D.N.B. Post Doctoral (Super Specialities)

Diplomate of National Board Post Doctoral (Super Specialities)

D.N.B. Post-Doctoral (Super Specialities) or D.N.B. DNB India to be more specific, it is a name/title given to Post Graduate Degree Courses and Post Doctorate Courses which provide curriculum-based education pertaining to various medical disciplines. The term DNB doesn’t stand for a single medical course, but it is General Title for the course. DNB Super Specialties courses are at par with the post doctorate degrees awarded by other Indian Universities for all purposes including appointment to teaching posts as lecturer/Assistant Professor by the Government of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare; vide their notifications issued from time to time. DNB holders are therefore eligible to be considered for specialist’s post/faculty in any Hospital including a training/teaching institution on a teaching post as a faculty member. Though DNB is considered equivalent to DM/M.Ch., most of the populace is not familiar with it as DNB is a few years old as compared to DM/M.Ch. There are more than 149 recognized Medical Colleges, in addition to over 325 accredited institutions which impart DNB in various specialties and super specialties.

Diplomate of National Board is conducted by National Board of Examinations (NBE). National Board of Examinations is an autonomous body directly under the control of the Central Government. NBE was established in 1975 by the Government of India for improving the quality of the Medical Education by establishing high and uniform standards of postgraduate examinations in modern medicine on an all India basis. The setting up of a National Body to conduct postgraduate medical examination was intended to provide a common standard and mechanism of evaluation of the minimum level of attainment of the objective for which postgraduate courses were started in medical institutions. The Medical Council of India (stands to be abolished as of 2011) has laid down standards for postdoctoral examinations conducted by various medical colleges and affiliated to concerned universities. During training, NDB candidates perform clinical work, maintain records, and perform emergency duties and other required duties. They are posted by rotation at various places and are also required to participate in academic meetings, present cases, reviews, seminars etc. Their work, knowledge, and skills are in this way are periodically evaluated. DNB trainees are also provided a stipend during a training period.

DNB – Super Specialities Eligibility (Post-Doctoral Courses)

DNB Super Specialties (Post-Doctoral Courses) Eligibility in Details

Candidates who are in possession of Post Graduate Medical degrees (MD/ MS) from Indian Universities register-able as additional PG qualifications as per the provisions of the Indian Medical Council Act 1956 and possess permanent/provisional registration certificate issued by the Medical Council of India/State Medical Council before the last date of submission of the application form are eligible to apply for the Entrance Examination.

DNB Super Specialties Entrance Examination - DNB CET-SS is an entrance examination for entry to the DNB Super Specialty.

A merit list based on a performance of candidate out of 120 marks shall be published in order of merit subject to a minimum score of 50%.

Candidates successful in the DNB CET-SS can apply to centralize counseling conducted by the National Board of Examinations for pursuing the 3 years Post-Doctoral DNB programme in various Super Specialties.

The selection will be purely on merit cum choice basis, based on the marks obtained by the candidate in NBE - CET-SS.

Candidates who have passed the final examination leading to the award of Post-Doctoral Degree from Indian Universities which are duly recognized as per provisions of Indian Medical Council Act 1956 i.e. have passed the final examinations for DM/M.Ch. degrees on or before the last date of submission of application form for DNB examination can apply for the DNB Final examination in the same super specialty. A proof to this effect needs to be submitted along with the application form for DNB final exam. Submission of proof of having passed the D.M./M.Ch. final exam before the last date of submitting an application for DM/MCh Final exam is an essential prerequisite.

Candidates who have undergone training as a DNB trainee at any National Board of Examinations accredited institute or any medical college/university recognized Institute after having registered with the Board as a DNB trainee and are completing their 3 years training as DNB trainee by stipulated time as determined by NBE can undertake the Board’s Final Exam in the Same Specialty subjected to completion of training by the date mentioned & submission of certificate to this effect. Submission of Provisional Training Completion Certificate for DNB trainees is an essential pre-requisite.

Candidates who have passed postgraduate diploma are also registered for DNB training for two years. Post Diploma Candidates who are registered with the Board and completing their prescribed training (as per the registration letter) by the stipulated date eligible. Submission of Training Completion Certificate for DNB trainees is an essential pre-requisite.

DNB Super Specialties Syllabus

Diplomate of National Board syllabus is dependent on the choice of specialization one has opted for.

DNB Examination (Super Specialties)

• There are 3 Theory Papers/Examinations which one needs to pass. Each paper is of 3 hours and 100 marks.
• The DNB Final is a two-stage examination comprising the theory and practical part.
• An eligible candidate who has qualified the theory exam is permitted to appear in the practical examination.
• A candidate unsuccessful in the first attempt of practical examination is permitted to undertake one more attempt in practical examination within two years of passing theory examination.
• Absent at Practical Exam is counted as an attempt.

DNB Post-Doctoral (Super Specialities) Examination Details

a) Theory Exam

• The theory exam comprises of four papers, maximum marks 100 each.
• There are 10 short notes of 10 mark each, in each of the papers. The number of short notes and their respective marks weight-age may vary in some subjects/some papers.
• The maximum time permitted is 3 hours for each paper.
• Candidate must score at least 50% in the aggregate of 3 papers to qualify the theory exam.
• Candidates who have qualified the theory exam are permitted to take up the practical exam.

b) Practical Exam

• Maximum Marks: 300
• Comprises of Clinical Examination and Viva.
• Candidate must obtain a minimum of 50% marks in the Clinical Examination (including Viva) to qualify for the Practical exam.
• There is a maximum of two attempts that can be availed by a candidate for Practical Exam.
• The first attempt is the practical exam following immediately after the declaration of theory results.
• The final attempt can be taken by the candidate within two years of passing the theory exam.
• Absent from Practical Exam is counted as an attempt.
• Appearance in the first practical exam is compulsory.
• Requests for Change in center of an exam are not entertained, as the same is not permissible.
• DNB is a competency-based qualifying exam. Results of DNB final examinations (theory & practical) are declared as PASS/ FAIL. Details of marks obtained/grading in final theory/practical Examinations are not provided.
• There will be no re-evaluation or be rechecking/ re-totaling of papers.
• Candidates successful in theory exam will be informed by means of a letter, details of the practical center. No separate certificates for passing theory examination will be issued. The letters are sent by SPEED POST.
• The practical exam centers can also be seen at the website www.natboard.edu.in. Candidates successful in the practical examination are sent Provisional Certificate of Passing DNB individually by Speed Post.
• Under normal circumstances the certificates of passing are dispatched to the candidates within four weeks of the declaration of results, however, due to unforeseen circumstances, this period may vary. Candidates are advised not to canvass or approach the Board for handing over the passing certificate.