NExT 2025 for MBBS: Eligibility, Exam Dates, Syllabus, Pattern & Preparation Tips

Latest Updates

• NExT will tentatively be held in August 2025 for the MBBS batch of 2020.
• NExT for PG students is tentatively scheduled for February 2026 after the internship.
• In 2025, there will be two sessions each year - May and November, so it is believed.

Overview

The National Exit Test is an entrance exam introduced in India for the process of MBBS licensure, foreign medical graduate assessment, and postgraduate medical admissions. The exam is divided into two parts: Step 1 (Theory) and Step 2 (Practical/Clinical). Step 1, which consists of 540 multiple-choice questions covering six MBBS subjects, will be conducted in August 2025 and must be cleared before the internship. Step 2 is a practical/viva exam expected in February 2026 and is qualifying in nature. 

NExT exam will replace the final-year MBBS university exams, the FMGE (Foreign Medical Graduate Exam), and the NEET-PG.

In 2024, it registered over 149,000 candidates undertaking Step 1 from February 14–20. The exam is held twice a year, and a minimum score of 50% (i.e., 270 out of 540) is required to pass Step 1. NExT aims to ensure uniform standards for all medical graduates in India, including those who have studied abroad.

Quick Highlights

Here are the important details about the NExT examination for MBBS licensure.

NExT Application/Registration Process 2025

For a candidate to register for NExT, he or she has to undergo two main steps, which are registration and filling in the application form. Initially, one needs to enter personal details and upload certain specified documents to obtain a Registration ID and the Exam Unique Code (EUC). These are used to complete the NExT application with academic details, internship details, and exam centre details. The steps are explained below.

Basic Registration Process for NExT 2025:

First candidates will undergo basic registration, which calls for giving personal details and uploading the following: 

• Recent passport-size photograph
• Signature
• Left thumb impression

Upon their successful submission, the Registration ID and Password will be generated and sent to the registered email address. The Exam Unique Code (EUC) is created for each occasion of the NExT examination, without which the candidate cannot go forward to the subsequent step.

Filling up of Application Form for NExT 2025:

On getting the Registration ID and Password, the candidate has to log on with these credentials and fill out the application form, including:

• Academic qualifications
• Internship details
• Selection of exam centre
• Uploading any other necessary documents

Application Fee

The admission fee may be paid online by the candidates after they fill out the application form. The fees are as under:

• General / OBC Candidates: ₹2000
• SC / ST / EWS Candidates: ₹1000
• PwD (Person with Disabilities): ₹1000

Payment Gateway shall accept major debit/credit cards or net banking. Without successful payment, the application will not be considered complete.

NExT Admit Card 2025

The NExT Admit Card will be issued to candidates who complete the registration and payment process successfully. The key details are:

• Admit cards will be available online through the official NExT website only.
• Candidates must download the admit card using their Registration ID and Password.
• No admit cards will be sent through email/post.

The admit card will consist of:

• Candidate name and photograph
• Roll number
• Exam centre name and address
• Date and time of examination

NExT Eligibility Criteria 2025

The NExT eligibility criteria 2025 list the conditions that aspirants must fulfil to be eligible to give the exam and to register for postgraduate studies in the country. These criteria apply to every Indian or foreign medical graduate, depending on whether the internship has been recognised and the course has been recognised. The table below shows all major parameters concerning the NExT eligibility.

NExT Exam Pattern 2025

The NExT exam is divided into two parts: NExT-1 and NExT-2. NExT-1 is a centralised, MCQ-based theory exam held for three days, acting as both the final year MBBS and the PG entrance exam. It contains 540 MCQs in major and allied clinical subjects. Detailed pattern of the exam is given below:

NExT-1: Centralised Theory Exam

• Conducted at the national level, replacing the final year university exam. 
• Must be cleared before going for an internship. 
• Also, used as a ranking exam for PG entrance. 

NExT-2: Practical Assessment

• Conducted after the internship by the university.
• Qualifying in nature – no ranking or scoring.
• Must be passed to be eligible for registration and practice.

