Putting together your final year DNB thesis is a meticulous process that needs to conform to your program’s guidelines. Here’s a general outline on the contents, formatting, and submission of your thesis. However, this is a broad guide, and you should verify the specific requirements with your program.

 Kind attn: All DNB/DrNB trainees and Accredited Institutions/Hospitals.

•  As per norms, submission of Thesis protocol and Thesis is essential for all DNB/DrNB trainees, towards the partial fulfilment of eligibility for Diplomate of National Board (DNB)/Doctorate of National Board (DrNB) degree.
• The process of submission of Thesis protocol and Thesis to NBEMS is done online through the NBEMS Thesis Portal and the candidates are required to submit Thesis Protocol and Thesis as per the timelines specified in the Thesis Protocol & Thesis submission
• The portal for Thesis Protocol & Thesis Submission can be accessed by clicking on below mentioned link: https://www.natboard.edu.in/thesisonline/index.php

 After submitting the online Thesis Protocol and Thesis form, candidates are no longer required to send the Thesis Protocol and the hard bound thesis to NBEMS by post.

For reference scan QR or click

• For any query related to Thesis, please contact to NBEMS at 011- 45593000 or write at NBEMS communication web portal by clicking on the following link: https://exam.natboard.edu.in/communication.php?page=main

 Soft copy to be uploaded In NBE website

1. Photograph (jpg Less than 100 kb)
2. Signature (jpg Les than 100 kb)
3. Full thesis duly signed by the concerned authorities (pdf file less than 5 mb) 
4. Declaration Cum undertaking duly signed by Guide, Co-guide, Head of institution and candidate (pdf file less than 1 mb)
5. Institutional Ethical Committee Approval letter (pdf file less than 1 mb)
6. Thesis Application form duly signed by the concerned Authority (can be downloaded from NBE website after filling the details(pdf file <3 mb))
7. Annexure Publication (pdf file less than 5 mb)

Annexure Publication

Declaration cum Undertaking for Fresh Thesis

Contents of DNB Thesis:

1. Title page: Clearly state the title, your name, the program (DNB), institution, and year.
2. Declaration: A statement that the work is original, followed by your signature.
3. Certificate: From your thesis guide/supervisor and head of the department or institution.
4. Acknowledgements: Briefly thank those who assisted you.
5. Table of Contents: List of chapters with page numbers.
6. List of Tables/Figures: If applicable, with titles and page numbers.
7. Introduction: Describe the problem, your hypothesis, and objectives.
8. Literature Review: Current knowledge/scholarly context of your work.
9. Materials and Methods: Detailed enough to be reproducible.
10. Results: Presentation of data; can include tables, charts, etc.
11. Discussion : Interpretation of results
12. Summary and Conclusion: Summary, Conclusion, implications, and potential for future work.
13. References/Bibliography: Cited works using a standard citation style.
14. Appendices: Any supplementary material – Ethics Committee Approval, patient consent forms, etc.

Conclusion

Hard copies need not to be sent to National Board of Examinations. The soft copy should be uploaded in the NBE website.

Fill Online DNB/ DrNB Final Application Form

Applicant candidates shall be required to register online at Online Exit Examinations Portal (OEEP) for submission of DNB/DrNB Final Examination application to National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences. The Online Exit Examination Portal can be accessed through NBEMS website https://natboard.edu.in

After successful registration and submission of application, candidates can login to their OEEP account to check the status of the online application submitted for DNB/DrNB Final Examinations, any deficiency communicated to them to download the admit cards

Application for DNB/DrNB Final Theory Exam – October 2023 can only be submitted online through National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences website https://natboard.edu.in There is no other methodology for application submission. Application submitted through any other mode shall be summarily rejected.

Following steps shall be required to be completed in sequence for application submission to NBEMS:

Register a User – Online

Complete Application form, Examination City Selection and Upload Prescribed Documents – Online

Pay Examination Fee – Online

The applicant candidate shall register a username and create his/her online profile with Online Exit Examinations Portal. On successful creation of candidate profile, the applicant shall be required to complete the DNB/DrNB Final Examinations application form, pay the prescribed examination fee and upload the prescribed documents online. Candidates shall be able to preview the application form for any corrections required before final submission.

The applicant candidate may save and print the application form submitted online for future reference. There is no requirement to submit the hard copy print out of the application form and documents uploaded to NBEMS.

The Online Exit Examinations Portal shall be the window of communication with the applicant candidate. DNB/DrNB Final Examinations related information shall be accessible to the candidate at this portal.

Register a User – Online

New User Registration: All candidates desirous of applying for DNB/DrNB Final Examinations shall be required to create a profile with Online Exit Examinations Portal (OEEP). The applicant candidate can always modify some of the information in the existing profile by logging in using its user ID and password. If password is lost, it can be retrieved by clicking “Forgot Your Password”.

