Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Post Doctorate Certificate Course (PDCC) in Pain and Palliative Care at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) is a prestigious full-time, on-campus programme offered by the Pain and Palliative Care Division under the Department of Anaesthesiology, Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS), BHU. BHU holds the distinction of being the first institution in India to start both a Pain Clinic and a PDCC in Pain and Palliative Care, with the Pain Clinic established in 1980 and the PDCC commenced in July 2008. The course is of 2 years duration and is designed for medical postgraduates (MD/MS/DNB holders) seeking advanced specialisation in pain management and palliative care. The total fees for the course are approximately Rs. 42,320 for the full 2-year duration. The programme is highly sought after given BHU's pioneering role in pain and palliative medicine in India, its large patient base (over 3,000 chronic and cancer pain patients annually), and its NIRF ranking of 6th in the Medical category (2025).

Admissions for the 2026-27 session are expected to follow the Special Courses of Study (SCS) bulletin cycle, with online applications typically opening in May and closing by July 31 each year via the BHU entrance test portal (bhuonline.in). The 2027-28 admission cycle is expected to open tentatively in May 2027. Candidates are advised to regularly check the official BHU website (bhu.ac.in) and the SCS Information Bulletin for the latest dates.

Key Points

BHU is the first institution in India to start a PDCC in Pain and Palliative Care, making it a pioneer and leader in this specialised field.
The course is offered under the Department of Anaesthesiology, IMS BHU, which runs a dedicated Pain and Palliative Care Division with inpatient and outpatient services.
The Pain Clinic at BHU sees over 3,000 chronic and cancer pain patients annually, providing excellent clinical exposure for PDCC trainees.
The programme equips doctors with advanced skills in pain assessment, interventional pain procedures, palliative medicine, and end-of-life care.
IMS BHU is ranked 6th in India in the Medical category by NIRF 2025, reflecting the quality of its medical education and research.

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BHU PDCC Pain and Palliative Care Fees

The PDCC in Pain and Palliative Care at BHU is an affordable post-doctoral specialisation programme. The total fee for the 2-year course is approximately Rs. 42,320, with the first year fee being Rs. 22,860 and the second year fee being Rs. 19,460. The fee includes tuition, admission, and other miscellaneous charges. Hostel accommodation is available separately and is not mandatory.

Fee Breakdown

Fee Component	Year 1 (Rs.)	Year 2 (Rs.)	Total (Rs.)
Tuition Fee	7,500	7,500	15,000
Admission Fee (one-time)	50	-	50
Other / Miscellaneous Fee	15,310	11,960	27,270
Total Fees	22,860	19,460	42,320

The above fee structure is based on the most recently available data (2020 actuals); 2026-27 fees may be marginally revised.
Hostel fee (Boys): approximately Rs. 5,375 per semester (not mandatory; subject to availability).
Application Processing Fee: Rs. 600 (General/OBC/EWS), Rs. 300 (SC/ST/PwBD) - non-refundable.
Foreign nationals are required to pay additional development fees as per BHU International Centre norms.
Fees are paid annually at the time of admission/re-registration; no EMI option is available.

BHU PDCC Pain and Palliative Care Admission 2026

Admissions to the PDCC in Pain and Palliative Care at BHU are conducted through the Special Courses of Study (SCS) admission process, entirely online via bhuonline.in. The selection is based on merit in the qualifying postgraduate examination and/or an interview/test conducted by the Department of Anaesthesiology. The 2026-27 SCS admission cycle typically opens in May and closes by July 31. For 2027-28, the same pattern is expected.

Admission Dates

Event	Tentative Dates
Online Application Form Available on bhuonline.in	May 1 (every year)
Last Date for Online Submission of Application Form	July 31 (every year)
Call Letter for Counselling/Interview	2nd/3rd Week of August
Counselling / Interview / Document Verification	August - September
Commencement of Course	July/August (academic session start)

Note: Exact dates for 2027-28 will be notified on bhu.ac.in and bhuonline.in. Candidates are advised to check regularly.

Qualification Requirements

Requirement	Details
Qualifying Degree	MD / MS / DNB in Anaesthesiology or related medical speciality (Post Graduation in Medicine)
Selection Basis	Merit in qualifying PG examination (80%) + Interview (20%); written test if applicants exceed seats
Application Fee	Rs. 600 (General/OBC/EWS); Rs. 300 (SC/ST/PwBD)

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria:

Must hold an MD, MS, or DNB degree (or equivalent postgraduate medical degree) from a recognised university.
Minimum 50% aggregate marks in the qualifying postgraduate examination (relaxation for SC/ST/OBC/PwD as per BHU norms).
Candidates with MD/MS in Anaesthesiology are preferred; candidates from related medical specialities may also be considered.
Must have permanent registration with the Medical Council of India (NMC) or State Medical Council.

