The National Heart Institute is a clinical research and patient treatment setup inaugurated in 1981 by the former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The institution is also connected with the All India Heart Foundation. Dedicated to providing advanced cardiac care to economically disadvantaged populations, NHI is recognised by the National Boards for postdoctoral training and offers comprehensive teaching and training programs in Cardiology and Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery. It conducts extensive research in various aspects of cardiology and cardiac surgery and has been a WHO Collaborative Centre for Preventive Cardiology since 1983. National Heart Institute has links with the World Hypertension League and Heart Beat International and is approved by IGNOU to provide the Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Cardiology. Being an essential part of the Foundation's clinical and research activities, the NHI has forever been the torchbearer of cardiac healthcare and education in India.
New Delhi's National Heart Institute is India's first such centre to treat patients' heart conditions exclusively. In 1981, All India Heart Foundation, together with Dr. S. Padmavati, set up this hospital, which was also instigated by Dr. Paul Dudley White, and finally got started by the then Prime Minister, Mrs. Indira Gandhi. The Delhi-based National Heart Institute, a privately owned institution established in 1981, offers two specialised full-time courses across one academic specialisation. These include postgraduate and postdoctoral programs in the fields of Medicine & Health Sciences and Nursing. Recognised by the Indian Nursing Council, the institute provides education at both PG and postdoctoral levels. Course fees range from INR 72,450 to INR 2,25,000, depending on the program.
Here are the details of the National Heart Institute Highlights 2026
| Particulars | Details |
| Name | National Heart Institute (NHI), New Delhi |
| Established | 1981 |
| Founder | Dr. S. Padmavati (under All India Heart Foundation) |
| Location | East of Kailash, New Delhi – 110065 |
| Affiliations | All India Heart Foundation, WHO, World Heart Federation |
| Accreditations | NABH, NABL |
| Recognized by | National Board of Examinations (NBE), IGNOU, GGSIPU, Texila University |
| Popular Courses | DNB in Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Cardiac Anaesthesia, Chest Diseases, M.Sc. Nursing, PG Diploma in Clinical Cardiology |
| Course Duration | 2–3 years (depending on program) |
| Entrance Exams | NEET PG / NEET SS / IPU CET (as applicable) |
| Seat Intake | 2–3 seats per speciality annually |
| 2024 Cutoff (General) | DNB Cardiothoracic Surgery – Rank 17,332 DNB Chest Diseases – Rank 30,316 |
| Facilities | ICU, Cath Lab, Operation Theatres, Advanced Labs, ECG, Dialysis, etc. |
| Clinical Exposure | Cardiology, Oncology, Emergency, Critical Care, Pulmonology, Nephrology, etc. |
| Placement Support | Yes – Placement assistance, resume building, interview prep, job support |
| Scholarships | Merit-based and need-based (Delhi Nursing Council, TNAI, Govt. post-matric for minorities) |
| Research Activities | WHO-supported programs, cardiac epidemiology, and public health campaigns |
| Official Website | www.nationalheartinstitute.com |
National Heart Institute offers courses range of advanced cardiac care educational programs as well as nursing studies, including the master of Science in nursing (M.Sc.) and the Diplomate of the National Board (DNB) programs. The M.Sc. program has a duration of about two years, and its tuition fee ranges from INR 72,450, together with additional one-time and optional hostel fees. The DNB courses mostly last longer and charge the students a higher fee. There might be a difference of about INR 2,25,000.
Here is the list of the National Heart Institute Courses and Fees
| Course | Annual Fee (INR) |
| Diplomate National Board (DNB) | INR 75,000 |
| DNB – Cardiothoracic Surgery | INR 70,000 |
| DNB – Cardiac Anaesthesia | INR 75,000 |
| DNB – Chest Diseases (DTCD) | INR 75,000 |
| M.Sc. Cardiothoracic Nursing | INR 36,225 |
The National Heart Institute offers Popular Programs for its special programs in cardiology, cardiac surgery, physiotherapy, and related medical disciplines, among which The National Heart Institute's Popular Programs stand out. It is noteworthy that NHI is offering treatment services at the highest level of cardiology care, which includes modern therapies, interventions, recovery facilities, and preventive health programs. Also, cardiology provides and facilitates through the introduction of free treatment for kids and the growth of easily available and budget-friendly heart health care. In its teaching capacity, the place is affiliated with Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University and the National Board of Examinations, and most of the currently offered medical and paramedical programs have been specially designed to accomplish the two-fold aim of being the centre of excellence in cardiac health care and education.
Here is the list of the National Heart Institute's Popular programs
| Program | Level | Duration | Eligibility |
| DNB | Postdoctoral | 3 Years | MD/DNB in Medicine + NEET SS |
| DNB Cardiothoracic Surgery (CVTS) | Postdoctoral (Direct) | 6 Years | MBBS + NEET SS |
| DNB Cardiac Anaesthesia | Postdoctoral | 3 Years | MD Anaesthesia + NEET SS |
| DNB Chest Diseases (DTCD) | Postgraduate Diploma | 2 Years | MBBS + NEET PG |
| M.Sc. Cardiothoracic Nursing | Postgraduate | 2 Years | B.Sc. Nursing/Post Basic B.Sc. + 55% + Experience |
The National Heart Institute Admission is based on merit and is done by using entrance examinations that are conducted like NEET PG for postgraduate courses and NEET SS for super-speciality or postdoctoral programs. The usual method of selection is first passing the relevant entrance examination, then attending counselling and getting your seat confirmed. Eligibility criteria and the detailed admission procedure may vary depending on the specific course and level of study. The National Heart Institute has specific eligibility requirements for admission candidates who must hold a B.Sc. Nursing or Post Basic B.Sc. Nursing degree with a minimum of 55% aggregate marks obtained. The candidates should also be registered as nurses and midwives and have the necessary work experience. Their selection to DNB programs, for instance, DNB (Diplomate National Board) in Cardiology, is usually made through the NEET-SS (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test-Super Speciality) entrance examination.
