 survey conducted by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) revealed that 82% of universities expressed concerns over increasing regulatory interference in their day-to-day operations. This points to a broader issue of overregulation in Indian higher education, where institutions are increasingly burdened by external controls, leaving little room for innovation and growth.
Furthermore, a 2022 study published in the Indian Journal of Medical Education affirmed that medical programs in India maintain high standards of academic and clinical education. The suggestion that these assessments are insufficient, and that they must be supplemented by an external exit exam like NExT, is neither supported by data nor reflective of the current realities within India’s higher education system. The introduction of NExT only serves to amplify the existing concerns over regulatory excess.
National Implications and the Erosion of Trust
The introduction of NExT has far-reaching consequences for India’s entire higher education ecosystem. By questioning the credibility of degrees awarded by universities, NExT risks eroding the public trust that is foundational to any educational system. Universities, which have long been seen as pillars of intellectual growth and professional development, now face the prospect of having their capabilities challenged in ways that undermine their core mission.
This is not merely a question of an additional exam; it is a question of trust in the ability of India’s universities to fulfill their mandate of producing competent professionals. At a time when India is positioning itself as a global leader in education, research, and innovation, the imposition of NExT risks setting back these aspirations by eroding confidence in our institutions.
Appeal for Policy Re-evaluation
I appeal to the Hon’ble Prime Minister and the concerned ministries to urgently reconsider the need for NExT. While the goal of improving education standards and ensuring competence is commendable, the means through which it is being implemented may inadvertently stifle innovation and increase burdens on both students and universities. Rather than adding a final examination, policies that promote continuous assessment, better curriculum alignment, and investments in faculty development should be explored.
Rebuilding Trust through Empowerment
To truly elevate education in India, the focus must shift from a single exit point evaluation to a holistic educational approach that promotes critical thinking, practical skills, and global competitiveness. By empowering universities to innovate and placing trust in their academic rigor, we can collectively build an education system that nurtures future leaders and citizens capable of addressing the world’s challenges.
Contributed by – Kunwar Shekhar Vijendra, Co-founder & Chancellor, Shobhit University | Chairman, ASSOCHAM National Council on Education.
Keep watching our YouTube Channel ‘DNP INDIA’. Also, please subscribe and follow us on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and TWITTER.
