NTRUHS MBBS 3rd Year Syllabus 2026

NTRUHS 3rd Year MBBS at a Glance

All three subjects are examined in the NTRUHS Third Professional MBBS examination. Practical marks and internal assessment weightage are set by NTRUHS within NMC CBME guidelines -- verify with the official NTRUHS syllabus notification.

Detailed Syllabus by Subject

Community Medicine

NTRUHS Community Medicine Question Papers | Community Medicine Subject Hub

Community Medicine (also called Preventive and Social Medicine, or PSM) covers the principles of public health, epidemiology, biostatistics, national health programmes, and social determinants of health. NTRUHS theory papers draw heavily from India-specific health data, national programme details, and regional disease burden -- all particularly relevant for Andhra Pradesh, where vector-borne diseases, fluorosis, and rural health infrastructure challenges are significant public health concerns.

Epidemiology and Biostatistics

Epidemiology covers the measurement and distribution of disease: incidence, prevalence, attack rate, case fatality rate, relative risk, odds ratio. Study designs include descriptive (cross-sectional, ecological), analytical (case-control, cohort), and experimental (randomised controlled trial) approaches. Biostatistics covers sampling methods, measures of central tendency and dispersion, hypothesis testing (t-test, chi-square, ANOVA), p-value, confidence intervals, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and ROC curves. Vital statistics (IMR, MMR, TFR, CBR, CDR) and demographic transition theory are commonly tested as long essay or short essay questions.

Environmental Health and Sanitation

Water supply and purification (sedimentation, coagulation, filtration, chlorination), bacteriological water quality standards, water-borne diseases (cholera, typhoid, hepatitis A, amoebiasis), sanitation systems (types of latrines, sewage disposal, solid waste management), air pollution (sources, health effects, NAAQS standards), vector control methods (insecticides, biological control), housing and health, occupational health and occupational diseases (silicosis, asbestosis, byssinosis, occupational dermatitis, lead and mercury toxicity in occupational settings).

Nutrition

Nutritional assessment methods (anthropometry, dietary survey, biochemical, clinical), protein-energy malnutrition (kwashiorkor and marasmus -- distinguishing features), micronutrient deficiencies (iron deficiency anaemia -- major burden in AP women and children; vitamin A deficiency and xerophthalmia; iodine deficiency disorders; vitamin D deficiency), endemic fluorosis (high groundwater fluoride levels remain a regional public health issue in parts of Andhra Pradesh), national nutrition programmes (ICDS, NHM nutrition components, PM Poshan).

National Health Programmes (High-Yield)

These are consistently among the most frequently tested topics in Community Medicine papers. Students must know the objectives, target population, schedule, and recent developments in each:

• Universal Immunization Programme (UIP): all vaccines, schedule, cold chain requirements. See: National Immunization Schedule India | IAP Immunization Schedule
• National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP, formerly RNTCP): Nikshay Poshan Yojana, DOTS strategy, drug regimens, notification
• National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP): malaria (both vivax and falciparum -- significant in tribal and rural AP), dengue, chikungunya, lymphatic filariasis (Wuchereria bancrofti -- coastal Andhra Pradesh is endemic), Japanese encephalitis, kala-azar
• National AIDS Control Programme (NACP): phases, target interventions, ICTC
• Reproductive and Child Health Programme (RCH): ANC, safe delivery, postnatal care, family planning
• Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS): components, beneficiaries, ASHA and AWW roles
• National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment (NPCBVI): cataract, refractive errors, school eye health
• National Mental Health Programme (NMHP): community psychiatry

Healthcare Delivery System

Primary health care (Alma-Ata Declaration 1978, eight elements, India's additions), health centre infrastructure (sub-centre, PHC, CHC, sub-divisional and district hospital -- staffing and functions of each), Ayushman Bharat -- Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs) and Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), ASHA functions and incentive structure, international health organisations (WHO structure, UNICEF, FAO, UNDP, World Bank in health context), Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3 and health-related targets).

