Yes, NEXT-1 is going to be conducted in 2022 for the 1st time.
The NMC bill was passed in 2019 and any bill which has been passed has to be implemented within 3 years and 2022 is the final 3rd year.
Ofcourse it will bring Indian medical student and foreign Medical students on the same page.
Even in countries like the USA, both the local students and foreign Medical students have to give the USMLE.
It’s a good step because both foreign and Indian medical students will be treated equally and there will be a proper check on the knowledge of students before getting the medical license to practice Medicine in India.
But I don’t think it’s as good for Indian as this exam will be a final year for Indian student and they will not get the degree until unless they qualify the exam.
On the other hand, foreign Medical students will already a degree from the country where they did their MBBS from and would have options to apply for different countries as well.