NBE notifies conduct of internal appraisal 2026 for trainees, check timeline, guidelines
New Delhi: The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has directed all accredited institutions to conduct the Internal Appraisal 2026 for trainees across various courses as per a structured schedule and notified guidelines.
The appraisal, which includes theory examinations, performance counselling, and clinical assessments, will be carried out for different batches between March and September 2026, in line with the board’s guidelines aimed at evaluating and improving trainee performance.
All NBEMS-accredited institutions are required to conduct the annual Internal Appraisal 2026 for trainees in the specified batches according to the schedule provided below and in accordance with NBEMS guidelines:
| Course | Session | Timeline (inclusive of both start and end dates) |
| Broad Specialty Courses (3 Year Course) | 1st Year trainees of 2025 Admission Session | 1st September to 15th September 2026 |
| 3rd Year trainees of 2023 Admission Session | 25th March to 10th April 2026 | |
| Super Specialty Courses (3 Year Course) | 3rd Year trainees of 2023 Admission Session | 15th May to 31st May 2026 |
| Post Diploma DNB Courses (2 Year Course) | 2nd Year trainees of 2024 admission session | 01st April to 15th April 2026 |
| Direct 6 years Courses (6 Year Course) | 1st Year trainees of 2025 Admission Session | 1st July to 15th July 2026 |
| 3rd Year trainees of 2023 Admission Session | 1st June to 15th June 2026 | |
| 5th Year trainees of 2021 Admission Session | 1st September to 15th September 2026 | |
| NBEMS Diploma Courses (2 Year Course) | 2nd Year trainees of 2024 admission session | 15th May to 31st May 2026 |
Hospitals must conduct the Internal Appraisal in accordance with the NBEMS guidelines.
1. The assessment scheme consists of three parts as indicated below:
| PART – I | CONDUCT OF THEORY EXAMINATION | A trainee has to appear for theory exam to be held on a single day only. |
| PART – II | PERFORMANCE COUNSELING SESSIONS ON THE THEORY PERFORMANCE | The evaluated answer sheets of the trainees shall be handed back to them after completion of assessment, for discussion with their respective Head of Departments & faculty. |
| PART – III | WORK PLACE BASED CLINICAL ASSESSMENT | After theory examination, trainees have to appear for Clinical Assessment. |
• The Work Place Based Clinical Assessment is to be conducted for final year trainees ONLY. It is NOT applicable for the first-year trainees in accordance with the prescribed guidelines.
The entire activity of internal appraisal shall be conducted by the NBEMS accredited institutes/ hospitals on their own. NBEMS shall NOT bear/ sponsor/ anyarrangements/ expenses for the same. The cost incurred in the conduct of the internal appraisal by the hospitals may be adjusted against annual appraisal feecollected by them from the NBEMS trainees.
Part-I: Conduct of Theory Examination
| S.No. | Course | Training Year | Number of Question Papers |
| 1 | Broad Specialty | In 1st year of training | One |
| In 3rd year of training | Two | ||
| 2 | Super Specialty | In 1st year of training | One |
| In 3rd year of training | Two | ||
| 3 | Post Diploma | In 2nd year of training | Two |
| 4 | Fellowship | In 2nd year of training | Two |
| 5 | Direct 6 years | In 1st year of training | One |
| In 3rd & 5th year of training | Two | ||
| 6 | NBEMS Diploma | In 2nd year of training | Two |
EVALUATION OF ANSWER SHEETS
The answer sheets of the trainees are to be evaluated by the Senior Faculty/PG Teacher of the concerned specialty only.
Part-II: Conduct of Performance Counseling Sessions on Theory Performance
a) In this process, evaluated answer sheets shall be handed back to the trainees upon completion of assessment for discussion with their respective Head of Departments, senior faculty members & PG teachers. The faculty shall discuss with the trainees on the following:
i. How to attempt the theory exam
ii. Discussion with trainees about their performance
b) The activity of Performance Counseling Sessions may be clubbed together with the Work Place Based Clinical Assessment.
Part-III: Conduct of Work Place Based Clinical Assessment for Internal Appraisal
a) The First Year trainees are EXEMPTED from appearing in the Work Place Based Clinical Assessment.
b) It will be conducted for the following trainees only:
| S.No. | Course | Training Year |
| 1 | Broad Specialty | In 3rd year of training |
| 2 | Super Specialty | In 3rd year of training |
| 3 | Post Diploma | In 2nd year of training |
| 4 | Fellowship | In 2nd year of training |
| 5 | Direct 6 years | In 3rd & 5th year of training |
| 6 | NBEMS Diploma | In 2nd year of training |
c) The Work Place Based Clinical Assessment is to be conducted for a maximum of 8 trainees on a single day. If a department has more than 8 trainees for whom Work Place Based Clinical Assessment is to be conducted by them, the department shall conduct the same on multiple days accordingly.
d) Examiners to be appointed for the conduct of Work Place Based Clinical Assessment:
i. Internal Examiners (of the rank of Sr. Consultant or above)
ii. External Examiners (of the rank of Sr. Consultant or above)
e) The Scheme of Work Place Based Clinical Assessment shall be as follows:
| ACTIVITY | DESCRIPTION |
| Clinical Examination (Case Preparation & Presentation) | 2 cases for each Trainees ( 30 minutes of preparation & 30 minutes for presentation) |
| Viva- Voice | Shall be conducted by all the Examiners together on Investigation Techniques, Interpretations, Instrument handling etc. |
| Assessment of Thesis & Log Book (Not applicable for Fellowship & NBEMS Diploma trainees) | Discussion on Thesis & Log Book |
The trainees are to be assessed qualitatively in each of the above-mentioned activities and graded to give feedback to improve their performance. The trainees are to be awarded following grades for their Work Place Based Clinical Assessment:
i. Clear Pass (P)
ii. Clear Fail (F)
iii. Borderline (B)
The grade secured by the trainees shall be recorded in the report to be submitted to NBEMS.
SUBMISSION OF REPORT OF INTERNAL APPRAISAL TO NBEMS
All NBEMS accredited hospitals/ institutes shall be required to submit the following reports:
1. Before The conduct of Internal Appraisal of the trainees
List of trainees for whom internal appraisal shall be conducted by the institute containing the following details:
i. Name
ii. Specialty
iii. Registration Number/ Roll Number issued by NBEMS
iv. Admission Session of the trainee
As per NBEMS Public Notices dated 26th November 2019 and 06th May 2025, trainees must complete the minimum required number of Formative Assessment Tests to be eligible for NBEMS Final Exit Examinations
All Internal Appraisals must be completed by the specified deadlines outlined in the schedule above.
Institutions must submit the Internal Appraisal report to NBEMS within Seven (07) days of conducting the appraisal.
To view the full official notice, click the link mentioned below-
