The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has unveiled a preliminary timetable for its crucial medical examinations scheduled for the first half of 2026. This tentative schedule, covering tests from January to June, provides aspiring doctors, dentists, and pharmacists with an initial roadmap for their preparation. The official notice was published on the board's website on December 29, 2025.
Important Disclaimer: Schedule is Provisional
NBEMS has explicitly stated that this schedule is not final and is subject to change. The board emphasized that the dates mentioned are tentative. The final, confirmed dates for all examinations will be communicated later through official information bulletins and notices on the NBEMS website. Candidates are advised to regularly check the official portal for updates.
Complete Tentative Schedule for Key Examinations
The released schedule includes a wide array of national-level medical and para-medical entrance and final examinations. Here is a detailed look at the proposed dates:
January 2026: The NBEMS Diploma Final Examination for the December 2025 session is tentatively set for January 6, 7, and 8, to be held from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM on each day. The highly anticipated Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) for December 2025 is scheduled for January 17. It will have two papers: Paper I from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM and Paper II from 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM.
February-March 2026: The Fellowship Diploma Status Test for Master of Dental Surgery (FDST-MDS 2025) is planned for February 21, with papers from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. The FDST for Bachelor of Dental Surgery (FDST-BDS 2025) follows on March 1. The Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test (GPAT) 2026 is slated for March 7, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
April 2026: The Fellowship Entrance Test (FET) 2026 is on March 14. The Post Diploma Centralized Entrance Test (PDCET) 2026 is scheduled for April 12. The Diplomate of National Board (DrNB) Final Examination for the April 2026 session is planned for April 24, 25, and 26, each day from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
May-June 2026: The NBEMS Diploma Final Examination for the June 2026 session is tentatively set for May 14, 15, and 16 (9:00 AM to 12:00 PM). The Diplomate of National Board (DNB) Final Examination for June 2026 is spread across four days: June 18, 19, 20, and 21 (2:00 PM to 5:00 PM). Finally, the FMGE for June 2026 is planned for June 28, with the same two-paper timing as the January session.
Candidate Guidance and Key Points to Remember
NBEMS has outlined several critical points for all examinees. The schedule includes examinations that have not been formally notified yet. The schedule for the prominent NEET-MDS 2026 will be announced separately and is not part of this release. For any queries or assistance, candidates must contact NBEMS exclusively through the official communication portal available on its website, and not through any other channel.
This early release of the tentative calendar is a strategic move by NBEMS to help hundreds of thousands of medical aspirants across India plan their studies effectively. However, the board's caution about the provisional nature of the dates means candidates should maintain flexibility in their plans while preparing diligently.
