BCBR Exam Pattern 2026: Duration, Marking Scheme, Syllabus
ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology (ICMR-NIE), Chennai, on behalf of the National Medical Commission (NMC), conducts the Basic Course in Biomedical Research (BCBR) exam. Students appearing for the BCBR exam must understand the BCBR exam pattern for better preparation. The BCBR course follows a self-paced format, with a total of 25 lectures, of which the first 23 lectures will have online assignments with 10 Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) each.
This Story also Contains
- BCBR Exam Pattern 2026 Overview
- BCBR Exam Pattern 2026
- BCBR Course Schedule and Duration
- BCBR Syllabus
- BCBR Course Assignments
- BCBR Examination
- BCBR Course Certification 2026
- What If I Failed The BCBR Exam 2026?
- BCBR Course Registration 2026
After successfully completing the BCBR course, students will be eligible to register for the final BCBR exam, which is a proctored computer-based examination. BCBR exams are conducted at designated centers in selected cities across the country. Students must score at least 50% marks in the BCBR exam to earn a BCBR certificate.
BCBR Exam Pattern 2026 Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
Exam Name | Basic Course in Biomedical Research (BCBR) |
Conducting Authority | ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology (ICMR-NIE), Chennai |
Mode of Exam | Proctored Computer-based at Designated Centres |
Upcoming BCBR Exam Date 2026 | July 19, 2026 |
Question Type | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
Number of Questions | 100 |
Minimum Passing Marks | 50% |
BCBR Exam Pattern 2026
The BCBR exam is conducted in proctored computer-based mode at designated centers in selected cities across the country. Students can give the BCBR exam throughout the year in the months of March, April, May, July, August, September, November, and December.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
Types of BCBR Exam questions | MCQs |
Number of questions | 100 |
Total BCBR exam marks | 100 |
Mode of BCBR exam | Computer-based |
BCBR Course Schedule and Duration
BCBR is a self-paced course that covers an extensive range of topics relevant to the conceptualisation, planning and implementation of biomedical research. This includes conception of a research study, epidemiological and bio-statistical considerations in designing a research study, planning and conducting a research study, writing a research protocol and publication ethics.
The learning materials of BCBR include video lectures, handouts of presentation slides, reading materials, lecture-wise list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), example accompaniments and assignments.
BCBR Syllabus
The following table highlights the BCBR syllabus:
1. Conceptualizing a Research Study |
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2. Epidemiological considerations in designing a research study |
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3. Bio-statistical considerations in designing a research study |
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4. Planning a Research Study |
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5. Conducting a research study |
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6. Writing a research protocol |
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(*) denotes that these lectures do not have online assignments.
BCBR Course Assignments
The BCBR course has a total of 25 lectures, of which the first 23 lectures will have online assignments with 10 multiple choice questions (MCQs) each. Answer keys are not provided for the assignments.
Students are required a minimum score of 50% in each assignment to be eligible to register for the BCBR exam. Students who fail to secure a minimum score of 50% in any of the 23 lecture assignments of BCBR will be considered as ‘in eligible’ to register for the proctored examination.
The students who have not secured the eligibility, can click on the ‘Retake Test’ tab at their convenience, allowing them to attempt a new set of 10 MCQs. They can submit assignments any number of times until they secure the minimum score for eligibility to register for the BCBR exams. However, assignment scores will not be considered for final certification.
BCBR Examination
Students who successfully complete the BCBR course with a minimum score of 50% are eligible to register and sit for the BCBR exam. The BCBR exam registration link for the next available date is provided when a participant successfully secures a minimum score of 50% in each of the 23 lecture assignments.
Students can register for the BCBR examination by filling up an online registration form and paying an examination fee prescribed by SWAYAM-NPTEL. BCBR exam is conducted in a proctored computer-based mode at designated centers in selected cities across the country.
BCBR Course Certification 2026
Students who secure a minimum of 50% in the final BCBR exam receive an e-Certificate with their name, photograph and the score obtained. The BCBR certificate is electronically verifiable at a designated web address at archive.nptel.ac.in/noc/. The authority does not issue the hard copies of the BCBR certificates.
What If I Failed The BCBR Exam 2026?
Students who fail to secure the minimum score of 50% in the BCBR exam are provided the e-Certificate. They have to re-register for the proctored examination at the next available date.
BCBR Course Registration 2026
Registration for the BCBR course is open throughout the year. Candidates can enrol and access the course according to their schedule. The BCBR course is available on the websites of SWAYAM and ICMR-NIE.