Communicable and Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology

Communicable diseases: chain of infection, herd immunity, epidemic investigation, disease-specific epidemiology (cholera, typhoid, malaria, tuberculosis, HIV, rabies, dengue, polio -- eradication achievements and challenges).

Non-communicable diseases: cardiovascular disease risk factors and epidemiology, diabetes mellitus prevention, common cancers in India (cervical, oral, breast, lung -- tobacco link), mental health burden.

Practical: Community field visits (urban and rural PHC/CHC), vital statistics calculation exercises, biostatistics problems (sensitivity/specificity, study design analysis), health education tool preparation, morbidity and mortality reporting.

ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat -- Otorhinolaryngology)

NTRUHS ENT Question Papers | ENT Subject Hub

ENT covers diseases of the ear, nose, paranasal sinuses, pharynx, larynx, and neck. NTRUHS ENT theory papers consistently test CSOM (the most examined ENT topic), the anatomy and applied aspects of hearing loss, epistaxis management, and the approach to a neck lump.

Ear (Otology)

Applied anatomy of the external, middle, and inner ear. Physiology of hearing and balance. Clinical assessment: otoscopy, tuning fork tests (Rinne, Weber, Schwabach -- interpretation and clinical significance), pure tone audiogram, tympanometry, BERA.

External ear: Otitis externa (diffuse and furunculosis), impacted cerumen, foreign bodies.

Middle ear: Acute otitis media (AOM -- stages, management, complications), otitis media with effusion (OME/glue ear), chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) -- the most examined ENT topic at most Indian universities including NTRUHS. CSOM has two types: tubotympanic (safe type -- central perforation, mucoid discharge, no cholesteatoma) and atticoantral (unsafe/dangerous type -- marginal or attic perforation, cholesteatoma, foul-smelling discharge, higher risk of complications). Complications of CSOM: mastoiditis, facial nerve palsy, labyrinthitis, meningitis, brain abscess, lateral sinus thrombophlebitis, Bezold's abscess. See: Cholesteatoma Topic Page

Inner ear and hearing loss: Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) -- causes (presbyacusis, noise-induced, Meniere's disease, BPPV, ototoxic drugs), labyrinthitis. See: Hearing Loss Topic Page

Surgery: myringotomy, grommet insertion, cortical mastoidectomy, modified radical mastoidectomy, tympanoplasty.

Nose and Paranasal Sinuses

Applied anatomy and physiology of the nose (mucociliary clearance, humidification, olfaction). Deviated nasal septum (DNS): classification, symptoms (nasal obstruction, headache, sinusitis), septoplasty vs rhinoplasty distinction. See: Deviated Nasal Septum Topic Page

Epistaxis: Kiesselbach's plexus (Little's area -- most common site), causes, first aid, anterior nasal packing, posterior nasal packing, arterial ligation. Nasal polyps: antrochoanal polyp (unilateral, prolapsed from maxillary antrum -- young patients) vs ethmoidal polyps (bilateral, associated with allergy, aspirin sensitivity). Rhinitis: allergic (ARIA classification), vasomotor, atrophic (ozaena). Sinusitis: acute (maxillary most common) and chronic, surgical options (FESS). Nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (juvenile): young males, profuse unilateral epistaxis, CT appearance.

Pharynx, Tonsils and Adenoids

Acute pharyngitis and tonsillitis (viral -- adenovirus; bacterial -- Group A Streptococcus). Chronic tonsillitis: indications for tonsillectomy. Peritonsillar abscess (quinsy): asymmetric tonsillar swelling, uvular deviation, management. Adenoid hypertrophy: nasal obstruction, mouth breathing, conductive hearing loss (OME), snoring. Ludwig's angina: bilateral floor-of-mouth cellulitis, airway emergency. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma: EBV link, lateral cervical lymphadenopathy, bloody nasal discharge.

Larynx and Voice

Applied anatomy and physiology of the larynx. Acute laryngitis, croup (laryngotracheobronchitis). Hoarseness: causes including vocal cord nodules, polyps, recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy (causes of RLN palsy -- left side more common due to course around aortic arch; causes: carcinoma lung, oesophageal carcinoma, thyroid surgery). Carcinoma larynx: supraglottic, glottic, subglottic; staging; treatment options (endoscopic, partial laryngectomy, total laryngectomy); voice rehabilitation. Tracheostomy: indications, procedure, complications, tracheostomy tube care.

