NEET FET 2026: Counselling Expected July, Exam Dates, Eligibility, Syllabus and Cutoff

NEET FET 2026, officially the NBEMS Fellowship Entrance Test, is a national-level post-doctoral entrance exam conducted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) for admission to Fellow of National Board (FNB) and FNB Post-Doctoral fellowship programmes. The exam was held on March 14, 2026 in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode, the result was declared in April 2026, and NBEMS announced the FNB 2025 admission counselling schedule on June 24, 2026 — putting qualified candidates in the active counselling phase as of July 2026.

• Counselling Registration: NBEMS announced the centralized merit-based counselling schedule for FNB 2025 admission on June 24, 2026. Counselling registration for qualified candidates is expected to open in July 2026. In the previous cycle (FET 2025), counselling started around August 2025.
• Round 1 Seat Allotment: The first round of FNB seat allotment is expected in July–August 2026. Only candidates who scored at or above the 50th percentile in their fellowship specialty paper are eligible. Last year, Round 1 results were released within 3–4 weeks of counselling registration opening.
• Seat Vacancies: NBEMS will release a specialty-wise seat matrix at the start of counselling. Seats are available across 36 fellowship specialties at NBEMS-accredited hospitals across India. Candidates should check the seat matrix on the official counselling portal before filling in their choices.
• Mop-Up Round: A mop-up or stray vacancy round is expected after Round 1 is complete, likely in August 2026. This round fills seats remaining vacant after the first round. NBEMS may choose not to conduct the mop-up round if seats are insufficient — the decision is discretionary.

What is NEET FET 2026?

NEET FET 2026 (NBEMS Fellowship Entrance Test 2026) is a qualifying-cum-ranking entrance exam conducted once a year by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS). It is the gateway to super-speciality fellowship training under the Fellow of National Board (FNB) programme offered at NBEMS-accredited hospitals across India.

The exam is designed for postgraduate doctors — those who hold MD, MS, DNB, DM, MCh, or DrNB degrees — who want to pursue advanced fellowship training in a specific super-speciality. NEET FET 2026 covered 36 fellowship specialties for Indian candidates and 16 for international candidates. Each specialty has its own question paper, so candidates compete only with others from the same feeder specialty background.

Admission to FNB fellowships is strictly merit-based. NBEMS prepares a separate merit list for each fellowship specialty, and candidates are allotted seats through centralized counselling. FNB credentials are recognised by the National Medical Commission (NMC), making them a valuable post-doctoral qualification in India.

Source: natboard.edu.in – FET 2026 Official Page

NEET FET 2026 Important Dates

The NEET FET 2026 exam and result phases are complete. As of July 2, 2026, qualified candidates are in the counselling phase following the schedule announced by NBEMS on June 24, 2026. The table below lists upcoming events first (in chronological order), followed by past events (oldest first).

Counselling dates are expected based on the NBEMS announcement dated June 24, 2026 and previous-year patterns. Confirm exact dates on the official NBEMS counselling portal at the time of registration.

NEET FET 2026 Eligibility Criteria

NBEMS has laid down specific eligibility conditions for NEET FET 2026. The criteria differ slightly for Indian and international candidates. You must meet the eligibility requirements as of the specified cutoff date to be able to apply.

Eligibility for Indian Candidates

• You must hold a recognised postgraduate medical degree: MD, MS, or DNB in the feeder specialty of the fellowship you are applying for. For some fellowships requiring a super-speciality degree, you must have DM, MCh, or DrNB.
• Your postgraduate degree (or provisional pass certificate) must have been awarded on or before December 31, 2025.
• You must be registered with the National Medical Commission (NMC) or any State Medical Council and must produce your registration certificate on exam day.
• There is no upper age limit for NEET FET.
• No minimum percentage in your postgraduate degree is required to appear in FET, but you must score at or above the 50th percentile in the exam to qualify for counselling.

Eligibility for International Candidates

• You must hold a postgraduate medical qualification equivalent to the feeder specialty requirement — the degree must be from a recognised institution in your home country.
• You must be a registered medical practitioner in your home country.
• A No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your home country’s Medical Council or equivalent regulatory body is mandatory.
• Security clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India is required before you can be enrolled.
• Temporary registration with NMC or a State Medical Council will be issued for the duration of the fellowship.
• No age restriction applies.

The feeder specialty requirement is crucial. Each of the 36 fellowship programmes has a specific feeder degree requirement. For example, Interventional Cardiology requires DM or DrNB in Cardiology as the feeder degree. You must check the Information Bulletin for your specific fellowship before applying.

