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DNB PMR Previous Year Questions

These are the DNB PMR (Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation) 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 20 DNB sessions from December 2014 to December 2025 — 780 questions in total — with repeat-question tracking, examiner keywords and MCQs.

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

DNB PMR December 2025 Question Paper

Paper 1

  1. Describe the shoulder joint complex in terms of: a) Its bony anatomy. [3] b) The muscles, action and innervation. [4] c) Scapulo-humeral rhythm. [3]
  2. Describe human gait in terms of: a) Determinants of gait. [6] b) Various Crutch gaits. [4]
  3. Describe swallowing in terms of: a) Stages of normal swallowing. [3] b) Clinical assessment of swallowing. [7]
  4. Describe disability in terms of: a) Components of ICF. [5] b) Various disabilities defined in the RPwD Act 2016 schedule. [5]
  5. Describe the following tools used in functional evaluation: a) FIM measure. [5] b) OSWESTRY tool. [5]
  6. How will you use electrodiagnosis for: a) Establishing diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome. [6] b) Identify NMJ disorders. [4]
  7. For a person returning to sports activity: a) How will you plan for strengthening exercise, plyometric exercise and their role? [6] b) What are the nutritional concerns that should be advised? [4]
  8. For prosthetic design describe the following: a) Carlyle formula. [3] b) Types of upper limb terminal device. [4] c) Control mechanisms. [3]
  9. a) Pathophysiology of UMN bladder. [3] b) Management of UMN bladder dysfunction. [7]
  10. a) Absorbable suture materials. [3] b) Tendon lengthening procedures. [4] c) Steps to reduce incidence of cerebral palsy. [3]

Paper 2

  1. Discuss respiratory rehabilitation in high cervical and thoracic cord injuries. [10]
  2. Discuss the transfer training and wheelchair skills in SCI rehabilitation. [10]
  3. Sarcopenia: a) Causes. [3] b) Assessment. [3] c) Management. [4]
  4. Discuss the role of electrotherapy and biofeedback in pelvic floor rehabilitation. [10]
  5. Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems. [10]
  6. Phases of rehabilitation following organ transplantation. [10]
  7. Fibromyalgia and its rehabilitation management. [10]
  8. Discuss the clinical features, evaluation and management of ankylosing spondylitis. [10]
  9. Describe the components of below-knee (transtibial) prosthesis. [10]
  10. Describe the management of de-Quervains disorder. [10]

Paper 3

  1. Explain neuroplasticity and its role in rehabilitation. [10]
  2. Discuss the gait training in hemiplegia. [10]
  3. A 65-year-old male, diagnosed case of COPD (GOLD Stage B) is referred from pulmonary medicine OPD for persistent complaints of dyspnea and fatigue. Plan customized pulmonary rehabilitation for this patient with focus on breathing exercises and airway clearance techniques. [10]
  4. What is CRPS? Discuss its clinical features, evaluation and management. [10]
  5. Discuss phases of cardiac rehabilitation. [10]
  6. WHO analgesic ladder for cancer pain management. [10]
  7. A 68-year old retired school teacher presents to the OPD with complaints of lower back pain and progressive stooping of posture for the past 6 months. Enumerate differential diagnosis and rehabilitation plan. [10]
  8. A 6-year old boy is brought to the rehabilitation clinic by his parents with complaints that he cannot walk independently and has stiffness in both legs since early childhood. He was born preterm at 32 weeks with a birth weight of 1.8kg and required NICU care for 2 weeks due to neonatal jaundice and delayed cry after birth. Outline rehabilitation approach for this patient. [10]
  9. Autism spectrum disorder. [10]
  10. What are hypokinetic disorders? Describe the clinical features and management of Parkinson's disease. [10]

Paper 4

  1. Discuss rehabilitation robotics. [10]
  2. ADIP scheme. [10]
  3. Unique Disability ID project. [10]
  4. Does task-specific treadmill training lead to better gait outcomes compared to overground walking therapy in spinal cord injury rehabilitation? Make a RCT protocol in accordance with CONSORT checklist. [10]
  5. Discuss the use of mesenchymal stem cells in spinal cord injury rehabilitation. [10]
  6. 3D printing technology in prosthetic design and fabrication. [10]
  7. Energy-storing prosthetic feet and dynamic response feet. [10]
  8. a) Transcranial stimulation. [5] b) Augmented reality in rehabilitation. [5]
  9. Discuss the commonly used outcome measures and functional assessment scales in rehabilitation research. [10]
  10. Assessment criterion for disability certification of LMN lower limb lesions. [10]

