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DNB Pathology Previous Year Questions

These are the DNB Pathology theory questions asked by NBEMS in the December 2025 and June 2025 exams, listed paper by paper as they appeared. The Prep DNB app has all 24 DNB sessions from June 2014 to December 2025 — 950 questions in total — with repeat-question tracking, examiner keywords and MCQs.

Jump to: December 2025 · June 2025 · Important topics · Older papers

DNB Pathology December 2025 Question Paper

Paper 1

  1. a) Single nucleotide polymorphism and copy number variations in health and disease. [5] b) Micro-RNA. [5]
  2. a) Cellular senescence mechanism. [5] b) Genomic imprinting. [5]
  3. a) HLA typing. [3] b) Molecular techniques for HLA typing. [7]
  4. a) Oncogenic viruses. [5] b) Pathogenesis of H. pylori induced gastric cancer and MALToma. [5]
  5. a) Diet and cancer. [5] b) Obesity and cancer. [5]
  6. a) Anti-nuclear antibodies (ANAs). [5] b) Antiphospholipid antibodies. [5]
  7. a) Necrotizing enterocolitis. [5] b) Lepra reactions. [5]
  8. a) Cell cycle inhibitors. [5] b) BRAF mutation. [5]
  9. a) Calculation of sample size in research. [5] b) Type 1 and type 2 error in research. [5]
  10. a) Severe combined immunodeficiency. [5] b) NK cells. [5]

Paper 2

  1. Overview of the 2022 WHO classification of thyroid neoplasms. [10]
  2. Role of molecular testing and targeted therapy in breast carcinoma. [10]
  3. Technique & utility of liquid based cytology in serous fluids for malignancy. [10]
  4. Cytogenetics testing and its utility. [10]
  5. Generative AI in pathology and research: boon or bane. [10]
  6. a) CAPA in laboratory. [5] b) Method validation in laboratory. [5]
  7. Bethesda system for reporting cervical cytology. [10]
  8. Utility of ancillary and molecular techniques in FNAC of malignant soft tissue tumors. [10]
  9. Recent updates in the classification of neuroendocrine tumors of lung. [10]
  10. Rejection in liver transplant biopsy. [10]

Paper 3

  1. Discuss diagnostic approach to liver biopsy in cholestatic liver diseases. [10]
  2. Discuss diagnostic approach of renal biopsy in proliferative glomerulonephritis. [10]
  3. Gastrointestinal polyposis syndromes. [10]
  4. Discuss approach to bone forming tumors of the skeletal system. [10]
  5. Updates in the 2021 WHO classification of ependymal neoplasms. [10]
  6. Molecular classification of endometrial carcinoma and its clinical significance. [10]
  7. Updates in the 5th edition WHO Classification of breast tumours. [10]
  8. 5th edition WHO classification of tumours of oral cavity and tongue. [10]
  9. a) Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease. [5] b) Castlemans disease. [5]
  10. a) Role of HPV in the pathogenesis of cervical carcinoma. [5] b) Grade groups in prostatic adenocarcinoma. [5]

Paper 4

  1. Outline the WHO classification of T-cell lymphoid neoplasms. Elaborate on the diagnostic approach to anaplastic large cell lymphoma. [10]
  2. Discuss the etiopathogenesis, laboratory findings, and histopathology of hemolytic anemias with particular reference to hereditary spherocytosis. [10]
  3. Describe in detail polycythemia vera including molecular pathogenesis and diagnostic criteria. [10]
  4. a) Pure red cell aplasia. [5] b) Myelophthisic anemia. [5]
  5. Explain the pathogenesis and classification of myelodysplastic syndromes. Describe typical morphological features on bone marrow aspirate and biopsy. [10]
  6. a) Platelet function disorders. [5] b) Thromboelastography. [5]
  7. Explain the laboratory diagnosis of hemophilia and Von Willebrand disease. Contrast their clinical and laboratory profiles. [10]
  8. Outline the diagnostic criteria, morphological and immunophenotypic features of erythroleukemia. [10]
  9. a) Principles of hemoglobin electrophoresis. [5] b) Large granular lymphocytic leukemia. [5]
  10. a) Discuss recent advances and role of artificial intelligence in blood banking. [5] b) Apheresis: principle and application. [5]

