What are the career prospects in Pathology? Which Institutes offer this Course?
Answer:
The National Board of Examinations (NBE), Delhi, an autonomous body established by the health and family welfare ministry, conducts postgraduate and post-doctoral exams in various disciplines of medical sciences at the national level.
A Diplomate of the National Board is recognized by the Medical Council of India (MCI) as equivalent to a postgraduate degree holder (MD/MS in broad specialities) and post-doctoral degree holder.
For MBBS students, it is a three-year course, while for those with an additional diploma it is of two years’ duration. Doctors who enroll for the DNB receive a stipend from the hospital to which they are attached. The exam is held in two parts: primary and final.
The common primary exam for all the broad specialties as well as for the direct five-year courses in neurosurgery, pediatric surgery and plastic surgery is open to all candidates who have completed their internship. The exam is of the standard of MBBS course.
However, postgraduates in any speciality, both degree and diploma holders, from universities recognized by MCI are exempted from the primary exam and can directly take the final exam.
After clearing the final exam, you can apply for the post of a specialist in any hospital other than a training or teaching institute.
For teaching appointments in the broad specialities, you must have at least one year of experience as a tutor/registrar/demonstrator or hold an equivalent post in a recognized undergraduate medical college in addition to the NBE diplomate.
Admission to DNB courses is on the basis of the CET, a centralized entrance exam held twice a year in June and December. The seats being limited, makes it highly competitive.
You can access the information bulletin and application form on www.natboard.nic.in
This is also a viable alternative for meritorious but less affluent medicos, to achieve professional competence and a postgraduate qualification at nearly 200 recognized medical colleges in India and abroad and 240 accredited institutions and hospitals.
Thousands of medical graduates have obtained the DNB qualification and many of them have distinguished themselves in their respective fields both in India and abroad. In fact, some countries like Kuwait prefer DNB to other postgraduate degrees for appointment as consultants.