After opening the NBEMS website https://natboard.edu.in, click on Exit Exam Portal Quick link (available in top bar) to access the Online Exit Examinations Portal (OEEP). To apply for DNB Final Examination October 2023, Click at “Apply for DNB/DrNB Final Examination”. You will be diverted to a Registration/login page.

If the applicant candidate is a first time user at this portal, click

“Register New User?”

Candidates who have already registered a user to apply for DNB Final Examination in previous sessions are strongly advised not to re-register a new user.

Username/User ID: Candidates who would register a “New User” will get their system generated username/User ID and password at the email ID provided on completion of profile creation. Application ID is generated after successful submission of an application. Application ID is not the User ID for login purpose.

Name: Please mention the full name as in the Letter of Registration issued by NBEMS or Name mentioned in MD/MS or DM/MCh degree certificate, as the case may be. Changed name shall not be considered. Name once registered with the profile can not be edited in the applications to be submitted. Requests for change in name after conduct of examination/declaration of result shall not be considered.

Gender, Date of Birth and Nationality: Indicate your gender; Day, Month & Year of your birth and Nationality.

Email ID: Email ID chosen by the applicant candidate shall be verified through a system generated OTP for user creation. Same email ID can not be used for registration of any other user concurrently. Please note that all email correspondence with the applicant candidate shall be done at this email ID only. Correspondence received from any other email ID of the candidate shall not be entertained.

Mobile No: Please provide the desired mobile number for receiving all Exit Examinations related communications. Please note that all telephonic correspondence with the applicant candidate shall be done at this mobile number only. You can always modify the existing profile by logging in using your user ID and password.

Complete Application form, Examination City Selection and Upload prescribed documents – Online

After registering the user, please choose the correct tab for the examination you wish to appear in. The candidate can either continue to fill the desired application form by clicking at the link “Go to Application Form” or can fill the application at a later stage after login in using the User ID and Password received at email.

The homepage of the Online Exit Examinations Portal provides two quick links:

Apply for DNB/DrNB Final Examinations: The online application form for DNB/DrNB Final Examinations can only be accessed through this quick link. To create a user and to submit the application for October 2023, click on this link. After registration of user and getting a User ID, again click on this link and login to complete & submit the application form.

Candidate Login after Application Submission: This login would allow tracking the status of application, deficiency issued if any, to download Admit Card and access to practical examination details once the candidate qualifies the theory examination. This login shall be active only for those who have successfully submitted an online application. It may take few days after application submission for this login to be active.

While filling the application form, the candidate shall be required to select one of choices under following heads :

Select Your Examination:

Theory & Practical/Only Practical

DNB Final Broad Specialty/DrNB Final Super Specialty/Direct 6 Years Course DrNB Part I /Direct 6 Years Course DrNB Part – II

Select Specialty for Examination to be taken

Category of Candidate:

Broad Specialty: Post MBBS DNB Candidate/ Post Diploma DNB Candidate/ MD-MS Qualified Candidate

Super Specialty: DrNB Superspecialty Candidate/ DM-MCh Qualified Candidate

The candidates who have been DNB/DrNB trainees shall be required to enter their Registration Number provided by National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences in the letter of registration issued to them. Please enter the registration number in the same format as mentioned in the letter of registration. The system will check the status of thesis submission and acceptance thereafter. After entering the registration number, click on the link “Click here to see thesis status” to fetch your thesis status. Candidates who fulfill the thesis related requirement prescribed in the bulletin shall alone be allowed to complete the application form. For any query related to thesis status/status not being updated in NBEMS database, please contact thesis section of NBEMS through the communication web portal of NBEMS.

Upload of Prescribed Documents, Photograph and Scanned Signatures: The candidate shall be required to upload scanned copies of original documents at indicated places as per details mentioned below:

Applicable Only For DNB/DrNB Candidates:

MBBS Degree Certificate

DNB/DrNB Training completion certificate as per the format given in the information bulletin at Annexure-III/IV.

Registration letter issued by NBEMS.

Thesis acceptance letter issued by National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences/Proof of submission of thesis to National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences for assessment, which ever is applicable as per information bulletin

National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences approval in cases of extension of training (in cases of Maternity leave/ Paternity Leave/ Medical Leave/ Excess leave)

Applicable Only For MD/MS/DM/M.Ch Candidates:

MBBS Degree Certificate

MD/MS/DM/M.Ch Degree certificate/Provisional Pass Certificate (PPC)**##

Bonafide certificate confirming to the name of medical college from which eligible qualification i.e. MD/MS or DM/MCh has been pursued.

Following documents supporting post graduate qualification being recognized as per the provisions of the NMC Act 2019/ the First Schedule of the IMC Act 1956:

Self attested copy of print-out of NMC website (www.nmc.org.in) confirming to the additional PG Degree qualification being “Recognized” as per provisions of the NMC Act and the first schedule of IMC Act.

