DrNB Paediatric Cardiology
Direct answer
DrNB Paediatric Cardiology is the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) super-speciality qualification in the diagnosis and management of heart disease in fetuses, infants, children and adolescents. It is a three-year residency entered after MD or DNB in Paediatrics (exact qualifying degrees are listed course-wise in the NEET-SS bulletin), recognised as equivalent to the DM. Training takes place in NBEMS-accredited hospitals, and the final theory and practical examinations are conducted centrally by NBEMS.
Course structure and curriculum
- Rotations through paediatric cardiology clinics evaluating congenital and acquired heart disease from birth to adolescence.
- Transthoracic echocardiography training, including segmental analysis of complex congenital lesions, with progression to transoesophageal and foetal echocardiography.
- Diagnostic cardiac catheterisation, haemodynamic interpretation and angiography in children.
- Interventional procedures such as device closure of atrial and ventricular septal defects and patent ductus arteriosus, and balloon atrial septostomy and valvuloplasties.
- Inpatient care of heart failure, cardiomyopathies, arrhythmias, rheumatic heart disease and Kawasaki disease.
- Shared care of children in the paediatric cardiac intensive care unit, including post-operative management after corrective surgery.
- Electrocardiography, Holter monitoring, treadmill testing and basic electrophysiology interpretation.
- Long-term follow-up of operated and unoperated congenital heart disease into adult life.
- Participation in multidisciplinary meetings with cardiac surgeons, intensivists, neonatologists and geneticists.
- A dissertation on an approved research question, defended at the final examination.
- Journal clubs, case conferences and structured teaching documented in the trainee logbook.
Entrance examinations
Entry is through NEET-SS, the computer-based examination conducted by NBEMS for DM, MCh and DrNB seats. The paper has 150 multiple-choice questions delivered in three time-locked sections of 50 questions, with four marks for a correct answer and one deducted for an incorrect one. Questions are drawn from the broad speciality and the applied depth expected of an incoming trainee, so steady MD-level paediatrics plus focused cardiology reading is the foundation. INI-SS, held by AIIMS New Delhi, separately fills DM and MCh seats at the Institutes of National Importance; DrNB seats come through NEET-SS counselling.
Examinations
The DrNB final assessment combines theory papers set and evaluated by NBEMS with a practical and clinical examination and viva voce at an NBEMS-nominated centre. Thesis acceptance is a prerequisite for appearing. Layered preparation works best: standard texts for core concepts, current guidelines for management, and repeated echocardiography and catheterisation reading for the viva. Previous-year questions indicate the depth examiners expect, and practising case discussion aloud trains the structured presentation practicals reward.
Career pathways
Graduates practise in tertiary children's hospitals, private cardiac centres and teaching institutions. Fellowships in interventional paediatric cardiology, foetal cardiology, electrophysiology or imaging can follow, in India or abroad, and academic careers are open. India's congenital heart disease burden keeps demand for trained specialists high.
Preparation with PrepElephant
PrepElephant supports aspirants with previous-year NEET-SS question practice, question banks, mock tests and revision tools inside the app, with free guides on this website. These complement — never replace — residency reading and clinical training.
Related entrance examinations
Frequently asked questions
Who is eligible for DrNB Paediatric Cardiology?
Doctors holding MD or DNB Paediatrics — plus any other feeder speciality NBEMS lists for the course in the current bulletin — compete through NEET-SS.
Is a DrNB equal to a DM?
Yes. The DrNB is a doctorate-level NBEMS qualification recognised as equivalent to a university DM, the NBEMS-conducted final examination being the route's distinguishing feature.
How long is the training?
Three years in an NBEMS-accredited hospital, combining rotations, procedural training and a dissertation, followed by the central final examination.
What procedures does a trainee learn?
Paediatric echocardiography, diagnostic catheterisation and interventions such as device closures and balloon procedures; the exact case mix depends on the accredited hospital.
What do graduates do afterwards?
Most join children's hospitals or consult practice; others add fellowships in intervention, foetal cardiology or electrophysiology, or enter teaching.
Practise this in the PrepElephant app
Question banks, previous-year questions, mock tests and revision tools — for DrNB Paediatric Cardiology. Free to start.