What is the difference between DNB and MD/MS?
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Although DNB is considered equivalent to MD/MS courses in India, there are quite a few limitations to this programme. Go through this article to determine which path is right for your future.
DNB (Diplomate of National Board) and MD/MS (Doctor of Medicine & Doctor of Surgery) are postgraduate course in Medicine. Candidates can apply for the course after completing DNB (Diplomate of National Board), and MD/MS (Doctor of Medicine & Doctor of Surgery) are the postgraduate course in Medicine. Candidates can apply for the course after completing MBBS. Candidates who want to pursue a Master's in Medicine can opt for these courses. Many medical students are familiar to MD / MS but not DNB. Before opting for a course for admission, candidates must understand what the course is about, the admission process, fees, and career options. Candidates can go through the page to understand the difference between MD/MD and DNB, MD/MS, the admission process, eligibility criteria and career options. Candidates who want to pursue a Master's in Medicine can opt for these courses. Many medical students are familiar to MD / MS but not DNB. Before opting for a course for admission, candidates must understand what the course is about, the admission process, fees, and career options. Candidates can go through the page to understand the difference between MD/MD and DNB, MD/MS, admission process, eligibility criteria and career options.
Also Read: MD or MS; What after MBBS?
- MD vs. MS vs DNB: Basic Differences
- What is the difference in the admission process of DNB, MD and MS courses?
- What is the eligibility criteria for admission to the DNB, MD and MS courses?
- What is the difference in the career prospects after DNB, MD and MS courses?
MD vs. MS vs DNB: Basic Differences
Candidates can check the table to understand the difference between MD, MS, and DNB at various levels.
| Criteria | Master of Surgery | Doctor of Medicine | Diplomate of National Board |
| Types of course | Surgical | Non-Surgical/Clinical | Medical + Surgical |
| Course Duration | 3 years | 3 years | 3 years |
| Course Awarded By | NMC approved colleges | NMC approved colleges | National Board of Examination (NBE) |
| Recognition | NMC | NMC | NMC |
| Exam Level | University | University | Centralized NBE exam |
| Eligibility Criteria | Graduate in MBBS and qualified NEET PG | Graduate in MBBS and qualified NEET PG | Graduate in MBBS and qualified NEET PG |
Commonly asked questions
NBE, the exam conducting body may release the weightage of each topics for NEET PG exam. In 2024, maximum questions were asked from topics such as anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, pathology, microbiology, pharmacology, general medicine, obstetrics, gyanaecology, general medicine etc. More than 50% question were clinical based. According to exam taking students, more than 30 questions were image-based. Candidates are advised to prepare clinical section well so that they can score full marks in the clinical part.
NEET PG stands for National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Postgraduate courses, conducted by National Board of Examinations (NBE) for admission to MD/MS/PG Diploma courses in India. NEET PG, a postgraduate level entrance exam is mandatory for admission to all medical colleges in India.
The total duration of NEET PG exam is 3.5 hours or 210 minutes. In 2024, NBE introduced time bound section in NEET PG exam. This means candidates will have specific time to solve specific number of questions. Whole question paper is divided into 5 sections (A to E) with 36 questions in each. Candidates get 42 minutes to solve each section. It must be noted candidates can't answer questions of any section till he/she exahusts allotted time (42 minutes) of previous section.
What is the difference in the admission process of DNB, MD and MS courses?
Admission to DNB
Owing to a limited number of seats, admission process for a DNB programme is based on merit and the performance of the students in medical entrance exams. Each candidate should submit their internship completion certificate in addition to the Certificate of Permanent registration with the Medical Council of India (MCI).
The entrance examinations conducted for admission to the programme include:
- National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for postgraduate courses (NEET PG) for admission to post MBBS programmes
- Diplomate National Board Common Entrance Test (DNB PDCET) for admission to post MD/MS/DNB programmes
Candidates can apply for DNB course offline as well as online.
Admission to MD/MS
Admission for MS course is based on merit or entrance-exam. A large number of colleges carry out counselling and choose students through the merit-list set by the state-wise universities. Some colleges carry out entrance exam to choose students for this course admission. Major entrance exams carried out by the colleges and universities are:
- NEET PG
- INI CET
Some colleges conduct a personal interview along with the entrance exam. Based on the performances, candidates are selected for the course admission. Few colleges admit candidates directly for this course.
