St John's Medical College Bangalore DNB Palliative Medicine: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Ans. DNB Palliative Medicine at St John's is a National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) programme, not an RGUHS-affiliated MD/MS course. Admission is through NEET PG 2026 followed by MCC PG Counselling (All India Quota) on mcc.nic.in, not through KEA (Karnataka Examinations Authority). The DNB degree awarded is equivalent to MD/MS as per NMC regulations. With only 2 seats, competition is intense, and the NEET PG 2025 closing score for DNB Palliative Medicine was 522 (General category, AIQ Round 1).

Ans. As per NBEMS guidelines, paying stipend to DNB trainees is compulsory for all accredited hospitals. For DNB Post MBBS courses, the stipend is typically in the range of Rs. 35,000 to Rs. 40,000 per month, subject to revision by NBEMS/NMC and the accredited institution. The exact stipend amount at St John's will be confirmed at the time of joining. Over the 3-year programme, the total stipend received can be approximately Rs. 12-15 lakh, which significantly offsets the course fee of Rs. 2,70,000.

Ans. Based on NEET PG 2025 MCC counselling data, the closing score for DNB Palliative Medicine (All India Quota, DNB counselling) ranged from 402 (opening) to 522 (closing) for the General category. St John's is ranked 5th among preferred centres for DNB Palliative Medicine in India, so the closing score for St John's specifically may be higher than the overall closing score. Candidates with a NEET PG 2026 score above 500 would have a reasonable chance, though the exact cut-off will depend on the 2026 exam difficulty and competition.

Ans. St John's Medical College Hospital has a dedicated palliative care department that provides comprehensive inpatient, outpatient, and home-based palliative care services. Trainees are exposed to palliative care in oncology, neurology, cardiology, and paediatrics. The programme covers pain management using opioids and non-opioids, symptom control (dyspnoea, nausea, fatigue), psychosocial and spiritual care, communication skills for breaking bad news, ethics in end-of-life care, and palliative care in resource-limited settings. The hospital's multi-specialty environment ensures exposure to a wide range of complex cases.

Ans. Yes, the DNB degree is recognised as equivalent to MD/MS by the National Medical Commission (NMC) for the purpose of teaching positions in medical colleges. DNB Palliative Medicine holders can apply for faculty positions in palliative medicine departments of medical colleges. However, for certain senior faculty positions (Professor/Associate Professor), additional qualifications or experience may be required as per NMC regulations. The DNB degree is also recognised for specialist positions in government and private hospitals across India.

Ans. Graduates of DNB Palliative Medicine from St John's are well-positioned for careers as palliative care specialists in cancer hospitals, multi-specialty hospitals, and hospices. They can work as consultants in palliative care departments, pain clinics, and home care programmes. Other career paths include teaching positions in medical colleges, research roles in palliative care and pain management, and positions in NGOs and government programmes focused on palliative care. India has a significant shortage of trained palliative care specialists, making this a high-demand specialisation. Some graduates also pursue fellowship programmes in palliative care in the UK, Australia, or Canada.