If additional PG degree qualification is NOT listed as “Recognized” on NMC website, please upload one of the following two documents:

Additional Qualification Registration Certificate (AQRC) issued by NMC/MCI, OR

Additional Qualification Registration Certificate (AQRC) issued by State Medical Council + IMR Certificate issued by NMC/MCI wherein said additional PG Degree qualification is listed as registered

**##

✤ If PPC/Degree Certificate of MD/MS or DM/MCh qualification has not been issued, a copy of result notification duly certified by the Dean/Registrar/ Principal of the university/medical college as a proof of declaration of MD/ MS or DM/MCh result in public domain on or before 31st August 2023 to be submitted. Such candidates shall be required to submit the Provisional Pass Certificate/Degree Certificate of MD/MS or DM/MCh qualification before declaration of DNB/DrNB final theory results.

For All Candidates

Please upload following as per Image Upload Guidelines mentioned at the end of this Information Bulletin:

• Latest Photograph
• Scanned Signatures
• Thumb Impression

Admit Cards will not be issued to the candidates who fail to submit the above mentioned essential documents.

Pay Examination Fee

Payment of Fee: The candidate shall be required to make requisite payment of prescribed examination fee online.

After successful payment of required fee, the process of submission of the application of the candidate shall be completed.

Acknowledgement of Online Application Submission: An acknowledgement email shall be sent for receipt of online DNB/ DrNB Final Examinations Application at NBEMS. The acknowledgement shall bear an Application Form ID. Please preserve this form ID for future correspondence with National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences regarding application.

Quick Links on Online Portal:

After successful submission of online application for DNB/DrNB Final Examination, the candidate access Exit Examination Portal at National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences website https://natboard.edu.in and needs to login through the quick link “Candidate login after application submission”. This login shall be active few days after the application submission.

Status of Application: The applications submitted by the candidates can be tracked through Online Exit Examinations Portal (OEEP) for status of application processing. Updated processing status of application submitted shall be reflected on the portal.

Candidates who are issued admit card by NBEMS shall be able to download the admit card/other communications through Online Exit Examinations Portal.

The candidate shall also be able to upload deficient documents, if so required by National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences, through this portal.

Update Profile: The candidate shall be able to update the mobile number, email ID, correspondence address by clicking “Update Profile” quick link. No other parameter shall be updated in NBEMS records unless supported with appropriate authenticated documents.

Change Password: The candidate shall be able to update his/her Password through Online Exit Examinations Portal.

Information Bulletin: The candidate can access Information Bulletins through this quick link.

Notices & Circulars: Relevant notices and circulars shall be uploaded here.

What are the solutions for the reference management?

1. The one way is to give endnotes as references in Ms word. While using this we can change or insert citations inside our thesis. It is very easy to give endnotes in Ms. Word.

You can insert an endnote by clicking in reference tabs and click on endnote (Shortcut is alt+ctrl + D).

What is an endnote?

An endnote is a reference, explanation, or comment placed at the end of an article, research paper, chapter, or book. The problem with the endnote is it appears in the end of the document. In KUHs thesis, after the references we have to place appendices. So it will become a really a problem. In the top of references page a horizontal line appears, this line will repeat on the appendices pages also. it is difficult to format the text afterwards. When we have to change the header of appendices, it is not possible to give a section break. The only way is to make appendices a seperate file and format it.

2. In this situation, we should need a best reference management software for our thesis. Zotero is the best reference management software which is very easy to use. Zotero is a free and open-source reference management software to manage bibliographic data and related research materials (such as PDF files).

What features make the Zotero as the best reference manager ?

1. With a single click we can collect the journals, pdf files etc. it automatically senses the research on web.
2. We can organise our references to a collection or group or give tags. For eg. we are using two studies, we can make two folders and drag and drop the appropriate references to the folders.
3. Easy synchronisation is the best feature in zotero. it means if we use a laptop in our home and if we make a free account in zotero and save the references, i.e. syncing the references to the zotero server, we can complete or make any changes in other computer by logging in zotero account, just opening a gmail from different places.
4. Zotero lets you co-write a paper with a colleague, distribute course materials to students, or build a collaborative bibliography. You can share a Zotero library with as many people you like, at no cost.
5. Zotero is open source and developed by an independent, nonprofit organization that has no financial interest in your private information. With Zotero, you always stay in control of your own data.

How to download Zotero software?

Clik here for downloading the Zotero software. The software is divided into two parts. One is zotero connector with our browser for collecting data. The other is managing the collected references, if we install zotero software, a new tab will appear in Ms word.

First, we should collect the reference through our browser to the zotero library. Then we should open the zotero software from our programs. After that open our research for adding references in MS word. We should choose which style of references we need (eg. vancouver, APA etc). There are many rejections occurs in DNB thesis for the wrong style (vancouver) entered references. By default there will be vancouver style. But the problem while we add this style, the cited numbers in the research will be not superscript. it will come as normal text. The citations should be in superscript.