Here are the details of the National Heart Institute Admission Important Dates 2026
| Step | Date |
| NEET-SS / NEET-PG exam for DNB programmes | As per the NBE schedule |
| Application portal open (NBEMS DNB accreditation) | February 2026 |
| Last date to submit online application & fees | May 2026 |
| Last date to send hard copy (spiral-bound) | June 2026 |
| Eligibility fulfilment deadline for INI/AIIMS | July 2026 |
| Course start date | July 2026 |
| Last date for final admission | August 2026 |
The National Heart Institute application process for its postgraduate and postdoctoral programs—such as DM/MCh and DNB courses—admission is primarily determined by entrance exams, most notably the NEET-SS. Additionally, some M.Sc. programs may require candidates to sit for the IPU CET. Prospective students are required to complete and send an application form, along with the necessary documentation and application fee. Frankly speaking, these forms, and at the same time, every detailed instruction, are usually available for download on the NHI’s official website.
Here are the details of the National Heart Institute Application Process
| Step | Details |
| Application Mode | Online (via NBE or NHI website) |
| Courses Offered | DNB (Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Chest Diseases), M.Sc. Nursing |
| Entrance Exams | NEET SS (for DNB), NEET PG/DNB PDCET, IPU CET (for M.Sc.) |
| Eligibility | PG medical degree (for DNB), B.Sc. Nursing with 55% + registration (for M.Sc.) |
| Registration Dates | May 8 – May 12, 2025 (Round 1) May 23 – May 26, 2025 (Round 2) |
| Seat Allotment Dates | May 14 (Round 1) May 28 (Round 2) |
| Joining Dates | May 14 – May 19 (Round 1) May 28 – June 4 (Round 2) |
| Application Fee | Around ₹5,000 (as per NBE) |
| Documents Needed | NEET admit card, scorecard, degree certificates, ID proof, etc. |
| Official Website | www.nationalheartinstitute.com |
The National Heart Institute Cutoff proposes various postgraduate medical courses, each having different admission criteria and fee structures. In the case of 2024 admissions, the closing NEET‑SS rank for the General category of the DNB Cardiothoracic Surgery program was 17,332, and the DNB in Tuberculosis and Chest Diseases reached the cutoff at 30,316. The institution also conducts a Master of Science in Nursing program, the full tuition fee of which amounts to INR 72,450.
Here are the details of the National Heart Institute Cutoff
| Program | Exam | Closing Rank (2024) |
| DNB Cardiothoracic Surgery (6‑year) | NEET PG | 11,057 |
| DNB Tuberculosis & Chest Diseases (DTCD) | NEET PG | 19,756 |
| DNB Cardiac Anaesthesia | NEET SS | 556 |
The National Heart Institute offers placements for courses in Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgery, and Cardiac Anaesthesia. The institute, which enjoys the recognition of the National Board of Examinations, nevertheless exhausts only a few seats every year, ar thus maintains the character of highly focused training with the help of top faculty in a high-volume. Although tangible placement statistics are not public knowledge, the institute's good name, close ties with the All India Heart Foundation, and the high priority of clinical excellence have given rise to the promising career prospects of graduates. A considerable part of the institute’s alumni usually continue their careers as specialists or consultants in hospitals, either go into private practice, or take up academic and research responsibilities. NHI training offers additional benefits through the lab sessions, workshops, and guest lectures, which are all direct practices that ensure students gain much more while at the institute. From the students' point of view, the available reviews mention that job prospects and placements after the course are typically rated as very high.
Here are the details of the National Heart Institute Placement
| Placement Detail | Information |
| Placement Support | Yes, with help from a dedicated placement team and the All India Heart Foundation |
| Job Roles Offered | Consultant doctor, specialist, researcher, teaching faculty |
| Common Workplaces | Hospitals, private clinics, medical colleges, research centres |
| Internship Opportunities | Available for medical and paramedical students |
| Student Feedback | Good job opportunities after DNB; placements mostly in hospitals and institutes |
| Salary Info | Moderate salary, job security and work culture rated well |
The National Heart Institute offers scholarships, educational, and research opportunities to students, but specifics about the student scholarships are not widely displayed on the official website or other public sources. NHI, on its part, provides training in cardiology, cardiac surgery, and cardiac anaesthesia regimens and the same has been validated and certified by recognised institutions such as IGNOU and Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University. The notable research programmes that NHI carries out in addition to the standard academic duties and its multiple informal collaborations-e.g. with governments and charities-support its continuous efforts to uplift not only medical training but also research.
Here are the details of the National Heart Institute Scholarship
| Scholarship Type | Eligibility | Details |
| Merit-Based Scholarship | High academic scores | Partial or full tuition fee waiver |
| Need-Based Scholarship | Economically weaker or minority students | Support through government schemes |
| Training Scholarships (WHO) | Nurses and paramedical trainees | Funded short-term training programs |
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