The one-line route: Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English → NEET (UG) → MBBS with a 12-month internship → NEET-PG (or INI-CET) → 3-year MD Paediatrics or DNB → optional 3-year super-speciality such as D.M. Neonatology. [1] [2] [3] [4]
A paediatrician is a doctor for babies, children and teenagers. The specialist degree is MD (Paediatrics) or DNB after MBBS; NMC's PGMER 2023 also lists the 2-year Diploma in Child Health (D.C.H.). [3] [4]
| Level | Pay (official) |
|---|---|
| Government doctor via UPSC CMS 2026 | Pay Matrix Level 10 (₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500) + non-practising allowance [5] |
Specialist and private paediatric salaries are not officially published; PG residents get a stipend at par with government colleges in the state.
NEET-PG is the single entrance for MD, MS and PG Diploma seats in government, private and deemed colleges. A broad-speciality MD takes 3 years. [3] [4]
NBEMS's post-MBBS DNB seats are also filled through the NEET-PG rank. [3]
These institutes do not admit through NEET-PG — they hold INI-CET. [3]
D.M. Neonatology, Paediatric Cardiology, Paediatric Critical Care, Paediatric Gastroenterology, Paediatric Nephrology, Paediatric Neurology and Paediatric Oncology take MD / DNB Paediatrics as the feeder degree. [4]
MBBS and PG 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
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.
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.
Money help at this stage
Yes. Interns get a stipend fixed by the authority that runs the college during the rotating internship of at least 12 months. [2]
Next: Ask your college for its current rate.
Only after MBBS with your 12-month internship completed by the bulletin's cut-off — 30 September 2026 for NEET-PG 2026. Applications from candidates finishing later are rejected. [3]
Next: Track your internship end date against the bulletin.
For almost all seats, yes — All India Quota, state quota, private and deemed colleges and DNB. AIIMS, JIPMER, PGIMER and NIMHANS admit through INI-CET instead. [3]
Next: Prepare for both NEET-PG and INI-CET.
Exams that open here
Money help at this stage
Lower NEET-PG feePG resident stipend
50th percentile for General / EWS, 45th for UR PwBD and 40th for SC, ST and OBC (including their PwBD) in NEET-PG 2026. [3]
Next: Remember seats go by rank, not just by qualifying.
The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC, DGHS) fills the 50% All India Quota, deemed and central university seats and all-India open DNB seats. State quota seats go through each state's counselling. [3]
Next: Register for both MCC and your state's counselling.
MD is 3 years; a PG diploma is 2 years. PGMER 2023 lists Paediatrics (D.C.H.) among recognised diplomas, but the D.M. super-specialities list MD / DNB Paediatrics as their feeder. [4]
Next: Prefer MD / DNB if you may super-specialise.
Yes. PGMER 2023 says PG students in all institutions get a stipend at par with PG students of state or central government medical colleges in that state. [4]
Next: Ask your college for the current stipend.
After MD / DNB Paediatrics, take the 3-year D.M. Neonatology — PGMER 2023 lists MD / DNB Paediatrics as its feeder qualification. [4]
Next: Prepare for the super-speciality entrance after MD.
Not directly. M.Ch. Paediatric Surgery takes MS / DNB General Surgery as the feeder, so surgeons and paediatricians follow different roads after MBBS. [4]
Next: Choose Surgery at NEET-PG if you want to operate on children.
Doctors recruited through UPSC CMS 2026 start at Pay Matrix Level 10 (₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500) plus non-practising allowance. [5]
Next: See the UPSC CMS guide.
You are past the school stage for this career — the exam, rules and money blocks below still apply.
Any board, as long as Class 12 has Physics, Chemistry, Biology / Biotechnology and English. [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 → MD Paediatrics · NTA (NEET-UG) · NBEMS (NEET-PG) · National Medical Commission
| Stage | What it is | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| NEET (UG) | 180 MCQs, 720 marks | 50th percentile (General) |
| MBBS | Course + 12-month internship | Internship done by NEET-PG cut-off |
| NEET-PG / INI-CET | 180 MCQs, +4 / −1 | 50th percentile (General / EWS) |
| MD / DNB Paediatrics | 3 years + District Residency | Feeder for D.M. Neonatology etc. |
Stage table source [1] [2] [3] [4]
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.