NExT Syllabus

Based on the two-part examination concept, the NExT syllabus 2025 remains divided into NExT-1 and NExT-2. NExT-1 is the theoretical one, covering all 19 MBBS subjects with emphasis on clinical topics. NExT-2 will be practically oriented to judge clinical skills and professional behaviour in and after the internship. The syllabus for both phases goes as follows.

NExT Preparation Tips 2025

Right preparation for this exam demands early planning, focused study, and regular work towards practice. Here are some NExT preparation tips that will help aspirants in efficiently preparing for both the theory (NExT-1) and practical (NExT-2) portions.

• Start Early: Ten to twelve months before the exam, commence with final-year MBBS subjects.
• Follow Standard Textbooks: Emphasise clinical subjects- pharmacology, surgery, or OBG. 
• Practice Clinical MCQs: Use applications like Prepladder, Marrow, or Bhatia.
• Conceptualising: NExT is case-based; it tests clinical reasoning, not rote learning.
• Regular Revision: Employ spaced repetition, weekly mocks, etc., to mark weak areas.

Exam Day Guidelines and Dress Code

The purpose of the instructions is to specify what to carry, how to dress, and a few do's and don'ts of the examination day.

• Be Punctual: Must arrive one hour before reporting time.
• Essentials to Carry:

- Admit card

- Valid Photo ID (Aadhaar/Passport/Voter ID)

- Recent passport-size photo

- COVID Guidelines (if any): Mask to be worn, sanitiser to be carried, and instructions to be followed.

• Dress Code (based on NEET-PG/NMC exam norms)

NEXT Result 2025

The NExT exam result criteria include minimum marks and score validity. To qualify for NExT-1, candidates must secure at least 50%, and the score remains valid for three years for PG admissions. NExT-2 is a pass/fail exam based on clinical skills, with no marks awarded. The table below includes all the details about the result.

NExT Counselling 2025

On qualifying in NEXT Step 1, candidates become eligible for NExT counselling for PG medical seats based on their All India Rank. The counselling process is entirely online, conducted by the MCC, and has multiple rounds of seat allotment. The key points in the counselling process under NExT are elaborated below.

• Merit-Based Ranking: After clearing NExT Step 1, your NExT score is used to create an All India Rank to be used for allotment of PG medical seats in India. 
• Online Counselling Process: Candidates then apply online for counselling through the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) portal, fill in their preferences for colleges and courses, and lock in the choices within the specified time. 
• Multiple Rounds of Seat Allotment: Various rounds of counselling exist for PG seats, including Round 1, Round 2, and Mop-up round, where seats are allotted on the basis of rank, preferences, and seat availability.

Colleges Accepting NExT Score

Candidates may seek admission to various institutions after they sit for the NExT, which includes Government, Private, and Deemed Universities. The following is the list of colleges/institutions that accept the NExT scores.

The NExT 2025 exam will be conducted in two stages: Step 1 (theory) and Step 2 (practical/clinical). The table below provides the tentative schedule for the NExT 2025 exam. It includes important dates for registration, admit card release, both Step 1 and Step 2 exams, result announcements, and PG admission counselling based on Step 1 scores.

The cutoff for NExT 2025 is based on performance and not on percentile ranks. Candidates must have at least 50% of the total marks in NExT Step 1 and also have to pass in each subject separately, while Step 2 is a pass/fail criterion without any scoring. The main criteria for a cutoff are summarised in the following table.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the National Exit Test (NExT)?

It has been established as a licentiate examination essential for all MBBS pass-outs in India, and it is also an entrance test for postgraduate medical courses.

2. Who is to undergo NExT?

All final-year MBBS students from Indian medical colleges and foreign medical graduates intending to practice medicine or pursue PG medical education in India.

3. Is NExT replacing NEET-PG and FMGE?

Yes, it replaces NEET-PG for admission to the postgraduate courses as well as FMGE for screening of foreign medical graduates.

4. What marks are needed to qualify for NExT?

A minimum of 50% is required. However, merit (rank) will be considered for PG admission.

5. How many attempts does NExT offer?

For improving PG admission rank, no restriction applies to the number of NExT-1 sittings, but one needs to have passed NExT-2 for licensure.