The procedure of admission to the MD programme might vary across institutes. Some institutes carry out their entrance exams for admission, while some choose students based on their score at the level of graduation. Moreover, most colleges in India depend on the candidate’s performance in the national-level entrance examination, NEET PG.
Some major entrance exams held in the country are:
- NEET PG
- DNB PDCET
- INI CET
What is the eligibility criteria for admission to the DNB, MD and MS courses?
Eligibility for DNB courses
- Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) or any other equivalent degree with at least 50% aggregate
- NEET PG/DNB PDCET passed candidates
- Candidates who have finished their one-year internship
- For DNB program, the maximum age is 50 years
- Individuals with a medical degree who have a certificate of permanent registration given by MCI
- MBBS pass-outs from foreign universities
- Eligibility for MD/MS courses
Those who want to get admission in MD in General Medicine course must have completed their MBBS/BAMS with at least 50% marks alongwith a one-year compulsory internship. A minimum total score of 60% is also required at the graduation level. Also, candidates must be eligible for an institute, national or state-level entrance test for admission to the course.
Candidates who want to get admission in Master of Surgery programs must have completed their MBBS from an MCI recognized medical college. Those who have passed bachelor's program with 50% marks are eligible for this course. This percenyage will vary from one college to another.
Also Read: NEET PG Eligibility Criteria: Age, Qualification, Number of Attempts
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What is the difference in the career prospects after DNB, MD and MS courses?
Career prospects of a Diplomate National Board (DNB) course
After the completion of the course, candidates have a range of opportunities to work as specialists in diverse genres of medicine. They can choose to become Paediatric, Anaesthesiologist, Broad Specialists and Super Specialists like Nephrologists, Orthopaedics, Cardiologists, Neurologists, and much more. The only difference between the two courses is when a candidate chooses academics as their career option. Many institutions prefer MD/MS graduates over DNB graduates when it comes to the teaching profession. DNB holders with three or more years of teaching experience have a better chance of landing a job in academics.
| Job Profile |
Job Description |
Average Salary (in Rs LPA) |
|---|---|---|
| Paediatrician |
Diagnose and treat disabilities, illnesses associated with infants and children. |
20-35 |
| Anaesthesiologist |
Monitoring, managing the right amount of anaesthesia after understanding the patient’s history during key operations. |
10-11.9 |
| Ophthalmologist |
Diagnose and treat illnesses associated with eyes and harms of eyes. |
10-12 |
| Geriatrician |
Diagnosis and treatment of illnesses for treating immobilisation problem in old adults. |
12-16 |
| Nephrologist |
Specialising in disease related to kidney, treating and diagnosing the ailment. |
16-21 |
| Cardiologist |
Diagnosing and treating cardiovascular ailments and endorse consciousness of heart health |
12-16 |
Career prospects of an MD/MS degree
| Job Profile |
Job Description |
Average Salary (in Rs LPA) |
|---|---|---|
| Neonatal Surgeon |
Neonatal Surgeons are accountable for operating on infants and fixing defects that require surgery. |
10-15 |
| Vascular Surgeon |
They are accountable for determining which instruments and methods of surgery might attain a successful result. |
10-12 |
| Plastic Surgeon |
Plastic Surgeons perform processes to enhance the patient’s look, fix deformities, and mend injured tissues. |
12-14 |
| Researcher |
Researchers are accountable for interacting with team managers and confirm that all projects and tasks are on the agenda. |
5-6 |
| Bacteriologist |
A Bacteriologist is in charge of observing and researching on different sorts of microorganisms in stages of change and advancement. |
1.28-8.61 |
| Physiologist
|
Physiologists work in social insurance offices and doctor's facilities. They monitor human physiological organs and frameworks to treat and analyse chronic diseases and physiological clutters. |
3.71-12.89 |
| Gynaecologist |
Gynaecologists give restorative treatment to ladies before, during, and after pregnancy and also guide patients about anti-conception medication. |
2.94-12.41 |
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