DNB PDCET 2026: Registration (Started), Exam Date (April 12), Eligibility, Syllabus, Pattern

DNB PDCET is the abbreviation for the Diplomate of National Board Post Diploma Centralized Entrance Test. DNB PDCET is a ranking examination conducted by the National Board of Examinations (NBE) for admission to various post diploma DNB courses. Candidates who register for the DNB programme after clearing DNB PDCET, are required to complete 2 years of practical training under any NBE accredited institution/hospital/medical college. After completion of the practical training, he/she has to appear for the DNB final examination and clear it, only then he/she will be awarded a DNB degree. Read the whole article to know more details.

DNB PDCET 2026 Courses offered

Have a look at the courses offered through DNB PDCET below-

DNB PDCET 2026 application form was released by the National Board of Education (NBE). Candidates needed to take the PDCET registration 2026 first to submit the application form. As part of registration, candidates have to provide basic details such as name, date of birth, mobile number, category and other details. A log ID/application ID and password have to be created which is used for login and fill details in the application form. Candidates must check the eligibility criteria before applying online for the exam. After successfully submission of the DNB PDCET application form, NBE provides edit window facility to modify certain details if filled incorrectly. 

How to Fill DNB PDCET Application Form 2026?

Candidates needed to use the process shared below to fill out the DNB PDCET 2026 application form-

• Visit the NBE website- https://nbe.edu.in.
• Click on DNB PDCET exam.
• Go to the registration link.
• Register by entering the required details.
• Fill out the online form.
• Upload the documents.
• Pay the PDCET registration fees.
• Save and submit the form.

Candidates can refer to the eligibility given below. 

• Candidate must possess a Postgraduate Diploma from a university/ institute recognised as per the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956
• The result of the final examination for the said Post Graduate Diploma qualification should have been declared on or before the date mentioned in the brochure
• He/she must be registered with the NMC (erstwhile Medical Council of India) or State Medical Council
• Candidates already pursuing MD/MS/DNB course are not eligible to appear for DNB PDCET 2026

Note: Candidates who wish to apply for DNB PDCET must check the eligibility for the examination before applying for it. Admission to the DNB courses is given to only those candidates who fulfill the DNB PDCET eligibility.

Eligibility qualification required to appear for DNB PDCET 2026

Have a look at the group or speciality-wise eligibility criteria for DNB PDCET exam below-

DNB PDCET 2026 exam will be conducted at designated centres. Exam will be held in computer-based mode. According to DNB PDCET pattern, test paper comprises 120 multiple choice questions. Exam duration is 2 hours and total marks is 480. Candidates get 4 marks for right answer and -1 mark for every wrong answer in exam. Have a look at the DNB PDCET exam pattern below-

NBE will release DNB PDCET admit card online. Admit card is uploaded on official website for those who registered for exam in given deadline. Candidates must note that NBE doesn't send admit card to individual candidate. They have to download admit card for DNB PDCET 2025 from the official website by providing logging details. DNB PDCET 2026 hall ticket contains personal details along with exam information such as date and timing of the exam and name and address of the test centre. The admit card is a crucial document that must be carried on the exam day to the centre else candidates will not be allowed to appear for the exam.

Also Read: How to Download DNB PDCET admit card

DNB PDCET 2026 Exam day Guidelines

• Candidates are advised to visit the exam centre a day before the DNB PDCET date to familiarise themselves with the location.
• They have to report to the examination as per the scheduled time.
• They will have to go through security procedures such as frisking and biometric registration.
• All candidates are required to cooperate with the security personnel
• Friends/family accompanying the candidate will not be allowed inside the examination hall
• The DNB PDCET exam centre will not have any provisions to keep candidate’s belongings (bags/books/etc.)

What to carry on the day of the examination?

• DNB PDCET admit card with a recent passport sized photograph pasted on it
• Copy of permanent/ provisional MCI /SMC registration
• Valid, original and non-expired photo Id (PAN card/ Driving License/ Voter Id/ Passport/ Aadhar card)

What not to carry on the day of the examination?

• Any other electronic device such as mobile phones, Bluetooth, earphones, microphones, calculators, etc.
• Wallets, handbags, belt, cap, goggles, etc.
• Stationery items such as pen/pencil, plastic pouch, eraser, etc.
• Any textual matter such as books, notes, etc.
• Ornaments such as earrings, bracelets, nose-pin, chain/necklace, badge/brooch, etc.
• Eatables (open/packed), water bottle, etc.

DNB PDCET 2026 Exam day Schedule

DNB PDCET 2026 Exam Centres

DNB PDCET 2026 result will be announced online. There is no minimum qualifying criteria for the exam. A separate rank/merit list for DNB PDCET 2026 will be  released for each speciality. The rank list is prepared based on the marks of the candidate amongst other candidates in that particular broad speciality. Candidates must note NBE will not send the result to individual candidate. He/she will have to download the result PDF from the official website of NBE, nbe.edu.in. 

DNB PDCET counselling is held online. Candidates have to register online to participate in the counselling process. A total of 4 rounds of counselling is held including mop up round. The mop up round is held only if seats remain vacant to be filled up. Candidates who qualify the exam are eligible to participate in the counselling. Candidates have to have declare choices for seats and locking them too. Once locked, candidates can't change the options. Seats allotment result is released for DNB PDCET based on the choice declaration. 

DNB PDCET Admission Process

• DNB PDCET admission process starts with online registration process. A login ID and password is generated after candidates fill a registration form. 
• Candidates have to log in to their accounts and fill DNB PDCET application forms. They have to fill the form, upload all the documents, select exam city, and pay the exam fee. Candidates had to register themselves on the official website of NBE to apply for it
• NBE releases DNB PDCET admit card for those who submitted the application in the given deadline. The admit card is mandatory to appear for the examination. 
• The result of DNB PDCET is declared for the candidates who appear for the test. Based on the ranks obtained, merit lists for different specialties are prepared
• Candidates who qualify for DNB PDCET and fulfill the eligibility criteria for the examination will attend the DNB PDCET counselling