How to add or manage references style to vancouver superscript?

Here is an esy way to give vancouver superscript style. Go to document preferences, and click on manage preferences, then click on additional styles, search superscript on it, here we can see the vancouver superscript style, just add it. It will reflect in our word processor.

Just go to our research and add the citations and insert the references from our library. After adding all the references in the document click on add / edit Bibliography. When we do this all the references cited above will be pasted in our document with the respective numbers. This is the easiest way for building bibliography in a research or thesis.

A reference video is given below for Zotero tutorial

Apply for DNB Examination 2021

Registration is must for appearing in the DNB Final Examinations. Candidates should note there is no refund of application fee after submission of DNB Final Application 2021.

The candidates should upload the documents in prescribed format. Otherwise it cannot be uploaded in the site. The following specifications of photograph, signature and thumb and other documents are given below:-

Photograph

• The background should be white.
• There should be only one person in the picture.
• It must contain the full face, ears, neck, and shoulders of the entrant.
• There should be neutral, non-smiling expression and with eyes open.
• The image should be uptill the shoulder only.
• Do not take a selfie.
• The image should be clicked in > 5-megapixel resolution.
• It should be a standard passport size (35mm X 45mm, width X height).
• The size of photograph should be between 50 kb to 80 kb
• Save the scanned images as .jpg/.jpeg
• The scanner resolution should be atleast 200 dpi.

It should not be blurred and must cover 70% – 80% of the frame

Live Photograph

• The candidate shall be required to upload TWO photographs

1. To be uploaded : A PRE-SAVED recent Passport Size Colour Photograph as per image Upload Guidelines
2. To be Captured : A REAL TIME PHOTOGRAPH captured by the webcam/in-built camera of the computer system

• Instructions to capture photograph

1. 1. Stand/ Sit against a white background (Avoid distracting backgrounds)
   2. The image must not include other objects or additional people. Ensure that you are the only one person in the picture
   3. The image must contain the full face, ears, neck and shoulders of the entrant in frontal view with a neutral, non smiling expression and with eyes open and directed at the camera.
   4. The image must not contain any parts of the body below the entrant

Signature

• Applicants should use a blue / black pen for signing.
• Signature should be clear and without overwriting on a white paper sheet within a box of 1.5 x 3.5 cms (width x height)
• The shadow of hands, camera, smartphone should not fall on the signature.
• The signature should be done on a blank white page with no lines.
• Candidates should resize the image to 50 kb– 1 mb.
• The scanner resolution should be atleast 200 dpi.
• Save the scanned images as .jpg/.jpeg
• File once uploaded cannot be changed before the edit window opens. After the closing of the edit window, file uploaded cannot be changed. Deficiency, if any, documents uploaded shall be communicated and rectification shall be allowed as detailed in the information Buttellin.

Thumb

• Candidates should use a white sheet of paper.
• They should put their thumb impression within a box of 6 cm x 3 cm.
• They should use a fresh blue / black colour ink pad.
• Candidates should first wash their hands before the thumb impression.
• Take the horizontal print of the left thumb.
• Save the scanned images as .jpg/.jpeg
• The file size should be between 50 kb and 1 mb.

Other documents to be uploaded (all documents in pdf format <1 mb)

For MD / MS / DM /M.Ch Candidates 

• MBBS Degree Certificate
• MD/MS/DM/M.Ch Degree certificate/Provisional Pass Certificate (PPC)
• Self attested copy of print-out of MCI website
• (AQRC) issued by State Medical Council + IMR Certificate issued by MCI

For DNB Candidates:

• MBBS Degree Certificate
• DNB Training completion certificate
• Registration letter issued by NBE.
• Thesis acceptance letter, if issued by National Board of Examinations/ Proof of submission of thesis to National Board of Examinations for assessment
• National Board of Examinations approval in cases of extension of training

Steps for filling DNB Examination 2021?

The candidates should have a strong internet connection and all the scanned documents.

1. Go to the Website : https://exam.natboard.edu.in/ and click in Apply for DNB/DrNB final Examinations.
2. The login page will appear and there will be two options available which are given below.
   1. Option 1 : If candidate has already appeared for DNB Final Examination – Dec 2019 or June 2020 or Dec 2020 or June 2021 session at OEEP. Then, they need not register again. Use username and password to login and continue to fill the form.
   2. Option 2 : If candidate has not appeared for DNB Final – Dec 2019 or June 2020 or Dec 2020 or June 2021 session Examination. Then, they need to register as fresh candidate.

