Centre plans exit exam for MBBS Students

The Government is considering instituting an exit examination for MBBS students passing out from Government and Private Medical colleges. This decision has come in the wake of recommendations from the Medical Council of India (MCI) and parliamentary standing committee on health and family welfare. Centre is planning to notify NEET-PG as the common exit test which is scheduled for the first week of December. This act is intended to replace myriad university – level examinations which the MBBS students have to take prior to practicing medicine. The Centre is planning such a move in the wake of concerns over the quality of doctors produced in the country. According to Government’s plan, NEET-PG would serve as a common test for candidates seeking admission in Post- Graduate courses as well as for MBBS doctors looking for medical council registration prior to practicing medicine. The Government is also planning to replace the screening test for Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGE) with NEET–PG which would serve as the sole basis for MBBS students seeking practice or opting for PG courses. A senior official in the ministry claimed that a grading mechanism could be introduced for medical colleges based on the test scores. According to sources, the introduction of common exit test would require an amendment to the Indian Medical Council Act by the Parliament. In the wake of this, it may not be feasible to introduce NEET-PG as an MBBS exit examination from this year. However, the process is underway to implement the test as soon as possible. A senior official of health ministry claims that the Centre is keen on issuing a notification making NEET-PG as the exit examination for MBBS students. However, the decision can be challenged in court. The official said that the ministry is underway in the process of making amendments to the IMC Act on priority as per the directives from Prime Minister’s Office. The report is currently under NITI Aayog. The ministry will consider incorporating exit examination provision once it receives the report. Earlier in July 2015, a recommendation had been made by the MCI to the ministry for introducing exit exam for MBBS students to ensure quality. The parliamentary committee further stated that there is an urgent need for introducing a common exit test for doctors which would further standardize the passing out of MBBS students and help in certifying the competencies expected to be generated out of him. Is this a good idea? Leave your comments in the section below !