Diplomate of National Board

  • SaveSave
  • Request a callbackRequest a callback
  • AskAsk us
author
Jun 09, 2023 10:29AM IST

Diplomate of National Board (DNB) Overview

The Diplomate of National Board or DNB is a 3-year post-graduate degree course. Students who wish to pursue DNB have two options to choose from - DND Super Specialities or DNB Broad Specialities. The National Board of Examination (NBE) is responsible for awarding all the degrees of Diplomate of the National Board. During the coursework, candidates attend seminars, participate in demonstrations, and work on case studies. 

Aspirants are eligible to apply for the Diplomate of National Board course after they have completed their MBBS degree with at least 55% aggregate marks. They also need to complete a 1-year residency program that is arranged after the completion of the MBBS degree. As part of the admission process, students need to pass the DNB-CET entrance test. All the academic studies are done in offline mode. 

Some of the top Diplomate of National Board colleges in India are ILBS, NIMS, SVNIRTAR, KMCT Medical College, etc. The average course fee range for Diplomate of National Board courses lies between 30,000 to 2,50,000 INR. Students after passing any Diplomate of National Board courses are eligible to work as Neurologists, Nephrologists, Paediatrics, and Anesthesiologists.

Show Less

Diplomate of National Board Course Highlights

Course Name

Diplomate of National Board (DNB)

Course Duration

3 years

Course Level

Post-graduate

Course Fee

30,000 to 2,50,000

Examination Pattern

Semester

Director of Nationa Board Admission process

Entrance exam, Counseling, Personal Interview, Group Discussions

Admission

Passing the DNB-CET entrance test

Minimum Aggregate Required for Director of Nationa Board

55% at MBBS level along with a 1-year internship.

Top Colleges for MS in Director of Nationa Board

  • Apollo Hospitals, Tamil Nadu
  • School of Nursing, Sri Ganga Ram Hospital
  • Medanta Institute of Education and Research
  • KJSMC, Mumbai

Average Salary

60,000 to 20,00,000 INR

Designations

  • Neurologists
  • Nephrologists 
  • Paediatrics
  • Anesthesiologists

Recruiting Organizations

Apollo Super Speciality Hospital, AIIMS, GNRC

Show Less

Why Study Diplomate of National Board?

There are many positive benefits of opting for Diplomate of National Board course. Some points are discussed below:

  • It is possible for graduates to start their career much earlier as this degree makes them eligible to work closely and directly with other medical practitioners.

  • They can find employment in both private and public medical institutions.

  • Professionals can explore several job profiles such as neurologists, orthopaedics, etc.

  • Graduates get a chance to work in NGOs.

  • Students learn about many medical instruments and also they are updated on a regular basis about recent developments.

Show Less

Diplomate of National Board Entrance Exam

Besides maintaining 50% aggregate marks in the MBBS degree, applicants need to pass the DNB-CET entrance examination. This test is held twice every year. The duration of the exam is 3 hours and 30 minutes. A total of 300 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) are asked in the exam. Candidates get 15 minutes extra time for a mock test before the commencement of the actual exam. The entrance test is conducted in online mode. There is no negative marking or deduction made for wrong answers.

Show Less

Diplomate of National Board Course Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for Diplomate of National Board courses are:

  • Candidates should not be more than 50 years of age.

  • They must pass the Common Entrance Test (CET) and other eligibility tests like CET-DNB or CET-NBE to complete the admission process.

  • Applicants must maintain at least 50% aggregate marks in their MBBS degree. 

  • After completing the MBBS degree, candidates should complete their one-year internship

Show Less

Diplomate of National Board Admission Process

The admission process for courses in Diplomate of National Board is simple. The process includes

  • Aspirants need to complete the registration process on the official website.

  • During the registration process, candidates need to submit their high school education passing certificate and their MBBS degree passing certificate.

  • They also have to present their 1-year internship certificate.

  • After completing the registration process, aspiring candidates have to prepare for the DNB-CET entrance examination. 

  • On the basis of the marks obtained in the entrance test, they are granted admission.

  • After passing the theory examination, all successful candidates must attend the counselling session.

  • Students sometimes have to sit for a personal interview arranged by the colleges. 

