The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has released its tentative examination calendar for the January–June 2026 cycle, listing schedules for several national medical examinations. However, the calendar does not include a tentative date for NEET-PG 2026, the primary entrance test for postgraduate medical admissions in India. The omission affects medical graduates and interns planning their preparation, internship completion, and admission timelines. As of now, NBEMS has not issued an official explanation, and candidates are advised to rely only on verified updates released through official channels.
The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) released its tentative examination calendar for the January to June 2026 cycle in late December 2025. The calendar lists schedules for several national-level medical examinations, including the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE), Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test (GPAT), DNB and DrNB final examinations, and fellowship assessments. However, the schedule does not mention the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Postgraduate courses (NEET-PG) 2026.
NEET-PG is the primary entrance examination for admission to postgraduate medical programs such as MD, MS, and DNB courses across India. The absence of a tentative examination date directly affects MBBS graduates, medical interns, and foreign medical graduates planning to pursue postgraduate training in the 2026 academic cycle.
NBEMS publishes tentative calendars annually on its official platforms to help candidates plan their academic timelines. The omission occurred in the provisional calendar released for examinations expected to take place between January and June 2026. Unlike other major examinations listed in the document, NEET-PG was not referenced in any section.
The NEET-PG schedule plays a central role in postgraduate medical education planning. Examination timing determines internship completion deadlines set by the National Medical Commission (NMC), affects preparation strategies spanning several months, and influences the timeline for counselling and seat allotment. Without an indicative date, candidates are unable to align these interconnected requirements with certainty.
As of now, NBEMS has not issued an official clarification regarding the exclusion of NEET-PG 2026 from the tentative calendar. Previous communication patterns suggest that NBEMS may announce the examination schedule separately through an information bulletin or dedicated notification. Official advisories continue to direct candidates to monitor NBEMS websites for updates.
In recent years, NEET-PG schedules have undergone multiple revisions. For instance, NEET-PG 2025 experienced changes following judicial directions, including a Supreme Court mandate to conduct the examination in a single shift. Final dates were announced closer to the examination, contributing to limited advance notice for candidates. These precedents provide context for the current uncertainty but do not explain the present omission.
Until an official announcement is released, aspirants are advised to continue preparation based on existing eligibility criteria and internship completion timelines prescribed by the NMC. Regular monitoring of official NBEMS notifications remains essential. Any confirmed dates or changes will be communicated only through authorised channels.
(Rh/SS)
