National Exit Test for AYUSH Students to Begin from 2021-22 Batch: Minister Confirms

In a significant move aimed at improving the quality of healthcare education in India, the Ministry of AYUSH has announced the implementation of the National Exit Test (NExT) for all AYUSH graduates starting from the 2021-22 batch. This exit exam will be mandatory for students pursuing courses such as Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (AYUSH), marking a new era in the evaluation system for traditional medicine practitioners. The Union Minister for AYUSH confirmed that NExT will serve as a uniform licensure examination, ensuring that students graduating from AYUSH institutions meet the required professional standards before they can practice. This initiative aims to bring AYUSH education on par with modern medicine, as the NExT is modeled after a similar exam planned for MBBS graduates. The test is expected to be divided into two parts: a theory exam followed by a practical assessment. Graduates will need to pass NExT in order to receive their license to practice and be eligible for postgraduate studies. The introduction of NExT is also expected to standardize the quality of healthcare provided by AYUSH practitioners across India. As the AYUSH sector continues to grow in