Show Less

Popular Colleges for Diplomate of National Board Courses

There are various universities that offer Diplomate of National Board courses. Some of the colleges in India are mentioned below:

Top Government Colleges for DNB

Best government colleges that offer DNB courses are given below for reference.

College Name

All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi

King George's Medical University

National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences

Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences

Banaras Hindu University

JIPMER Puducherry

AIIMS Jodhpur 

Madras Medical College, Chennai

ILBS Delhi

Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology

Top Private Colleges for DNB

Best private colleges that offer DNB courses are given below for reference.

College Name

Christian Medical College, Vellore

Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research

St. John’s National Academy of Health Sciences

Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research [PGIMER]

SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai

Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education

Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education

SOA - Siksha 'O' Anusandhan University

BITS Pilani

Dr D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune

Show Less

Diplomate of National Board Colleges (State-Wise)

The state-wise distribution of Colleges in India offering Diplomate of National Board degrees are:

Tamil Nadu

Some of the popular DNB colleges in Tamil Nadu is listed below

MIOT International
Kanchi Kamakoti Childs Trust Hospital
Shanmuga Institute of Postgraduate Medical Sciences
Vijay Educational Academy
Apollo Group of Colleges

Andhra Pradesh

Popular DNB colleges in Andhra Pradesh is listed below

Kerala

There are few colleges in Kerala that offer DNB courses. Two popular DNB colleges in Kerala are

MIMS College of Nursing
Holy Cross College of Nursing
Annanthapuri Hospital and Research Center
Thrissur Government College of Medicine
KMCT Medical College Manassery

Gujarat

There are few popular colleges in Gujarat that offer DNB courses. Some of them are

GMERS Medical College
Gujarat Medical Education and Research Society Medical College
GCS Medical College, Hospital and Research Center

Delhi NCR

Colleges in Delhi NCR offering DNB courses to applicants are

Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences
Vardhman Mahavir Medical College
National Institute of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
Asian Institute of Medical Sciences
Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences

West Bengal

Some of the popular DNB colleges in West Bengal are mentioned below

Diamond Harbor Government Medical College and Hospital
Rampurhat Medical College and Hospital
Peerless Hospital 
B.K. Roy Research Center
Dr. B.C. Roy Post Graduate Institute of Pediatric Sciences
Show Less

Diplomate of National Board Course Fee

The course fee for the Diplomate of National Board program depends on the academic level, subjects taught, and lab work. The average starting course fee for a Diplomate of National Board course lies at around 30,000 INR per year. But, this fee is mostly available in government institutions. The average highest course fee for a Diplomate of National Board degree at a private institution is 2,50,000 INR. 

Show Less

Diplomate of National Board: Specializations

There are a number of specialization opportunities for students to choose from. Some of the most popular ones are

Pediatrics - Under this specialization, candidates learn about the dynamics of medical and diagnostic procedures of child healthcare. The main aim of this discipline involves teaching about various diseases that affect children. Not only that, but it also studies all the preventive measures that should be followed in order to stop the spread of infectious diseases among children. Pediatrics can treat a lot of health conditions including; injuries, infections, organ diseases, dysfunctions, and genetic conditions. 

Neurology - This academic discipline deals with all the ailments, their causes, and preventive diagnostic measures related to the peripheral nerves, spinal cord, and brain. Candidates learn about the minute details of the anatomy of these vital organs of the body. A professional graduate of neurology degree deals with a lot of diseases including Headache disorders, Cerebrovascular disease, Neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, Seizure disorders, and Demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system.

Orthopaedics - The main subject matter of this discipline deals with the treatment related to diseases and disorders that affect the musculoskeletal system including the joints, muscles, and bones in the body. Orthopedics professionals use a lot of techniques involving manual treatment, pain management, and physical therapy as means of their diagnostic procedures. Several diseases are treated by Orthopaedics like Arthritis, Shoulder Pain and Problems, Kyphosis, Hand Pain and Problems, Medial Epicondylitis, and Elbow Pain and Problems. 

Anesthesiology - It is a very vital discipline of medical study. The major aim of this discipline is to teach the candidates about several medical procedures that are involved in treating a patient before, during, and after any major or minor surgery. Anaesthesiologists are responsible for administering anaesthesia to patients. The professional graduates of this academic discipline imply other critical care procedures like looking after intensive care medicines, critical care medicines, anaesthesia, and pain medicine.   

