DNB (Diplomate of National Board) is a postgraduate medical qualification. It is awarded by the National Board of Examinations (NBE), India. It is equivalent to MD/MS course. This course is recognized by the National Medical Commission (NMC). The course duration is 3 years (Post-MBBS) or 2 years (Post-Diploma). The admission is based on NEET-PG or DNB-PDCET scores. There are many specializations, which include Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Radiology, and Anesthesia. After successfully completion graduates can work as consultants, specialists, or teaching faculty in hospitals and medical institutions.
Highlights:
Features
Details
Course Name
Diplomate of National Board (DNB)
Course Duration
Post-MBBS DNB: 3 years
Post-Diploma DNB: 2 years (for candidates with a recognized medical diploma)
Super Specialty DNB (DrNB): 3 years (for candidates with MD/MS/DNB)
Equivalent to
MD/MS (Recognized by NMC/MCI)
Eligibility
Post-MBBS DNB: MBBS + Internship + NEET-PG
Post-Diploma DNB: Relevant Diploma + DNB-PDCET
Super Specialty DNB (DrNB): MD/MS/DNB + NEET-SS
Course Types
DNB (Broad Specialty) – Equivalent to MD/MS
DNB (Super Specialty) – Equivalent to DM/MCh
DNB (Post Diploma)
Specializations
Medical Specialties:
General Medicine
Paediatrics
Dermatology
Anaesthesiology
Psychiatry
Surgical Specialties:
General Surgery
Orthopaedics
ENT
Ophthalmology
Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Super Specialties (After DNB/MD/MS):
Cardiology
Neurology
Gastroenterology
Neurosurgery
Urology
Entrance Exams
NEET-PG – For Post-MBBS DNB admission
DNB-PDCET – For Post-Diploma DNB admission
NEET-SS – For Super Specialty DNB (DrNB) admission
Entrance Exam Frequency
DNB-PDCET - Conducted once a year (for Post-Diploma DNB)
NEET-SS - Conducted once a year (for Super Specialty DNB)
Conducting Bodies
NEET-PG – Conducted by National Board of Examinations (NBE)
DNB-PDCET – Conducted by National Board of Examinations (NBE)
NEET-SS – Conducted by National Board of Examinations (NBE)
Fee Range
DNB (Post-MBBS) Fee Structure
Government Hospitals: ₹50,000 – ₹1.25 lakh (total for 3 years)
Private Hospitals: ₹5 – ₹15 lakh (total for 3 years)
Corporate Hospitals: ₹10 – ₹20 lakh (total for 3 years)
DNB (Post-Diploma) Fee Structure
Government Hospitals: ₹50,000 – ₹1 lakh (total for 2 years)
Private Hospitals: ₹4 – ₹10 lakh (total for 2 years)
Corporate Hospitals: ₹8 – ₹15 lakh (total for 2 years)
DNB Super Specialty (DNB-SS) Fee Structure
Government Hospitals: ₹1 – ₹2 lakh (total for 3 years)
Private Hospitals: ₹10 – ₹25 lakh (total for 3 years)
Training Locations
Government/Private Hospitals & Accredited Medical Institutions
Recognized By
National Medical Commission (NMC) & MCI
Highest Salary Package
Starting Salary: ₹8–12 LPA (varies by specialization & hospital)
Experienced Specialists: ₹15–30 LPA
Top Consultants in Private Hospitals: ₹40–50 LPA
International Opportunities: ₹50 LPA+ (in countries like the USA, UK, UAE)
Top Recruiters
Government Hospitals: AIIMS, Safdarjung Hospital, PGIMER, JIPMER, ESIC Hospitals
Private Hospitals: Apollo Hospitals, Fortis Healthcare, Max Healthcare, Manipal Hospitals, Medanta
Medical Colleges & Universities: AIIMS, NIMHANS, CMC Vellore, St. John’s Medical College
International Healthcare Organizations: WHO, UNICEF, MSF (Doctors Without Borders)
Research & Pharma Companies: ICMR, DRDO, Pfizer, Cipla
Eligibility Criteria
The Diplomate of National Board (DNB) course has different eligibility criteria based on the type of specialization (Broad Specialty, Post-Diploma, and Super Specialty).
1. Eligibility for DNB (Broad Specialty) – After MBBS
Educational Qualification:MBBS degree from an NMC/MCI-recognized medical college
Internship: Completed 1-year mandatory internship on or before 31st March of the admission year
Entrance Exam:NEET-PG qualification is mandatory
Medical Registration: Must have a permanent or provisional registration with NMC/State Medical Council
2. Eligibility for DNB (Post-Diploma) – After PG Diploma
Educational Qualification: Must have a Postgraduate Diploma in the relevant specialization (e.g., DCP, DGO, DMRD, DA, etc.)
Entrance Exam: Must qualify for DNB-PDCET (Post-Diploma CET)
Medical Registration: Must have NMC-recognized registration
Duration: 2 years instead of 3 years
3. Eligibility for DNB Super Specialty (DNB-SS) – After MD/MS/DNB
Educational Qualification:MD/MS/DNB in the relevant specialization
Entrance Exam:NEET-SS (Super Specialty Entrance Exam) is mandatory
Medical Registration: Must be registered with NMC/State Medical Council
Duration: 3 years
Additional Eligibility Criteria
No Age Limit for DNB courses
Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) must clear FMGE (Foreign Medical Graduate Exam) before applying.
Counselling and Admission
Admission to DNB (Diplomate of National Board) courses is based on NEET-PG (for Broad Specialty) and NEET-SS (for Super Specialty). The counselling process is conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) through an online centralized system.
The Diplomate of National Board (DNB) qualification is equivalent to MD/MS. This course offers multiple career opportunities in government, private hospitals, teaching, research, and super-specialization.
1.Government Jobs After DNB:
Senior Resident (SR) in Government Medical Colleges & Hospitals
Specialist/Medical Officer in Central & State Govt. Hospitals (AIIMS, ESIC, CGHS, Railways, etc.)
Army/Navy/Air Force Medical Services (AFMS)
2.Private Hospital & Corporate Jobs Job Roles:
Consultant/Attending Physician/Specialist in Private & Corporate Hospitals
Critical Care Specialist, Cardiologist, Neurologist, etc.
Medical Director or Administrator in Multi-Specialty Hospitals
3.Teaching & Academic Roles Job Roles:
Assistant Professor in Medical Colleges (Government/Private)
Faculty in Private Medical Institutions
Researcher in Clinical/Medical Research Institutes
4.Private Practice & Own Clinic Job Roles:
Specialist Doctor (Own Clinic or Hospital)
Surgeon, Physician, Paediatrician, etc.
5.Fellowship & Super-Specialization (DNB-SS, DM/MCh) Super-Specialty Options After DNB:
Cardiology (DNB-SS, DM)
Neurology (DNB-SS, DM)
Gastroenterology (DNB-SS, DM)
Neurosurgery (DNB-SS, MCh)
Urology (DNB-SS, MCh)
Oncology & Hematology (DNB-SS, DM)
6. Career Abroad After DNB Options Available:
Work in the UK (PLAB, MRCP, MRCS)
Work in the USA (USMLE, ECFMG Registration)
Australia & Canada (AMC, MCC Exams)
7. Medical Research & Pharma Industry Job Roles:
Clinical Research Associate (CRA) in Pharma Companies
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