Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
Getting success in medicine can be rarely an overnight story, it but you know what ? It is built over years of consistent effort, the right mentorship, and the you should have that ability to perfectly balance the clinical work along with your academics. In a heartfelt conversation, Dr. Raina Chawla from Conceptual OBG sat down with Dr. Smita, who is a long-time Conceptual student has recently she cleared her DNB OBG examination with the excellent scores, and she is also secured a commendable rank in NEET SS.
This preferred discussion was not just about only exams, but it also tells about the growth, confidence, and navigating one of the most demanding specialties in medicine.
A Journey That Began Long Before DNB
Dr. Raina has shares that she has known Dr. Smita Jugnu very well since her NEET PG preparation days, and she closely observed her utmost evolution from a student to a colleague. Just like so many Conceptual students, Dr. Smita’s journey has been one of the balanced progress which has been starting with NEET PG preparation, and now it’s finally moving into postgraduate training, and emerging as a confident OBGYN.
Dr. Smita Jugnu has recently completed her DNB OBG from a government institute and after that she has now begun her senior residency at GEMS, Greater Noida. Which perfectly reflecting on her utmost achievements, although she candidly admits that while her NEET SS rank may not be that much “perfect,” but it has motivated her to prepare even more harder for the next attempt.
DNB vs MS: Clearing the Common Doubts
One of the most common concerns that always generates among postgraduate aspirants is whether DNB is as good as MS/MD, especially when they pursue it from a government hospital.
Sharing her overall experience, Dr. Smita Jugnu has explained that her institute has offered excellent clinical exposure due to an sufficient patient load. However, it is like many busy government setups, which are highly structured academic discussions and regular theory were classes that were very limited. This is where online academic support is very important.
She highlighted that DNB is a very highly structured and guideline-based examination, which is particularly practical. With all types of clear formats, perfectly defined answer keys, and objective appraisals, the DNB exam rewards the utmost strong fundamentals and conceptual clarity. But you know, according to her, if your basics are clear, it is actually difficult to fail a DNB practical exam.
Integrating Academics with a Hectic OBGYN Life
You know, OBGYN is considered one of the most demanding branches, in both phases physically and mentally. It perfectly managing the emergency duties, labor rooms, surgeries, and keeping up with the academics is no easy task.
Dr. Smita Jugnu shares that during her second year, her clinical workload was very overwhelming, but when she came by the third year, she intentionally made time for the focused academic preparation. Although she heavily relied on eConceptual, especially for:
- All types of updated guidelines
- Formatted teaching
- Revisions of previous year questions
- Case discussions
She perfectly describes the previous year’s questions as actual “gem,” which has revised them repeatedly, as it also played a key role in her theory of preparation.
The Power of Case Presentations
You know what a memorable part of Dr. Smita’s journey was? It was presenting all the cases early on in her training, as the first to Dr. Raina Chawla, and later to JB Sir. These utmost experiences, she recalls, were indispensable.
Although, during her DNB practical exam, she usually felt as though that she was presenting cases to her mentors again. This familiarity gradually reduced anxiety and helped her to perform very confidently. The preferred structured case discussions at Conceptual have mirrored the actual exam format and made the transition seem seamless.
Facing the DNB Exam with Confidence
Like so many other candidates, Dr. Smita Jugnu admits that she carried a constant fear until the exam day comes. However, once the examination began, it unravels exactly as she had been guided.
She highlights that the biggest challenge of the DNB exam is often the unfamiliar examination center, not the exam itself. With proper preparation and conceptual clarity, the exam is very much manageable.
NEET SS Preparation: Making the Most of Limited Time
Dr. Smita Jugnu had barely 20–25 days between her DNB result and the NEET SS exam. During this period, she was also involved in locum work and clinical exposure.
She honestly shares that she did nothing “extraordinary” for NEET SS. Her preparation was rooted in the strong basics she had already built through e-Conceptual over the past two years. Although she had opted for gynecological oncology, the paper turned out to be more general in nature, which worked in her favor.
Looking Ahead: Gynae Oncology and Beyond
When she asked about her future plans, Dr. Smita Jugnu communicate a clear interest in gynecological oncology. However, she used to strongly believes in gaining the utmost hands-on confidence which comes before jumping into super-specialization.
Both Dr. Raina and Dr. Smita Jugnu agree that doing at least one year of senior residency helps sharpen clinical decision-making and surgical skills, making future fellowship or super-specialty training more meaningful and effective.
Final Thoughts
Dr. Smita’s journey basically a reminder that success in medicine is not just about shortcuts, it’s all about the consistency, mentorship, and believing in the process. Her story resound with thousands of postgraduate students who used to juggle in demanding clinical work while attempt to stay academically strong.
As Dr. Raina rightly concludes, watching students grow into confident colleagues is one of the most rewarding aspects of teaching.