Cardiology - This academic discipline of medical studies is concerned with the study of diseases and their preventive measures concerning heart, blood vessels, and the circulatory system of the body. The professional graduates of this course use several diagnostic techniques like angioplasty, heart catheterizations, and inserting a pacemaker. Some of the major cardiological issues that are treated by cardiologists include atherosclerosis, high blood cholesterol, pericarditis, and congenital heart disease 

Nephrology - This is a specialty of the internal medicine branch of medical studies. The subject area of Nephrology is mainly concerned with the study of the kidneys - diseases affecting them and the diagnostic procedures. Various diseases that are treated by the practitioner of this discipline include diabetes, renal osteodystrophy, Medullary Sponge Kidney, Renal Tubular Acidosis, Single-functioning Kidney, and Nephrotic Syndrome. 

Show Less

Syllabus of Diplomate of National Board Course

The subjects that are taught under the Diplomate of National Board course are

Subject

Pharmacology

Dermatology and STD

Pediatrics

Psychiatry

Obstetrics & Gynaecology

General Medicine

Radiology

SPM, Statistics & Biomedical Research

Anaesthesiology

ENT

Orthopaedics

Ophthalmology

General Surgery

Forensic Medicine

Pharmacology

Microbiology

Pathology

Biochemistry

Physiology

Anatomy

During the coursework, students are trained for all kinds of medical emergency situations, clinical examinations, use of surgical equipment, etc. Though the syllabus depends on the subject, the basic outline of the Diplomate of National Board degree course is
 

  • Seminars
  • Case Discussions
  • Academic Sessions
  • Paper presentations
  • Thesis
  • Conferences
  • Workshops 
  • Teaching
     
Show Less

DNB And DM: Comparison

There are some basic differences and similarities between DNB and DM courses. Some of the pointers are given below:

Specification

DNB

DM

Full Form

Diplomate of National Board

Doctorate of Medicine

Duration

3 years

3 years

Entrance Exam

NEET PG, DNB CET, PD CET

NEET PG, PGIMER

Course Level

Post-graduate

Doctorate

Eligibility

MBBS degree in relevant subject

MBBS degree and a post-graduate degree in a relevant subject

Course Fee

30,000 to 2,50,000 INR

5,00,000 to 20,00,000 INR

Show Less

Career Prospects After Diplomate of National Board Course

Professional graduates of the Diplomate of National Board course are eligible for a variety of professional work. Almost all of these designations are well-paid and come with many facilities. Some of the top designations are

Designation

Definition

Salary

Paediatric Deals with the study of all the diseases affecting children, and specific preventive methods that should be followed to stop child death rate25,00,000 INR per annum
Ophthalmologist These professionals treat all types of eye diseases. They are also eligible to perform eye-related surgical procedures 15,00,000 INR per annum
Nephrologists These professional graduates specialize in treating disorders related to kidneys.27,00,000 INR per annum
CardiologistsThey treat heat-related ailments in their patients. Other than that, all the disorders related to the blood vessels are also taken care of by these professionals.20,00,000 INR per annum
AnaesthesiologistThese professionals are entrusted with the vital responsibility of administering anaesthesia to their patients for pain management and surgical procedures.12,00,000 INR per annum
GeriatriciansProfessional graduates of this course mainly deal with the ailments and disabilities related to old age17,00,000 INR per annum
Show Less

Top Recruiting Agencies for Diplomate of National Board Passouts

Eligible candidates graduating from the Diplomate of National Board course can find employment in the private and public sectors. Here are the top recruiting agencies for your reference:

  • Fortis Hospital

  • Columbia Asia

  • Apollo Hospitals

  • Medica Super Speciality Hospital

  • Global Hospital

  • Nilratan Sircar Hospital

  • All India Institute of Medical Science

Show Less

Skills Required to Study Diplomate of National Board Courses

In order to become a successful professional, individuals need to possess the right skill set. This helps them achieve wonders and garner praise from their patients.

  • Time management is a key skill when it comes to studying Diplomate of National Board courses.

  • During the coursework, candidates need to participate in several group projects. For this reason, it is important to possess teamwork capabilities.

  • Professional graduates should be able to conduct training sessions and demonstrations whenever required.

