MD vs DNB
Comparison of MD vs DNB Degree - Entry examination for both DNB and MD / MS program is through a national level centralized entrance test (Combined NEET PG entrance by NBE) with centralized counseling.
Duration of both the courses is 3 years, run in both government and private set up with similar quality standard of the host institute, similar academic activities, compulsory thesis work of 1 year duration under a qualified thesis guide with external review process (exposure to research methodology), and academic activities (library and journal facility, presentation in national and international conferences, research article publication, training program, workshop, and CME).
Clinical activity in both the courses is similar with respect to emergency case handling, surgical exposure, clinical case discussion, case exposure, availability of equipment and diagnostic tool, patient load to be handled, duty hour, night duty, leave entitled including maternity leave and other facilities.
Regarding the exit examination, in MD course, theory and practical examination is conducted in host institute; in practical examination, both internal (high chance of bias in evaluation process) and external examiners are present. Furthermore, passing theory examination is not an essential criterion of eligibility to appear in the practical examination.
While DNB exit examination is an unbiased, extremely tough evaluation process both in theory and practical (conducted in different center without the presence of internal examiner) with only 60–65% pass percentage.
For getting the details of these passed percentage, Year & Branchwise,Click on - DNB FINAL EXAMINATION REPORT 2014 to 2018 Passing theory examination is essential criteria to appear in practical examination showing superiority of the DNB candidates.
As at the time of entry to the course, the courses were equivalent (also equivalent as per government norms) and students joined DNB even leaving PG seats in MD/MS course to get their branch of interest.
Suddenly making non-equivalent is injustice to the students who joined DNB course. In earlier job interviews, the advertisements mentioned MD/MS/DNB, which implied their equivalence in government settings.
Many DNB students are working as faculty in Government Medical Colleges and they are holding important positions in medical college as clinician and academician.
| Comparison between MD vs DNB courses |
| Criteria |
Subcriteria |
MD / MS |
DNB |
| Joining criteria |
Joining in DNB |
After MBBS |
After MBBS |
| Centrally conducted entrance examination |
Centrally conducted entrance examination |
| Centrally conducted counseling |
Centrally conducted counseling for admission |
| NET board |
NET board |
| Duration |
3 years |
3 years |
| Postdiploma courses |
2 years |
2 years |
| Host institutes |
Type of host institute |
Government and private |
Government and private |
| Quality of host institutes |
Government Medical Colleges: good |
Government Institutes: Good |
| private medical colleges: Many are very good, but many are of questionable quality with very less patient load |
private institutes: Very good with high end facilities and patient load, as the NET board is very stringent regarding the institutes |
| Academic activity |
Departmental Journal clubs |
Yes |
Yes |
| Journal club presentation by candidates |
Yes |
Yes |
| Departmental seminars |
Yes |
Yes |
| Seminar presentation by candidates |
Yes |
Yes |
| Case presentation and discussion |
Yes |
Yes |
| Library and journal facility |
Yes |
Yes |
| Attending CME |
Yes |
Yes |
| Thesis work |
Number of thesis |
1 |
1 |
| Ethical clearance |
Required |
Required |
| Quality of thesis |
Similar |
Similar |
| External review of thesis |
Yes |
Yes |
| Thesis is an important part of academic activity |
Yes |
Yes |
| Thesis guide |
Educational status of guide |
MD/MS/DNB or above |
MD/MS/DNB or above |
| Clinical expertise and knowledge of the guide |
As the promotion is time duration based, and is non-dependent on the expertise or clinical accuracy, anybody doing job for a reasonable degree of time can be a guide |
In DNB settings, as promotion and other activities in private sectors are dependent on clinical expertise or performance in the respective field, only faculty with high quality can be guide |
| Presentation in national and international conferences |
Yes |
Yes |
| Research article publication |
Yes |
Yes |
| Final examination examiner |
Internal and external. As the internal examiner is from the same institute, high chance of bias in examination results and proper evaluation of the candidate |
Only external, no internal. This ensures no bias in examination result and proper evaluation of the candidate and only eligible candidates pass |
| Clinical activity equivalence |
Emergency case handling |
Yes |
Yes |
| Surgical exposure |
Similar |
Similar |
| Clinical case discussion |
Yes |
Yes |
| Case exposure |
Yes |
Yes |
| Availability of equipment and diagnostic tool |
Similar |
Similar |
| Patient load to be handled |
Similar |
Similar |
| Night duty |
Yes |
Yes |
| Ward facilities |
Yes |
Yes |
| Teaching skill |
Similar to DNB |
Similar to MD. Many DNBs are already doing very well at par their MD colleagues as medical teacher in many medical institutes of repute. |
| Practitioner skill |
No difference with DNB |
No difference with MD |
To know more about DNB & its difference with MD courses, kindly click on
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