NEET FET 2026 Application Process

The NEET FET 2026 registration was conducted online through the NBEMS DigiAlm portal. The application window was open from January 14 to February 3, 2026. There was also a brief correction window from February 6 to 9, 2026, where candidates could fix errors in their submitted forms.

NEET FET 2026 registration is now closed. The next cycle (FET 2027) notification is expected around January 2027, following NBEMS’s annual schedule.

Steps to Apply for NEET FET (Reference for Future Cycles)

1. Register on the NBEMS DigiAlm portal at natboard.edu.in using your email ID and mobile number to create a new account.
2. Fill in personal details — name, date of birth, gender, address, and contact information.
3. Enter academic details — your MBBS registration number, postgraduate degree, NMC or State Medical Council registration number, and the year of passing.
4. Select your fellowship specialty from the available list. You can apply for only one specialty per application.
5. Upload scanned documents — recent passport-size photograph, signature, and postgraduate degree certificate or provisional certificate.
6. Pay the application fee online through net banking, debit or credit card, or UPI. The fee is non-refundable.
7. Download and save the confirmation page after successful submission. Note your application number and login credentials for future use.

NEET FET 2026 Application Fee

The application fee is paid online and is non-refundable under any circumstances, including if your application is rejected or if you do not appear for the exam.

NEET FET 2026 Syllabus

The NEET FET syllabus is specialty-specific — there is no single common syllabus for all candidates. NBEMS publishes specialty-wise syllabi in the official Information Bulletin for each FET cycle. The syllabus is divided into Part A (feeder specialty) and Part B (fellowship specialty) for each of the 36 fellowship programmes.

Part A: Feeder Specialty Syllabus

Part A covers topics at the postgraduate (MD/MS/DNB or DM/MCh/DrNB) level of the feeder specialty. These questions test the candidate’s command over the subject they have already studied during their postgraduate programme.

• For Interventional Cardiology — Part A covers DM/DNB Cardiology-level topics including cardiac anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, ECG, echocardiography, and management of heart disease.
• For Vitreo Retinal Surgery — Part A covers MS/DNB Ophthalmology-level topics including retinal disorders, optics, and surgical principles.
• For Spine Surgery — Part A covers MS/DNB Orthopaedics-level topics including spinal anatomy, trauma, and degenerative conditions.
• For Reproductive Medicine — Part A covers MD/DNB Obstetrics and Gynaecology-level topics.

Part B: Fellowship Specialty Syllabus

Part B goes beyond the postgraduate syllabus and tests advanced, fellowship-level knowledge. These questions assess whether you are ready for training at the super-speciality level in your chosen fellowship area.

• Fellowship-specific diagnostic and therapeutic procedures
• Recent advances, landmark trials, and evidence-based guidelines in the specialty
• Specialty-specific anatomy, pathology, imaging, and instrumentation
• Clinical management protocols and decision-making at the super-speciality level

Fellowship Specialties Available Under NEET FET 2026

NEET FET 2026 offers admission to 36 fellowship specialties for Indian candidates. Below is a list of major fellowship courses available under NEET FET 2026:

• Interventional Cardiology
• Cardiac Electrophysiology
• Spine Surgery
• Arthroplasty
• Hand and Micro Surgery
• Minimal Access Surgery
• Trauma and Acute Care Surgery
• Vitreo Retinal Surgery
• Neuro Ophthalmology
• Oculoplasty and Reconstructive Surgery
• Reproductive Medicine
• Fetal Medicine
• Paediatric Orthopaedics
• Paediatric Haemato Oncology
• Paediatric Nephrology
• Paediatric Surgery (Minimal Access)
• Paediatric Neurology
• Clinical Pharmacology
• Vascular and Endovascular Surgery
• Reconstructive Microsurgery
• Surgical Oncology
• Gynaecological Oncology
• Head and Neck Oncology
• Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery
• Transplant Surgery
• Medical Gastroenterology
• Neuro Interventional Surgery
• Clinical Neurosciences
• Geriatric Psychiatry
• Sports Medicine
• Hyperbaric Medicine
• Chest Medicine (Interstitial Lung Disease)
• Critical Care Medicine
• Palliative Medicine
• Cosmetic Dermatology
• Diabetology

The exact list, including any additions or removals, is specified in the official FET Information Bulletin. Always verify available specialties at natboard.edu.in before applying for the next cycle.

FNB Fellowship Courses: Duration, Fee and Stipend

Candidates admitted through NEET FET 2026 will pursue the Fellow of National Board (FNB) programme at NBEMS-accredited hospitals. FNB is a post-doctoral super-speciality fellowship that carries recognition from the National Medical Commission (NMC). The training is hospital-based, and trainees are called FNB trainees for the duration of the programme.

