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NBEMS Diploma · Obstetrics & Gynecology

Obstetrics & Gynecology diploma book list.

What a two-year NBEMS Diploma trainee in Obstetrics & Gynecology reads, and what each title is for.

7Titles listed
3Read cover to cover
2 yrsCourse length
300Marks in the practical
How this list is used

Reading for Obstetrics & Gynecology

The Indian texts do the heavy lifting — DC Dutta's two volumes and Shaw's are read cover to cover and are what most short-note answers are written from, with Williams pulled off the shelf for depth on a specific topic. The practical is long and short obstetric/gynaecological cases plus instruments and specimens, so Ian Donald's and Arias' high-risk book carry the case-discussion and viva load.

Titles are tagged core reading — the ones people finish — or reference, the ones they look things up in. Editions are given where the current edition is what you want to buy.

  1. DC Dutta's Textbook of Obstetricscore readingHiralal Konar (ed.) · Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers · 10th editionThe standard Indian obstetrics text, read through and the usual basis for theory answers.
  2. DC Dutta's Textbook of Gynecologycore readingHiralal Konar (ed.) · Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers · 9th editionCompanion gynaecology volume covering the whole diploma gynaecology syllabus.
  3. Howkins & Bourne: Shaw's Textbook of Gynaecologycore readingSunesh Kumar (ed.) · Elsevier India · 18th editionThe alternate Indian gynaecology text; many departments prescribe it instead of, or alongside, Dutta.
  4. Williams ObstetricsreferenceF. Gary Cunningham, Kenneth J. Leveno, Jodi S. Dashe, Barbara L. Hoffman, Catherine Y. Spong, Brian M. Casey · McGraw Hill · 26th editionConsulted for depth and evidence on individual obstetric topics rather than read end to end.
  5. Jeffcoate's Principles of GynaecologyreferenceNarendra Malhotra, Jaideep Malhotra, Neharika Malhotra Bora, Richa Saxena (eds.) · Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers · 9th editionClassic principles-and-reasoning gynaecology reference, useful for viva-style 'why' questions.
  6. Arias' Practical Guide to High-Risk Pregnancy and Delivery: A South Asian PerspectivereferenceFernando Arias; Amarnath G. Bhide, S. Arulkumaran, Kaizad Damania, Shirish N. Daftary (eds.) · Elsevier India · 4th editionManagement-focused high-risk pregnancy manual, used for labour-room protocols and long-case discussion.
  7. Ian Donald's Practical Obstetric ProblemsreferenceIan Donald; Renu Misra (ed.) · 8th editionProblem-based obstetrics, traditionally read for the clinical/viva component of the exit exam.

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The examination

What the exit examination asks for

The NBEMS Diploma Final Examination is a two-stage exit examination, held twice a year (June and December sessions). Theory: three papers of 100 marks each (300 total), each paper carrying 10 short notes of 10 marks each, three hours per paper; a candidate must score a minimum aggregate of 150/300 to pass, with grace marks of up to 6 marks available to candidates scoring 144-149. Only a candidate who has qualified the theory examination is permitted to appear in the practical examination. Practical: 300 marks, comprising OSCE and/or clinical examination together with viva voce; a minimum of 150/300 is required to pass, no grace marks are given, and a candidate gets a maximum of three attempts at the practical. Eligibility to appear requires completion of the prescribed two-year training, a Training Completion Certificate, and appearance in at least one Formative Assessment Test (FAT) during training.

How the NBEMS Diploma works, in full ›

After the diploma

Where it leads

The NBEMS Diploma is a recognised postgraduate medical qualification that can be registered with the NMC/State Medical Council, and holders may practise and take up specialist posts in that discipline. The principal progression route is the DNB Post Diploma course: a two-year DNB programme in the corresponding broad specialty, open only to diploma holders, entered through the DNB-PDCET (Post Diploma Centralized Entrance Test) conducted by NBEMS. Two years of diploma plus two years of post-diploma DNB therefore leads to a full DNB in that broad specialty, which in turn opens super-specialty (DrNB/DM/MCh) and FNB fellowship routes. DNB-PDCET continues to run - the 2026 cycle was held with the entrance test in April 2026.

Other diploma branches

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Going further in Obstetrics & Gynecology

Printing your Obstetrics & Gynecology diploma reading?

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Frequently asked

Diploma Obstetrics & Gynecology — questions

Which books do NBEMS Diploma Obstetrics & Gynecology trainees read?

The 7 titles on this page, of which 3 are read cover to cover and the rest are kept as references. Most trainees own two or three and use the department copy for the others.

How long is the NBEMS Diploma in Obstetrics & Gynecology?

Two years, full-time, at an NBEMS-accredited institution, followed by the exit examination.

How is the diploma exit examination marked?

Three theory papers of 100 marks each with ten short notes per paper, and a 300-mark practical of clinical cases, OSCE stations and viva. You need 150 of 300 in aggregate in theory.

What comes after this diploma?

The two-year DNB Post Diploma course in the corresponding broad specialty, entered through the DNB-PDCET, is the usual next step.

Can you print this reading for me?

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