Difference Between DNB and MD- Deciding Better Future Prospects After MBBS

Many medical students after completing their MBBS consider going for a postgraduate degree for better career prospects. But they often find themselves standing at a cross-road while deciding which postgraduate degree would be the best for them. There is so much confusion among the students regarding two medical PG courses namely DNB and MD. Both these courses have good career scopes, almost similar eligibility criteria, and admission process and it is very natural for the students to be confused. To make things clearer and a bit easier for them, this article provides some significant differences between DNB and MD courses.

What is DNB (Diplomate of National Board)?

DNB or Diplomate of National Board (DNB) is a postgraduate degree under the Union Ministry of Health and Welfare, Government of India. This degree is awarded to Specialist Doctors in India after they complete their three-year residency in the course. DNB degrees are awarded by the National Board of Examinations (NBE), New Delhi, and the courses are normally offered by private institutions. DNB candidates are provided adequate practical training and hands-on experience.

What is MD (Doctor of Medicine)?

MD or Doctor of Medicine is a postgraduate degree recognized by the Medical Council of India (MCI). The MD degree is offered by some of the highly prestigious medical colleges and universities in India. Specialized training is provided to the candidates in the field of medicine and the duration of the course is three years. MD course provides an in-depth understanding of a specific field of medicine and the ability to diagnose and offer the right treatment and medication to patients.

Notable Difference between DNB & MD

DNB course is equivalent to the postgraduate courses offered in the field of medicine but still, there are some differences between these two. Check out some significant differences between DNB and MD courses:

  • DNB is inexpensive compared to the MD course.
  • MD is considered more prestigious than DNB.
  • Clearing DNB is slightly easier than MD.
  • MD degree offers more opportunities in academic and research fields.
  • For practicing overseas DNB candidates are preferred over MD candidates.

Admission to DNB & MD courses

Admission to both DNB and MD courses is done on the basis of candidates’ performance in the exams conducted by the National Board of Education (NBE). However, the exams for both these courses are held separately. Although both degrees require candidates to hold an MBBS degree, the level of questions asked in their entrance tests is different too.

Choosing between DNB & MD

Before choosing between DNB & MD courses, the candidates need to decide whether they want to become a doctor in government hospitals or are more keen on starting their own practice. If a candidate decides to get a government job, he/ she can go with the DNB course. On the other hand, those looking forward to starting their own clinic are advised to go with the MD course. Also, for candidates who want to enter the field of teaching in the future, an MD course will be a better option. For DNB degrees, institutes normally ask for in-depth hands-on experience whereas, it is not the case for MD degree holders. So, only after giving proper thought about what one wish to pursue in their future, the candidates should opt for DNB or MB courses.

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Eligibility for DNB & MD courses

For DNB course:

The basic eligibility criteria that candidates need to fulfill for admission to DNB course is as follows:

  • The candidates should hold an MBBS degree from a recognized institute.
  • It is mandatory to complete one-year internship.
  • The candidates are required to pass the Common Eligibility Test (CET) conducted by the National Board of Education (NBE).

For MD course:

The basic eligibility criteria that candidates need to fulfill for admission to MD course is as follows:

  • The candidates need to have completed their MBBS/ BAMS degree with a minimum aggregate of 50% marks.
  • It is mandatory to complete one-year internship.
  • A minimum aggregate of 60% marks at the graduation level is also required.
  • The candidates are required to pass the NEET PG exam conducted by the National Board of Education (NBE).

Top colleges for DNB & MD course

Check out the list of the best colleges for pursuing DNB & MD course in India:

For Diplomate of National Board (DNB):

  1. Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Chandigarh
  2. Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS), New Delhi
  3. Vardhman Mahavir Medical College (VMMC), New Delhi
  4. St John’s Medical College, Bangalore
  5. Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College (RPGMC), Kangra
  6. Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Mangalore
  7. Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences (SMIMS), Gangtok
  8. Seth GS Medical College (GSMC), Mumbai
  9. Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College-(LTMMC), Mumbai
  10. Grant Medical College and Sir J. J. Group of Hospitals, Mumbai

For Doctor of Medicine (MD):

  1. All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi
  2. Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh
  3. Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Pondicherry
  4. Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune
  5. Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore
  6. Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi
  7. Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Aligarh
  8. Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS), Lucknow
  9. King George’s Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow
  10. St John’s Medical College, Bangalore

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Career Prospects for DNB & MD courses

Candidates can land the following job profiles with the given average annual salary on the basis of their DNB & MD degree:

For DNB course:

Job profileAverage annual salary
PediatricsRs. 28,00,000
CardiologistsRs. 18,00,000
GeriatriciansRs. 15,00,000
AnesthesiologistsRs. 13,00,000
OphthalmologistRs. 11,00,000

For MD course:

Job profileAverage annual salary
AnesthesiologistsRs. 13,00,000
ObstetriciansRs. 4,00,000
ChiropodistRs. 3,00,000
General PractitionersRs. 3,00,000
BacteriologistRs. 2,00,000

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which degree is better- MD or DNB?

A degree in MD is considered more reputable than DNB.

Which degree is older- MD or DNB?

MD degree is older and more recognizable in the medical field.

What are the advantages of DNB course over MD?

It is easier to enroll in DNB course and their fees is also less when compared to MD course.

What are the starting salaries for MD & DNB courses?

A DNB candidate can get around Rs 20,000/- to Rs 30,000/- per month whereas for MD degree holders, it is expected to be around Rs. 30,000/- to Rs. 50,000/- per month.

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