Exam guide · Entrance Exams

NEET-PG and NExT (Postgraduate Medical Entrance)

After MBBS, most doctors aim for postgraduate specialisation. Admission to MD, MS and DNB seats has been through NEET-PG, while a National Exit Test (NExT) has been proposed to serve as both a licensing exam and a PG entrance. Doctors should track official announcements closely.

3 min read · Last reviewed 26 September 2026

Conducted by
NBEMS (NEET-PG)
Leads to
MD, MS, DNB and PG diplomas
Eligibility
MBBS with completed internship by the specified date
Future
NExT proposed — check NMC updates

About the exam

NEET-PG tests the entire MBBS curriculum through clinical and applied questions. Rank determines speciality and college options through all-India and state counselling. See Doctor (Medical Practitioner) and MD / MS (Postgraduate Medical Degrees).

Who takes this exam

  • Final-year MBBS students and interns
  • Doctors planning specialisation

Eligibility (general)

  • MBBS degree recognised by NMC
  • Completion of internship by the cut-off date
  • Registration with a medical council

Exam pattern

FeatureIn recent years
ModeComputer-based
Question typeMultiple-choice, clinical and applied
CoverageAll MBBS subjects
MarkingNegative marking for wrong answers
Exam patterns, marking schemes and dates are revised from time to time. Treat this as a general guide and confirm every detail in the current official information bulletin from the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) and the National Medical Commission.

Syllabus overview

The complete MBBS curriculum, with emphasis on clinical application.

Want help applying this to your own situation? Guidance for College Students on the Career Captain website.

Courses and institutions it leads to

Government and private medical colleges and DNB-accredited hospitals.

How the process usually works

  1. ApplyOnline with NBEMS.
  2. Take the examComputer-based.
  3. CounsellingMCC for all-India quota, state counselling for state seats.

How to prepare

  1. Integrate learning during MBBSClinical understanding helps more than memorisation.
  2. Question practiceLarge volumes of clinical MCQs.
  3. Plan internship timeBalance duties with study.

After the result

Choose between speciality and college based on interest, training quality and long-term goals.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Choosing a speciality only by rank or trends
  • Ignoring bond conditions of some states

Alternatives and backup options

  • DNB programmes
  • Master of Public Health
  • Hospital administration

Frequently asked questions

Has NExT replaced NEET-PG?

NExT has been proposed; implementation timelines have changed. Follow NMC and NBEMS announcements.

Published by Career Captain Global Solutions. This page is general guidance; see the disclaimer below. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.