The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has announced the availability of 80 DNB seats under its Joint Accreditation Programme for the 2026 admission cycle. These seats are distributed across nine specialities and involve paired arrangements between primary and secondary teaching hospitals. If you are an MBBS graduate preparing for NEET-PG counselling or considering DNB as a postgraduate pathway, understanding this scheme—including seat types, hospital pairings, and inter-institutional distances—is essential to making an informed choice during seat selection.
NBEMS has opened 80 DNB seats (both post-MBBS and post-diploma) across 9 specialities under its Joint Accreditation Programme for 2026, with 28 primary-secondary hospital pairings ranging from 150 metres to 132 km apart.
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Unlock My College ListWhat is the Joint Accreditation Programme and why does it matter for DNB aspirants?
The Joint Accreditation Programme is a flagship initiative of NBEMS that allows accredited teaching hospitals to offer DNB training through a structured partnership model. Under this scheme, a primary hospital (the main training centre) is paired with a secondary hospital (an affiliated or satellite centre), and candidates undertake their postgraduate training across both institutions. This model expands the capacity of the DNB system and allows NBEMS to accredit training at institutions that may not independently meet all criteria.
For a NEET-PG aspirant or MBBS graduate considering DNB, this programme offers an alternative pathway to traditional MD/MS seats. The key distinction is that your training will be split or rotated between two hospitals rather than concentrated at a single institution. This can affect your clinical exposure, accommodation arrangements, travel logistics, and overall postgraduate experience. Understanding the distance between paired hospitals and the nature of each institution is therefore crucial before you lock in a seat during counselling.
Breakdown of 80 DNB seats across 9 specialities for 2026 admission
NBEMS has distributed the 80 available seats across nine clinical and paraclinical specialities. The distribution reflects both demand and accreditation capacity. General Surgery and Orthopaedics each offer 11 seats, while General Medicine offers 10 seats—these are among the most sought-after broad specialities in PG medical education. Anaesthesiology, Family Medicine, and Radio Diagnosis each offer 12 seats (combining post-MBBS and post-diploma categories). Emergency Medicine, Psychiatry, and Respiratory Medicine together account for the remaining seats.
A critical detail for counselling: seats are subdivided into post-MBBS DNB and post-diploma DNB categories. For example, Anaesthesiology offers 6 post-MBBS and 6 post-diploma seats. If you hold an MBBS degree, you are eligible only for post-MBBS seats; if you hold a PG Diploma (such as Diploma in Anaesthesiology), you are eligible for post-diploma seats. This distinction affects your eligibility and competition pool. Ensure you understand which category applies to you before counselling begins.
- Anaesthesiology: 6 post-MBBS + 6 post-diploma = 12 seats
- Emergency Medicine: 2 post-MBBS + 1 post-diploma = 3 seats
- Family Medicine: 6 post-MBBS + 6 post-diploma = 12 seats
- General Medicine: 10 seats (type not separately specified)
- General Surgery: 11 seats (type not separately specified)
- Orthopaedics: 11 post-MBBS + 2 post-diploma = 13 seats
- Psychiatry: 2 post-MBBS seats
- Radio Diagnosis: 6 post-MBBS + 6 post-diploma = 12 seats
- Respiratory Medicine: 3 post-MBBS + 2 post-diploma = 5 seats
Understanding primary and secondary hospital pairings and inter-institutional distance
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The Joint Accreditation Programme lists 28 primary-secondary hospital arrangements for 2026. Each pairing specifies the primary hospital (your main training centre), the secondary hospital (where you will rotate or receive supplementary training), the accredited speciality, the number and type of seats, and the approximate distance between the two facilities. This distance is not merely geographical—it directly impacts your daily commute, accommodation options, and logistical feasibility during your three-year DNB training.
Distances vary dramatically across the listed pairings, ranging from as little as 150 metres (essentially adjacent or within the same campus) to as much as 132 km (requiring daily travel or relocation). Some arrangements place the two hospitals 1 km, 2 km, 3 km, 4 km, or further apart. Before you select a seat, you must carefully review the specific distance for that primary-secondary pair. A 50 km separation, for instance, may require you to arrange accommodation near one or both hospitals or negotiate a rotation schedule that minimises travel. Conversely, a 150-metre separation may allow you to work across both sites with minimal logistical burden.
- Distance range: 150 metres to 132 km
- Distances include: 1 km, 2 km, 3 km, 4 km, and further increments
- Shorter distances (< 5 km) may allow daily commuting from a single residence
- Longer distances (> 50 km) may require accommodation near one or both hospitals or negotiated rotation schedules
- Distance affects your quality of life, financial planning, and clinical continuity during training
How does the Joint Accreditation Programme fit into NEET-PG counselling and seat selection?
