NEET SS 2026 Registration Open: Last Date November 18 · Exam December 11-12, 2026 · How to apply

SUPER-SPECIALTY GUIDE · 2026-27

DM Oncopathology 2026: Seats, Colleges, Salary, Scope & NEET SS Admission Guide

DM Oncopathology is a 3-year super-specialty programme for MD/DNB Pathology graduates who want to specialise in cancer diagnosis. There are 58 seats across 11 states (NMC 2026-27 seat matrix). This guide covers seats, colleges, salary, scope and how to get in through NEET SS 2026.

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58
Seats in India
11
States
3 yrs
Duration
Nov 18
Last Date to Apply

DM Oncopathology at a Glance

Full NameDoctor of Medicine in Onco-Pathology
Duration3 years
EligibilityMD / DNB Pathology (NMC-recognised)
Entry ExamNEET SS 2026 (December 11-12, 2026)
Total Seats (2026-27)58 across 11 states
Exam Pattern150 MCQs · 3 sections × 50 questions × 50 minutes · +4 / −1
Application Fee₹3,500 per question-paper group
Question Paper GroupPathology
Conducting BodyNBEMS (natboard.edu.in)

In This Guide

  1. What is DM Oncopathology?
  2. Eligibility criteria
  3. Seat matrix 2026-27 (state-wise)
  4. Colleges offering DM Oncopathology
  5. Admission through NEET SS 2026
  6. NEET SS Pathology cutoff
  7. Salary in India
  8. Career scope
  9. Oncopathology vs Hematopathology
  10. How to prepare
  11. FAQs
OVERVIEW

What is DM Oncopathology?

DM Oncopathology (Doctor of Medicine in Onco-Pathology) is a 3-year super-specialty programme that trains pathologists in the diagnosis and classification of cancers. Unlike general surgical pathology, oncopathology focuses on malignant tumours: their morphology, molecular markers and prognostic indicators.

After completing the programme, graduates qualify as consultant oncopathologists, can lead molecular diagnostics laboratories, or pursue academic and research careers in precision oncology.

What You Learn During the Programme

  • Surgical oncopathology: gross and microscopic examination of cancer specimens
  • Immunohistochemistry (IHC): tumour marker analysis such as ER, PR, HER2, Ki-67 and PD-L1
  • Molecular pathology: FISH, PCR and next-generation sequencing (NGS) for targeted therapy decisions
  • Cytogenetics and flow cytometry: chromosomal and cell-surface marker analysis
  • Frozen section diagnosis: intraoperative consultation for surgical margins
  • Tumour boards: multidisciplinary treatment planning with oncologists and surgeons
ELIGIBILITY

Eligibility Criteria for DM Oncopathology

CriterionRequirement
Feeder QualificationMD Pathology or DNB Pathology
Institute RecognitionNMC-recognised medical institution
Completion DeadlinePG degree completed by January 31, 2027
Age LimitNo upper age limit
AttemptsUnlimited
Note: Only MD/DNB Pathology qualifies as the feeder course. Candidates with an MD in other subjects, such as Microbiology or Biochemistry, are not eligible for DM Oncopathology.
SEAT MATRIX

DM Oncopathology Seat Matrix 2026-27 (State-wise)

The NMC 2026-27 seat matrix lists 58 DM Onco-Pathology seats across 11 states. These seats are filled through NEET SS centralised counselling by MCC.

StateDM Oncopathology Seats
Gujarat12
Karnataka10
Maharashtra10
Kerala6
Assam4
Punjab4
Telangana4
Andhra Pradesh2
Rajasthan2
Tamil Nadu2
Uttar Pradesh2
Total58

Source: NMC 2026-27 seat matrix as reported by Medical Dialogues. Seat counts can change when the NMC approves intake increases.

Premier institutes such as AIIMS New Delhi, PGIMER Chandigarh and JIPMER conduct their own entrance (NEET INI SS), so their seats are not part of the MCC centralised counselling.
COLLEGES

Colleges Offering DM Oncopathology in India

The institutes below are commonly associated with DM Oncopathology and are admitted through NEET SS. The college-wise seat list is published during MCC counselling, so confirm current seats there before filling choices.

Tata Memorial Hospital

Mumbai, Maharashtra

Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology

Bengaluru, Karnataka

Gujarat Cancer and Research Institute

Ahmedabad, Gujarat

Regional Cancer Centre

Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

Malabar Cancer Centre

Thalassery, Kerala

NEET INI SS institutes

AIIMS, PGIMER, JIPMER and other INIs use a separate entrance exam.