3. Fill out the correct details and enter into the next page by entering the shown captcha.

4. Candidates need to select from one of the following.

• Theory & Practical/Only Practical
• DNB Final Broad Specialty/DNB Final Super Specialty/Direct 6
• Years Course DNB Part I /Direct 6 Years Course DNB Part – II

5. Next, select category and specialty.

• Category of Candidate
• Broad Specialty: Post MBBS DNB Candidate/ Post Diploma DNB Candidate/ MD-MS Qualified Candidate
• Super Specialty: DrNB Superspecialty Candidate/ DM-MCh
  Qualified Candidate

6. Upload the prescribed documents (photograph, signature, thumb etc) in appropriate sizes.

7.Pay the application fee for DNB final 2021 application form and also upload the relevant documents.

8. Download the Acknowledgement of Online Application Submission and preserve the application form id.

Details to be filled in DNB Final Application Form 2021

Registration:

• username
• password
• confirm password
• mobile number
• email id

Login:

• username
• password
• captcha

Application Form:

• Name
• Father’s & Mother Name
• Gender
• DOB
• Correspondence Address
• Email ID
• Mobile Number

Examination Selection:

• Theory & Practical/Only Practical
• DNB Final Broad Specialty/DNB Final Super Specialty/Direct 6
• Years Course DNB Part I /Direct 6 Years Course DNB Part

Category of Candidate:

• Broad Specialty : Post MBBS DNB Candidate/ Post Diploma DNB Candidate/ MD-MS Qualified Candidate
• Super Specialty: DNB Superspecialty Candidate/ DM-MCh Qualified Candidate

DNB Final Admit Card 2021

NBE issues the admit card for DNB Final (Theory) examination on the Online Exit Examination Portal (OEEP). Candidates can login with their username and password to download the same. Candidates should note that the admit card is only uploaded for candidates who have filled the DNB Final 2021 Application Form correctly. No candidate is allowed to enter the test centre without the following.

• PAN Card
• Driving License
• Voter ID
• Passport
• Aadhaar Card (with Photograph)

What to do after download DNB Final Admit Card 2021?

• Candidates need to paste their passport size photograph on the DNB Final Admit Card 2021. Make sure it is pasted at the designated place only.

About DNB Final Examination 2021

The National Board of Examination conducts the DNB Final 2021 Theory & Practical Examinations. Candidates who has completed DNB trainee and has obtained requisite period of training as prescribed by NBE as well as fulfils the eligibility criteria can appear for the exam. The duration of DNB Final 2020 is 3 hours. While the theory exam is divided into 4 papers, the practical exam is Clinical Examination and Viva. Candidates need to qualify both final theory and practical for DNB qualification.

Queries

• Question 1. Do we need to submit hard copy of DNB Final 2021 application form?

Ans. No, candidates only need to fill the form online at exam.natboard.edu.in.

• Question 2. Can I use one user id to fill more than 1 DNB Final 2021 application form?

Ans. Yes, candidate can only use one user id to fill DNB Final 2021 application form

• Question 3. Can I change my name with registered with the profile after submission?

Ans . No, candidates cannot change their names, once registered.

The guidelines for DNB Thesis writing & submission are given below:

For more details you can check in National Board Website

Free Download:

Annexure Publication


Thesis Summary Demo file


Declaration cum Undertaking for Fresh Thesis


Covering letter to NBE


Declaration cum Undertaking for Modified Thesis

I. INTRODUCTION

1. The DNB/DrNB Trainees are required to submit a thesis at the prescribed time line and as per the rules and regulations of NBEMS.
2. Research shall form an integral part of the education programme of all trainees registered for DNB/DrNB degrees of NBEMS.
3. The basic aim of requiring the trainees to write a thesis/dissertation is to familiarize him/her with research methodology.
4. The members of the faculty guiding the thesis/dissertation work for the candidate shall ensure that the subject matter selected for the thesis/dissertation is feasible, economical and original.

II. GUIDELINES FOR THESIS PROTOCOL

The protocol for a research proposal (including thesis) is a study plan, designed to describe the background, research question, aim and objectives, and detailed methodology of the study. In other words, the protocol is the ‘operating manual’ to refer to while conducting a particular study.

The candidate should refer to the NBEMS guidelines for preparation and submission of thesis protocol before the writing phase commences. The minimum writing requirements are that the language should be clear, concise, precise and consistent without excessive adjectives or adverbs and long sentences. There should not be any redundancy in the presentation

 The development or preparation of the Thesis Protocol by the candidate will help her/him in understanding the ongoing activities in the proposed area of research. Further it helps in creating practical exposure to research and hence it bridges the connectivity between clinical practice and biomedical research. Such research exposure will be helpful in improving problem solving capacity, getting updated with ongoing research and implementing these findings in clinical practice.

 Research Ethics: Ethical conduct during the conduct and publication of research is an essential requirement for all candidates and guides, with the primary responsibility of ensuring such conduct being on the thesis guide. Issues like Plagiarism, not maintaining the confidentiality of data, or any other distortion of the research process will be viewed seriously. The readers may refer to standard documents for the purpose.

