NEET SS 2026- Who is eligible for DM, MCh, DrNB courses?
New Delhi: The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has outlined the eligibility criteria for the National Eligibility and Entrance Test for Super Speciality (NEET SS) 2026, specifying the postgraduate qualifications, registration requirements and other conditions candidates must fulfil to appear for the examination.
The examination is scheduled to be conducted on December 11 and 12, 2026, while the results will be declared by January 12, 2027. Candidates can submit their applications until November 18, 2026, at 11:55 PM.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
As per the information bulletin released by NBEMS, the applicant must meet/fulfil the following criteria-
1 Candidates who have a recognised postgraduate medical Degree / Provisional Certificate (MD / MS / DNB) or an equivalent recognised qualification or are likely to have the same by 31-01-2027, in accordance with eligible feeder speciality qualifications for super speciality courses, can apply for NEET-SS 2026.
2 Candidates found to be ineligible at any stage of NEET-SS 2026 will not be permitted to appear in the examination. In the unlikely event of any ineligible candidate appearing and/or being successful in NEET-SS 2026, the result/candidature of such candidate shall be cancelled and/or is deemed to be cancelled as and when the ineligibility is detected. The cutoff date for qualifying MD / MS / DNB Broad Speciality / eligible feeder qualification towards determination of eligibility for appearing in NEET-SS 2026 shall be 31-01-2027.
3 The cutoff date for qualifying MD / MS / DNB Broad Speciality / eligible feeder qualification towards determination of eligibility for appearing in NEET-SS 2026 shall be 31-01-2027.
4 Requests for appearing in NEET-SS 2026 from candidates who are qualifying and/or getting the results of their MD / MS / DNB qualifications / eligible feeder qualifications after 31-01-2027 shall be summarily rejected.
5 Registration with the National Medical Commission (NMC) [the erstwhile Medical Council of India (MCI)] or State Medical Council is necessary and its documentary proof (colour Photocopy) should be furnished by the candidates on the day of examination and at the time of counselling/admission.
FOREIGN NATIONALS
Foreign Nationals, including Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders, can appear in NEET-SS 2026 without registration with the National Medical Commission (NMC). The NMC may, on payment of the prescribed fee for registration, grant temporary registration for the duration of the Post-Doctoral course, limited to the medical college/institution to which he/she is admitted for the time being exclusively for pursuing postdoctoral studies. Provided further that temporary registration to such foreign national shall be subject to the condition that such person is duly registered with the appropriate registering authority in his / her own country from which he has obtained his PG Medical qualification, and is duly recognised by the corresponding Medical Council or concerned authority.
Foreign Nationals desirous of appearing in NEET-SS 2026 and those who are required to have security clearance as per the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) requirements shall obtain the security clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India before applying for NEET-SS 2026. The security clearance shall be required to be submitted while applying for NEET-SS 2026.
Candidates already pursuing or have joined a Doctoral Course (DM / MCh / DrNB) through NEET-SS are not eligible for admission to DrNB Super Speciality courses through NEET-SS 2026 for the entire duration prescribed for the course already joined by them earlier. This shall be irrespective of their resignation or discontinuation from the said course for any reason.
As per the MoHFW letter, the FCPS qualifications awarded by the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Mumbai are not equivalent to either MD or MS courses. Accordingly, candidates possessing FCPS qualifications awarded by the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Mumbai are not eligible to apply for NEET-SS 2026 solely on the basis of their FCPS qualifications.
Eligibility of candidates issued an admit card for the examination shall be purely provisional. Appearing in NEET-SS 2026 does not confer any automatic rights upon the candidate for admission to DM / MCh / DrNB Super Speciality courses.
Candidates are advised not to canvass with NBEMS for eligibility in NEET-SS 2026 or issuance of admit card. Queries, if any, can be submitted through the Communication Web Portal only. Canvassing in any form shall invite rejection of the application.