ADMISSION

How to Get DM Oncopathology Through NEET SS 2026

NEET SS 2026Date / Detail
Registration OpensOctober 29, 2026 (3:00 PM)
Last Date to ApplyNovember 18, 2026 (11:55 PM)
Application Fee₹3,500 per group
Admit CardDecember 7, 2026
Exam DatesDecember 11-12, 2026
ResultBy January 12, 2027
CounsellingMCC centralised (dates after result)

Step-by-Step Application

  1. Visit natboard.edu.in and open the NEET SS 2026 registration link.
  2. Create your account with a valid email ID and mobile number.
  3. Fill in the application form and select Pathology as your question paper group.
  4. Upload your photograph, signature and degree or appearing certificate as per the bulletin.
  5. Pay ₹3,500 by credit card, debit card or net banking.
  6. Submit the form and download the confirmation page.
Full Registration Guide
One exam, several courses: the Pathology group exam qualifies you for DM Oncopathology, DM Hematopathology, DM Cytopathology and DrNB Pathology. Your specific choice is made during counselling after the result.
Do not confuse NEET SS with NEET INI SS. NEET SS (NBEMS) is for most medical colleges. NEET INI SS (AIIMS) is a separate exam for AIIMS, PGIMER and JIPMER. For DM Oncopathology at other institutes, you need NEET SS.
CUTOFF

NEET SS Pathology Group Cutoff

The Pathology group cutoff is the minimum qualifying score needed to take part in counselling for DM Oncopathology, DM Hematopathology and the other Pathology super-specialties.

Exam CycleCutoff ScoreOut ofPercentile
NEET SS 2025 (initial)29060050th
NEET SS 2025 (revised)Lowered60030th
NEET SS 2026To be announced600As per bulletin

In NEET SS 2025, candidates needed 290 out of 600 in the Pathology group to qualify at the 50th percentile. NBEMS later reduced the qualifying percentile to the 30th, which made more candidates eligible for counselling. See the Careers360 result report for group-wise figures, and our NEET SS Pathology 2026 guide for preparation strategy.

SALARY

DM Oncopathology Salary in India

DM Oncopathology generally pays more than a general MD Pathology degree because cancer diagnostics needs specialised IHC and molecular expertise. The figures below are indicative and vary by employer, city and experience.

ExperienceGovernment (₹ LPA)Private / Cancer Centre (₹ LPA)
Fresher (0-2 years)15-22 lakh20-35 lakh
Mid-career (3-7 years)22-35 lakh35-55 lakh
Senior (8+ years)35-50 lakh50 lakh - 1 crore+

Where the Pay Comes From

  • Government cancer centres and medical colleges: pay scale with allowances
  • Private cancer hospital chains: higher fixed pay for consultants
  • Molecular diagnostics laboratories: lab leadership roles
  • Pharmaceutical and clinical research: biomarker and trial work

Indicative ranges compiled from job advertisements and salary aggregators. Treat them as estimates, not offers.

CAREER SCOPE

Career Scope of DM Oncopathology

The ICMR estimates about 14.6 lakh new cancer cases in India each year, and every diagnosis passes through a pathologist. Molecular testing is becoming standard care, which keeps demand for trained oncopathologists strong.

Consultant Oncopathologist

Lead cancer diagnostics at cancer hospitals. Report biopsies, review IHC panels and guide treatment decisions through tumour boards.

Molecular Diagnostics Lead

Head NGS and molecular pathology labs and run companion diagnostics for targeted therapies such as EGFR, ALK and BRAF testing.

Academic Faculty

Join medical colleges as Assistant or Associate Professor, teach MD and DM students, and publish research.

Pharma and Clinical Trials

Work on biomarker-driven clinical trials and evaluate companion diagnostics for new oncology drugs.

Research and Fellowships

Pursue post-doctoral fellowships and research in precision oncology in India or abroad.

Diagnostic Chain Leadership

Lead oncology divisions at national diagnostic laboratory chains.

COMPARISON

DM Oncopathology vs DM Hematopathology

Both are 3-year DM programmes under the Pathology group in NEET SS.

ParameterDM OncopathologyDM Hematopathology
FocusSolid tumours: surgical specimens and biopsiesBlood and bone marrow: leukaemias, lymphomas
Key TechniquesIHC, FISH, NGS, frozen sectionsFlow cytometry, cytogenetics, bone marrow biopsy
Seats (2026-27)58Check the NMC seat matrix
Work SettingCancer centres, surgical pathology labsHaematology labs, transplant centres
Entry ExamSame: NEET SS Pathology group
Which should you choose? If you enjoy surgical pathology, IHC panels and tumour morphology, choose Oncopathology. If you prefer haematology, flow cytometry and bone marrow evaluation, choose Hematopathology. Both offer strong career prospects.
PREPARATION

How to Prepare for NEET SS Pathology

The exam is on December 11-12, 2026. Use the time between registration and the exam for a focused plan.