III. PROTOCOL REQUIREMENTS

1. The thesis protocol should be restricted to the following word limits:
2.  It is mandatory  research work to have Ethics committee approval before initiation of the research work.
3.  The concerned NBEMS accredited hospital shall be required to evaluate the thesis protocol at its own level through Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC) and approve the thesis protocol for carrying out the . The constitution of Institutional Ethics Committee has to be in accordance with the guidelines prescribed by NBEMS.
4. After the thesis protocol has been assessed and evaluated by Institutional Ethics Committee and has been approved for carrying out the research work, the same has to be submitted to NBEMS by the concerned hospital as per format specified in  Annexure – Thesis Protocol Approval (TPA).

IV. TIMELINE FOR PROTOCOL SUBMISSION

The following penal provisions shall be levied on trainees who fail to comply with the aforementioned timelines

           Note: The above indicated timelines and penal provisions shall be applicable for trainees getting registered from July 2020 admission session onwards.

V. CONSTITUTION OF INSTITUTIONAL ETHICS COMMITTEE:

1. The accredited hospital should have an Ethics Committee (EC) which is Multidisciplinary and multi-sectorial in composition. The Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC) shall review all ethical aspects of the project proposals received by it from DNB/DrNB trainees in an objective manner & shall provide advice to researchers on all aspects of the welfare and safety of all the concerned after ensuring the scientific soundness of the proposed research through appropriate Scientific Review Committee.

2. The accredited hospital / institute is required to have an Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC) as per Notification issued by the Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India vide Notice No. U-11024/01/2018-HR (Part-2)/8015255 dated 12^th September, 2019. It should be registered with the National Ethics Committee Registry for Biomedical and Health Research (NECRBHR) through their website www.naitik.gov.in.

3. Ethics Committee Role: It is necessary for all research proposals on biomedical, social and behavioural science research for health involving human participants, their biological material and data to be reviewed and approved by an appropriately constituted EC to safeguard the dignity, rights, safety and well- being of all research

4. Ethics Committee Responsibility: The institution is responsible for establishing an EC to ensure an appropriate and sustainable system for quality ethical review and monitoring. The EC is responsible for scientific and ethical review of research proposals. ECs are entrusted with the initial review of research proposals prior to their initiation, and also have a continuing responsibility to regularly monitor the approved research to ensure ethical compliance during the conduct of research. The EC should be competent and independent in its  functioning.

5. Terms of Reference (TOR) for Ethics Committee: Every EC should have written SOPs according to which the committee should function. The EC can refer to ICMR guidelines in preparing the SOPs for all biomedical and health

6. Composition of Ethics Committee:

• ECs should be multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral.
• There should be adequate representation of age and
• Preferably 50% of the members should be non-affiliated or from outside the
• The number of members in an EC should preferably be between 8 – 15 and a minimum five  members   should   be   present   to meet   the   quorum of
• The EC  should   have   a   balance   between   medical   and   non-medical members/technical and non-technical members, depending upon the needs of the institution.

The composition may be as follows:

• Chairperson
• One – two persons from basic medical science area
• One – two clinicians from various Institutes
• One legal expert or retired judge
• One social scientist/ representative of non-governmental voluntary agency
• One philosopher / ethicist/ theologian
• One lay person from the community
• Member Secretary

7. In case the institution does not have an Institutional Ethics registered with NECRBHR, the accredited hospital may tie institution  to utilise   its   NECRBHR       registered    A Committee (IEC) up with a nearby Memorandum of Understanding in this regard shall be required to be submitted to Accreditation Department of NBEMS.

