DNB PDCET 2026 Exam - Exam Date, Registration, Pattern, Syllabus, Sample Papers, Cutoff, Previous Year Papers

Updated By Puja Dey on 01 Aug, 2025 13:34

DNB PDCET Exam 2025 is conducted for admission to post diploma DNB board speciality courses.

Your Ultimate Exam Preparation Guide Awaits!

About DNB PDCET 2026 (Notification in January)

The DNB PDCET exam 2026 is expected to be conducted in the last week of March 2026. The application form will be released in January 2026. The student can apply till February third week, 2026. The DNB PDCET 2026 admit card is expected to be released in the first week of March, 2026. The DNB ODCET exam will be conducted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS). Approximately 1050-1080 seats are expected to be available for the 2026-27 academic session.

The DNB PDCET counselling process has ended for the academic session 2025. As per the schedule, the mop-up round document verification and admission to the allocated colleges has ended on July 31, 2025.  The paper consisted of 120 multiple-choice questions that will be asked in the DNB PDCET 2025. According to the DNB PDCET 2026 Eligibility Criteria, students need to pass a postgraduate diploma in a relevant subject to appear for the test. Scroll down to learn more about the DNB PCET 2025 exam, application form, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, important dates, and other latest updates.

Upcoming Medical Exams :

Know best colleges you can get with your DNB PDCET score

DNB PDCET 2026 Highlights

Check out some of the highlights of DNB PDCET 2026 as shown below: 

Particulars

Details

Name of Exam

DNB PDCET

DNB PDCET 2025 Exam Date

March last week, 2026

Conducting Body

NBEMS

Frequency of Exam

Annually

Mode of Application

Online

Mode of Exam

Computer-Based Test

Reservation Criteria

Available

Total Number of Questions

200

Total Marks

800

Duration of Exam

2.5 Hours

Negative Marking

Yes

Seat Allotment

Merit-Based Counselling

Syllabus

MBBS Exit-Level

DNB PDCET 2026 Important Dates

DNB PDCET important dates are released by the exam authorities online on the official website. Students can check the dates regarding the DNB PDCET events mentioned below.

Important Events

Important Dates

Submission of Online Application Form

January- February, 2026
Application Correction Window

February, 2026

Selective Edit Window to edit/change Incorrect Images

February, 2026
Admit Card Release

March, 2026

Date of Examination

March last week, 2026

Announcement of Result

April, 2026

Counselling Process

May, 2026

Reporting to the CollegeJune, 2026
Mop Up Round Choice FillingJuly, 2026
Seat Allotment ProcessingJuly, 2026
DNB PDCET 2026 Mop Up Round Seat Allotment ResultJuly, 2026
Joining the Allocated InstitutesJuly- August, 2026

Eligibility Criteria for DNB PDCET 2026

The DNB PDCET 2026 Eligibility Criteria will be set by the exam conducting authority, which is the National Board of Examinations (NBE). The eligibility criteria consist of several domains, like age, academic qualification, and caste. To appear for the DNB PDCET test, candidates must qualify for all the eligibility criteria that are set by the exam conducting authority. Here are the eligibility criteria for candidates to refer to

  • The minimum academic qualification of the student must be post post-graduation diploma from any recognized board/university
  • Candidates need to pass their post-graduation diploma degree before 31st December of the application year
  • Aspirants of the test must be registered with the Medical Council of India

Eligibility qualification required to appear for DNB PDCET 2026

Check out the list of eligibility qualifications required for DNB PDCET 2026 from the table below.

Specialties

Post Graduate Diploma Qualification

DNB (Dermatology and Venereal Diseases)

DVD

DNB (Pathology)

DCP

DNB (Paediatrics)

DCH

DNB (OBGY)

DGO

DNB (Respiratory Disease)

DTCD

DNB (Radio-Diagnosis)

DMRD

DNB (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation)

DMPR

DNB (Nuclear Medicine)

DNM

DNB (Orthopaedics)

DORTHO

DNB (Dermatology and Venereal Diseases)

DVD

DNB (Radio-Therapy)

DMRT

DNB (Otorhinolaryngology)

DLO

DNB (Psychiatry)

DPM

DNB (Ophthalmology)

DOMS

DNB PDCET 2026 Exam Pattern

The DNB PDCET exam 2026 will be conducted in online mode and administered exclusively in English. As per the timetable, the students will have a two-hour timeframe to tackle 120 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs). While each correct response will provide four marks, the students are advised to be cautious, as one mark is deducted for every incorrect answer, emphasizing the need for strategic answering. Check out the DNB PDCET 2026 question paper pattern: 

  • DNB PDCET Exam Mode: The exam will be conducted online mode via a Computer Based Test.