During NEET-PG counselling for 2026, DNB seats under the Joint Accreditation Programme will be listed separately from standalone DNB seats and MD/MS seats. When you enter the counselling portal, you will see the primary hospital name, secondary hospital name, speciality, seat type (post-MBBS or post-diploma), and distance. You must treat these seats as distinct options and evaluate them against your preferences, location, and career goals.
The key strategic consideration is that these seats may have lower competition than traditional MD/MS seats at the same speciality, because some candidates are deterred by the dual-hospital model or the inter-institutional distance. This can work in your favour if you are flexible about training location or if you value the specific speciality and institutions over a single-centre experience. Conversely, if you prioritise a single-centre training experience or cannot manage the distance, you should deprioritise these seats in your choice list.
- Joint Accreditation seats are listed separately in the counselling portal
- You must review the primary hospital, secondary hospital, speciality, seat type, and distance before ranking
- These seats may have lower competition than equivalent MD/MS seats
- Dual-hospital training can broaden your clinical exposure but requires logistical planning
- Ensure the distance and institutional pairing align with your personal and professional circumstances
Eligibility and guidelines: what you need to know before counselling
NBEMS has advised all candidates and institutions to refer to the NBEMS Information Bulletin for Accreditation for the complete eligibility criteria, instructions, and guidelines governing the Joint Accreditation Programme. The scheme itself was formally published by NBEMS on 30 June 2023, and the 2026 notice reiterates these foundational rules. As an MBBS graduate, you are eligible for post-MBBS DNB seats; if you hold a recognised PG Diploma, you are eligible for post-diploma seats. You cannot apply for both categories simultaneously.
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The notice applies to all candidates participating in DNB/Diploma counselling for 2026, as well as to hospitals and medical institutions accredited under the programme. This means the seat availability, hospital pairings, and distances listed are binding for the 2026 admission cycle. If you are planning to participate in counselling, obtain and review the full NBEMS Information Bulletin and the detailed notice to understand any additional conditions, bond requirements, or institutional policies specific to the Joint Accreditation Programme.
- Refer to the NBEMS Information Bulletin for Accreditation for complete eligibility and guidelines
- The Joint Accreditation scheme was formally published on 30 June 2023
- Post-MBBS DNB seats are for MBBS graduates; post-diploma seats are for PG Diploma holders
- You cannot apply for both categories in the same counselling cycle
- The notice is binding for all candidates and accredited institutions for 2026 admission
Practical steps for NEET-PG aspirants evaluating Joint Accreditation seats
First, identify which specialities and seat types (post-MBBS or post-diploma) match your eligibility and career interests. Cross-reference the nine specialities listed with your NEET-PG score and expected rank to gauge your competitiveness. Second, obtain the detailed notice from NBEMS that lists all 28 primary-secondary hospital pairings. For each pairing that interests you, note the names of both hospitals, the distance between them, and any additional details about the institutions (teaching capacity, infrastructure, faculty, etc.).
Third, research the primary and secondary hospitals independently. Visit their websites, speak to current or recent DNB trainees, and understand the quality of training, accommodation facilities, and work culture at each centre. Fourth, assess the logistical feasibility of the distance. If the two hospitals are 50 km apart, can you afford accommodation near one or both? Will you need to arrange transport? Are there rotation schedules that minimise daily commuting? Fifth, rank the seats in your counselling choice list based on your overall assessment of speciality, institutions, distance, and career trajectory. Do not rank a seat simply because it is available; ensure it aligns with your long-term goals and personal circumstances.
- Identify your eligible specialities and seat types based on your MBBS or Diploma qualification
- Obtain the full NBEMS notice listing all 28 primary-secondary hospital pairings and distances
- Research both the primary and secondary hospitals independently
- Assess the logistical feasibility of the inter-institutional distance for your personal situation
- Speak to current or recent DNB trainees at the institutions to understand training quality and work culture
- Rank seats strategically in your counselling choice list based on speciality, institutions, distance, and career goals
- Do not rank a seat solely because it is available; ensure it aligns with your circumstances and aspirations
Why the Joint Accreditation Programme matters for PG medical education in India
The Joint Accreditation Programme represents NBEMS's effort to expand DNB training capacity without compromising quality standards. By allowing accredited primary hospitals to partner with secondary institutions, the scheme enables more MBBS graduates to access DNB training in high-demand specialities. This is particularly significant in India, where the number of NEET-PG aspirants far exceeds the available MD/MS and DNB seats. The programme also encourages institutional collaboration and may improve clinical training by exposing trainees to diverse patient populations and clinical settings across two hospitals.
For you as an aspirant, this expansion means more seats and potentially more flexibility in choosing your training location and speciality. However, it also requires you to be more discerning during counselling. Not all dual-hospital arrangements are equally feasible or beneficial. Your success in the programme depends on your ability to evaluate the specific pairing, manage the logistics, and extract maximum learning from both institutions. The Joint Accreditation Programme is not a shortcut to PG training; it is an alternative pathway that demands careful planning and commitment.
