NBE Post MBBS Diploma courses unaffected by NMC's PG Diploma phase-out
NBEMS Post MBBS Diploma (2 Years) Course
New Delhi: The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS, NBE) has clarified that its two-year Post MBBS Diploma programmes will continue and are not affected by the recent National Medical Commission (NMC) decision to discontinue postgraduate diploma courses after the 2026-27 academic session.
Issuing a notification on July 8, 2026, the NBE clarified that the NMC's public notice dated June 19, 2026, regarding the discontinuation of PG Diploma courses applies only to the diploma programmes governed by the apex medical commission and not to Post-MBBS Diploma courses conducted by NBEMS.
The clarification comes amid confusion among applicants, accredited hospitals, medical institutions and other stakeholders following the NMC's announcement to phase out PG Diploma courses after the 2026-27 academic session.
Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that in a major reform aimed at standardising postgraduate medical education in the country, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has announced that all Post Graduate (PG) Diploma courses will be phased out and converted into corresponding Broad Speciality Degree courses (MD/MS) from the academic year 2027-28 onwards.
The NMC informed that the academic year 2026-27 will be the last year for admissions to PG Diploma programmes. No admissions will be permitted to these courses from the academic year 2027-28, following which the diploma courses will cease to function. The directive followed a notice issued by the Postgraduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB), calling upon medical colleges currently offering PG Diploma courses to apply for conversion of such seats into corresponding MD/MS degree seats through the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB).
NBE courses distinct, remain unaffected:
"It is hereby informed to all concerned that a recent Public Notice issued by the National Medical Commission (NMC) vide no. N-P016 (20)/1/2026-PGMEB-NMC dated 19-06-2026 regarding discontinuation of PG Diploma Courses after the academic session 2026–27 does not pertain to the various Post MBBS Diploma courses being conducted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS)."
The Board pointed out that its diploma courses are distinct academic programmes that were notified separately through a Gazette Notification dated August 6, 2020. Therefore, the discontinuation of PG Diploma courses announced by the NMC has no impact on the diploma programmes offered by NBEMS.
"The NBEMS Diploma courses are distinct programs and have been duly notified through a separate Gazette Notification vide dated 06th August 2020. Stakeholders are therefore advised to note that the discontinuation of Diploma courses mentioned in the NMC public notice has no bearing on NBEMS Diploma courses, which shall continue as per the mandate."