LIST OF SUPER SPECIALTY COURSES AND CORRESPONDING ELIGIBLE FEEDER SPECIALTY QUALIFICATIONS
S.NO | NAME OF ELIGIBLE FEEDER SPECIALITY | COURSE TYPE | NAME OF ELIGIBLE SUPER SPECIALITY COURSE (S) |
1 | MD/DNB Anaesthesiology | DM/DrNB | Cardiac Anaesthesia |
DM/DrNB | Neuro Anaesthesia | ||
DM/DrNB | Critical Care Medicine | ||
DM | Organ Transplant Anaesthesia & Critical Care | ||
DM | Paediatric & Neonatal Anaesthesia | ||
DM/DrNB | Medical Genetics | ||
2 | MD/DNB Biochemistry | DM/DrNB | Clinical Haematology |
DM/DrNB | Medical Genetics | ||
3 | MD/DNB Emergency Medicine | DM/DrNB | Critical Care Medicine |
DM/DrNB | Medical Genetics | ||
4 | MS/DNB Otorhinolaryngology | MCh | Head & Neck Surgery |
DrNB | Head & Neck Oncology | ||
DM/DrNB | Medical Genetics | ||
MCh/DrNB | Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery | ||
MCh/DrNB | Surgical Oncology | ||
MCh/DrNB | Neuro Surgery | ||
5 | MD/DNB General Medicine | DM/DrNB | Clinical Haematology |
DM/DrNB | Nephrology | ||
DM/DrNB | Medical Oncology | ||
DM/DrNB | Endocrinology | ||
DM/DrNB | Cardiology | ||
DM/DrNB | Pulmonary Medicine | ||
DM/DrNB | Neurology | ||
DM/DrNB | Medical Gastroenterology | ||
DM | Hepatology | ||
DM/DrNB | Clinical Immunology & Rheumatology | ||
DM/DrNB | Infectious Disease | ||
DM/DrNB | Critical Care Medicine | ||
DM/DrNB | Medical Genetics | ||
6 | MS/DNB General Surgery | MCh/DrNB | Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery |
MCh/DrNB | Surgical Gastroenterology (G.I. Surgery) | ||
MCh | Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery | ||
MCh/DrNB | Urology | ||
MCh/DrNB | Vascular Surgery | ||
MCh/DrNB | Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery | ||
DrNB | Thoracic Surgery | ||
MCh | Paediatric Cardiothoracic Vascular Surgery | ||
MCh/DrNB | Neuro Surgery | ||
MCh/DrNB | Paediatric Surgery | ||
MCh/DrNB | Surgical Oncology | ||
MCh | Head and Neck Surgery | ||
DrNB | Head & Neck Oncology | ||
MCh | Endocrine Surgery | ||
DM/DrNB | Medical Genetics | ||
7 | MD/DNB Microbiology | DM | Virology |
DM/DrNB | Infectious Disease | ||
DM/DrNB | Medical Genetics | ||
8 | MS/DNB Orthopaedics | MCh | Paediatric Orthopaedics |
MCh | Hand Surgery | ||
DM/DrNB | Medical Genetics | ||
MCh/DrNB | Surgical Oncology | ||
9 | MD/MS/DNB Obstetrics & Gynaecology | MCh/DrNB | Gynaecological Oncology |
MCh | Reproductive Medicine & Surgery | ||
DM/DrNB | Medical Genetics | ||
10 | MD/DNB Paediatrics | DM/DrNB | Clinical Haematology |
DM/DrNB | Endocrinology | ||
DM/DrNB | Pulmonary Medicine | ||
DM/DrNB | Paediatric Neurology | ||
DM/DrNB | Clinical Immunology & Rheumatology | ||
DM/DrNB | Infectious Disease | ||
DM/DrNB | Critical Care Medicine | ||
DM/DrNB | Paediatric Cardiology | ||
DM | Paediatric Gastroenterology | ||
DM | Paediatric Hepatology | ||
DM | Paediatric Nephrology | ||
