India will introduce the National Exit Test (NExT) for AYUSH students, with the first examination scheduled for 2026 [2].
The move establishes a standardized benchmark for practitioners of traditional medicine, ensuring a uniform level of competency across the country's diverse AYUSH institutions.
Union Minister of State for AYUSH (Independent Charge) Prataprao Jadhav said the initiative will apply to students who enrolled in their programs from the 2021-22 academic session onward [1]. This ensures that the cohorts completing their studies this year are the first to undergo the new evaluation process [1].
The government first announced the policy on Sept. 5, 2024 [1]. By implementing the test in 2026 [2], the Ministry of AYUSH aims to align the certification of traditional medicine practitioners with national quality standards.
AYUSH refers to the traditional systems of medicine practiced in India, encompassing Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy. The NExT is designed to serve as a final qualifying hurdle for students before they enter professional practice.
While the specific format of the exam has not been detailed, the requirement for the 2021-22 batch and subsequent enrollments creates a new mandatory milestone for thousands of medical students across the country [1]. The rollout represents a shift toward centralized regulation of medical exits in India, mirroring similar trends seen in other medical disciplines.
“The first exam is scheduled for 2026.”
The introduction of the NExT for AYUSH graduates signals a transition toward the professionalization and standardization of traditional medicine in India. By creating a national exit barrier, the government is moving away from institution-specific grading toward a centralized quality control mechanism, which may affect how these practitioners are viewed in the broader global healthcare market.