Admission Process:

Register online at bhuonline.in and apply for the PDCC in Pain and Palliative Care under the Special Courses of Study (SCS) bulletin.
Pay the non-refundable application processing fee (Rs. 600 for General/OBC/EWS; Rs. 300 for SC/ST/PwBD).
Download the call letter from the portal (issued in August).
Appear for counselling/interview/document verification at the Department of Anaesthesiology, IMS BHU, Varanasi.
Selection is based on 80% merit in qualifying PG examination and 20% interview performance.
If applicants exceed the maximum intake, a written test is conducted by the department.
Selected candidates must submit fees and complete registration within the stipulated deadline.

BHU PDCC Pain and Palliative Care Scholarships 2026

The PDCC in Pain and Palliative Care is a post-doctoral specialisation programme for practising medical professionals; conventional student scholarships do not apply. However, candidates may be eligible for certain grants and fellowships from national health and research bodies.

Available Scholarships

Scholarship / Grant	Eligibility	Amount	Awarding Body
Indian Association for Palliative Care (IAPC) Fellowships	Palliative care practitioners and trainees	Varies	Indian Association for Palliative Care (IAPC)
ICMR Short-Term Studentship / Research Grants	Medical graduates/postgraduates	Varies by project	Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
National Health Mission (NHM) Palliative Care Grants	Doctors working in palliative care	Varies by state	Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India
BHU Internal Research Grants	BHU faculty and registered scholars	As per university norms	Banaras Hindu University

No monthly stipend is associated with the PDCC programme itself.
Candidates who are government employees may be eligible for study leave with pay from their employer during the course.
The Indian Association for Palliative Care (IAPC) periodically offers travel grants and fellowships for palliative care training; candidates are advised to check iapc.net.in for updates.

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BHU PDCC Pain and Palliative Care FAQs

Ques. What is the PDCC in Pain and Palliative Care at BHU, and who is it for?

Ans. The Post Doctorate Certificate Course (PDCC) in Pain and Palliative Care at BHU is a 2-year full-time specialisation programme for medical postgraduates (MD/MS/DNB holders) who wish to develop advanced expertise in pain management and palliative care. It is offered by the Department of Anaesthesiology, IMS BHU, which pioneered this course in India in 2008. It is ideal for doctors seeking to specialise in chronic pain, cancer pain, and end-of-life care.

Ques. Is a specific MD specialisation required to apply for the PDCC in Pain and Palliative Care at BHU?

Ans. While MD/MS in Anaesthesiology is the most directly relevant qualification, the course is open to postgraduates from related medical specialities as well. The eligibility requires a recognised postgraduate medical degree (MD/MS/DNB) with minimum 50% marks. Candidates from Anaesthesiology, Medicine, Oncology, and related fields are typically considered. The final eligibility is determined by the Department of Anaesthesiology, IMS BHU.

Ques. How many seats are available in the PDCC Pain and Palliative Care at BHU?

Ans. The exact seat intake is not publicly specified in the available bulletins for this specific PDCC. Based on the nature of post-doctoral certificate courses at IMS BHU, the intake is typically very limited (2-5 seats per year). Candidates are advised to contact the Department of Anaesthesiology, IMS BHU directly or check the latest SCS Information Bulletin on bhuonline.in for the current year's seat matrix.

Ques. What is the career scope after completing the PDCC in Pain and Palliative Care from BHU?

Ans. Completing the PDCC from BHU - the pioneer institution for this course in India - opens excellent career opportunities. Graduates can work as Pain and Palliative Care Specialists in government and private hospitals, cancer centres, hospices, and palliative care units. With the growing recognition of palliative care as an essential health service in India, there is increasing demand for trained specialists in government health programmes (NHM, NPPC), academic institutions, and NGOs working in end-of-life care.

Ques. When does the PDCC Pain and Palliative Care course start at BHU each year?

Ans. The course typically commences in July/August of each academic year, following the Special Courses of Study (SCS) admission cycle. Applications are accepted from May 1 to July 31 each year. The call letter for counselling is issued in August, and selected candidates are expected to join by the start of the academic session.

Ques. Is the PDCC in Pain and Palliative Care at BHU recognised by the National Medical Commission (NMC)?

Ans. The PDCC is a Post Doctorate Certificate Course offered by IMS BHU under its Special Courses of Study framework. While it is a university-recognised qualification, candidates should verify the current NMC recognition status directly with the Department of Anaesthesiology, IMS BHU, or the National Medical Commission (nmc.org.in), as recognition norms for post-doctoral certificate courses may vary. The course is highly regarded in the medical community given BHU's pioneering role in this field.