National Exit Test Should Not Be Introduced: Tamil Nadu CM Stalin Writes To PM Modi

National Exit Test (NExT) is a combined national-level exit examination for undergraduate medical students and an entrance examination for postgraduate admissions.

Stalin said that the introduction of NExT would hamper clinical learning since the exit test would force the students to focus more on the theoretical part of medicine during their course and internships. 

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reiterate his opposition against the introduction of National Exit Test (NExT), a combined national-level exit examination for undergraduate medical students and entrance examination for postgraduate admissions. Stalin said that the existing system should continue since the introduction of an entrance exam appears as another attempt to dilute the role of State Governments and Universities in the health sector and to centralise the powers of the Centre.

In a letter on Tuesday, Stalin said, “The Government of Tamil Nadu has been consistent in its opposition to the introduction of NEET and NExT in any form for both undergraduate and postgraduate medical admissions. The NEET-based medical admission system under the National Medical Commission (NMC) Act has already adversely impacted the equitable, school education-based selection process and its contribution to the strengthening of the public health system.”

NEXT என்ற தேசிய மருத்துவத் தகுதித் தேர்வினை ஒன்றிய அரசு கைவிடவேண்டும் என்று வலியுறுத்தி மாண்புமிகு பிரதமர் @narendramodi அவர்களுக்கு மாண்புமிகு முதலமைச்சர் @mkstalin அவர்கள் கடிதம் எழுதியுள்ளார். pic.twitter.com/KkRSQ6ZZlS

— CMOTamilNadu (@CMOTamilnadu) June 13, 2023

“At this juncture, the proposed introduction of NeXT will surely exacerbate this trend and cause irreparable damage to the interest of rural and socially disadvantaged students and the public institutions under State Governments,” he said.


The CM said that the introduction of a common exit test would definitely be an additional burden on the students given the high academic burden and stress faced by medical students. He also said that the introduction would hamper clinical learning since the exit test would force them to focus more on the theoretical part of medicine during their course and internships. 

Stalin said:  “I again wish to re-emphasize that the introduction of NExT is neither in the interest of the students nor in the interest of state governments who fund most of the medical institutions. Therefore, I once again request that NExT should not be introduced and the existing system be continued.”