DNB PMR June 2025 Question Paper

Paper 1

  1. a) Anatomical course and common site of entrapment of ulnar nerve. [4] b) Physiological basis of weakness and sensory loss in ulnar nerve entrapment. [3] c) Pharmacological agents used to reduce neuropathic pain and their mechanisms of action. [3]
  2. a) Pathophysiological mechanism leading to spastic dystonia. [4] b) Mechanism of action of Baclofen and Diazepam in the management of spasticity. [4] c) Enumerate different clinical assessment scales for quantification of spasticity. [2]
  3. a) Anatomy of the Rotator cuff and its role in shoulder stability and movement. [4] b) Scapular dyskinesis and its association with rotator cuff tendinopathy. [3] c) Biomechanical changes leading to external and internal impingement syndrome. [3]
  4. a) Prevention and treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis. [6] b) Mechanisms of action of Denosumab. [4]
  5. a) Draw a well labelled cross sectional diagram of spinal cord at cervical level with various tracts and their function. [6] b) Blood supply of spinal cord. [4]
  6. a) What are the various lung volumes? [5] b) How are they affected in obstructive and restrictive pulmonary diseases? [5]
  7. a) Effects of extended bedrest. [5] b) Mention the differences between open and closed kinetic chain exercises. [5]
  8. a) Discuss the neuromuscular junction and its physiology. [5] b) What is compound motor action potential (CMAP)? [5]
  9. a) Difference between the study design of case series and case control study. [6] b) Definition and difference between impairment, disability and handicap. [4]
  10. a) Anatomical structure of vertebral disc complex. [3] b) Pathophysiology of phantom limb pain. [3] c) Mechanism of action, dose and adverse effects of lidocaine. [4]

Paper 2

  1. a) Key components to clinically evaluate patellar instability. [3] b) Investigations to evaluate patellar instability. [3] c) Rehabilitation protocol for managing recurrent patellar dislocation. [4]
  2. a) Biomechanics of crouch gait in Cerebral Palsy (CP)'. [4] b) Enumerate common surgical procedures and clinical decision making to manage crouch gait in CP? [3] c) Post-surgery rehabilitation program. [3]
  3. a) How is K level classification used for amputee rehabilitation? [4] b) Discuss the various types of prosthetic knee joints and their indications. [6]
  4. Describe the complications and their rehabilitation in a Post-mastectomy patient. [10]
  5. a) Describe difference between conus medullaris and cauda equina syndrome. [5] b) What is the pathophysiology and management of heterotopic ossification? [5]
  6. a) Outcome predictors in stroke. [4] b) Restless leg syndrome. [3] c) Quadrilateral space syndrome. [3]
  7. a) Postherpetic neuralgia. [4] b) Injection techniques to manage adhesive capsulitis shoulder. [6]
  8. a) Biomechanics of swan neck and Boutonniere deformity. [4] b) Mechanism of action of tofacitinib. [3] c) Describe splints to prevent ulnar drift deformity in inflammatory arthropathy. [3]
  9. a) What are the causes of lateral trunk bending during gait evaluation of a transfemoral amputee gait. [5] b) Describe components of observational gait analysis. [5]
  10. a) Workup and management of compressive cervical myelopathy. [4] b) Workup & management of discogenic back pain. [3] c) Halo brace. [3]

Paper 3

  1. a) Describe types of ischemic strokes based on neuroanatomic locations. [4] b) Enumerate major theories in rehabilitation training post-stroke. [6]
  2. Describe following injection techniques for: a) Anconeus syndrome. [4] b) Trigger thumb. [3] c) Intra-articular knee joint. [3]
  3. a) The Barthel Index. [5] b) ISO/ISPO classification of congenital limb deficiency. [5]
  4. a) Athletic pubalgia. [4] b) Osgood-Schlatter disease. [3] c) Ankle syndesmosis injury. [3]
  5. a) Rehabilitation post myocardial infarction managed by coronary stenting. [6] b) Management of Charcot joints. [4]
  6. a) Common lower limb deformities associated with hereditary sensory motor neuropathy. [3] b) Management of respiratory complications in acute cervical spine injury. [4] c) Role of rehabilitation in multiple myeloma. [3]
  7. a) Workup & management of gout. [5] b) Basic rehabilitation strategies after acute and sub-acute stages of solid organ transplantation. [5]
  8. a) Enumerate different types of aphasias & compare their differences. [6] b) Rehabilitation of homonymous hemianopia. [4]
  9. a) Gate control theory of pain. [4] b) Central sensitization. [3] c) Cognitive behavior therapy. [3]
  10. a) Mechanism of action of Botulinum toxin in reducing muscle spasticity. [4] b) Describe botulinum toxin injection strategy with diagram for spastic thumb in palm deformity. [3] c) Role of botulinum toxin in managing chronic migraine. [3]

