DNB PDCET 2026 Registration Ongoing; April 12 Exam Scheduled

The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) is currently running the diploma entry registration for the Diplomate of National Board Post Diploma Centralized Entrance Test (DNB PDCET). This exam is the only way for doctors who already have a diploma to get into a DNB secondary seat. As of today, the NBE registration portal is open for all candidates who have finished their medical diploma. At the same time, the board has released the city intimation slips for the Fellowship Entrance Test (FET) 2025. This means the qualifying phase for multiple high-level medical courses is happening right now in March. Every PDCET aspirant should be very careful with their application because these specialized seats are very limited. The current official dashboard for the 2026 session is designed to handle thousands of applications from doctors across the country.

Important Dates and DNB PDCET 2026 Examination Timeline

The NBEMS has provided a very strict calendar to ensure that the medical specialist training starts on time. While the registration is happening now, the qualifying phase will culminate in a computer-based test in April. Candidates must follow the Official NBEMS Exam Calendar to stay updated on any changes. Missing the March deadline for the NBE registration means you cannot apply for these seats until next year.

• PDCET Registration Start: The online application window officially opened in the second week of February 2026.
• Registration Deadline: Doctors must complete their NBE registration by the third week of March 2026.
• FET 2025 City Slip: Candidates for the fellowship test can now check their allotted cities on the Official NBE Portal.
• PDCET Exam Date: The diploma entry entrance exam is confirmed for Sunday, April 12, 2026.
• Admit Card Release: Successfully registered candidates can download their hall tickets from the official dashboard in early April.

Mandatory Steps for Online Application and Diploma Proof

To finish the NBE registration, every PDCET aspirant must meet the eligibility rules. You must have a medical diploma from a recognized university and should have completed it before the 2026 medical specialist intake starts. The diploma entry system requires you to upload your permanent registration certificate issued by the National Medical Commission (NMC). The official dashboard for 2026 has a new section where you must verify your Aadhaar details using the UIDAI digital check to stop identity theft.

• NMC Registration: You must provide your permanent registration number to start the NBE registration.
• Diploma Certificate: Upload a scanned copy of your final diploma marksheet or degree to the official dashboard.
• Photo and Signature: Use a recent color photo with a white background; no hats or sunglasses are allowed.
• City Selection: You can choose your preferred test city from the list provided during the diploma entry application.
• Fee Payment: The registration fee is ₹5,000 for all candidates, and you must pay it online before the qualifying phase begins.

Exam Pattern and Specialization Strategy for PDCET 2026

The DNB PDCET 2026 consists of 120 multiple-choice questions. For the 2026 medical specialist intake, the paper is separate for each of the 14 broad diploma specialties. Every PDCET aspirant is currently using the month of March to review the clinical topics from their specific diploma branch. The qualifying phase involves a tough marking system, so accuracy is the most important factor for success. You can check the Official PDCET Syllabus for more details on your branch.

• Subject-Specific Paper: If you have a diploma in Pediatrics, you will only answer questions about Pediatrics.
• Marking Rule: You earn +4 marks for a correct answer, and -1 mark is taken away for a wrong answer.
• Time Duration: Candidates have 120 minutes (2 hours) to finish the exam on the computer.
• FET Admit Card: For those waiting for FET 2025, keep checking the official dashboard as hall tickets are expected this week.
• Mock Practice: NBEMS provides a demo test on the Official NBE Site to help you get used to the diploma entry exam screen.

Conclusion

The active NBE registration window this March is the final chance for the 2026 medical specialist aspirants to upgrade their careers. By finishing your diploma entry form on the official dashboard and preparing for the April 12 exam, you enter the final qualifying phase. This year’s admission cycle is very fast, and staying updated with the Ministry of Health notices is essential. Make sure you have all your diploma certificates and NMC registration documents ready today. The FET 2025 city slip release is also a reminder that the medical exam season is in full swing. As the exam date nears, your focus on specialized clinical knowledge will be the key to your success.