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NBEMS · Diploma

NBEMS Diploma books, branch by branch.

Nine branches, two years each, one exit examination of three theory papers and a 300-mark practical. Here is what residents in each branch actually read for it.

FNB book guides
9Diploma branches
62Titles listed
2 yrsCourse length
3+1Theory papers plus practical
What the qualification is

The NBEMS Diploma in one screen

The NBEMS Diploma is a two-year post-MBBS diploma awarded by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS), New Delhi, and is taken at NBEMS-accredited hospitals and institutions rather than at a university. NBEMS states that it 'administers Diploma courses in 8 disciplines of modern medicine through its accredited institutions'; a ninth discipline, Emergency Medicine, has since been added and NBEMS has published a Diploma Emergency Medicine curriculum on its curriculum page. Each diploma carries a traditional abbreviation suffixed with (NBE) - for example DA (NBE) in Anesthesiology and DGO (NBE) in Obstetrics & Gynecology. The diploma is a recognised postgraduate qualification and is the shortest structured route to specialist-level training in these disciplines.

Duration2 years, full-time, at an NBEMS-accredited institution. NBEMS states: 'The duration of the course for Post MBBS candidates is for 2 years.'
Who can applyMBBS from a college recognised by the NMC (erstwhile MCI), with completed compulsory rotating internship and permanent or provisional registration with the NMC or a State Medical Council. Entry is direct from MBBS, exactly as it is for DNB broad specialty and MD/MS.
How you get inNEET-PG (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test - Postgraduate), conducted by NBEMS. NBEMS Diploma seats are filled from the NEET-PG merit list through the centralised counselling conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) and the State counselling authorities; candidates then register as NBEMS Diploma trainees with NBEMS. One NEET-PG score and one counselling round covers diploma seats alongside every other postgraduate seat.
What comes afterThe 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.
The exit examination

What you are reading towards

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.

Ten short notes a paper is what shapes the reading. Three papers of ten short notes each means breadth pays more than depth: a single clinical text read right through, plus a short-notes-friendly reference for the topics that keep coming back, beats a multi-volume set you only ever open twice. Every branch list below is built that way — the core reading titles are the ones people finish, the reference titles are the ones they look things up in.
Pick your branch

All nine branches, each with its own page

  1. Anesthesiology7 titles · 2 yearsPeri-operative care, general and regional anaesthesia, resuscitation and pain relief; awarded as DA (NBE).
  2. Obstetrics & Gynecology7 titles · 2 yearsAntenatal and intrapartum care, obstetric emergencies, gynaecological disease and family planning; awarded as DGO (NBE).
  3. Pediatrics7 titles · 2 yearsCare of the newborn, infant and child, immunisation, growth and nutrition and common childhood illness; awarded as DCH (NBE).
  4. Ophthalmology7 titles · 2 yearsRefraction, common eye disease, cataract and basic ophthalmic surgery and community eye care; awarded as DO (NBE).
  5. Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)6 titles · 2 yearsDiseases of the ear, nose, throat, head and neck, audiology and basic ENT surgery; awarded as DLO (NBE).
  6. Radio Diagnosis7 titles · 2 yearsRadiography, ultrasound, CT and MRI reporting and basic imaging-guided procedures; awarded as DMRD (NBE).
  7. Family Medicine7 titles · 2 yearsComprehensive first-contact and continuing care for patients of all ages across medicine, surgery, obstetrics and paediatrics; awarded as D Fam. Med. (NBE).
  8. Tuberculosis and Chest Diseases7 titles · 2 yearsTuberculosis, obstructive and interstitial lung disease, respiratory infection and basic pulmonary function testing; awarded as DTCD (NBE).
  9. Emergency Medicine7 titles · 2 yearsResuscitation, triage, trauma and acute undifferentiated illness in the emergency department; added after the original eight disciplines, so it does not yet appear in every older NBEMS diploma document.
BranchLengthTitles
Anesthesiology2 years7
Obstetrics & Gynecology2 years7
Pediatrics2 years7
Ophthalmology2 years7
Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)2 years6
Radio Diagnosis2 years7
Family Medicine2 years7
Tuberculosis and Chest Diseases2 years7
Emergency Medicine2 years7
Nine branches2 years each62

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By branch

NBEMS Diploma, branch by branch

All nine branchesAnesthesiologyObstetrics & GynecologyPediatricsOphthalmologyOtorhinolaryngology (ENT)Radio DiagnosisFamily MedicineTuberculosis and Chest DiseasesEmergency Medicine
Related on the site

The other NBEMS and university qualifications

DNB Recommended Books by Specialty booksMD and MS Recommended Books by Specialty booksDrNB Superspecialty Book Guides by Subject books

Printing your NBEMS Diploma material?

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Frequently asked

NBEMS Diploma — questions

What is the NBEMS Diploma?

A two-year post-MBBS diploma awarded by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences and taken at NBEMS-accredited hospitals. It is a recognised postgraduate qualification that can be registered with the NMC or a State Medical Council.

How do you get an NBEMS Diploma seat?

Through NEET-PG. Diploma seats are filled from the NEET-PG merit list in the same centralised counselling that fills MD, MS and DNB seats, after which you register as an NBEMS Diploma trainee.

How many NBEMS Diploma branches are there?

Nine: anaesthesiology, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, ophthalmology, otorhinolaryngology, radio-diagnosis, family medicine, tuberculosis and chest diseases, and emergency medicine. Each has its own page on this site.

What does the diploma exit examination look like?

Three theory papers of 100 marks each, ten short notes to a paper, three hours per paper, plus a 300-mark practical with clinical cases, OSCE stations and viva. The aggregate pass mark in theory is 150 out of 300.

What can you do after an NBEMS Diploma?

Practise and hold specialist posts in that discipline, and go on to the two-year DNB Post Diploma course in the corresponding broad specialty, entered through the DNB-PDCET.

Can you print these books for me?

We print from the PDF you send us. Send the file on WhatsApp with your page count and whether you want colour, black and white or mixed, and we print, bind and deliver anywhere in India. We do not supply copyrighted book files.