NBEMS Counselling: Compliance Extension for Sponsored DNB Seats Remains Active

The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences has extended the compliance deadline for Sponsored DNB seats to February 10, 2026. In-service doctors must submit their No Objection Certificates via the official portal to ensure participation in the merit-based counselling session.

The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has confirmed that the window for administrative Compliance remains active today for candidates seeking admission to Sponsored DNB (Post MBBS and Post Diploma) courses. This strategic extension, which concludes at the end of business today, was introduced to facilitate a broader range of in-service doctors following the recent reduction in the NEET PG 2025 qualifying percentile. This administrative Extension ensures that medical officers serving in various government sectors can successfully transition into specialized training without procedural hurdles.

In-Service Eligibility and Documentation Standards

The NBEMS has maintained a strict framework regarding the eligibility of candidates for the sponsored category. Only those medical professionals working on a regular basis within government organizations, including State Health Services and Central Autonomous Bodies, are permitted to apply. The core of this Compliance phase involves the submission of a valid No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the respective Cadre Controlling Authority. According to the Official NBEMS Notice, the format for this document must strictly adhere to the template released in December 2025.

• Digital Submission: All certificates must be uploaded through the NBEMS Communication Web Portal to be considered valid for the 2025-26 session.
• Format Adherence: The board has clarified that any NOC submitted via email or in a non-prescribed format will result in immediate disqualification.
• Merit-Based Process: Despite the Extension, the final selection for the 234 indicative seats will remain strictly based on the NEET PG 2025 merit rank.

Strategic Rationale for the Timeline Shift

The decision to keep the Extension active through February 7 was primarily driven by the need to fill specialized vacancies in rural and remote government institutions. By lowering the entry barrier in terms of the qualifying percentile, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare aims to maximize seat occupancy. The NMC Information Desk highlights that this move supports the long-term goal of strengthening the national healthcare workforce by training experienced medical officers in high-demand specialties such as Anaesthesiology and General Medicine.

Final Audit and Counselling Commencement

Once the current Extension period concludes, the NBEMS will move into the data verification phase. This involves cross-referencing the uploaded NOCs with the service records provided by state and central departments. This rigorous Audit is essential to prevent any misuse of the sponsored category quota. Following the successful Audit of all submissions, the board will publish the final merit list for the centralized online counselling, which is expected to commence in the latter half of February.

• Audit Protocol: The NBEMS Department of Training and Monitoring will lead the verification of candidate credentials and department clearances.
• Salary Undertaking: Sponsoring organizations are reminded that they bear the responsibility for the trainee's salary during the entire duration of the DNB course.
• Finality of Choices: Once the merit list is generated, no further requests for Compliance or document modifications will be entertained by the board.

Conclusion

The conclusion of the NOC submission window on February 7 marks the final opportunity for in-service doctors to formalize their participation in the 2025-26 academic cycle. As the NBEMS prepares for the final Audit of applications, the emphasis remains on procedural transparency and merit-based allocation. This Extension has served as a critical bridge for hundreds of additional medical officers to pursue higher specializations, ultimately ensuring that specialized medical seats are utilized to their full potential for the benefit of the public health system.

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