FMGE vs NExT 2026 — Will NExT Replace FMGE?
Short answer: Not in 2026. NMC has officially deferred NExT implementation to 2028–29. Every foreign medical graduate graduating in 2026 must still take FMGE. NExT is the future — FMGE is the present.
NExT (National Exit Test) is a proposed common licensing and entrance examination that will eventually:
- Replace FMGE as the licensing exam for foreign medical graduates
- Replace NEET PG as the PG entrance exam
- Replace INICET for AIIMS and INI admissions
- Serve as the final MBBS examination for Indian medical college students
It is a two-step exam: NExT Step 1 (theory) and NExT Step 2 (clinical practical). All medical graduates — Indian and foreign — will need to clear NExT Step 1 to practice medicine in India.
| Feature | NExT Step 1 (Theory) | NExT Step 2 (Practical) |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Written MCQ | Clinical OSCE / Practical |
| Questions | 540 MCQs over 3 days | OSCE stations |
| Duration | 6 papers × 3 hours = 18 hours total | As per NMC guidelines |
| Purpose | Licensing + PG admission ranking | Clinical competency certification |
| Replaces | FMGE + NEET PG + INICET | Final MBBS practical |
| Pass mark | 50% (proposed) | Separately defined |
| Parameter | FMGE (Current) | NExT (Future) |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Active — June and December sessions | Not yet implemented (2028–29 target) |
| Conducted by | NBEMS | NMC (proposed) |
| Who must appear | Foreign medical graduates only | ALL MBBS graduates (Indian + foreign) |
| Questions | 300 MCQs | 540 MCQs (Step 1) |
| Duration | 5 hours | 18 hours over 3 days |
| Negative marking | None | To be announced |
| Passing marks | 150/300 (50%) | 50% (proposed) |
| PG admission | ❌ No PG admission via FMGE | ✅ NExT rank used for PG admission |
| Frequency | Twice yearly | Twice yearly (proposed) |
| Validity | Lifetime pass | 3 years validity (proposed) |
- 2020: NMC Act passed — NExT announced
- 2022: NExT originally planned for December 2023
- 2023: Deferred to 2024–25
- 2024: NMC conducted pilot mock NExT in select medical colleges (informational only, no marks)
- 2025: NMC officially deferred full NExT to 2028–29
- 2026: FMGE continues as before. Graduating foreign MGs must take FMGE
- 2028–29: NExT expected to roll out for the graduating batch
If you are graduating in 2026: Prepare for and appear for FMGE. Do not wait for NExT — it will not come before 2028–29. Every session you delay is a session where you cannot practice or apply for PG.
If you are currently in 2nd/3rd year MBBS abroad: Follow your MBBS curriculum well. When NExT comes, your MBBS subjects form the foundation. Good MBBS preparation = good NExT preparation. No separate NExT syllabus exists yet.
Good news: NExT syllabus will be based on the same 19 MBBS subjects as FMGE and NEET PG. All preparation you do today remains valid.