National Exit Test (NExT) for Ayush to be Implemented for 2021-2022 Batch, Announces Union Minister Prataprao Jadhav

The Minister explained that the NExT will apply to students enrolled in the 2021-22 academic session under the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) and National Commission for Homoeopathy (NCH) Acts, 2020.

Union Minister of State for Ayush (Independent Charge), Prataprao Jadhav, announced today that the National Exit Test (NExT) for Ayush graduates will be implemented from the 2021-2022 academic batch. Speaking at a press conference held at the Ministry of Ayush, Jadhav clarified that the decision follows recommendations from a committee set up to address students' concerns regarding the examination.

Jadhav further clarified that students who have not yet completed their internship but have passed the NExT will only be eligible for registration after finishing their one-year internship.

The Minister explained that the NExT will apply to students enrolled in the 2021-22 academic session under the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) and National Commission for Homoeopathy (NCH) Acts, 2020. This move clears any ambiguity about its implementation for Ayush students.

The committee responsible for reviewing and formulating these recommendations was chaired by Prof. Dr. Sanjeev Sharma. The group evaluated suggestions from students and submitted their findings to the Ministry of Ayush. The NExT, as outlined by the committee, will be a mandatory assessment for licensing and registration in State or National Registers upon completion of a one-year internship. The test will feature problem-based questions, including clinical case scenarios, images, and videos, designed to evaluate practical medical skills.

The announcement follows multiple representations from Ayush students concerning the implementation of NExT. Representatives from the Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) and Bachelor of Homoeopathic Medicine and Surgery (BHMS) streams had earlier met with the Minister to discuss their concerns over the exam.

The NCISM and NCH Acts came into effect on 11th June and 5th July 2021, respectively, mandating the NExT under these Acts to be conducted within three years of their enforcement. The Minister emphasized that the objective of NExT is to ensure a transparent, fair process that maintains the quality of education and healthcare in the Ayush system.

The NExT is a critical examination introduced under the NCISM Act, 2020, to assess the clinical competency of graduates in Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, and Sowa-Rigpa. It also evaluates their understanding of medical ethics and their ability to handle medico-legal cases.

During the press conference, Jadhav also launched a new nationwide campaign titled "Desh Ka Prakriti Parikshan Abhiyan," aimed at promoting health and well-being through natural practices. This campaign, led by the Ministry of Ayush and the NCISM, will engage more than 4.5 lakh participants, including 1.35 lakh students, 20,000 postgraduate students, 18,000 teachers, and 3 lakh practitioners, in an effort to raise public awareness of Ayurveda and boost the sector's economic growth.

The campaign also aims to set five Guinness World Records, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of integrating Ayurveda into daily life, encapsulated in the mantra "Jan-Jan Tak Ayurveda" and "Har-Ghar Ayurveda."