The National Board of Examinations (NBE) has made a significant announcement regarding the postgraduate medical admission process for the academic year 2026. In a recent notification, the board has revealed the internship cut-off dates and tentative examination schedule for admission to key postgraduate medical courses, including MD, MS, and MDS programs.
Major Shift in PG NEET 2026 Schedule
In a departure from previous years, the Postgraduate National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (PG NEET) is proposed to be held much later than usual. Traditionally, this crucial examination has been conducted by May each year. However, for the 2026 academic session, NBE has announced that the PG NEET for MD and MS courses is likely to be scheduled for August 30, 2026.
Internship Completion Deadlines
According to the official notification, candidates seeking admission to MD and MS programmes must complete their internship by September 30, 2026. The board has clarified that students who complete their internship by this deadline will be considered eligible for admission, even if their internship continues after the examination date.
For MDS admissions, the requirements differ slightly. Candidates must complete their internship by May 31, 2026, with the NEET MDS examination scheduled for May 2, 2026. It is important to note that these are currently tentative dates, and NBE has indicated that changes to the schedule may be implemented in the coming months.
Concerns Over Delayed Admission Process
The announcement comes at a time when the third round of postgraduate medical counselling for the current academic year is underway across the country, following a recent reduction in the qualifying percentile. In this context, the delay in the 2026 examination schedule has raised significant concerns among medical experts and healthcare professionals.
Potential Impact on Healthcare System
Medical sources have expressed apprehension that the delayed admission process could lead to a substantial shortage of resident doctors across hospitals nationwide. With admissions likely to begin in October or November 2026, after internship completion deadlines, hospitals may have to wait until after the Diwali festival period to receive new batches of resident doctors.
This potential gap in the availability of resident doctors is particularly concerning for healthcare institutions across India, including those in Gujarat and other states. The timing of the delayed admissions could create operational challenges for hospitals that rely on fresh batches of postgraduate medical students to maintain their clinical services and patient care standards.
The National Board of Examinations' announcement marks a significant shift in the postgraduate medical education calendar for 2026. While the board has provided tentative dates to help candidates plan their preparation, the medical community awaits further clarity on the final schedule and its implications for healthcare delivery across the country.
