Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 30, 2026

Diploma in Clinical Pathology (DCP) at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Guwahati is a 2-year full-time postgraduate diploma programme affiliated to Srimanta Sankaradeva University of Health Sciences (SSUHS) and approved by the National Medical Commission (NMC). The programme is offered under the Department of Pathology and is conducted in full-time on-campus mode. Admission is based on NEET PG scores, with state-quota seats allotted through Assam NEET PG Counselling conducted by the Directorate of Medical Education (DME), Assam. The DCP programme trains medical graduates in laboratory medicine, haematology, clinical biochemistry, microbiology, and histopathology, making it relevant for careers in diagnostic pathology and laboratory services.

Admissions for the 2026-27 academic session have been completed through multiple rounds of Assam NEET PG Counselling, including a stray vacancy round (last date of joining: 28 February 2027). For the upcoming 2027-28 session, admissions will be based on NEET PG 2027, tentatively scheduled for 30 August 2027. State counselling by DME Assam is expected to commence in November 2027, following the declaration of NEET PG 2027 results.

Key Points

GMCH's Pathology department handles a very high volume of diagnostic specimens from the hospital's 5,000+ bed tertiary care facility, providing extensive laboratory exposure.
The DCP is a 2-year programme, shorter than the MD in Pathology (3 years, 11 seats), making it a quicker route to a postgraduate qualification in laboratory medicine.
PG diploma students receive a monthly stipend from the Government of Assam.
Students are required to sign a service bond with the Government of Assam upon joining.
The DCP qualification is particularly relevant for candidates seeking positions in government diagnostic laboratories and blood banks.

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
Ranking
FAQs

GMCH DCP Fees

GMCH is a government medical college under the Government of Assam, and the fee structure for PG diploma programmes is highly subsidised. The tuition fee is nominal, and students also receive a monthly stipend from the state government. Hostel accommodation is available on campus for both male and female PG students.

Fee Structure

Fee Component	Amount (Total for 2 Years)
Tuition Fee	Rs. 32,800 (approx. Rs. 16,400/year)
Other Charges (Registration, Exam, etc.)	Rs. 3,500 (approx.)
Hostel Fee (Optional, on-campus)	Rs. 31,200 - 43,200 (approx. Rs. 1,300 - 1,800/month mess charges)
Total Fees (excluding hostel)	Rs. 36,300 (approx.)
Total Fees (including hostel)	Rs. 67,500 - 79,500 (approx.)

Hostel accommodation is available but not mandatory; charges are approximate and vary by hostel block.
Mess charges range from Rs. 1,300 to Rs. 1,800 per month depending on the hostel allotted.
PG diploma students receive a monthly stipend from the Government of Assam (exact amount as per latest state notification).
A security deposit is collected at the time of joining during counselling, which is refundable subject to bond conditions.
No EMI options are applicable given the nominal fee structure.

GMCH DCP Admission 2026

Admission to the Diploma in Clinical Pathology at GMCH is entirely merit-based through NEET PG scores. The Directorate of Medical Education (DME), Assam, conducts state-quota counselling for PG medical seats. For the 2026-27 session, three rounds of counselling were conducted along with a stray vacancy round, with the final joining deadline being 28 February 2027. For the 2027-28 session, admissions will be based on NEET PG 2027 (tentatively scheduled for 30 August 2027), with state counselling expected to begin in November 2027.

College Admission Dates

Event	Dates
Assam NEET PG Round 1 Registration	06 November 2026 - 09 November 2026
Round 1 Choice Filling	22 November 2026 - 24 November 2026
Round 1 Result	01 December 2026
Round 1 Last Date of Joining	05 December 2026
Round 2 Registration	10 December 2026 - 12 December 2026
Round 2 Choice Filling	13 December 2026 - 17 December 2026
Round 2 Result	21 December 2026
Round 2 Last Date of Joining	30 December 2026
Round 3 Registration	27 January 2027 - 29 January 2027
Round 3 Choice Filling	14 February 2027
Round 3 Result	16 February 2027
Round 3 Last Date of Joining	19 February 2027
Stray Vacancy Round Registration	20 February 2027
Stray Vacancy Round Result	23 February 2027
Stray Vacancy Round Last Date of Joining	28 February 2027

Entrance Exam Dates

Event	Tentative Date
NEET PG 2027 Exam	30 August 2027
NEET PG 2027 Result	To be announced
Assam NEET PG 2027 Counselling (Round 1)	Expected November 2027

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria:

Candidates must hold an MBBS degree from an NMC-recognised medical college with a minimum of 50% marks.
Candidates must have completed a compulsory rotating internship of one year by the date specified by NMC (generally by 31 March of the admission year).
Candidates must have qualified NEET PG with the minimum qualifying percentile: General/EWS - 50th percentile; SC/ST/OBC - 40th percentile; PwD - 45th percentile.

