NCISM Announces National Exit Test (NExT) for Ayush Students: Effective for 2021-22 Batch

New Delhi — In a landmark decision that promises to reshape the landscape of traditional medical education in India, the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) has officially announced that the National Exit Test (NExT) will be implemented for Ayush students starting with the batch admitted in the 2021-22 academic year. The examination is tentatively scheduled to be held in March 2027.

The move, directed by the Union Ministry of Ayush, aims to standardize the quality of medical education across Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, and Sowa-Rigpa disciplines. By mandating a uniform licentiate examination, the commission seeks to ensure that all graduating practitioners possess the necessary clinical competency and ethical understanding required for professional practice.

The Core Mandate: Who, When, and Why

According to the public notice issued by the NCISM on December 12, 2025, the decision was finalized following a commission meeting held in October and subsequent directives from the Ministry. The notice clarifies that the NExT will be applicable to all students admitted to undergraduate Ayush courses from the academic session 2021-22 onwards.

“It has been decided that the National Exit Test (NEXT)… shall be applicable for all students admitted from the Academic Year 2021-22 onwards in the month of March 2027 tentatively,” the official notice states.

Institutions across the country have been directed to disseminate this information immediately to faculty and students to ensure necessary preparatory actions are taken.

What is the NExT for Ayush?

The National Exit Test (NExT) is a key reform introduced under the NCISM Act, 2020. It serves a dual purpose in the medical education ecosystem:

1. Licentiate Examination: It certifies the eligibility of a medical graduate to register in the State or National Register, essentially granting the “license to practice.”

2. Postgraduate Entrance: It effectively replaces the existing entrance tests for admission to postgraduate (MD/MS) courses in Ayush systems, making PG admissions merit-based on NExT scores.

Unlike traditional theory-heavy exams, the NExT is designed to be a problem-based examination. It focuses on assessing:

• Clinical competency

• Understanding of medical ethics

• Ability to handle medico-legal cases

Relief for Senior Batches

The announcement comes as a significant relief to thousands of students from earlier batches (such as 2018-19 and 2019-20) who had been in a state of uncertainty. Throughout 2024 and 2025, various student bodies, including the student wing of the National Integrated Medical Association (NIMA), staged protests and submitted representations arguing that applying the exam retrospectively to students who were already midway through their courses would be unfair.

“The decision to peg the applicability to the 2021-22 batch is a victory for student advocacy,” says Dr. Rajesh Kumar, a senior resident and medical education activist. “It allows the current batch sufficient time to prepare for a clinical-based exam format, which differs significantly from the rote-learning models of the past.”

Expert Commentary and Strategic Intent

Union Minister of State for Ayush (Independent Charge), Prataprao Jadhav, has previously emphasized that the primary goal of NExT is “transparency and quality assurance.” By standardizing the exit level, the government hopes to eliminate the disparity in educational standards between different colleges.

Dr. Anita Sharma, a former principal of a government Ayurvedic college, explains the pedagogical shift:

“For decades, the quality of an Ayush doctor depended heavily on the college they attended. NExT acts as a quality filter. It ensures that whether a student studies in a remote private college or a premier national institute, they must meet the same benchmark of clinical safety and knowledge before they touch a patient. This is a massive win for public health safety.”

However, the road ahead is not without challenges. Critics point out that for NExT to be successful, the faculty and infrastructure in smaller colleges must be upgraded to teach clinical skills effectively. “You cannot test students on clinical scenarios if they haven’t been exposed to patients during their internships,” Dr. Sharma adds.

Implications for Students and Public Health

For the general public, this development signals a move towards more reliable healthcare. Patients consulting an Ayush practitioner in the future can be assured that the doctor has cleared a rigorous national-standard examination.

Practical Implications for the 2021-22 Batch:

• Mandatory Requirement: Passing NExT is non-negotiable for obtaining a registration number. Without it, a graduate cannot legally practice medicine in India.

• Internship Linkage: Students will likely appear for the exam after their final year. While they can continue their internship, their permanent registration will be contingent upon passing the exam and completing the one-year mandatory rotary internship.

• Preparation Strategy: Students currently in their third or fourth year need to pivot their study habits towards clinical case studies, differential diagnosis, and practical application of texts like the Charaka Samhita or Organon of Medicine.

Conclusion

The implementation of NExT for the Ayush sector mirrors the similar transformation occurring in modern medicine (MBBS) with its own NExT. While it introduces a new hurdle for students, it elevates the stature of Ayush systems by aligning their educational rigor with global standards. As the tentative date of March 2027 approaches, the focus now shifts to the academic institutions to prepare their students for this decisive evaluation.

Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with qualified healthcare professionals before making any health-related decisions or changes to your treatment plan. The information presented here is based on current research and expert opinions, which may evolve as new evidence emerges.

References

1. NCISM Public Notice: Applicability of National Exit Test (NExT) for Ayush Students Admitted from Academic Year 2021-22 Onwards. National Commission for Indian System of Medicine, New Delhi. (December 12, 2025)

2. News Report: Medical Dialogues. “NExT exam for AYUSH students to be effective for 2021-22 batch in March 2027 tentatively.” (December 12, 2025).

For a visual breakdown of the official notice and what it means for students, you can watch this helpful summary: NExT Exam Update for Ayush Students.

This video is relevant because it provides a detailed walkthrough of the official NCISM notice and explains the timeline and preparation tips specifically for the affected 2021-22 batch.