  • Medium: The entire exam will be in the English language.

  • Duration: students will have a total of two hours to complete the exam.

  • Type of Questions: The exam will consist of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs).

  • Number of Questions: There will be a total of 120 MCQs in the question paper.

  • Marking Scheme: Each correct answer will earn students four marks.

  • Negative Marking: However, students need to be cautious as for each incorrect answer, one mark will be deducted

DNB PDCET 2026 Syllabus

The DNB PDCET Syllabus 2026 will be released before the commencement of the exam by the National Board of Education in Medical Sciences (NBEMS).  Some of the important topics for the DNB PDCET 2026 syllabus are as follows

Orthopaedics

Biochemistry

General Surgery

ENT

Pathology

Radiodiagnosis

Paediatrics

Anatomy

DNB PDCET 2026 Courses Offered

DNB PDCET 2026 will be conducted at the national level. Refer to the table below to learn more about the Specialties in which Post Diploma DNB courses are available.

Courses Available after Passing DNB PDCET 2025 Exam

Respiratory Diseases

Plastic Surgery

Dermatology & Venereology

Paediatric Surgery

Microbiology

General Surgery

Oto-rhinolaryngology 

Biochemistry

Ophthalmology

Pathology

Cardio-Thoracic Surgery

Physiology

Psychiatry

Anesthesiology

Physical Medicine Rehabilitation 

Forensic Medicine 

Social and Preventive Medicine

Neurology

Nuclear Medicine

Radio-diagnosis

Family Medicine

Neuro Surgery

Orthopaedics

Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Gastro-enterology

Health Administration

Pediatrics

Radio Therapy 

Genito-Urinary Surgery

General Medicine

Cardiology

Maternal Child Health

DNB PDCET 2026 Application Form

DNB PDCET 2026 registrations are expected to be held from January to February 2026. To sit for the exam, the application process is the first and crucial step. The entire registration process for the DNB PDCET 2026 Exam will be conducted in online mode. Students must have an online banking facility to pay the application fee. Applicants need to register themselves for the exam by entering some important information like name, address, date of birth, parents' names, etc. 

Important Documents for DNB PDCET Application

Some of the important documents required for the DNB PDCET 2026 Application form are

  • Aadhar Card/PAN Card/Voter ID Card

  • Passport/Ration Card/Driving License

  • Class X and XII Certificates and Marksheets

  • Birth Certificate

  • Caste Certificate 

  • PwD Certificate

DNB PDCET 2026 Application Fee

Students must complete the DNB PDCET 2026 Registration process by paying the DNB PDCET Application fee in online mode. Here is the application fee for the test

Category

Application Fee

General Category (both male and female)

INR 5000

SC/ST/OBC/EWS (both male and female) 

INR 5000

DNB PDCET 2026 Exam Day Schedule

Given below is the DNB PDCET exam day schedule: 

Activity

Time

Students are allowed to enter exam centres

7:00 am

Entry closes

8:30 pm

Students can access the login page

8:45 pm

Students can read exam instructions

8:50 pm

Exam start time

9:00 am

Exam end time

11:00 am

DNB PDCET 2026 Exam Centres

DNB PDCET 2026 is a national-level entrance examination conducted in test centres across different states in India. Here is a list of test centres that conduct DNB PDCET 2026.

Delhi

Mumbai

Hyderabad

Kolkata

Bhubaneswar

Thiruvananthapuram

Guwahati

Coimbatore

Dehradun

Bengaluru

Ahmedabad

Chandigarh

Jaipur

Vishakapatnam

Noida

Patna

Chennai

Ranchi

Bhopal

Jammu

Pune

Lucknow

Kozhikode

Nagpur

DNB PDCET 2026 Admit Card

The DNB PDCET 2026 Admit Card is expected to be out in March first week, 2025. Every student who completes their DNB PDCET Registration process will be eligible to download their admit card. The hall ticket is the most important document that students need to carry on exam day. Some of the crucial information mentioned on the DNB PDCET 2026 Admit Card are: 

  • Date and time of the exam

  • Name and address of the exam center

  • Name of the students

  • Registration number of the students

  • Date of birth of the students

  • Signature and photograph of the student

  • Important exam instructions

Exam Day Guidelines for DNB PDCET 2026

Given below are some of the guidelines that students must follow on the day of the DNB PDCET 2026 exam:

  • It is recommended that students visit the DNB PDCET exam centre a day before the exam to get familiar with its location.