Admission Process:

Appear in NEET PG conducted by NBEMS and secure the minimum qualifying percentile.
Register on the DME Assam counselling portal (dme.assam.gov.in) during the registration window.
Upload required documents and pay the non-refundable registration fee online.
Fill and lock choices of colleges and specialities in order of preference.
Await seat allotment result based on NEET PG merit rank, category reservation, and choice priority.
Upon allotment, report to GMCH within the stipulated deadline with original documents and pay the security deposit.
Complete document verification at the college to confirm admission.

GMCH DCP Scholarships 2026

PG diploma students at GMCH, being enrolled in a government institution, are primarily supported through the state stipend scheme. Students from reserved categories and economically weaker sections may additionally avail of state and central government scholarship schemes. The monthly stipend provided by the Government of Assam is the most significant financial support available to students of this programme.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship / Financial Support	Amount	Eligibility
Government of Assam PG Diploma Stipend	As per state notification	All enrolled PG diploma students at GMCH
Assam Combined Merit Scholarship (PG Level)	Rs. 1,000/month	Assam domicile students with 60%+ in qualifying exam
Post-Matric Scholarship (SC/ST/OBC)	As per central/state norms	SC/ST/OBC students with family income below prescribed limit
National Fellowship for SC Students (UGC)	As per UGC norms	SC category students pursuing PG/research

The monthly stipend is the primary financial support and is disbursed by the Government of Assam directly to enrolled PG students.
The Assam Combined Merit Scholarship is applicable for students who meet the academic and domicile criteria; applications are made through the DHE Assam portal.
Post-Matric and other central scholarships require students to apply through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in).
Scholarship deadlines vary each year; students should check the official portals for current-year deadlines.

GMCH Guwahati Diploma Clinical Pathology Ranking

Collegedunia Ranking

#164 out of 632 in India 2025

#2nd in Assam

IIRF Ranking

#64 out of 70 in Top Public Colleges in India 2025

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GMCH DCP FAQs

Ques. What is the difference between the DCP and the MD in Pathology at GMCH?

Ans. The DCP (Diploma in Clinical Pathology) is a 2-year programme, while the MD in Pathology is a 3-year degree programme with 11 seats. The MD degree requires submission of a thesis and is considered a higher qualification. DCP holders can later upgrade to the MD degree through a recognised pathway. For government diagnostic laboratory positions, both qualifications are generally accepted.

Ques. How many seats are available for the DCP at GMCH?

Ans. As per the official GMCH course listing, the DCP seats are offered under the Pathology department. The exact number of seats may vary; candidates should verify the current seat matrix from the DME Assam official website at the time of counselling registration.

Ques. What laboratory exposure does the Pathology department at GMCH offer?

Ans. GMCH's Pathology department processes a very high volume of specimens from the hospital's 5,000+ bed tertiary care facility. Students get hands-on training in histopathology, cytopathology, haematology, clinical biochemistry, blood banking, and microbiology. The high workload ensures comprehensive practical training in all aspects of laboratory medicine.

Ques. Is there a bond obligation for DCP students at GMCH?

Ans. Yes. PG students (including diploma students) at GMCH are required to sign a service bond with the Government of Assam. The bond terms and penalty amount are as per the state government's prevailing rules. Students should verify the exact bond conditions at the time of admission.

Ques. Can candidates from other states apply for the DCP at GMCH?

Ans. Yes, candidates from other states can apply for the 15% All India Quota (AIQ) seats through MCC central counselling. However, the 85% state quota seats are reserved for Assam domicile candidates and are allotted through DME Assam state counselling.

Ques. What are the career prospects after completing the DCP from GMCH?

Ans. Graduates can work as pathologists or laboratory physicians in government and private hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, and blood banks. The DCP qualification is particularly valued for government medical service positions in Assam and Northeast India. Candidates can also pursue the MD Pathology degree for further academic and clinical advancement.