NBEMS DrNB Final Exam April 2026: Dates, Pattern, Syllabus

The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has released the Information Bulletin for the DrNB Final Examination April 2026 for Super Specialty disciplines. This comprehensive guide provides crucial details regarding the theory and practical examinations, eligibility criteria, application process, and important dates. Candidates aspiring to achieve the DrNB qualification must thoroughly review this bulletin to ensure a smooth application and examination experience.

Quick Overview

Important Dates

Application Fee

The application fee must be paid online through UPI, Credit Card, or Debit Card issued by banks in India via the payment gateway provided on the website. No other mode of payment will be accepted.

*Excluding payment gateway charges, as may be applicable.

Degree Enrolment Fee

An enrolment fee of ₹ 2,500/- (excluding payment gateway charges) for convocation must be paid during the online application submission. The payment receipt number is mandatory for submission in the application form.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must meet specific eligibility requirements to appear for the DrNB Final Examination April 2026. These vary based on the candidate’s background:

For DrNB Super Specialty Candidates (Post MD/MS/DNB Broad Specialty)

• Must have undergone training as a DrNB trainee at an NBEMS accredited institute.
• Must be registered with NBEMS as a DrNB trainee.
• Should be completing their prescribed training (as per NBEMS registration letter) by 31.08.2026 and submit a certificate to this effect.
• Must have appeared in the minimum mandatory number of Formative Assessment Tests (FAT). For DrNB Post MD/MS/DNB, two FAT appearances are required.
• Thesis must be submitted to NBEMS for assessment on or before 12.03.2026. Candidates failing to submit their thesis by this date are not eligible.
• Submission of the Training Completion Certificate (Provisional or Final) as per Annexure III/IV is mandatory. Provisional TCC must confirm training completion by the cut-off date, considering all leave.

For DM/MCh Qualified Candidates

• Must have passed the final examination for a Doctoral Degree (DM/MCh) from an Indian University, recognized under the National Medical Commission (NMC) Act, 2019, on or before 31.01.2026.
• Proof of qualifying the final DM/MCh examination must be submitted on or before 31.01.2026. Failure to do so will lead to cancellation of candidature and forfeiture of fees.

For Post MBBS Direct 6 Years Candidates

Candidates enrolled for DrNB Direct 6-year courses in Paediatric Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Neurosurgery, and Cardiothoracic & Vascular Surgery are required to take Part-I & Part-II (Final) Examinations.

• Part-I (Theory) Eligibility: Completion of 2 years of DrNB training by 31.08.2026, subject to fulfillment of eligibility criteria.
• Part-II (Final) Theory Eligibility: Successful qualification of the Part-I examination and completion of 5 years of DrNB training by 31.08.2026, subject to fulfillment of eligibility criteria.

Important Note: Eligibility is purely provisional and subject to fulfillment of all prescribed criteria. NBEMS reserves the right to withdraw permission if a candidate is found ineligible at any stage.

Selection Process

The DrNB Final Examination is an exit examination comprising both Theory and Practical components. Candidates must qualify both to be awarded the DrNB degree.

1. Theory Examination: Candidates must pass the theory examination first.
2. Practical Examination: Only candidates who qualify the theory examination are permitted to appear for the practical examination. The practical examination of the session in which the candidate qualifies the theory examination shall be the mandatory First attempt. Absenteeism from practical examination after successful submission of application is counted as an attempt. Candidates get a maximum of two attempts for the practical examination.
3. Thesis Submission: Acceptance of the candidate’s thesis by NBEMS is mandatory for the declaration of the final result and award of the DrNB degree.
4. Degree Conferment: The DrNB degree will be conferred at the convocation ceremony upon successful completion of both theory and practical examinations and acceptance of the thesis, subject to fulfilling all eligibility criteria.

Exam Pattern

DrNB Final Theory Examination (for DrNB Trainees & DM/MCh Qualified Candidates)

DrNB Part-I Theory Examination (for Direct 6 Years Courses)

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Practical Examination (for all categories)

Syllabus

DrNB Final Theory Examination (Super Specialty)

The detailed syllabus for the DrNB Final Theory Examination covers the respective Super Specialty disciplines. While the PDF does not list specific topics for all specialties, it highlights the structure for Part-I (Theory) for Direct 6-year courses:

• Paper I (Max Marks: 100): Basic Principles of General Surgery
• Paper II (Max Marks: 100): Basic Sciences as applied to the specific Paediatric Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Cardiothoracic & Vascular Surgery, or Neurosurgery specialty.

