Aiming to bring transparency, accountability and uniformity, the National Medical Commission, the apex body that regulates medical education and medical professionals in the country, has come up with a mandate on conducting compulsory NEXT (National Exit Test) exams for all MBBS graduates and Foreign Medical Graduates (FMG) while NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Examination) will continue for medical entrance. NEXT is to ensure that students clearing MBBS have mandatory practical internships and even theoretical knowledge before enrolling for licence to practice with the respective State Medical Councils.

However, Dr Vedprakash Mishra,  Pro-Chancellor, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences (Deemed to be University), Nagpur, who was also Former Chairman, Postgraduate Medical Education Committee, Medical Council of India, New Delhi and Former Chairman of Academic Committee of Medical Council of India, New Delhi, counters the need for NEXT. mid-day in its report titled ‘Remove caps on age, attempts for MBBS students: NMC' (October 27), had highlighted the concern of the regulatory body on Indian students going abroad for medical education, a proposal to remove the age bar for entry to MBBS and lowering of fees at government medical colleges in the country.