  • Students must report to the examination centre on time as per the scheduled time.

  • Upon arrival, students will have to undergo security procedures such as frisking and biometric registration.

  • All students are required to cooperate with security personnel.

  • Friends or family members accompanying the student will not be permitted to enter the examination hall.

  • The DNB PDCET exam center does not provide any provisions to keep student's belongings such as bags or books.

DNB PDCET 2026 Result

The DNB PDCET 2026 Result is expected to be released in April 2025. Students will be eligible to view their report cards by visiting the official website of NBEMS. All the students who have achieved the cut-off marks for the exam will be declared as passed. 

DNB PDCET 2026 Cutoff

The National Board of Examination (NBE) will set the qualifying criteria for all the participating students. Students will have to score the prescribed marks to be considered qualified for the exam. These qualified candidates will then be called for participation in the counselling process towards allotment of PG seats. The DNB PDCET 2026 qualifying percentages are: 

Category 

Qualifying Percentile

General

50th Percentile

SC/ST/OBC

40th Percentile

UR/PwD

45th Percentile

DNB PDCET 2026 Counselling

The counselling process for DNB PDCET 2026 will be conducted online, and interested students will need to register online to participate. The counselling process will consist of four rounds, including a mop-up round if there are vacant seats left to fill. Only students who have successfully passed the exam will be eligible to participate in the counselling process. During the counselling process, students will be required to declare their seat choices and lock them in. Once locked, students will not be able to change their options. The allotment of seats for DNB PDCET 2025 will be based on the choices made by the students, and the results of the seat allotment will be announced accordingly.

Best Reference Books for DNB PDCET 2026

Check out the best books for the DNB PDCET exam 2026 from the list below: 

  • DNB Quick Review (For Primary and Post Diploma) by Hasan Ashfaq Ui
  • A Complete Guide for Preparation of DNB- CET Pattern Vol 1 2013 by Arvind Arora
  • Primes PG Review in Minimal Effort by Aggarwal VD
  • Forensic Medicine Nothing Beyond for PGMEE 3ED by Majendran J
  • Review of All Recent PG Entrance Exams Papers by Arvind Arora

Reservation Criteria in DNB PDCET 2026 Exam

DNB CET 2026 reservation is going to be as per the principles and guidelines of the specific institution/medical institution. It will be provided for Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), Persons with disability (PwD), and alternative Backward Classes (OBC). The applicants choosing reserved seats under any class may need to give a certificate for proof. Applicants of a reserved category can have the option to take either reserved seats earmarked or unreserved seats within the order of merit.

Want to know more about DNB PDCET

Downloadable Resources for DNB PDCET

FAQs about DNB PDCET

What are the documents that candidates must bring along with the admit card at the examination centre?

Candidates must bring documents along with them in the examination centre such as self-attested copies of original documents, copy of the application form receipt, SL. No. and objection number of the candidate is as in the objection list.

When will DNB PDCET 2026 results be released?

The results of DNB PDCET 2026 are likely to be released in April 2025. Students who clear the results will be able to secure admission in their dream colleges.

What are the documents needed at the exam centre that candidates must bring along with the Admit card?

Candidates must bring the following documents along with them in the examination centre: Self-attested copies of original documents, Copy of Application form receipt, SL. No. and Objection Number of the candidate as per the objection list.

What is the selection process followed in DNB PDCET?

DNB PDCET follows Merit-Based Counselling process after the candidates have attempted the entrance exam.

What is the exam pattern for DNM PDCET 2024?

DNB PDCET 2024 is a National Level CBT entrance exam in India. The entrance exam will be carried out in English. A total of 200 MCQ-type questions under 8 different sections will be included. Applicants will receive 4 marks for each correct answer and for each incorrect answer, 1 mark will be deducted.

How can I download the DNB PDCET 2025 Admit Card?

To download the DNB PDCET 2025 Admit Card, the students will need to use their User ID and Password, which they received at the time of registration, and log in to the official website, where they will be able to access their admit card.