For the comprehensive syllabus of your specific Super Specialty, candidates are advised to refer to the official NBEMS website and relevant curriculum documents.

Exam Centers

The DrNB Final Theory Examination April 2026 will be conducted in various cities across India. Candidates are required to select their FIRST and SECOND choice of exam city during the online application process. NBEMS will make efforts to allot the first choice city. The allotted test city will be communicated via email from 14.04.2026. The exact venue/center address will be provided on the admit card.

Tentative List of Exam Cities:

• Andhra Pradesh: Visakhapatnam
• Assam: Guwahati
• Bihar: Patna
• Chhattisgarh: Bhilai Nagar
• Delhi: New Delhi
• Gujarat: Ahmedabad
• Jammu and Kashmir: Jammu, Srinagar
• Karnataka: Bengaluru, Mysuru
• Kerala: Kozhikode, Thiruvananthapuram
• Maharashtra: Mumbai, Pune
• Odisha: Bhubaneswar
• Punjab: Ludhiana
• Rajasthan: Jaipur
• Tamil Nadu: Chennai, Coimbatore
• Telangana: Hyderabad
• Uttar Pradesh: Lucknow
• West Bengal: Kolkata

Note: Requests for change in center/date of examination will not be entertained, except in exceptional circumstances like advanced pregnancy with prior medical documentation and NBEMS approval.

Admit Card

The admit card for the DrNB Final Theory Examination will be available for download from the NBEMS website https://natboard.edu.in from 21.04.2026 onwards.

How to Download Admit Card:

1. Visit the official NBEMS website: https://natboard.edu.in.
2. Navigate to the ‘DrNB Final Examination’ section or click on the admit card download link.
3. Log in using your registered mobile number and other credentials.
4. Download and take a COLOR printout of your admit card.
5. Paste your recent passport-size photograph at the designated place on the admit card.

Details to Verify on Admit Card:

Candidates must carefully check all details on their admit card:

• Candidate’s Name, Roll Number
• Examination Date, Time, and Venue
• Photograph and Signature (ensure clarity and correctness)
• Any specific instructions related to the exam.

In case of any discrepancy, contact the NBEMS Helpdesk immediately.

Documents Required on Exam Day

Candidates must carry the following to the examination center:

• Printed Admit Card: A COLOR printout of the admit card with a recent passport-size photograph pasted on it.
• Original Valid Photo ID Proof: Any one of the following original and valid (non-expired) photo identification proofs:
• PAN Card
• Driving License
• Voter ID
• Passport
• Aadhaar Card (with Photograph) – must be a good quality COLOR printout with a clearly visible photograph.

Important: Photocopies or scanned images of ID proofs will NOT be accepted. The name on the photo ID must strictly match the name on the admit card. If there’s a name change, relevant supporting documents (e.g., Marriage Certificate, Gazette Notification) must be produced.

Exam Day Instructions

To ensure a fair and secure examination environment, candidates must adhere to the following instructions:

Reporting and Entry:

• Report at the ‘Reporting Counter’ of the test venue strictly as per the time indicated in your admit card.
• The entry gate to the examination center will close 30 minutes prior to the exam start time. Latecomers will not be allowed.
• Familiarize yourself with the route and location of the exam center in advance to avoid last-minute delays.
• Frisking (Hand Held Metal Detector and body pat) is mandatory at the entry point.
• Finger Biometrics and a photograph of the candidate will be captured at the registration desk. Face ID will also be verified against the uploaded photograph.
• Ensure your Aadhaar biometric authentication is NOT locked/disabled on the examination day if you are using Aadhaar as ID proof.

Prohibited Items:

Candidates are strictly prohibited from carrying the following items beyond the security checkpoint:

• Any stationery items like textual material (printed or written), notes, plastic pouch, calculator, pen, writing pad, pen drives, erasers, etc.
• Any electronic devices such as mobile phones, Bluetooth devices, earphones, microphones, pagers, wristwatches/health bands, electronic pens, scanners, etc.
• All types of ornaments like bracelets, rings, earrings, nose-pins, chains/necklaces, pendants, badges, brooches, etc. (Items carried due to religious beliefs will be permitted only after thorough examination).
• Any eatable item (opened or packed), soft drinks, water bottles.
• Any other item that could be used for unfair means or for hiding communication devices (e.g., spy cameras).
• No arrangements will be made at the centers for keeping any personal articles/items. Candidates are advised not to bring prohibited items.

