NBE amends leave rules for trainees, check details
New Delhi: The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has amended its Comprehensive Leave Rules for trainees joining NBEMS courses from the 2026 admission session, introducing revised leave limits for various programmes and warning that candidates exceeding the prescribed limit will face cancellation of candidature.
“NBEMS trainee must be careful while applying for leave. They must take note that if the total leave availed by them during the training programme is more than the revised leave limit, as tabulated below for each course, it shall lead to the cancellation of the candidature of the NBEMS trainee and shall disentitle him/her from pursuing the NBEMS programme. Candidates must therefore ensure that the leave taken by them must under no circumstances exceed a year," the NBE stated in the notice.
The above-mentioned provisions have been amended in proportion to the duration of each programme, as detailed below:
| Course name | Duration of the course (in years) | Permissible leave per year | Existing Maximum leave limit | Revised leave limit beyond which leave of any kind is not admissible and candidature will be cancelled. |
| DNB Post Diploma | 2 | 30 | One Year | Reduced to 08 months from existing 01 year |
| FNB | ||||
| NBEMS Diploma | ||||
| DNB Post MBBS | 3 | 30 | One year | |
| DrNB Super Specialty | ||||
| Direct 6-year course | 6 | 30 | Revised to 24 months from existing 01 year. |
"All other provisions mentioned in the Notice dated 22.11.2024 shall remain unchanged. These amended rules shall be applicable to candidates admitted from the 2026 admission session onwards," the notice read.
To view the official notice, click the link mentioned below:
https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/2026/05/21/nbems2026712397509-348896.pdf
In November 2024, the NBE specified leave rules for its trainees.
Eligibility: Every programme of the NBEMS requires a mandatory period of training which must be completed in order to be eligible to take the Exit Examination. NBEMS trainees must take utmost care to complete their training well within the cut-off date in order to be eligible to take the Exit Examination.
Leave Entitlement: During the period of training, candidates are entitled to avail leave only in the following terms:
a) NBEMS trainees are entitled to a maximum of 30 days of leave per year of training, which is the ‘eligible leave’ for each NBEMS trainee.
b) In addition, a candidate is entitled to a weekly / duty off during his / her training. c) However, when a candidate is on leave, the weekly / duty off mentioned in sub clause (b) above will be included in the leave taken by the candidate. For eg: If a candidate has taken leave for 30 days, the weekly / duty off during these 30 days will be included as a part of the leave taken by the candidate. The candidate will not be entitled to deduct the weekly / duty offs during the said period and count them either towards training or towards leave in addition to the 30 days.
d) Maternity/Paternity Leave: Maternity leave shall be granted to female trainees in accordance with Central or State Government policies applicable to the training institute. The Expected Date of Delivery (EDD)/ Date of Delivery (DoD) should fall within the duration of maternity leave applied for. Further, in whichever States 6 months of maternity leave is permissible as per policies applicable there, it can be availed during 2 months prior to EDD to 6 months after DoD. Paternity leave for maximum 2 weeks can be availed by male trainees.
e) There is no provision of extension of maternity leave beyond permissible period or grant of Child Care Leave (CCL) in the NBEMS training programme.
f) Trainees must note that the grant of Maternity / Paternity leave or leave on any other account does not mean that their training shall not be extended on account of their absence during the period they are on leave. Candidates are entitled to the benefit only of ‘eligible leave’ i.e. 30 days per year for the purposes of their training and any other leave availed by them on any ground whatsoever shall lead to the extension of training. Candidates must also note that if as a consequence of extension, their training extends beyond the cut-off date prescribed in the respective Information Bulletin for the final examination, he/she shall not be eligible to appear in the said final examination.
g) No study leave whatsoever is permissible to the NBEMS trainees. The eligible leave of 30 days a year could be used for any purposes as may be required.
However, the trainees are not permitted to take up any employment or enroll for any other academic course during the leave period.
Leave Application Procedure:
a) Eligible leave of 30 days per year shall be granted by the training institution at their level. Any leave over and above the ‘eligible leave’ of 30 days per year shall be forwarded through the training institution with its recommendations to NBEMS for consideration. Any request of leave over and above the eligible leave of 30 days shall be submitted to NBEMS by way of an NBEMS Leave Application Form well in advance to obtain NBEMS approval before proceeding on leave. Leave requests must be supported with relevant documents as per guidelines detailed in the NBEMS Leave Application Form. The leave application form, duly endorsed by the training institution, shall have to be submitted by the trainee to NBEMS, only through NBEMS communication web portal before proceeding on leave.
b) Requests for post-facto approval of leave shall not be entertained and the trainee shall be considered on an unauthorized absence for such period.
