DNB Final exam December 2026 session applications open: apply by October 12

The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has initiated the application process for the Diplomate of National Board (DNB) Final Examination for the December 2026 session. Eligible candidates can submit their applications through the official website, natboard.edu.in, starting from September 23, 2026, at 5 pm.

The application window will remain open until October 12, 2026, at 11:55 pm. The DNB Final Theory Examination for this session is scheduled to take place on November 19, 20, 21, and 22, 2026, at various examination centres nationwide.

Application Process and Key Dates

Candidates interested in appearing for the DNB Final Examination December 2026 session must complete their online application within the specified timeframe. The NBEMS has advised applicants to refer to the Information Bulletin, available on its website from September 23, 2026, at 5 pm, for full details regarding eligibility criteria, fee structure, and the examination scheme. It is recommended that candidates read this bulletin thoroughly before applying and avoid waiting until the final submission date.

No applications submitted after the October 12, 2026, deadline will be accepted by NBEMS. The examination is a critical step for MBBS graduates aspiring to become specialist doctors.

Eligibility and Examination Pattern

The DNB exam is a three-year postgraduate program designed to evaluate the skills of MBBS graduates for qualification as specialist doctors. To be eligible, candidates must possess an MBBS degree from a recognised institution, securing at least 50% marks from recognised universities. Also, residents must be registered with a state medical council or the Medical Council of India (MCI). Candidates who are currently completing their internship may register temporarily, provided they have a valid certificate confirming at least one year of internship completion.

The examination is conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode and comprises Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs). The duration of the exam is 3.5 hours, with a total of 300 questions. The medium of the examination is English only. The marking scheme awards +4 marks for every correct answer and deducts -1 mark for every incorrect answer.

Support and Official Communication

For any queries related to application form submission, refunds for failed transactions, or payment gateway issues, candidates can contact NBEMS Candidate Care Support at +91-7996165333. Application-related queries can also be submitted through the helpline portal accessible via the applicant login. For eligibility and document-related questions, candidates can utilise the NBEMS Communication Web Portal.

NBEMS has stressed that candidates should rely solely on information published on the official NBEMS website, natboard.edu.in, or communicated through its official channels. They are advised to disregard rumours, unverified social media posts, or messages circulated by third parties to ensure they receive accurate and reliable information.

Further reading

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Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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