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Paediatrics is one of the prestigious branches in medicine which focuses on the health and development of infants, children, and adolescents. It is a popular choice among MBBS graduates, and the decision to enter this field is based on both clinical fascination and increasing demand for child health experts throughout the healthcare system.

In India, young doctors who are interested in paediatrics often face a big question. ‘Should they go for DNB Paediatrics, a structured residency programme within India? or pursue the internationally recognised MRCPCH from the UK?’ Both the qualifications have distinct advantages, and the choice mainly depends on your career goals.

Here in this blog, we will compare both pathways and the opportunities they offer both domestically and internationally.

What is MRCPCH?

 The Membership of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (MRCPCH) is a UK-based postgraduate medical qualification. It is an exam-based pathway designed to assess both theoretical knowledge and clinical competence in paediatrics. The exam consists of three theory parts and one practical.

MRCPCH FOP/TAS (Foundation of Practice & Theory and Science)

MRCPCH AKP (Applied Knowledge in Practice)

MRCPCH Clinical

Once you have completed all parts, you will be awarded the prestigious ‘MRCPCH’ title. It allows doctors to register with the General Medical Council (GMC) UK, which is a prerequisite to practise medicine legally in the UK. Apart from the UK, the title is highly valued and respected in Ireland, Singapore, India, and most countries in the Gulf, Asia, and Europe.

What is DNB Paediatrics?

The Diplomate of National Board (DNB) in Paediatrics is a structured, three-year postgraduate residency programme conducted by the National Board of Examinations (NBE), India. It is recognised by the National Medical Commission (NMC) and considered equivalent to an MD in Paediatrics.

Admission through NEET PG

Entry into DNB Paediatrics requires clearing the NEET PG, India’s national-level entrance exam for postgraduate medical education.

NEET PG: A quick overview

• Mode: Computer-based
• Questions: 200 MCQs from the MBBS curriculum
• Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
• Marking: +4 for correct, –1 for incorrect
• Eligibility: MBBS degree, completion of one-year internship, and valid NMC/state registration

NEET PG scores are used for seat allotment across government, private, and deemed medical colleges. Once admitted, DNB Paediatrics offers structured hospital-based training, hands-on clinical exposure, and opportunities to apply for teaching posts and super-speciality courses (DM/FNB) later on.

MRCPCH vs DNB Paediatrics: Key differences

Which one should you choose?

If your goal is to practise abroad and gain global recognition, MRCPCH can be the ideal choice for you.

Choose DNB Paediatrics if you wish to settle in India, work in reputed hospitals, or enter academia and super-speciality training here.

Some doctors pursue both, combining Indian recognition with international opportunities. To sum up, the choice depends on your career goals and aspirations. Either way, both lead to a rewarding career in child health.

We hope this information was helpful for you. If you are interested in pursuing the MRCPCH qualification, we can help you clear all the parts of it with our expert-led courses that hold an impressive pass rate of more than 90% over the past few years. You can even explore our premium study materials, curated by our mentors, for free through the StudyMEDIC LMS 3.0 before enrolling in the course.

You are welcome to know more about our courses.

Authored By: Sarath