What is DNB?
The Diplomate of National Board (DNB) is a prestigious postgraduate and postdoctoral medical qualification in India, recognized by the Medical Council of India. It includes various programs categorized as:
- DNB – Super Specialities
- DNB – Broad Specialities
This three-year program involves clinical work, emergency duties, and record maintenance under an accredited guide. Trainees receive a stipend and participate in approximately 42 recognized disciplines, attending conferences, seminars, and academic meetings.
Eligibility Criteria
- Medical degree with permanent registration from the Medical Council of India.
- Completion of a one-year internship.
- Age limit up to 50 years.
Admission Process
- Clear the DNB CET-NBE entrance exam (valid for 2 years until 2018).
- From 2020, the NEET-PG merit list is used for admission to Post MBBS DNB courses; no separate DNB CET is conducted.
- Register online for counseling.
- Admission based on merit, with subject choice per merit rank.
Syllabus
The DNB syllabus varies by specialization and is regularly updated to incorporate new training methods. Trainees engage in clinical examinations, surgical management, and patient case studies across departments like OPD and clinical wards. Academic components include:
- Paper Presentations
- Seminars and Case Discussions
- Réséarch Project
- Thesis
- Conferences/Workshops
- Projects
- Teaching
Thesis Guidelines
- Mandatory thesis requiring a strong research background and familiarity with research methodology.
- Introduction should clearly state the research purpose with a concise, relevant title.
Broad Specialties
| DNB Radio Diagnosis |
| DNB Dermatology and Venereology |
| DNB Respiratory Diseases |
| DNB General Medicine |
| DNB Paediatrics |
| DNB Psychiatry |
| DNB Radio Therapy |
| DNB Anaesthesiology |
| DNB Nuclear Medicine |
| DNB Family Medicine |
| DNB Forensic Medicine |
| DNB Biochemistry |
| DNB Obstetrics and Gynaecology |
| DNB Orthopedic Surgery |
| DNB General Surgery |
| DNB Ophthalmology |
| DNB ENT |
| DNB Pathology |
| DNB Microbiology |
| DNB Pharmacology |
| DNB Emergency Medicine |
| DNB Physiology |
| DNB Social and Preventive Medicine |
DNB CET 2020 Counseling
The National Board of Examinations (NBE) conducts counseling for 2256 DNB seats across 1038 hospitals in India. Registration for Post-MBBS counseling was open from May 8 to 17, 2025, via counseling.nbe.edu.in. Only NEET PG qualifiers are eligible, with four rounds, the final being in-person.
Resources:
Counseling Important Dates
| Events | Dates |
|---|---|
| First Round | |
| Start date for registrations | May 8, 2025 – Started |
| Last date to register | May 17, 2025 up to 5:00 PM |
| Process of seat allotment | May 18 to 21, 2025 |
| Seat allotment | By May 22, 2025 |
| First year course fee payment | May 22 to 27, 2025 |
| Second Round* | |
| Display of vacant seat matrix | Third week of May 2025 |
| Correction window facility | Third week of May 2025 |
| Seat allotment | First week of June 2025 |
| Second year course fee payment | First week of June 2025 |
| Original documents and biometric verification | Second week of June 2025 |
| Third Round* | |
| Display of vacant seat matrix | Second week of June 2025 |
| Correction window facility | Second week of June 2025 |
| Seat allotment | Third week of June 2025 |
| Second year course fee payment | Third week of June 2025 |
| Original documents and biometric verification | Fourth week of June 2025 |
| Joining allotted college | Fourth week of June 2025 |
| Final Round (In-person)* | |
| Offline counselling, biometric and document verification | Third week of July 2025 |
| Joining allotted college | Third week of July 2025 |
*Dates are tentative
Counseling Eligibility Criteria
- Meet NEET PG eligibility criteria.
- First-round participation is mandatory for subsequent rounds.
- Candidates pursuing other PG courses must discontinue them.
- Discontinuing DNB after joining bars participation for three years (until December 2025, or 2028 for 6-year courses).
How to Register for Counseling
- Register using NEET PG email ID/roll number and create a password.
- Log in with credentials and OTP sent to registered email/phone.
- Pay ₹2500 counseling fee.
- Review and edit personal details.
- Upload scanned documents and select category.
- Fill choices (state, hospital, specialty) in order of preference.
- Accept the declaration and lock choices.
Seat Allotment Procedure
Click here for detailed Post-MBBS counseling process.
Round One
- Choose multiple colleges, avoiding unwanted options.
- Upload certificates for special categories.
- Unlocked choices auto-lock after the deadline.
- Non-payment of registration fee disqualifies candidates.
- Seats allotted based on merit and preference, starting with unreserved seats.
- Pay ₹80,000 course fee and select verification center upon seat allotment.
Round Two
- Registered candidates can modify choices; no new registrations.
- Remove earlier allotted seat choice to accept new allotment.
- Pay course fee and report for verification, or candidature is canceled.
Round Three
Similar to Round Two. Download allotment letter post-verification and report to the allotted college with original documents.
Final Round (In-person)
Conducted at:
National Board of Examinations, PSP Area, Sector-9, Dwarka, New Delhi
Landmark: Opposite District Court
Candidates bear travel expenses and must bring:
- MBBS degree/provisional pass certificate
- Permanent MCI/State Medical Council registration
- Internship completion certificate (by December 31, 2025)
- Caste/special category certificates
- Valid ID (PAN, Voter ID, Passport, Driving License, Aadhar)
- Course fee via Demand Draft to 'National Board of Examinations', payable at New Delhi
Counseling fee (₹2500) is non-refundable.
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