WBUHS invites applications for Post-Doctoral Fellowship and Certificate Courses (PDF / PDCC)

The West Bengal University of Health Sciences (WBUHS) has announced applications for its prestigious Post-Doctoral Fellowship (PDF) and Post-Doctoral Certificate Courses (PDCC). This is a prime opportunity for postgraduates (MD/MS/DNB) to gain hyper-specialized training in niche fields like Onco-Anaesthesia, Nephropathology, and Interventional Radiology. The admission process typically involves a written entrance exam, followed by an interview/aptitude test, making merit the sole basis for selection. Interested candidates must review the specific feeder qualifications for courses like Neuroradiology and Pain Management and apply immediately as deadlines are often tight.

For medical postgraduates seeking to move beyond the scope of a broad degree (MD, MS, or DNB), a Post-Doctoral Fellowship (PDF) or Post-Doctoral Certificate Course (PDCC) offers a pathway to intensive, super-specialized clinical and research expertise. The West Bengal University of Health Sciences (WBUHS), a premier institution dedicated to health education in the region, has recently issued a notification inviting applications for its highly competitive Post-Doctoral programs.

​These courses are designed to address the growing demand for highly skilled specialists in complex, cutting-edge medical and surgical fields. The announcement covers a diverse array of disciplines, providing training in areas critical to tertiary care and modern medicine. This article outlines the specific courses on offer, the crucial eligibility criteria, and the admission process, ensuring aspirants have all the necessary information to secure their candidature in these prestigious programs for the 2026 session.

​ Diverse Specializations: Spotlight on Key Courses

​WBUHS is offering a portfolio of PDF and PDCC courses, each tailored to provide in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience in a highly focused domain. These one or two-year courses are typically conducted in affiliation with renowned institutes and hospitals in West Bengal, ensuring high clinical volume and advanced exposure.

• ​Onco-Anaesthesia (Post-Doctoral Fellowship): 
  • ​Focus: This PDF is crucial for Anaesthesiologists, focusing on the perioperative management, critical care, and specialized pain management of cancer patients undergoing complex oncological procedures.
  • ​Feeder Qualification: Candidates must possess a recognized MD or DNB in Anaesthesia.
• ​Nephropathology (Post-Doctoral Certificate Course): 
  • ​Focus: A highly specialized PDCC for pathologists, concentrating on the diagnosis of medical kidney diseases through advanced biopsy techniques and interpretation.
  • ​Feeder Qualification: Candidates generally require an MD or DNB in Pathology.
• ​Interventional Radiology (Post-Doctoral Certificate Course): 
  • ​Focus: A rapidly evolving field where radiologists perform minimally invasive procedures using image guidance. The PDCC provides hands-on training in vascular, non-vascular, and oncological interventions.
  • ​Feeder Qualification: Typically requires an MD or DNB in Radio-Diagnosis.
• ​Other High-Value Courses: The notification also includes other key sub-specialties like: 
  • ​Neuroradiology (often requires MD/DNB in Radio-Diagnosis).
  • ​Pain Management (often requires MD/DNB in Anaesthesia or PMR).
  • ​Critical Care (often requires MD/DNB in Anaesthesia or General Medicine).

​ Admission Process and Critical Eligibility Matrix

​Securing admission to the WBUHS Post-Doctoral programs is a multi-stage process governed by merit, requiring candidates to meet precise eligibility and successfully navigate the selection stages.

• ​Mandatory Feeder Qualification (MD/MS/DNB): The core eligibility requirement for all PDF/PDCC courses is having a relevant postgraduate degree (MD, MS, or DNB) in the feeder specialty. For example, a candidate applying for Interventional Radiology must have a post-graduate degree in Radio-Diagnosis. Candidates who are in their final year of residency but are scheduled to pass their qualifying examination before the counseling date may also be eligible to apply provisionally.
• ​Entrance Examination (Admission Test): Admission is primarily based on performance in a dedicated Admission Test conducted by WBUHS. This written examination assesses the candidate's core knowledge in their feeder subject (e.g., Anaesthesia for Onco-Anaesthesia) and often includes questions related to the super-specialty field.
• ​Aptitude Test and Personal Interview: Shortlisted candidates from the written exam proceed to a Departmental/Aptitude Test and Personal Interview (PI). This stage evaluates the candidate's clinical aptitude, subject knowledge, research interest, and suitability for the intensive nature of the fellowship. The PI holds significant weight in the final selection process.
• ​Key Application Dates (Tentative based on recent announcements): 
  • ​Application Submission Start Date: Typically mid-November 2025.
  • ​Last Date of Application: Highly strict, often around November 28 - December 8, 2025.
  • ​Document Requirement: Candidates must be ready with scanned copies of their final MD/MS/DNB marksheet/passing certificate, photograph, and signature for online submission, along with a fee payment (typically via Demand Draft or online gateway).

​ Why Choose WBUHS Post-Doctoral Programs

​The decision to pursue a fellowship requires a significant commitment of time and resources. Choosing the WBUHS programs offers unique benefits that enhance a specialist's career trajectory.

• ​Institutional Prestige and Faculty: WBUHS-affiliated institutions often include top state medical colleges and specialty hospitals in Kolkata, offering exposure to a high volume and wide spectrum of complex, tertiary-level cases. Training under highly experienced faculty members in specialized units ensures a deep, practical understanding of the sub-specialty.
• ​Career Advancement: A PDF/PDCC qualification from a state university like WBUHS significantly adds value to a specialist’s curriculum vitae. It provides a competitive edge in securing consultant positions in corporate hospitals or pursuing academic careers as Assistant Professors in medical colleges across India.
• ​Focus on Niche Skills: These programs are specifically designed to impart skills that are currently in short supply, such as performing advanced regional blocks in Onco-Anaesthesia or image-guided biopsies in Nephropathology, leading to unique service opportunities.
• ​Standardized Assessment: The rigorous final assessment, which often includes theory, clinical, and viva examinations, ensures that all graduating Fellows possess a uniformly high standard of competence in their chosen super-specialty area.

​Conclusion

​The WBUHS invitation for Post-Doctoral Fellowship and Certificate Courses presents a crucial opportunity for postgraduate doctors to transition into highly specialized practice. Courses like Onco-Anaesthesia, Interventional Radiology, and Nephropathology represent the future of targeted medical care. Given the stringent eligibility criteria (MD/MS/DNB in a relevant feeder) and the highly competitive admission process involving a mandatory entrance exam and interview, aspirants must prioritize immediate application and focused preparation. This is the moment to seize the chance to become a leader in your medical sub-specialty.

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