- The programme expands DNB training capacity without compromising quality
- It enables more MBBS graduates to access DNB seats in high-demand specialities
- It encourages institutional collaboration and diverse clinical exposure
- It provides more flexibility in location and speciality choice for aspirants
- It requires careful evaluation and logistical planning from candidates
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is the Joint Accreditation Programme, and how does it differ from traditional DNB training?
The Joint Accreditation Programme is an NBEMS initiative that pairs a primary hospital (main training centre) with a secondary hospital (affiliated or satellite centre) to offer DNB training. Unlike traditional DNB training, which is typically concentrated at a single institution, Joint Accreditation training involves rotation or split training across two hospitals. This model expands training capacity and may expose you to diverse clinical settings, but it also requires you to manage logistics and commute between two locations.
How many DNB seats are available under the Joint Accreditation Programme for 2026, and which specialities are included?
A total of 80 DNB seats are available across 9 specialities: Anaesthesiology (12), Emergency Medicine (3), Family Medicine (12), General Medicine (10), General Surgery (11), Orthopaedics (13), Psychiatry (2), Radio Diagnosis (12), and Respiratory Medicine (5). Seats are subdivided into post-MBBS and post-diploma categories. Your eligibility depends on whether you hold an MBBS degree or a recognised PG Diploma.
What is the distance range between primary and secondary hospitals in the Joint Accreditation Programme?
The distance between paired hospitals ranges from as little as 150 metres to as much as 132 km. Some pairings place the hospitals 1 km, 2 km, 3 km, 4 km, or further apart. Before you select a seat, you must review the specific distance for that primary-secondary pairing and assess whether it is logistically feasible for you in terms of daily commuting, accommodation, and overall quality of life during your three-year training.
Am I eligible for both post-MBBS and post-diploma DNB seats under the Joint Accreditation Programme?
No. You are eligible for either post-MBBS DNB seats (if you hold an MBBS degree) or post-diploma DNB seats (if you hold a recognised PG Diploma), but not both simultaneously in the same counselling cycle. Ensure you understand which category applies to you before counselling begins, as this affects your eligibility and competition pool.
How will Joint Accreditation seats appear in the NEET-PG counselling portal, and how should I evaluate them?
Joint Accreditation seats will be listed separately in the counselling portal, with details of the primary hospital, secondary hospital, speciality, seat type, and inter-institutional distance. When evaluating these seats, research both hospitals independently, speak to current or recent DNB trainees, assess the logistical feasibility of the distance, and rank them in your choice list based on your speciality preference, institutional quality, distance, and career goals. Do not rank a seat solely because it is available; ensure it aligns with your circumstances.
Where can I find the complete list of 28 primary-secondary hospital pairings and the full guidelines for the Joint Accreditation Programme?
NBEMS has released a detailed notice listing all 28 primary-secondary hospital pairings, distances, and seat details for 2026. You should also refer to the NBEMS Information Bulletin for Accreditation, which contains the complete eligibility criteria, instructions, and guidelines governing the programme. The Joint Accreditation scheme was formally published by NBEMS on 30 June 2023. Obtain these documents from the NBEMS website or the official counselling portal before counselling begins.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of choosing a Joint Accreditation DNB seat?
Advantages: more seats available, potentially lower competition than equivalent MD/MS seats, exposure to diverse clinical settings and patient populations across two hospitals, and flexibility in location choice. Disadvantages: dual-hospital training requires logistical planning and commuting, potential disruption to clinical continuity, accommodation challenges if hospitals are far apart, and the need to adapt to two institutional cultures and work environments. Evaluate these factors based on your personal circumstances and career priorities.
If the two hospitals in a Joint Accreditation pairing are 80 km apart, what should I consider before selecting that seat?
Before selecting such a seat, assess: (1) Can you afford accommodation near one or both hospitals? (2) Will you need to arrange daily transport, and is this financially and physically feasible? (3) Are there rotation schedules that minimise daily commuting? (4) Will the distance affect your clinical continuity and learning? (5) Does the speciality and institutional quality justify the logistical burden? Speak to current trainees at both hospitals to understand how they manage the distance. If the logistics are not feasible, deprioritise this seat in your choice list.
As you prepare for NEET-PG counselling in 2026, carefully review the NBEMS notice detailing all 28 primary-secondary hospital pairings, distances, and seat availability under the Joint Accreditation Programme. Evaluate each seat not just on speciality and rank, but on the logistical feasibility of the inter-institutional distance and the quality of training at both hospitals. Strategic planning during counselling will help you make a choice that aligns with your career goals and personal circumstances.
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