VI. THESIS WRITING GUIDELINES

• The proposed study must be approved by the Institutional Ethics
• The thesis should be restricted to the size of 80 pages (maximum). This includes the text, figures, references, annexure, and certificates etc. It should be printed on both sides of the page and every page has to be numbered. Do not leave any page blank. To achieve this, following points may be kept in view:
• Typewriting of the Thesis work should always be done on an A4 size sheet having dimensions 21cm X 7 cm.
• The thesis should be typed in 5 space using a clear and vi id font, preferably, Times New Roman/Arial/ Garamond size 12 font, 1” margins should be left on all four sides. Major sections viz., Introduction, Review of Literature, Aim & Objectives, Material and Methods, Results, Discussion, References.
• Appendices should start from a new
• Study proforma (Case record form), informed consent form, master chart and patient information sheet may be printed in single
• Only contemporary and relevant literature may be Restrict the introduction to 2 pages, Review of literature to 10-12 pages, and Discussion to 8- 10 pages.
• The techniques may not be described in detail unless any modification/innovations of the standard techniques are used and reference(s) may be
• Illustrative material may be It should be printed on paper only. There is no need to paste photographs separately.
• Use numerals (1,2,3….) at the bottom in the centre of the pages to number all the
• Use roman numerals for the preliminary pages in the lower-case to number front
• All the new chapters to begin from new
• Align all the chapter headings in the
• The displaying page of chapter title must be placed at the  beginning of the chapter.
• Always avoid typing any heading near the page bottom or at the end of a
• Title and numbering along with data caption that clearly describes the nature of table and
• Illustrate the caption at the bottom of the table and figure and on the same
• The text description must be above and on the same page related to any table, figure and
• Keep the headings distinct by a larger font as compared to the whole
• Maintain all the headings of the same level by using the same font and
• Keep the headings aligned to the left side as the chapter headings remain in the
• Since most of the difficulties faced by the residents relate to the work in clinical subject or clinically-oriented laboratory subjects, the following steps are suggested:
• The number of cases should be such that adequate material, judged from the hospital attendance/records, will be available and the trainee will be able to collect case material within the period of data collection, i.e. around 6-12 months so that he/she is in a position to complete the work within the stipulated
• The aim and objectives of the study should be well
• As far as possible, only clinical/laboratory data of investigations of patients or such other material easily accessible in the existing facilities should be used for the
• Technical assistance, wherever necessary, may be provided by the department
• concerned. The resident of one specialty taking up some problem related to some other specialty should have some basic knowledge about the subject and he/she
• should be able to perform the investigations independently, wherever some
• specialized laboratory investigations are required a co-guide may be co-opted from the concerned investigative department, the quantum of laboratory work to be carried out by the trainee should be decided by the guide & co-guide by mutual consultation.
•  The clinical residents are not ordinarily expected to undertake experimental work or clinical work involving new techniques, not hitherto perfected OR the use of chemicals or radioisotopes not readily They should; however, be free to enlarge the
• scope of their studies or undertake experimental work on their own initiative but all
• such studies should be feasible within the existing facilities.
• The DNB/DrNB residents should be able to freely use the surgical pathology/autopsy data if it is restricted to diagnosis only, if however, detailed historic data are required the resident will have to study the cases himself with the help of the guide/co-guide. The same will apply in case of clinical data.
• Statistical methods used for analysis should be described specifically for each objective, and name of the statistical program used mentioned.

VII. GENERAL LAYOUT OF A DNB/DrNB THESIS:

1.     Cover Page or Outer Cover- It should carry the following details:

a.     Title of Thesis

b.     Trainee’s Name

c.      Year of Thesis

d.     NBEMS Logo

e.     Name of Institute

f.       Guide’s Name (Optional)

 2.     Title- A good title should be brief, clear, and focus on the central theme of the topic; it should avoid abbreviations. The Title should effectively summarize the proposed research and should contain the PICO elements.

 3.     Declaration- Under the declaration, trainees shall submit the declaration as per  format specified for Fresh Thesis or Modified Thesis.

 4.     Introduction- It should be focused on the research question and should be directly relevant to the objectives of your study.

 5.     Review of Literature – The Review should include a description of the most relevant and recent studies published on the subject.

 6.     Aim and Objectives – The ‘Aim’ refers to what would be broadly achieved by this study or how this study would address a bigger question / issue.

 7.     The ‘Objectives’ of the research stem from the research question formulated and should at least include participants, intervention, evaluation, design.

 8.     Material and Methods- This section should include the following 10 elements: Study setting (area), Study diagnostic accuracy,duration; Study design (descriptive, case-control, cohort, experimental (randomized/non-randomized)); Study sample (inclusion/exclusion criteria, method of selection), Intervention, if any, Data collection, Outcome measures (primary and secondary), Sample size, Data management and Statistical analysis, and Ethical issues (Ethical clearance, Informed consent, trial registration).

 9.     Results- Results should be organized in readily identifiable sections having correct analysis of data and presented in appropriate charts, tables, graphs and diagram etc.

 10.  Discussion- It should start by summarizing the results for primary and secondary objectives in text form (without giving data). This should be followed by a comparison of your results on the outcome variables (both primary and secondary) with those of earlier research studies.

 11.  Summary and Conclusion- This should be a précis of the findings of the thesis, arranged in four paragraphs: (a) background and objectives; (b) methods; (c) results; and (d) conclusions. The conclusions should strictly pertain to the findings of the thesis and not outside its domain.

 12.  References- Relevant References should be cited in the text of the protocol (in  superscripts).

 13.  Appendices- The tools used for data collection such as questionnaire, interview schedules, observation checklists, informed consent form (ICF), Master Chart, participant information sheet (PIS) and Thesis Protocol Approval should be attached as appendices.

VIII. GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSION OF MODIFIED THESIS

1. Thesis must be modified strictly in accordance with the observation made by the  assessor.

2.Modified thesis should be hard bound and the front cover page should be printed in the standard format. However, it should be labeled as MODIFIED THESIS.