DNB Pathology June 2025 Question Paper

Paper 1

  1. Before you start any research, it is important to have a well-built question. One way to construct a well-built question is to use the PICO model. What is the PICO model in clinical research? Explain with examples. [2+8]
  2. a) What is protein misfolding disease? [2] b) Give four examples. [4] c) Describe the pathobiology of any one of the protein misfolding diseases. [4]
  3. a) What is T-cell and macrophage crosstalk? [3] b) Give an example of how this phenomenon works. [7]
  4. a) Pathological effects of free radicals. [5] b) Retinoblastoma gene. [5]
  5. a) Describe Type II hypersensitivity with examples. [5] b) What is central tolerance and what is its role in autoimmune disease? [5]
  6. a) What are hepatotropic viruses and why are they hepatotropic? [4] b) Explain the genomic structure of the Hepatitis B virus and explain how different components control host genes. [6]
  7. a) What is graft-versus-host disease? [3] b) Explain the pathophysiological differences of graft-versus-host disease and post-transplant rejection. [7]
  8. a) What are epigenetic disorders? [3] b) Explain the role of epigenetic disorders in carcinogenesis with examples. [7]
  9. a) Radiation induced systemic changes. [5] b) Chemokines in inflammation. [5]
  10. a) Trinucleotide repeat diseases. [5] b) Toll-like receptors. [5]

Paper 2

  1. a) Write a short note on the common and ideal fixatives used in a cytopathology laboratory. [6] b) Write the advantages and disadvantages of each fixative solution. [4]
  2. a) Write the principles of a fluorescent-in-situ hybridization test. [3] b) What are the different types of probes that can be used in a cytogenetics laboratory? [3] c) Write down your concept of interpretation of any cytogenetic changes in solid tumors. [4]
  3. Role of cytologic techniques in neoplastic and non-neoplastic lung diseases. [10]
  4. a) What is a laser dissection microscope? [3] b) How and where such a microscopic setup can be useful in clinical research? Explain with examples. [7]
  5. Discuss the methods of analyzing DNA sequence and its clinical applications. [10]
  6. a) A 42-year-old male patient presented with gross cardiomegaly and an endomyocardial biopsy revealed cardiac amyloidosis. In the absence of other systemic pathology and family history, the clinician was interested to know the type of amyloid protein deposited in this case before starting appropriate therapy. By which method the amyloid protein can be typed in this case? [3] b) Write a short note on the platform to be used. [7]
  7. a) Differences between internal and external quality assurance programs. [5] b) Methods of cell block preparation. [5]
  8. a) How molecular testing can help to individualize the therapy in a patient with colorectal carcinoma? [4] b) Write the tests recommended and the implications of each test. [6]
  9. a) Write a short note on antigen-antibody reactions (mechanism)'. [4] b) Discuss available methods by which antigen-antibody reactions can be detected in todayssera? [6]
  10. a) Application of electron microscopy in renal diseases with organized deposits. [5] b) Application of direct immunofluorescence in renal and skin diseases. [5]

Paper 3

  1. a) A 43-year-old male patient presented with recurrent vomiting, more after meals with a lump in the epigastrium. An upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopic biopsy was taken from a suspected lesion in the proximal stomach. The clinician requested to classify the lesion as per the latest WHO tumor types. State the histological tumor types of gastric tumors described by WHO and mention their clinical significance. [5] b) How TCGA prognostic tumor typing is done and enumerate molecular subtypes of gastric cancer? [5]
  2. a) Enumerate sex cord stromal tumors and tumor-like lesions listed in the latest WHO classification of ovarian tumors. [5] b) Endometrial stromal sarcoma. [5]
  3. a) Dilated cardiomyopathy. [5] b) Cardiac valve vegetations - type, example and implications. [5]
  4. a) Autoimmune pancreatitis. [5] b) Prognostic subtyping in periampullary carcinomas - current standard. [5]
  5. a) Triple-negative breast carcinomas. [5] b) Breast adenosis - definition, types, implications. [5]
  6. Explain the latest classification system of pituitary neuroendocrine tumors. Which ancillary markers can help in this regard? [10]
  7. a) Classify vesiculobullous lesions of the skin as per their level of involvement. [3] b) Write brief histological and direct immunofluorescence findings in each of them. [7]
  8. a) Cartilage-forming bone tumors. [5] b) Secondary osteogenic sarcoma in adults. [5]
  9. a) Define nephrotic-range proteinuria. [2] b) How are podocytopathies diagnosed and classified? [8]
  10. a) Diagnostic approach to metastatic brain tumors. [5] b) Pineal gland tumors. [5]