DM | Paediatric Oncology | ||
DrNB | Paediatric Hemato Oncology | ||
DM/DrNB | Neonatology | ||
DM/DrNB | Cardiology | ||
DM/DrNB | Nephrology | ||
DM | Hepatology | ||
DM/DrNB | Neurology | ||
DM/DrNB | Medical Oncology | ||
DM/DrNB | Paediatric Critical Care | ||
DM/DrNB | Medical Genetics | ||
11 | MD/DNB Pathology | DM/DrNB | Clinical Haematology |
DM | Onco-Pathology | ||
DM/DrNB | Medical Genetics | ||
12 | MD/DNB Psychiatry | DM | Geriatric Mental Health |
DM | Child and Adolescent Psychiatry | ||
DM/DrNB | Medical Genetics | ||
13 | MD/DNB Pharmacology | DM | Clinical Pharmacology |
DM/DrNB | Medical Genetics | ||
14 | MD/DNB Radiodiagnosis / Radiology | DM/DrNB | Interventional Radiology |
DM | Neuroradiology | ||
DM/DrNB | Medical Genetics | ||
15 | MD/DNB Respiratory Medicine | DM/DrNB | Pulmonary Medicine |
DM/DrNB | Infectious Disease | ||
DM/DrNB | Cardiology | ||
DM/DrNB | Critical Care Medicine | ||
DM/DrNB | Medical Genetics | ||
16 | MD/DNB Radiation Oncology | DM/DrNB | Medical Oncology |
DM/DrNB | Medical Genetics | ||
17 | MD Tropical Medicine | DM/DrNB | Infectious Disease |
DM/DrNB | Medical Genetics | ||
18 | MS Traumatology and Surgery | MCh/DrNB | Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery |
MCh/DrNB | Neuro Surgery | ||
MCh/DrNB | Vascular Surgery | ||
DM/DrNB | Medical Genetics | ||
19 | Any other MD/MS/DNB Broad Speciality qualification. | DM/DrNB | Medical Genetics |
LIST OF DM / MCh / DrNB COURSES WITH THEIR PRIOR ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS
S.NO | NAME OF SUPER SPECIALITY COURSE | COURSE TYPE | PRIOR ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENT |
1 | Cardiac Anaesthesia | DM/DrNB | MD/DNB (Anaesthesia) |
2 | Cardiology | DM/DrNB | MD/DNB (General Medicine); MD/DNB (Paediatrics); MD/DNB (Respiratory Medicine) |
3 | Child and Adolescent Psychiatry | DM | MD/DNB (Psychiatry) |
4 | Clinical Haematology | DM/DrNB | MD/DNB (General Medicine); MD/DNB (Paediatrics); MD/DNB (Biochemistry); MD/DNB (Pathology) |
5 | Clinical Immunology & Rheumatology | DM/DrNB | MD/DNB (General Medicine); MD/DNB (Paediatrics) |
6 | Clinical Pharmacology | DM | MD/DNB (Pharmacology) |
7 | Critical Care Medicine | DM/DrNB | MD/DNB (Emergency Medicine); MD/DNB (General Medicine); MD/DNB (Respiratory Medicine); MD/DNB (Anaesthesia); MD/DNB (Paediatrics) |
8 | Endocrinology | DM/DrNB | MD/DNB (General Medicine); MD/DNB (Paediatrics) |
9 | Geriatric Mental Health | DM | MD/DNB (Psychiatry) |
10 | Hepatology | DM | MD/DNB (General Medicine); MD/DNB (Paediatrics) |
11 | Infectious Disease | DM/DrNB | MD/DNB (General Medicine); MD/DNB (Paediatrics); MD/DNB (Respiratory Medicine); MD (Tropical Medicine); MD/DNB (Microbiology) |
12 | Interventional Radiology | DM/DrNB | MD/DNB (Radio diagnosis) |
13 | Medical Genetics | DM/DrNB | Any MD/MS/DNB Broad Specialty |