  • It is a desirable skill for the candidates to conduct research work and contribute towards the development of this field. 

  • Candidates should have an eye for minute details.

Show Less

FAQs about DNB

Which degree is best - MCH or DNB?

The first preference of NEET SS candidates is to opt for MCH/ DM. If one wants to be study in a particular branch such as cardiology or urology, they should opt for the DNB course.

Is the DNB course considered equal to PG?

The DNB course has been approved by the Government of India. It is considered at par with the postgraduate and post-doctoral studies offered by the medical colleges across India.

Can DNB doctors perform surgery?

Once candidates qualify in the final examination, they can function as a specialist in the General Surgery category. This requires a sound knowledge of the fundamentals.

Is DNB course considered higher than MD?

Diplomate of National Board (DNB) is a PG Master's degree that is the same as MS/ MD degree awarded to specialist Doctors in India post the completion of 3-year residency.

Can I become a professor after the Diplomate of National Board course?

Yes, one can pursue their professional life in the academic field by becoming a professor after completing the DNB course.

Is DNB recognized in the USA?

No, Diplomate of National Board courses is not recognized in the USA. 

Can I pursue a DNB degree without the NEET exam?

It is possible to get admission to Diplomate of National Board courses without the NEET exam. Like the NEET, there is another entrance test called DNB CET that grants admission to students.

Can I pursue a DNB degree without the NEET exam?

It is possible to get admission to Diplomate of National Board courses without the NEET exam. Like the NEET, there is another entrance test called DNB CET that grants admission to students.

What is the minimum eligibility for studying DNB courses?

The minimum eligibility criteria, as per All India Medical Council of India, is an MBBS degree with at least 55% marks in aggregate.

Can Diplomate of National Board degree enable candidates to perform surgeries?

Yes, after completion of courses like Cardiologists, Neurologists, etc. candidates can perform surgeries.

How many seats are available for Diplomate of National Board courses?

Currently, 8264 seats are available for DNB courses. Every year, new seats are added to the roster.

Can I pursue a DM degree after completing the DNB course?

Yes, students who are interested in pursuing a Doctorate degree can apply for a DM degree after completing courses in Diplomate of National Board.

Is the DNB course recognized outside India?

Many countries like Australia, the UK, etc. have recognized courses for Diplomate of National Board degrees.

What is the full form of DNB?

The full form of DNB is Diplomate of National Board. This course can be pursued after completing an MBBS degree with 55% aggregate marks.

What are some of the DNB colleges in India?

Some of the DNB colleges in India are listed below:

  • National Institute of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
  • Asian Institute of Medical Sciences
  • Holy Cross College of Nursing
  • MIMS College of Nursing

What is the admission process for DNB courses?

The admission process for DNB courses is listed below

  • Registration
  • Application Form
  • Uploading of Documents
  • Payment of Application Fees
  • Downloading of Admit Card
  • Entrance Exam
  • Result
  • Counselling/Personal Interview

What is the mode of study for DNB courses?

The DNB courses are postgraduate degree-level courses. The duration of the courses is 3 years. All the curricular work done for the DNB courses is conducted in offline mode. 

What is the course fee for DNB courses?

The average course fee for DNB courses lies within the range of 30,000 to 2,50,000 INR per annum. The course fee varies depending on the educational institution. Government colleges charge much less than private institutions.

Is NEET SS required for DNB courses?

In order to study DNB courses, it is mandatory to pass the NEET SS entrance exam. NEET SS exam grants admission in Super Speciality courses to applicants.

Show Less

DNB Colleges in Cities

DNB Colleges by College Type

What is Diplomate of National Board Course About?

There are specific purposes for developing the Diplomate of National Board degree programme for the students. All the essential details and pieces of information are given below

  • All the aspirants of the DNB course are provided with sufficient knowledge and training about how to attain any emergency medical situations. They are given training through demonstrative classes, conferences, and seminars that are conducted throughout the course
  • This programme is designed to give candidates proper knowledge about the basics of the nursing degree course. Professional graduates of this course are eligible to become teaching professionals, eligible to teach nursing at several academic levels
  • The main aim of developing the DNB degree course is to provide an all-round development and in-depth knowledge about the various aspects that are associated with the nursing degree courses
Show Less