NBE temporarily suspends DNB courses in Himachal Pradesh

Shimla: In a major setback for the postgraduate medical education in Himachal Pradesh, the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has suspended the Diplomate of National Board (DNB) courses in the State. 

Due to this, no DNB seats will be allocated in the state for this academic year i.e. 2024-2025, Tribune has reported. 

MBBS graduates are eligible to pursue the DNB courses, which are run by the NBEMS. These three-year postgraduate medical courses are considered to be equivalent to the postgraduate courses of Doctor in Medicine (MD) and Master of Surgery (MS). 

In the case of Himachal Pradesh, there are 30 DNB postgraduate medical seats in medical colleges across the state. Apart from these, the State also has 15 DNB Diploma courses, which are two-year PG courses.

Also Read: Threats of withholding stipend: DNB Residents in Chitradurga Allege Harassment by consultants, Doctors' body Files RTI

However, as per the latest media report by The Tribune, NBEMS has suspended seats courses temporarily in the State due to a pending court case filed by some students challenging NBE's decision of transferring some students from one college to another due to the issue of non-payment of stipend.

Commenting on the matter, Dr. Praveen Sharma, the Controller of Examination at Atal Medical and Research University, Himachal Pradesh told the daily, "The seats have been suspended temporarily by the NBEMS due to a pending case in the Himachal Pradesh High Court. The NBEMS has instructed us to stop the allocation of seats until the court gives its verdict. Once the case is decided, the suspension is likely to be revoked."

NBE issued orders to transfer the DNB students from Hamirpur Medical College in the previous academic session. Reportedly, NBE issued the orders in this regard, after some of the students complained that the college was not providing them with stipend as per the NBEMS recommendation. However, challenging the decision of transfer, some of the students approached the High Court and filed a case.

Referring to this, Dr. Sharma added, "As the case is pending in the High Court, the NBEMS has suspended the courses for the time being in the state."

Sources informed The Tribune, "As per our postgraduate policy, students pursuing post graduate courses are required to fill up the bond to serve in the state for a certain period. If the students fill up the bond, they get the stipend. In case the students do not fill up the bond, they do not get stipend."

"The students pursuing DNB course in Hamirpur medical college did not fill up the bond, so they were not given the stipend. But they still complained to the NBEMS that they were not getting the stipend, which eventually led to the court case and suspension of DNB courses," added the sources.

However, at this outset, a senior healthcare professional has feared that NBEMS may not resume the DNB courses as it is a matter of conflict of policies. The official added, "As per the NBEMS policy, paying stipend to students pursuing DNB courses is compulsory. In the state’s PG policy, paying stipend is not compulsory if the student does not sign a bond."

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that through a recent notice, NBE released the revised stipend guidelines applicable to all the NBE accredited Hospitals/Medical Institutions. In the notice, NBE specified the basic stipend prescribed by NBEMS for post-MBBS DNB (Broad Speciality), Post-Diploma DNB (Broad Speciality), 2 Years Diploma (Post MBBS—Broad Speciality), DrNB (Super Speciality), and FNB courses.

Further, NBE had clarified in the notice dated 09.09.2024 that "Paying stipend to the NBEMS trainees by the accredited hospitals/medical institutions is compulsory."

Also Read: Around 5 percent Stipend Hike for Post Diploma DNB Broad Speciality trainees: Here are NBE's Revised Stipend Guidelines