DNB (Diplomate of National Board) is a course conducted by the National Board of Examinations (NBE). DNB is recognised by Medical Council of India. There are two types of the DNB Radiodiagnosis courses - Primary and Secondary. Primary DNB is of three years and secondary DNB is of two years. There are specific recognised hospitals and Institutes which run DNB courses in India. The admission to DNB Radiodiagnosis course is based on the NEET score. There are specific criteria laid down for admission and for the curriculum.

After securing a good score in the NEET exam, candidates are eligible for counselling. Subsequently, DNB Institute or Hospital is allotted to candidates according to the merit list. After joining the allotted institute/hospital, the residency starts for primary and secondary DNB candidates. Based on the DNB guidelines, various postings are allotted to the residents:

Every institute has fixed durations of postings as per the NBE guidelines, however some flexibility will be there according to the requirement and functioning of the department. All modalities shall be covered during this residency tenure. If due to some reasons this is not done, then you have the option of rotation to a tertiary centre having that modality like PET-CT and allied modality like Nuclear Medicine

The teaching pattern also will be in the following order : Radiological physics, Positioning in conventional radiology, then system-wise teaching all the body systems.

Formative assessment tests or FAT are conducted every year by different institutes in major cities for theory and practical exams.NBE also conducts online teaching programmes and provides study materials which will be available in CDs in every institutes.

Many CMEs and Conferences are conducted from time to time in India, most of which are resident oriented with focussed targeted teaching. With the current ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the conference scene has shifted to a ‘Webinar-based’ teaching pattern. Daily/weekly webinars are conducted on a plethora of topics which can be assessed from any smart-device either for free or for an affordable price.

There are also numerous dedicated Telegram groups for residents which help provide guidance for free. Many teaching channels are active on YouTube and other paying portals, which teach residents basic concepts with tutorials and case-based discussions.

Most International Radiological societies have regular resident education programmes with specialised modules that train them to crack international exams like FRCR & EDiR.

Radiology can be studied by two approaches – sub-specialty wise books and general radiology books.

General radiology books have all sub-specialty chapters in 2 or more volumes and usually cover the subject in a “something from everything” manner.

Grainger & Allison's Diagnostic Radiology (Adam et al) and Textbook of Radiology and Imaging (David Sutton) are two books commonly followed for general studies.

Read our detailed list and analysis of ‘Recommended Radiology Books’.

The importance of regularly reading articles from recognised Radiology journals cannot be emphasized enough. I suggest all residents and practicing radiologists to inculcate a habit of referring to Radiology journal articles for exams and daily problem solving. The recommended Radiology Journals are :

• Indian Journal of Radiology and Imaging
• Radiology
• Radiographics
• Radiology Cardiothoracic Imaging
• Radiology Cancer Imaging
• European Radiology
• British Journal of Radiology
• Journal of MRI
• Korean Journal of Radiology
• Japanese Journal of Radiology
• American Journal of Roentgenology

With the expanding internet, we have been provided the boon of accessing case-based teaching material from all over the world. This is something our previous generation of radiologists did not have, unfortunately. This provides us a great opportunity to access and learn cases from all over the world and not be limited by the relatively sparse number of cases in the books we currently own.

• EURORAD
• RSNA Case Collection
• Radiopedia
• Auntminnie cases

• The answers should be to the point and precise.
• You must enumerate the common causes, differentials findings first followed by uncommon entities. This also should be based on the age group, particular pathology or disease. Certain pathologies have dual peaks that need to be mentioned accordingly.
• Answers in bullet points are preferred than just writing paragraphs of unorganized statements.
• The answers should be written in clear and good handwriting. because the first impression of the examiner is the neatness of paper and how comfortably he/she is able to read the answers. This will add to the possible gain of couple of marks. However, if examiner is not able to read your writing clearly, it will have a negative impact on the examiner, even if the answer is correct.
• Most important is time management of the questions. It is best to divide time equally for each question and plan accordingly. Here, some adjustment can be made for some questions which may have short answers, and some may have long answers. Try to finish the questions whose answers you know perfectly, then focus on the questions which are seemingly difficult. Once you are done with this, then you can concentrate on the answers to questions which you do not know thoroughly.
• Attempt all questions. As this may add one or two marks which will be helpful if you are borderline.
• After finishing all the answers, try to re-check the answers again if something is missed or some points are to be added.
• Draw the diagrams, illustrations, or charts neatly and clearly.
• Recheck if you have entered your roll number and name correctly.
• All modalities including advanced techniques should be included. If a specific modality is asked, then it should be mentioned in detail. The general concept of answering the disease or pathology is:
• INTRODUCTION
• EPIDEMIOLOGY IN SHORT
• CLINICAL PRESENTATION
• PATHOGENESIS OR PATHOLOGY
• IMAGING FINDINGS: Starting from
  • Conventional Radiology
  • Ultrasound, Contrast USG,
  • Colour Doppler
  • CT, routine, plain, intravenous and oral contrast, Perfusion, angiogram, single phase, triphasic , Delayed for bowel ,rectal contrast.
  • MRI. routine, contrast, Angio, different specific sequences or technique, Diffusion, Perfusion.
  • PET-CT.
  • PET-MR
  • Nuclear medicine imaging like Bone scan, SPECT, SPECT-CT
  • Interventional Radiology, Diagnostic and therapeutic.
  • Molecular Imaging, Robotic Imaging, Nano imaging are some of the advanced techniques used in various diseases

(These is the sequence of imaging findings if specific imaging modality finding is not asked.)

The preparation of practical DNB exam is mostly based on the spotters, case presentations and viva discussions. More the number of case presentations you do in practice, more the confidence you attain. The background knowledge is also important for any case along with the approach, specially during the discussion with the examiners.

You should provide the key differentials, unless it is an Aunt Minnie case. Here, the more common differentials need to be mentioned first followed by the least common cases. Avoid mentioning the irrelevant differentials as this shall only lead to excess cross-questioning and might divert the discussion from your case.

Answering spotters need to be precise and fast. Attempt all spotters.

• 40 spotters in 40 minutes - 80 marks
• 4 short cases for 15 minutes each for each case (4 cases x 40 marks)– 160 marks
• Table viva = two stations 30 marks each – 60 marks

• Table Viva 1: Table viva related to Conventional Radiography, instruments and procedures, AERB guidelines, PC-PNDT guidelines, Specimens, Contrast, etc.
• Table Viva 2. Table viva related to interventional radiology and procedures

[Total Marks: 80 + 160 + 60 = 300]

The new pattern of exam also comprises total 300 marks. It is divided into 2 parts as follows:

Author: Dr. Sikandar M. Shaikh, DMRD, DNB, EDiR, MNAMS, FICR , Consultant PET-CT & Radiology. Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad, India.
Assistant Professor, Department of Radiology, Shadan Institute of Medical Sciences. Hyderabad. India.
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, IIT, Hyderabad.
Author of the book ‘PET-CT in Infection and Inflammation’