 3.       A hard bound thesis should be accompanied with:

a.     A summary of thesis and modification incorporated.

b.     Print out of online application form duly signed and stamped by all mentioned authorities

 4.       A declaration of thesis work “title” being bonafide in nature and done by the trainee himself at the institute of DNB/DrNB training need to be submitted bound with modified thesis. The certificate must specify that thesis have been modified as per suggestion of the assessor. This certificate must be signed by the trainee himself/herself, the thesis guide and head of the institution, failing which thesis shall not be considered.

 5.       Modifications done in the thesis should be appropriately flagged.

 6.       Modified thesis is required to be submitted within 6 weeks of issuance of the communication.

IX. INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES

1. As per NBEMS norms, writing a thesis is essential for all DNB/DrNB trainees towards partial fulfillment of eligibility for award of DNB/DrNB
2. Application for assessment of thesis (Fresh/modified) can be submitted online only through National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences website natboard.edu.in. There is no other method for application submission. Application submitted through any other mode shall be summarily rejected.
3. DNB/DrNB Trainees are advised to go through these guidelines carefully before submission of the Thesis and filling the application
4. The trainee should ensure that all the information entered during the online submission of application form is correct and factual. Information provided by the trainee in the online application form shall be treated as correct and NBEMS will not entertain, under
5. any circumstances, any request for change in the information  provided by the candidates.
6. NBEMS itself does not edit /modify/alter any information entered by the trainees at the time of online submission of application form under any circumstances. There is no provision of change in any Such requests shall not be entertained.
7. All the correspondence through post should be addressed to the Executive Director, National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences, Medical Enclave, MahatmaGandhi Marg, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi-110029. Candidates are requested to superscribe the envelope with the subject matter of the correspondence for expeditious processing.The jurisdiction for court cases/disputes shall be at New Delhi only.
8. General Instructions:
   • Incomplete submission forms will not be considered
   • Online application available at https://natboard.edu.in/thesisonline/index
   • Along with your thesis, send the summary of your thesis as per the earlier format in hard copy. Soft copy for thesis has to be uploaded on website.
   • Declaration that, the Thesis & Research work “Title” is ‘bonafide’ in nature, and has been carried out by the DNB/DrNB Trainee, need to be submitted bounded with the Thesis. This declaration is to be signed by the Trainee, Guide, Co-Guide (if any) and the Head of the Institution, with rubber-stamp.
   • Any change in your correspondence address after submission of thesis should be intimated to NBEMS at email thesis@natboard.edu.in so as to affect timely dispatch of the outcome for your thesis assessment and other Communications.

X. TIMELINE FOR THESIS SUBMISSION

1. The following timelines are to be followed for submission of thesis:

2.The following penal provisions shall be levied on trainees who fail to comply with the aforementioned timelines:

Note: The above indicated timelines and penal provisions shall be applicable for trainees with immediate effect and shall be applicable on all admission sessions.

XI. THESIS ASSESSMENT FEE

1. Fees for Thesis Assessment is as follows:

*(Payment Gateway Charges as applicable shall be levied using a credit or debit card issued by banks in India or through Internet banking.)

1. Trainees who fail to submit their Thesis by the cutoff date shall be allowed to submit their Thesis with a late fee of 10,000/- for upto one month after the scheduled cut off.

2. In case the trainee fails to submit the thesis even after then, they shall loose eligibility for the respective DNB/DrNB Final Examination and will have to abide by the cut off for next session of examination if they wish to appear.

XII. THESIS SUBMISSION TO NBEMS

Thesis should be bound and the front cover page should be printed in the standard A bound thesis should be accompanied with:

1. Print out of online  application form duly signed and stamped by all mentioned authorities
2. Synopsis of thesis
3. Copy of letter of registration with NBEMS
4. Thesis Protocol Approval
5. Annexure

A declaration of thesis work being bonafide in nature and done by the trainee himself/herself at the institute of DNB/DrNB training need to be submitted bound with thesis for Fresh Thesis or Modified It must be signed by the trainee himself/herself, the thesis guide and head of the institution, failing which thesis shall not be considered.

XIII. COMMUNICATION PROTOCOL

2. For inquiries pertaining to thesis, you may write to thesis@natboard.edu.in.
3. Following Information must be provided in queries addressed to National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences regarding Thesis Status:

1. Name
2. Subject
3. Registration Number
4. Date of submission of thesis

*Queries sent without aforesaid information shall not be entertained.

5. No inquiries regarding thesis assessment status prior to 4 months after thesis submission will be entertained.
6. Queries shall    not   be   entertained   from    persons    claiming    themselves    to be representative, associates or officiates of the applicant candidate.
7. Mention your Name, Subject, Registration and Date of submission of thesis in any correspondence pertaining to thesis with NBEMS.