High-Yield Topic Areas

  1. General pathology: cell injury, inflammation, neoplasia, haemodynamic disorders
  2. Hematopathology: WHO classification of leukaemias and lymphomas, peripheral smear, bone marrow
  3. Oncopathology and surgical pathology: grading and staging, IHC markers, molecular classification
  4. Cytopathology: Bethesda systems, FNAC, liquid-based cytology
  5. Molecular pathology and IHC: FISH, PCR, NGS, ER/PR/HER2, PD-L1, ALK, EGFR
  6. Organ system pathology: GI, hepatobiliary, renal, neuro, gynaecological, dermatopathology
  7. Recent advances: WHO classification updates, liquid biopsy

Countdown Plan (November to December 2026)

Nov 1-14: General pathology and hematopathology revision. Solve MCQs daily.
Nov 15-28: Oncopathology, cytopathology and molecular pathology. Increase daily MCQ practice.
Nov 29-Dec 5: Organ system pathology and weak areas. Attempt full-length mock tests.
Dec 6-10: Revision only. WHO classification tables and IHC marker charts. No new topics.
Resources: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, Rosai and Ackerman's Surgical Pathology, the WHO Classification of Tumours (5th edition) and Jaffe's Hematopathology. Practise with our free 199 high-yield MCQ PDF, the mock tests, the high-yield notes and the full NEET SS Pathology course. See all courses.
COURSES

Courses to Prepare for NEET SS Pathology

NEET SS Pathology and FRCPath Part 1 share about 90% of the syllabus, so one preparation covers both. These eLearningFRCPath courses support your DM Oncopathology entrance preparation.

FRCPath Part 1 & NEET SS Pathology Course

Full course covering the histopathology syllabus for NEET SS Pathology, FRCPath Part 1 and NEET INI SS.

View Course

FRCPath Part 1 Mock Tests

1200+ practice questions with answer keys to build speed and accuracy under exam conditions.

View Mock Tests

High-Yield Notes

High-yield topic notes for FRCPath Part 1, NEET SS (Oncopathology) and INI SS revision.

View Notes

Applied Histology for Histopathologists

Strengthen tissue architecture and slide-recognition skills that image-based questions test.

View Course

Free Demo Session

Try a free FRCPath Part 1 and NEET SS demo class before you enrol.

Watch Free Demo

Free 199 MCQs PDF

199 high-yield NEET SS Pathology MCQs with detailed answers and explanations.

Download Free PDF
FAQ

DM Oncopathology: Frequently Asked Questions

DM Oncopathology is a 3-year super-specialty doctorate programme focused on cancer diagnosis through histopathology, immunohistochemistry (IHC), molecular pathology and cytogenetics. It is pursued after MD or DNB in Pathology and prepares graduates for consultant-level roles in cancer centres, diagnostic laboratories and research institutions.

According to the NMC 2026-27 seat matrix, as reported by Medical Dialogues, there are 58 DM Onco-Pathology seats across 11 states. Gujarat has the most seats (12), followed by Karnataka (10) and Maharashtra (10).

Indicative salaries are about Rs. 15-22 lakh per annum for freshers in government service and Rs. 20-35 lakh in private cancer centres. With 8 or more years of experience, private-sector pay can reach Rs. 50 lakh to Rs. 1 crore or more. Actual pay depends on the employer, city and experience.

Candidates must hold an MD or DNB in Pathology from an NMC-recognised institution. The degree must be completed by January 31, 2027. There is no upper age limit and no limit on the number of attempts.

For NEET SS 2025, the Pathology group cutoff was 290 out of 600 at the 50th percentile. NBEMS later reduced the qualifying percentile to the 30th percentile. The NEET SS 2026 cutoff will be announced with the result, after the exam on December 11 and 12, 2026.

Institutes commonly associated with DM Oncopathology include Tata Memorial Hospital (Mumbai), Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology (Bengaluru), Gujarat Cancer and Research Institute (Ahmedabad), Regional Cancer Centre (Thiruvananthapuram) and Malabar Cancer Centre (Thalassery). The college-wise seat list is published during MCC counselling, so confirm it there.

Graduates work as consultant oncopathologists in cancer hospitals, lead molecular diagnostics laboratories, join medical colleges as faculty, work in pharmaceutical clinical research, or pursue fellowships abroad. Rising cancer incidence and the growth of molecular testing keep demand for trained oncopathologists strong.

Register at natboard.edu.in between October 29 and November 18, 2026 and pay the Rs. 3,500 application fee online. Select the Pathology question paper group. The exam is on December 11 and 12, 2026 (150 MCQs, computer-based). After the result, choose DM Oncopathology during MCC centralised counselling.

DM Oncopathology focuses on solid tumours, using surgical pathology, IHC and molecular techniques. DM Hematopathology focuses on blood and bone marrow disorders such as leukaemias and lymphomas, using flow cytometry, cytogenetics and bone marrow evaluation. Both are entered through the same NEET SS Pathology group exam.

Yes. NEET SS 2026 registration opened on October 29, 2026 and the last date to apply is November 18, 2026 (11:55 PM) on natboard.edu.in. The exam is on December 11 and 12, 2026.

Related Resources

Preparing for NEET SS Pathology 2026?

Access the free 199 MCQ bank, topic-wise practice and expert notes.

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Last updated October 29, 2026. Sources: NBEMS, Medical Dialogues (NMC seat matrix) and Careers360. Salary figures are indicative estimates.