Conduct During Exam:

• Candidates found under the influence of alcohol/drugs or in possession of firearms/weapons will be denied entry or expelled.
• Do not write your name, signature, or any distinctive mark on the answer booklet (other than the designated jacket) that might disclose your identity.
• Do not engage in any communication with other candidates or examination staff (except invigilators for genuine issues).
• Any suspicious or disruptive behavior will lead to the cancellation of candidature.
• Do not damage computer systems in the laboratory.

Last-Minute Tips

Based on this exam type, here are some last-minute preparation and exam day tips:

• Thorough Revision: Focus on high-yield topics and quickly review your notes for all three papers.
• Practice Short Notes: Since the exam consists of short notes, practice writing concise and comprehensive answers within a time limit.
• Time Management: Allocate specific time for each short note to ensure you attempt all questions within the 3-hour limit per paper.
• Sleep Well: Ensure adequate sleep before the exam days to maintain focus and concentration.
• Locate Your Centre: Visit your exam center a day or two before the actual exam to understand the route and avoid any last-minute stress.
• Documents Checklist: Double-check all required documents (Admit Card, Photo ID) the night before and keep them ready.
• Stay Calm: Read instructions carefully, take deep breaths, and approach each question systematically.

What to Expect

Based on the nature of DrNB Final Examinations, here’s what candidates can generally expect:

• Exam Environment: A secure and monitored computer-based testing environment. Invigilators will be present, and surveillance cameras are common.
• Question Difficulty: Expect questions to test both theoretical knowledge and clinical application, reflecting the super specialty nature of the qualification.
• Practical Exam Rigor: The OSCE, Clinical, and Viva components are designed to be highly rigorous, assessing practical skills, diagnostic abilities, and communication.
• Post-Exam Process: After theory results, there will be a practical exam schedule. Qualified candidates will eventually receive their Provisional Certificate and later the DrNB Degree upon successful thesis acceptance and convocation enrolment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is the official website for DrNB Final Examination?

The official website for all information and application submission for DrNB Final Examination is https://natboard.edu.in.

Q2: Can I apply for the DrNB Final Examination if my thesis submission is pending?

No, your thesis must be submitted to NBEMS for assessment on or before 12.03.2026 to be eligible to apply for the DrNB Final Theory Examination April 2026.

Q3: Is there any negative marking in the DrNB Final Examination?

The notification does not explicitly mention negative marking. Typically, for such examinations, details regarding negative marking are clearly specified if applicable. Candidates should refer to the detailed information bulletin or admit card for any updates on this.

Q4: What if I miss the practical examination after qualifying the theory?

Absenteeism from the Practical Examination after successful submission of the application is counted as an attempt. You will be allowed one more attempt within the next two consecutive sessions, but the first attempt is mandatory immediately after theory qualification.

Q5: Can I change my exam center after submitting the application?

Requests for change in testing center/city are generally not entertained. NBEMS reserves the right to allot practical exam centers anywhere in India. Only in exceptional circumstances (e.g., advanced pregnancy) and with prior medical documentation, requests for nearby practical centers may be considered if made before the announcement of practical centers.

Q6: What documents are required on the day of the examination?

You must carry a COLOR printout of your admit card with a pasted photograph and one original, valid (non-expired) photo identification proof (PAN Card, Driving License, Voter ID, Passport, or Aadhaar Card with Photograph).

Q7: What happens if there is a discrepancy in my admit card details?

If you find any discrepancy in your admit card details, you should immediately contact the NBEMS Helpdesk or refer to the Communication Protocol section for guidance on how to report and resolve such issues.

Q8: Are electronic gadgets allowed inside the examination hall?

No, possession or use of mobile phones, Bluetooth devices, smartwatches, calculators, and any other electronic gadgets is strictly prohibited inside the examination premises. No arrangements will be made for keeping these items at the center.

Q9: How long will the score card be available for download?

The score card for the DrNB Final Examination will be available on the NBEMS website for a period of six (06) months from the date of its issuance.

Q10: What is the significance of the DrNB Final Examination?

The DrNB Final Examination is an exit examination that leads to the award of the DrNB qualification, a highly recognized Super Specialty medical degree conferred by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) in India.