14 | Medical Gastroenterology | DM/DrNB | MD/DNB (General Medicine) |
15 | Medical Oncology | DM/DrNB | MD/DNB (General Medicine); MD/DNB (Paediatrics); MD/DNB (Radiation Oncology) |
16 | Neuro Anaesthesia | DM/DrNB | MD/DNB (Anaesthesia) |
17 | Neonatology | DM/DrNB | MD/DNB (Paediatrics) |
18 | Nephrology | DM/DrNB | MD/DNB (General Medicine); MD/DNB (Paediatrics) |
19 | Neuro Radiology | DM | MD/DNB (Radio-Diagnosis) |
20 | Neurology | DM/DrNB | MD/DNB (General Medicine); MD/DNB (Paediatrics) |
21 | Onco-Pathology | DM | MD/DNB (Pathology) |
22 | Organ Transplant Anaesthesia & Critical Care | DM | MD/DNB (Anaesthesia) |
23 | Paediatric and Neonatal Anaesthesia | DM | MD/DNB (Anaesthesia) |
24 | Paediatric Cardiology | DM/DrNB | MD/DNB (Paediatrics) |
25 | Paediatric Hepatology | DM | MD/DNB (Paediatrics) |
26 | Paediatric Critical Care | DM/DrNB | MD/DNB (Paediatrics) |
27 | Paediatric Oncology | DM | MD/DNB (Paediatrics) |
28 | Paediatric Neurology | DM/DrNB | MD/DNB (Paediatrics) |
29 | Paediatric Nephrology | DM | MD/DNB (Paediatrics) |
30 | Paediatric Gastroenterology | DM | MD/DNB (Paediatrics) |
31 | Paediatric Hemato Oncology | DrNB | MD/DNB (Paediatrics) |
32 | Pulmonary Medicine | DM/DrNB | MD/DNB (General Medicine); MD/DNB (Paediatrics); MD/DNB (Respiratory Medicine) |
33 | Virology | DM | MD/DNB (Microbiology) |
34 | Cardio vascular and Thoracic Surgery | MCh/DrNB | MS/DNB (General Surgery) |
35 | Gynaecological Oncology | MCh/DrNB | MD/MS/DNB (Obst. & Gynae) |
35 | Endocrine Surgery | MCh | MS/DNB (General Surgery) |
37 | Hand Surgery | MCh | MS/DNB (Orthopaedics) |
38 | Head & Neck Oncology | DrNB | MS/DNB (Otorhinolaryngology); MS/DNB (General Surgery) |
39 | Head and Neck Surgery | MCh | MS/DNB (Otorhinolaryngology); MS/DNB (General Surgery) |
40 | Hepato Pancreato Biliary Surgery | MCh | MS/DNB (General Surgery) |
41 | Neurosurgery | MCh/DrNB | MS/DNB (General Surgery); MS/DNB (Otorhinolaryngology); MS Traumatology and Surgery |
42 | Paediatric Cardiothoracic Vascular Surgery | MCh | MS/DNB (General Surgery) |
43 | Paediatric Surgery | MCh/DrNB | MS/DNB (General Surgery) |
44 | Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery | MCh/DrNB | MS/DNB (General Surgery); MS/DNB (Otorhinolaryngology); MS Traumatology and Surgery |
45 | Paediatric Orthopaedics | MCh | MS/DNB (Orthopaedics) |
46 | Reproductive Medicine & Surgery | MCh | MS/DNB (Obstetrics & Gynaecology) |
47 | Surgical Gastroenterology / G.I. Surgery | MCh/DrNB | MS/DNB (General Surgery) |
48 | Surgical Oncology | MCh/DrNB | MS/DNB (General Surgery); MS/DNB (Orthopaedics); MS/DNB (Otorhinolaryngology) |
49 | Thoracic Surgery | DrNB | MS/DNB (General Surgery) |
50 | Urology | MCh/DrNB | MS/DNB (General Surgery) |
51 | Vascular Surgery | MCh/DrNB | MS/DNB (General Surgery); MS Traumatology and Surgery |
