The one-line route: Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English → NEET (UG) → MBBS with a 12-month internship → NEET-PG → 3-year M.D. / DNB in General Medicine, Paediatrics or Respiratory Medicine → NEET-SS → 3-year D.M. / DrNB Cardiology. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
A cardiologist is a super-specialist doctor for heart and blood-vessel diseases. In India the qualification is the D.M. (Cardiology) or DrNB Cardiology, entered through NEET-SS after an M.D. / DNB in General Medicine, Paediatrics or Respiratory Medicine. [4] [5]
| Level | Pay (official) |
|---|---|
| Specialist Grade III Assistant Professor (Cardiology), UPSC Advt 07/2026 | Pay Level 11 plus non-practising allowance [6] |
| Specialist Grade II (Junior Scale) Cardiology, NDMC (UPSC Advt 12/2026) | Pay Level 11 plus non-practising allowance [7] |
| Government doctor after MBBS (UPSC CMS 2026) | Pay Level 10 · ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 plus NPA [8] |
The UPSC adverts print the pay level, not a rupee figure. PG and DM residents get stipends set by their college; private-practice income is not officially published.
NEET-SS is the single entrance for every DM / MCh / DrNB seat, including private and deemed colleges; no state or college may hold its own super-speciality entrance. [4] [9]
D.M. / DrNB Cardiology takes an M.D. / DNB in General Medicine, Paediatrics or Respiratory Medicine as the prior degree. [4] [5]
D.M. Paediatric Cardiology takes an M.D. / DNB in Paediatrics. [5]
These institutes are outside NEET-SS counselling for DM / MCh seats. [4]
MBBS, MD and DM tuition fees differ by state and college, so they are not printed here.
Stream / subjects: Science with Biology (PCB) and English.
Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Biotechnology, and English — the subjects NMC requires for NEET (UG). [1]
Next: Take PCB with English in Class 11.
Exams that open here
Money help at this stage
You must be 17 on or before 31 December of the exam year. There is no upper age limit. [1]
Next: Prepare without worrying about an age cap.
The 50th percentile for General / EWS, the 40th for SC, ST and OBC and the 45th for PwBD (General) to be eligible for admission. [1]
Next: Aim far above the cut-off — seats go by rank.
Yes. A correct answer gets +4, a wrong one −1 and an unanswered question 0, across 180 questions for 720 marks. [1]
Next: Skip questions you cannot narrow down.
Money help at this stage
Only after MBBS with your 12-month internship completed by the bulletin's cut-off — 30 September 2026 for NEET-PG 2026. [3]
Next: Track your internship end date against the bulletin.
Exams that open here
Money help at this stage
Lower NEET-PG feePG resident stipend
Yes, if you will hold the M.D. / DNB by the bulletin's cut-off date — 31 January 2026 for NEET-SS 2025. Later results are rejected. [4]
Next: Match your M.D. exam date to the NEET-SS cut-off.
A computer-based paper of 150 MCQs in 150 minutes, split into three timed sections of 50 questions and 50 minutes each. A correct answer gets 4 marks and a wrong one loses 1. [4]
Next: Practise in timed blocks — you cannot go back to a closed section.
The 50th percentile or above in your question-paper group's merit list. [4]
Next: Seats still go by rank in MCC counselling.
The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) of DGHS runs one national counselling for all DM, MCh and DrNB super-speciality seats filled through NEET-SS. [4]
Next: Watch mcc.nic.in after the result.
Yes. Registration with NMC or a State Medical Council is mandatory and its proof is checked at the test centre. [4]
Next: Keep your registration certificate valid.
Yes. UPSC Advt 07/2026 had 9 posts of Specialist Grade III Assistant Professor (Cardiology) at Pay Level 11 plus NPA, and Advt 12/2026 had a Specialist Grade II Cardiology post in NDMC needing D.M. Cardiology and 3 years' experience. [6] [7]
Next: Watch UPSC's recruitment adverts.
40 for UR / EWS, 43 for OBC and 45 for SC / ST in Advt 07/2026, with up to 10 more years for PwBD. [6]
Next: Check the age rule in each new advert.
You are past the school stage for this career — the exam, rules and money blocks below still apply.
Any board. NMC needs Physics, Chemistry, Biology / Biotechnology and English in Class 12 for NEET (UG). [1]
CBSE, CISCE and state-board certificates count the same for every national exam on this page. Notes for particular state boards are under State rules below.
NEET (UG) → MBBS → NEET-PG → M.D. → NEET-SS → D.M. Cardiology · NTA (NEET-UG) · NBEMS (NEET-PG, NEET-SS) · NMC
| Stage | What it is | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| NEET (UG) | 180 MCQs, 720 marks | PCB + English; age 17+ |
| MBBS | Course + 12-month internship | Medical council registration |
| NEET-PG → M.D. | 3-year M.D. / DNB | Medicine, Paediatrics or Respiratory Medicine |
| NEET-SS → D.M. | Medical group paper, 3-year D.M. | 50th percentile; MCC counselling |
Stage table source [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
Open the full exam guideNational route applies. This career follows the same rules in every state and UT.
Government schemes, professional-body scholarships and paid training on this path. Pick your class above and schemes you have already passed are hidden.
National Testing Agency
₹1,000 instead of ₹1,700 (₹1,600 for EWS / OBC-NCL) [1]
Your medical college / state, under NMC's internship regulations
NBEMS
₹2,500 instead of ₹3,500 [3]
Your medical college, under NMC's PGMER 2023
No scheme on our list is still ahead of you for this path.
Every number on this page comes from the official files below. Lines with no number are Margdarshan guidance. Rules change every year — open the current notice before you apply.
Spotted something out of date? Email margdarshan07support10@gmail.com with the official link and we will update it.