Paper 4

  1. Discuss t(9:22) chromosome and JAK 2 mutation negative chronic myeloproliferative disorders. [10]
  2. a) Myeloid sarcomas. [5] b) Quality assurance in a haematology laboratory. [5]
  3. Describe the 2022 updates of the international myeloma working group risk stratification in multiple myelomas. [10]
  4. Describe the 2023 updates of consensus classifications in acute myeloid leukaemia. [10]
  5. a) Write a note on the role of reticulocyte index on classifying anemias. [7] b) How reticulocyte index is calculated? [3]
  6. Newer platelet parameters: role in health and disease. [10]
  7. a) Write a note on the etiology and diagnosis of chronic eosinophilic leukaemia. [5] b) Describe different forms of white blood cell transfusions and their indications. [5]
  8. Write a note on the role of cytochemical stains in the diagnosis of hematological disorders in an era of flow cytometry and cytogenetics. [10]
  9. a) Double hit lymphomas. [5] b) Burkitt lymphoma. [5]
  10. a) Molecular pathogenesis of thalassemia. [5] b) Molecular techniques for detecting globin gene variants. [5]

High-Yield DNB Pathology Topics

A selection of 18 of the 39 important topics curated in the app from repeated DNB Pathology questions.

General pathology — foundation

  • Cell injury: reversible vs irreversible, causes (hypoxia, toxins, free radicals)
  • Cell death: apoptosis (intrinsic/extrinsic), necrosis types, autophagy, necroptosis
  • Cellular adaptations: hypertrophy, hyperplasia, atrophy, metaplasia, dysplasia

Haematology

  • Anaemia classification and workup; iron deficiency, B12/folate, hemolytic anaemias
  • Sickle cell disease and thalassemia: pathophysiology, diagnosis
  • Leukaemia: AML (FAB/WHO, genetics), CML (Philadelphia chromosome, phases), ALL, CLL

Neoplasia

  • Benign vs malignant: hallmarks of cancer, nomenclature, grading vs staging (TNM)
  • Oncogenes (RAS, MYC) and tumour suppressors (p53, RB); driver vs passenger mutations
  • Carcinogenesis: chemical, viral (HPV, EBV, HBV), radiation; paraneoplastic syndromes

Immunopathology

  • Hypersensitivity types I–IV with examples
  • Autoimmunity: SLE (ANA, anti-dsDNA), RA (pannus, RF/anti-CCP), vasculitis patterns
  • Transplant rejection: hyperacute, acute, chronic; GvHD; Banff classification (renal)

Systemic pathology — high yield organs

  • Cardiovascular: atherosclerosis, MI (timing of changes), rheumatic heart disease, infective endocarditis
  • Respiratory: pneumonia patterns, TB (primary vs secondary), sarcoidosis, IPF, lung carcinoma
  • GI/Liver: gastritis (H. pylori), peptic ulcer, IBD, cirrhosis, hepatitis B/C, HCC, pancreatitis

Genetics and molecular diagnostics

  • Karyotyping, FISH, PCR, NGS; Mendelian inheritance, trinucleotide repeats, imprinting
  • Flow cytometry in haematological malignancies; liquid biopsy and ctDNA
  • Fine needle aspiration cytology vs biopsy; Pap smear reporting (Bethesda)

Older DNB Pathology Question Papers

The remaining 22 papers are available in the Prep DNB app, organized paper-wise with repeat-question tracking.

Get all 24 papers in the app

Previous Year Questions for Other DNB Subjects