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PDCET 2026 NOC Row: DNB Aspirants Face Show-Cause Notices as Counselling Documents Come Under Scrutiny
New Delhi: A document-related issue has placed around 20 Post Diploma DNB aspirants in a difficult position during PDCET 2026 counselling. The affected candidates have received communication from the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) regarding their non-submission of the required No Objection Certificate (NOC).
The issue has raised questions about the coordination mechanism between the State authorities and NBEMS. However, the coordination-gap narrative appears to have been advanced by the candidates and FAIMA in the September 19, 2026 report; it must be noted that this does not represent an official position of NBEMS.
What Happened in PDCET 2026 Counselling?
The September 19 report indicates that around 20 candidates belonging to different states who have joined various Post Diploma DNB courses are in limbo due to their inability to upload NOCs while registering for PDCET 2026 counselling.
The candidates reportedly stated that DGHS authorities were not able to issue NOCs during the five-day counselling registration period. The issue of NOCs is pertinent to the eligibility norms and documentary requirements for candidates who are employees/bonded workers.
What Does the NBEMS Notice Say?
A show-cause notice issued by NBEMS on September 17, 2026, and quoted in the September 19 report refers to Clause 5 of the Handbook for Post-Diploma DNB 2026 counselling. The notice states that candidates who are employees or under any type of bond are required to submit an NOC, relieving letter or study leave from the competent authority when applying for a Post-Diploma DNB seat.
While the NOC can be submitted during counselling after the candidate has been allotted a seat, a relieving letter from the concerned employer or institution is required to join training on the allotted DNB Post Diploma seat.
Candidates Asked to Explain Their Position
The show-cause notice reportedly asks the concerned candidates to explain why their candidature for PDCET 2026 should not be cancelled for having participated in counselling without the required NOC. The candidates have been given two days (up to September 19, 2026) to respond to the notice. The notice adds that if the response is not received or if the response is not satisfactory, action will be taken against the candidate in accordance with the counselling rules and guidelines.
For the candidates who have already secured a DNB seat, the issue has acquired a sense of urgency as the next step for them would be to join training on the allotted Post Diploma DNB seat.
What Is the Official NBEMS Position on PDCET?
The NBEMS PDCET portal indicates that DNB-PDCET is the ranking examination for admission to the Post Diploma DNB course, and the portal offers access to the examination bulletin, notices, results and counselling instructions. NBEMS conducted the 2026 online centralised merit-based counselling for Post Diploma DNB admissions.
The counselling process was guided by the eligibility norms and guidelines specified in the PDCET 2026 Information Bulletin and counselling handbook. The counselling portal offers access to the PDCET 2026 Handbook, counselling notices, allotment results and documents including the candidate’s NOC.
Why the NOC Issue Matters
The issue reflects a situation where the candidate may find themselves in a dilemma when it comes to satisfying the documentary requirements for admission. For the counsellors, the pertinent issue is whether the requirements have been met by the candidate within the stipulated timeframe and in accordance with the counselling guidelines.
As per the information available, the candidates and FAIMA have raised the issue of delay in NOC issuance by the State authorities. It must also be noted that NBEMS has not taken up the issue of state-NBEMS coordination as a formal grievance. This distinction needs to be borne in mind when evaluating the situation.
What PDCET 2026 Candidates Should Check
The candidates involved in the current situation are advised to check the following:
- PDCET 2026 counselling handbook
- Their communication from NBEMS
- The documentary requirements for NOC or relieving letter
- The deadline applicable to them as indicated in the show-cause notice
- Communication from NBEMS in this regard
Final Thoughts
The PDCET 2026 NOC issue has acquired notoriety as it has the potential to impact the candidature of candidates who have already joined the Post Diploma DNB admissions process. For students and doctors, the documentary requirements pertaining to postgraduate medical education can be as critical as the examinations that they undertake. The situation calls for monitoring the responses from the affected candidates and the follow-up actions from NBEMS.
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