Ayush National Exit Test (NExT) to Commence for 2021-22 Batch, Announces Union Minister

New Delhi:    Union Minister of State for Ayush (Independent Charge) Prataprao Jadhav announced today that the National Exit Test (NExT) for Ayush will be implemented starting from the 2021-2022 academic batch. Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Jadhav confirmed that the test will apply to students enrolled under the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) and National Commission for Homoeopathy (NCH) Acts, 2020.

The decision follows recommendations from a committee led by Vice Chancellor of the National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, Prof. Sanjeev Sharma. The committee reviewed concerns from students and suggested that the NExT be applied to clarify its implementation.

The NExT is a mandatory examination for licensing and enrollment in State or National Registers, required after completing a one-year internship. The test will feature a problem-based examination structure, including clinical case scenarios, images, and videos to evaluate practical skills. Students who pass the NExT but have not completed their internship will only be eligible for registration after finishing the internship.

This announcement addresses concerns raised by students from the Ayush stream regarding the NExT exam’s implementation. The Union Minister met with representatives of BAMS and BHMS students to discuss the issue.

The NCISM Act 2020 and NCH Act 2020, which came into effect on June 11, 2021, and July 5, 2021, respectively, mandate the NExT within three years of the enforcement of these Acts. The NExT aims to ensure a fair and transparent process while maintaining high standards in Ayush education and healthcare.

In addition to the NExT announcement, Jadhav introduced the “Desh Ka Prakriti Parikshan Abhiyan,” a nationwide campaign focused on health and wellbeing through natural practices. Led by the Ministry of Ayush and the NCISM, the campaign aims to engage over 4.5 lakh participants, including 1,35,000 students, 20,000 postgraduate students, 18,000 teachers, and 3 lakh practitioners.

The campaign’s goal is to enhance public interest in Ayurveda and contribute to economic growth. Jadhav also highlighted the campaign’s ambition to set five Guinness World Records, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of integrating Ayurveda into daily life with the mantra ‘Jan-Jan Tak Ayurveda’ and ‘Har-Ghar Ayurveda.’