BS RAWAT
NEW DELHI : From next year, there will be a single exit examination and common counselling for undergraduate medical students, including AIIMS. On October 14, members of National Medical Commission will be chosen by draw of lots from the medical advisory council, said Union Health Minister, Dr Harsh Vardhan.

Dr Vardhan said, “A common final year exam i.e. National Exit Test (NEXT) to assess the quality of medical education which would also be the basis for PG entrance and as screening test. The students shall not have to appear in a separate exam for PG entrance and may focus on the UG subjects and internship.”

He further said the guidelines will probably direct the state governments to fix fees of each college for 50 per cent seats.

The National Medical Commission Act, 2019, has been notified in the official gazette on August 8, 2019, to constitute a National Medical Commission for development and regulation of all aspects relating to medical education, medical profession and medical institutions.

It has proposed a single exit exam – the final MBBS exam, which will work as a licentiate examination, a screening test for foreign medical graduates, and an entrance test for admission in postgraduate programmes. It also provides for just one medical entrance test across the country.

At present, the students who wish to secure a seat in postgraduate medical colleges in India have to qualify the National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET).

Union Health Ministry highlighted that National Medical Commission Act has many benefits including a compact body selected through a transparent mechanism, inclusion of members from diverse backgrounds, selected, one-time and full-time regulators will not have any conflict of interest and separation of powers between the autonomous boards and the Commission.