A group of 30 MBBS students from the 2019 batch has filed a petition with the Supreme Court, requesting an exemption from the National Exit Test (NExT) Regulations and the consequent NExT 2023. The students are seeking the application of the previous rules in force in 2019, as they are unprepared to take the NExT exam. They have urged the Supreme Court to issue appropriate directives to the National Medical Commission (NMC) on this matter.

In their plea, the students have also made an interim request to cancel the mock National Exit Test scheduled for July 28. However, it is noteworthy that the NMC, on July 13, had already announced the deferment of the NExT for final-year MBBS students of the 2019 batch until further notice.

The National Exit Test was introduced as a qualifying examination for final-year MBBS students, required for obtaining a license to practice medicine. Nevertheless, the test has faced opposition from various sections of the medical student community.

The NMC recently released regulations outlining the conduct of the NExT, which includes two phases conducted twice a year. Upon clearing the NExT Step 1 exam, students are required to complete a one-year internship. The NExT Step 1 score would be considered for admission to postgraduate (PG) courses. After completing the internship, students need to clear the NExT Step 2 exam to become eligible for a license and registration to practice modern medicine in India.

Furthermore, the NExT scores would also determine eligibility and ranking for admission to PG courses in different medical specializations, effectively serving as an entrance exam for these programs.

The petition has been filed by Advocates Mithu Jain and Apoorve Karol on behalf of the students.

Case Title: Lovesh & Others vs Union of India