Paper 4

  1. a) Describe Functional Independence Measure (FIM)'. [5] b) Describe dynamic response feet & its advantages. [5]
  2. a) What are the functional requirements for a office receptionist and which specified disability as per your opinion can be deemed fit for the job? [4] b) Wheelchair prescription for a right transfemoral & right trans-humeral amputee. [6]
  3. a) Role of tele-rehabilitation in Indian context. [4] b) How to implement tele-rehabilitation services with various team members? [6]
  4. a) Write purpose and principles of RPwD Act 2016. [5] b) Advise accessibility standards for a public school. [5]
  5. a) Rationale of using injections of adipose derived stem/stromal cells in regenerative medicine. [4] b) Role of electronic heath record and quality of care. [3] c) National Trust Act, 1999. [3]
  6. a) What is functional electrical stimulation (FES)'? [3] b) What are various clinical indications for using FES in rehabilitation? [4] c) What is spinal cord stimulation? [3]
  7. a) Role of 3D printing technology in the fabrication of prosthetic and orthotic devices and its limitations. [4] b) Targeted muscle reinnervation. [3] c) Osseointegration. [3]
  8. a) Role of robotic-assisted devices in rehabilitation. [5] b) Benefits and limitations of using robotic devices for motor recovery in patients with various neurological conditions. [5]
  9. a) What is a cross-sectional study design; its strength & weaknesses. [5] b) What is the role of rehabilitation in public health & 'Rehabilitation 2030'initiative of WHO? [5]
  10. a) Role of augmented reality in rehabilitation. [5] b) Role of artificial intelligence and machine learning in rehabilitation. [5]

High-Yield DNB PMR Topics

A selection of 21 of the 33 important topics curated in the app from repeated DNB PMR questions.

Spinal cord injury — highest yield in PMR

  • SCI: ASIA Impairment Scale (AIS A–E), neurological level, complete vs incomplete
  • Spinal cord syndromes: central cord, Brown-Séquard, anterior cord, cauda equina vs conus
  • Spinal shock vs neurogenic shock; autonomic dysreflexia (triggers, management)

Stroke and neurological rehabilitation

  • Stroke rehabilitation: Brunnstrom stages, hemiplegic shoulder, shoulder-hand syndrome
  • Traumatic brain injury: Rancho Los Amigos levels, cognitive rehabilitation, post-TBI spasticity
  • Parkinson's disease: LSVT BIG/LOUD, freezing of gait, postural instability, exercise programs

Musculoskeletal and pain

  • Low back pain: red/yellow flags, McKenzie approach, core strengthening, ergonomics
  • Cervical radiculopathy and sciatica: clinical tests, conservative management
  • Rotator cuff and frozen shoulder: examination, rehabilitation protocol, MUA

Prosthetics, orthotics, and amputation

  • Amputation: levels, surgical principles, phantom limb pain, residual limb care
  • Prosthetics: transtibial/transfemoral components, socket design, gait training
  • Orthotics: AFO, KAFO, spinal orthoses — indications and biomechanical principles

Paediatric rehabilitation

  • Cerebral palsy: GMFCS, spastic/dyskinetic/ataxic types, hip surveillance, Botox, SDR
  • Brachial plexus birth palsy (Erb's/Klumpke's): assessment, surgical timing
  • Spina bifida: myelomeningocele management, hydrocephalus, multidisciplinary care

Cardiopulmonary and cancer rehabilitation

  • Cardiac rehabilitation: phases I–IV, exercise prescription, risk stratification, METs
  • Pulmonary rehabilitation: COPD components, breathing exercises, energy conservation
  • Cancer rehabilitation: fatigue, lymphedema, post-mastectomy shoulder dysfunction, cognitive rehab

Exercise prescription and modalities

  • Exercise prescription: FITT principle, target HR, RPE, contraindications
  • Therapeutic modalities: TENS, ultrasound, heat/cold therapy, hydrotherapy — indications
  • Assistive technology and environmental modification for disability

Older DNB PMR Question Papers

The remaining 18 papers are available in the Prep DNB app, organized paper-wise with repeat-question tracking.

Get all 20 papers in the app

Previous Year Questions for Other DNB Subjects