If the application form is incomplete, will candidates get the DNB PDCET admit card?

Unless the application form is filled completely, the DNB PDCET admit card will not be issued.

What is the duration of DNB PDCET 2026 Exam?

The DNB PDCET 2026 exam will be conducted for a duration of 2.5 Hours.

Name the exam centres where DNB PDCET will be held.

DNB PDCET entrance exam will be held at exam centres in Delhi, Hyderabad, Bhubaneswar, Guwahati, Dehradun, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Noida, Chennai, Bhopal, Pune, Mumbai, Kolkata, Thiruvananthapuram, Coimbatore, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Vishakapatnam, Patna, Ranchi, Jammu, Lucknow and Nagpur.

How can I apply for DNB PDCET?

You can apply by filling the DNB PDCET Application form on their official website. To fill up the application form, the applicant needs to first register themselves and after the successful registration, the applicant will receive a unique User ID and password. The applicant needs to use this User ID and Password to log in and fillup the application form.

What are the total marks in DNB PDCET?

The total marks in DNB PDCET are 800 marks.

Will there be negative marking in DNB PDCET?

Yes, there will be negative marking in DNB PDCET and every wrong answer will lead to deduction of 1 mark, while there will be no negative marking for the questions that are not attempted.

When will the DNB PDCET 2026 Admit card be released?

The DNB PDCET Admit card 2026 is likely to be released in March 1st week, 2026. Aspirants must carry the admit card to the test centre to gain hassle-free entry.

Can I pay the application fee for DNB PDCET 2026 online?

Yes, you can pay the application fee for DNB PDCET 2026 online.

What is the application fee for DNB PDCET?

The application fee for DNB PDCET is Rs 4,500/- for each category.

Can I submit the DNB PDCET application form online?

Yes, the DNB PDCET application form can be filled in online mode.

When will DNB PDCET 2026 application form be made available?

DNB PDCET 2026 application form is expected to be released in January 2025. Students will have to fill in their details to register themselves for the test.

Is DNB PDCET 2026 conducted in Online or Offline Mode?

DNB PDCET entrance exam 2026 will be conducted in online mode. DNB PDCET is a Computer-Based entrance Test.

Who is the conducting body of DNB PDCET?

The conducting body of DNB PDCET is the National Board of Examinations (NBE).

What is the full form of DNB PDCET?

The full form of DNB PDCET is Diplomate of National Board Post Diploma Centralized Entrance Test.

What is the exam pattern for DNB PDCET 2025 according to the syllabus?

The DNB PDCET 2025 exam pattern consists of 200 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) drawn from various subjects covered in the MBBS curriculum. The exam is held online, and candidates have two hours to complete it. The marking scheme includes four marks for each correct answer, one mark deducted for each incorrect response, and no credit or deduction for unanswered questions.

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Related Questions

Hi. I want DNB PDCET PEDIATRICS previous year question papers.

-sony eagleUpdated on February 17, 2025 12:00 PM
  • 1 Answer
Samiksha Rautela, Content Team

Dear student, 

The PDCET Pediatrics previous year's question papers contain last year's questions, marking scheme, type of questions, syllabus etc. Download the subject-wise DNB PDCET Previous Year Question Papers here.

Thank you!

READ MORE...

Last date for applying DNB PDCET 2025 exam date is February 2025. But, unable to find application link in official site?

-rekha rUpdated on February 03, 2025 05:32 PM
  • 1 Answer
Samiksha Rautela, Content Team

Dear Student,

The DNB PDCET 2025 Registration process is expected to start in the first week of February 2025. The direct link for the application form will be released on the official website of the National Board of Examinations for Medical Sciences (NBEMS). In order to fill out the application form, students need to open a candidate account with their date of birth and password. It is important to remember that all the eligibility criteria must be fulfilled before submitting the DNB PDCET 2025 application form. Some of the important documents required during the registration process include a date of …

READ MORE...

Are students eligible for a stray vacancy counselling round after getting a seat for DNB PDCET admission?

-AnonymousUpdated on September 16, 2024 12:10 PM
  • 1 Answer
Samiksha Rautela, Content Team

Dear Student,

No, candidates who have already secured a seat in the DNB PDCET Counselling after they have already secured a seat for admission in any rounds. For example, candidates who have secured a seat in DNB PDCET Round I counselling, will not be eligible to participate in further counselling rounds.

Thank You

READ MORE...

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