NBEMS Exam Calendar 2026 Continues to Guide Aspirants’ Exam Planning

NBEMS has released the tentative 2026 exam calendar. Key dates for FMGE, GPAT, and DNB finals are out, helping medical aspirants plan their academic year ahead.

The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) continues to provide a strategic roadmap for medical professionals with the steady implementation of its 2026 examination calendar. Released in late December, the schedule serves as a vital tool for aspirants planning their transitions into postgraduate specialities and various fellowship programs. By providing a clear timeline for major entrance and exit examinations, the board aims to reduce the administrative uncertainty that has often characterized medical education cycles in previous years.

Key Highlights of the First Half Schedule

The first six months of the year are packed with high-stakes assessments, starting with the FMGE December 2025 session scheduled for later this month. According to the calendar, the Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test (GPAT) 2026 is set for March 7, providing a defined window for pharmacy graduates to conclude their preparations. This early announcement of the timeline is particularly beneficial for those balancing clinical duties or internships with intensive study regimes.

Moreover, the board has integrated several specialized screening tests and fellowship exams into the early months. The Fellowship Entrance Test (FET) 2026 and the Post Diploma Centralized Entrance Test (PDCET) are strategically placed in March and April, respectively. This sequence ensures that candidates seeking super-speciality training or post-diploma DNB seats have a predictable cycle to follow, allowing for better management of application documents and exam-day logistics.

• FMGE December 2025: Scheduled for January 17, 2026.
• GPAT 2026: Proposed for March 7, 2026.
• FET 2026: Conducted on March 14, 2026.
• PDCET 2026: Set for April 12, 2026.

Exit Examinations and Final Theory Papers

In addition to entrance tests, the NBEMS schedule places significant emphasis on "Exit Examinations" for those completing their DNB and DrNB residencies. These examinations are the final hurdle for specialists before they enter independent practice. The calendar specifies that the DrNB Final Theory Examination will take place in late April, while the DNB June 2026 session is slated for the third week of June.

Conclusion

While the current calendar provides a comprehensive look at the first half of 2026, the board has maintained that these dates are "purely tentative" and subject to change based on administrative requirements. Notably, the schedule for NEET-MDS and the highly anticipated NEET-PG 2026 will be notified through separate bulletins. For now, the released timeline acts as a stable foundation for thousands of doctors and pharmacists, ensuring they can navigate the competitive cycle of medical assessments with greater clarity and foresight.

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