Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 30, 2026

Diploma in Pediatrics (DCH) 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 Pediatrics 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 programme provides comprehensive training in child health, neonatology, paediatric emergencies, and common childhood diseases, making it a valuable qualification for medical graduates seeking to specialise in paediatrics.

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 Paediatrics department was established in the 1970s and is one of the busiest paediatric units in Northeast India, handling a very high volume of cases including neonatal emergencies.
The department has a dedicated Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Paediatric ICU, providing exposure to critical paediatric care.
The DCH diploma is a 2-year programme, shorter than the MD in Paediatrics (3 years, 9 seats), making it a quicker route to specialisation.
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.

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

GMCH DCH 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 DCH Admission 2026

Admission to the Diploma in Pediatrics 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 DCH 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 DCH FAQs

Ques. What is the difference between the Diploma in Pediatrics (DCH) and the MD in Paediatrics at GMCH?

Ans. The DCH (Diploma in Child Health / Diploma in Pediatrics) is a 2-year programme, while the MD in Paediatrics is a 3-year degree programme with 9 seats. The MD degree requires submission of a thesis and is considered a higher qualification. DCH holders can later upgrade to the MD degree through a recognised pathway. For government service, both qualifications are generally accepted for paediatrician positions.

Ques. How many seats are available for the Diploma in Pediatrics at GMCH?

Ans. GMCH offers seats for the Diploma in Pediatrics under the Paediatrics department. The exact number of seats should be verified from the DME Assam official seat matrix at the time of counselling registration, as it may vary each year.

Ques. What clinical exposure does the Paediatrics department at GMCH offer?

Ans. GMCH's Paediatrics department is one of the busiest paediatric units in Northeast India, handling a very high volume of cases including neonatal emergencies, infectious diseases, nutritional disorders, and paediatric oncology. The department has a dedicated NICU and Paediatric ICU, giving diploma students exposure to critical care in addition to general paediatrics.

Ques. Is there a bond obligation for Diploma in Pediatrics 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 Diploma in Pediatrics 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 Diploma in Pediatrics from GMCH?

Ans. Graduates can work as Paediatricians in government and private hospitals, as Medical Officers in child health programmes, or pursue the MD Paediatrics degree for further academic advancement. The DCH qualification is particularly valued for government medical service positions in Assam and Northeast India, where trained paediatricians are in high demand. Private hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics also actively recruit DCH holders.