Types of FNB Programmes Under NEET FET 2026

• FNB (Fellow of National Board): Open to candidates with MD/MS/DNB in the relevant feeder specialty. This is the most common category under NEET FET. Duration: typically 1 year.
• FNB Post-Doctoral (FNB-PD): Open to candidates with DM/MCh/DrNB in the feeder specialty. This covers more advanced fellowships requiring a super-speciality background. Duration: 1 year.
• Fellowship Programme for International Students (FPIS): Open to eligible international candidates with valid entry visa, security clearance, and NOC from their home country. Duration: 1 year.

FNB Stipend and Course Fee

The stipend is paid by the accredited hospital where you train, not by NBEMS. Different hospitals may pay more than the NBEMS-stipulated minimum. You should confirm the actual stipend at your allotted institute before joining.

FNB Exit Examination

After completing the fellowship training, you must appear in and clear the FNB Exit Examination to be awarded the Fellow of National Board credential. The exit exam has two parts:

• Theory: 100 marks (10 short notes format), 3-hour paper. You must score at least 50% (50 out of 100) to pass the theory component.
• Practical / Clinical: 300 marks (clinical examination, case presentations, and viva). You must score at least 50% here as well.
• Overall pass standard: A minimum of 200 out of 400 total marks, with at least 50% in theory, is required to pass and be awarded the FNB credential.

Logbook and Training Requirements

FNB trainees must maintain a detailed logbook of all procedures and cases during their training. The logbook is reviewed at the time of the exit examination. You must complete the minimum required number of procedures specified by NBEMS for your fellowship specialty to be eligible to appear in the exit exam.

Preparation Tips for NEET FET

NEET FET is a specialist-level exam where you compete with other postgraduate doctors in your own feeder specialty. Unlike NEET UG or NEET PG, the candidate pool in each specialty is relatively small but very competitive. Here are focused preparation tips to help you score well.

Revise Your Feeder Specialty Thoroughly (Part A)

Part A has 40 questions at the MD/MS/DNB level — these questions are your foundation. Revise the standard textbooks and guidelines you used during your postgraduate programme. Focus on high-yield topics, clinical scenarios, and recent updates in management guidelines for your specialty.

• Go through clinical practice guidelines from professional societies (ACC/ESC for Cardiology, AAO for Ophthalmology, etc.) relevant to your specialty.
• Revise pharmacology as it applies to your specialty — drug mechanisms, doses, and adverse effects are commonly tested at the PG level.

Master Fellowship-Level Topics (Part B)

Part B carries 240 out of 400 marks and covers content beyond your PG degree. This is where toppers pull ahead. You need fellowship-specific textbooks and advanced literature.

• Read specialty-specific fellowship textbooks and advanced reviews. For Spine Surgery, study advanced spinal instrumentation, minimally invasive techniques, and deformity correction beyond what an MS Orthopaedics textbook covers.
• Study recent landmark trials and their implications for practice in your specialty area.
• Follow updates from relevant super-speciality societies and journals for the past 3 to 5 years.

Practise with Previous Year Papers

Previous year FET papers are available on platforms like Mentorexam, which specifically curates FNB and FET resources. Solving previous papers gives you a realistic sense of the question style, difficulty, and commonly repeated topics.

• Simulate exam conditions — 105 minutes for 100 questions with no breaks.
• Review incorrect answers in detail to plug knowledge gaps, not just to get the right answer.

Manage Negative Marking Carefully

With a –1 penalty for each wrong answer, random guessing is costly. In NEET FET, a wrong answer effectively costs you 5 marks (you lose 1 instead of gaining 4 for a correct answer).

• Attempt a question only if you are at least 70% confident in your answer.
• Skip questions where you cannot eliminate at least two options confidently — leave them unattempted rather than guessing.

Time Management During the Exam

You have 105 minutes for 100 questions — that is about 63 seconds per question on average. However, you should not spend equal time on each question.

• Aim to finish Part A (40 questions) in 35–40 minutes and Part B (60 questions) in 60–65 minutes.
• Mark questions you are unsure about during the first pass and return to them at the end.

Keep Up with Recent Advances

NEET FET Part B regularly tests recent advances, new surgical techniques, updated guidelines, and novel devices. If you are applying for Interventional Cardiology, study the latest transcatheter valve technologies, structural heart disease interventions, and intravascular imaging modalities. Whatever your specialty — stay current.