Practical: Otoscopy, anterior rhinoscopy, indirect laryngoscopy, tuning fork tests (performed on each other and on patients), audiogram interpretation, Rinne and Weber test interpretation.

Ophthalmology

NTRUHS Ophthalmology Question Papers | Ophthalmology Subject Hub

Ophthalmology covers the anatomy, physiology, and diseases of the eye and visual system. NTRUHS Ophthalmology papers test the visual pathway, common conditions (cataract, glaucoma, refractive errors), and surgical management. Clinical postings in the ophthalmology OPD and ward support the theory curriculum.

Anatomy and Physiology of the Eye

Anatomy of the eyeball (three coats, contents, dimensions), orbit (bones, foramina, structures), extraocular muscles and their nerve supply (III, IV, VI cranial nerves), eyelids and lacrimal apparatus. Physiology: accommodation (lens changes, ciliary muscle), aqueous humour formation (ciliary body) and drainage (trabecular meshwork, Schlemm's canal -- relevant to glaucoma), the visual pathway from retina through optic nerve, optic chiasm, optic tract, lateral geniculate nucleus, optic radiation, to primary visual cortex -- lesion localisation at each level is a very commonly tested long essay question.

Refractive Errors and Squint

Myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, presbyopia -- definitions, correction methods (spectacles, contact lenses, refractive surgery). Amblyopia: definition, causes (strabismic, anisometropic, deprivational), treatment (patching). Squint (strabismus): concomitant vs paralytic types, assessment, management. See: Squint Topic Page

Cornea and External Eye

Conjunctivitis (bacterial, viral, allergic, trachoma -- Chlamydia trachomatis is the leading cause of preventable blindness globally; WHO SAFE strategy). Xerophthalmia (vitamin A deficiency stages -- night blindness, conjunctival xerosis, Bitot's spots, corneal xerosis, corneal ulceration -- important in Community Medicine-Ophthalmology overlap). Corneal ulcer: bacterial, viral (dendritic ulcer -- HSV type 1), fungal (post-trauma with vegetable matter in rural AP setting), Mooren's ulcer. Keratoplasty indications. See: Corneal Ulcer Topic Page

Uveal Tract

Uveitis: anterior (iritis, iridocyclitis), posterior (choroiditis), panuveitis. Systemic associations (TB, HLA-B27 spondyloarthropathies, sarcoidosis, Behcet's disease, VKH syndrome). Management: topical and systemic steroids, cycloplegics.

Lens and Cataract

Types of cataract: nuclear (hard, amber-coloured), cortical (spokes), posterior subcapsular (associated with steroids and diabetes), congenital (rubella link -- TORCH). Diabetic cataract: snowflake appearance. Surgical management: phacoemulsification (standard), ECCE (manual SICS), ICCE (historical); IOL types; complications (posterior capsule opacification, endophthalmitis, vitreous loss). See: Cataract Topic Page

Glaucoma

Types: primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG -- gradual, painless, optic disc cupping, visual field defect -- arcuate scotoma); primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG -- acute: sudden painful red eye, cloudy cornea, fixed mid-dilated pupil -- emergency treatment with IV acetazolamide, pilocarpine, then YAG laser iridotomy). Secondary glaucoma (uveitis, steroid-induced, neovascular). Measurement of IOP (Goldmann applanation tonometry, Schiotz tonometer). Medical management (beta-blockers -- timolol; prostaglandin analogues -- latanoprost; alpha-2 agonists; CAIs -- acetazolamide). Surgical management: trabeculectomy. See: Glaucoma Topic Page

Retina and Vitreous

Retinal detachment: rhegmatogenous (most common -- retinal break, flashes, floaters, curtain defect); tractional (diabetic, sickle cell); exudative. Management: scleral buckle, pneumatic retinopexy, vitrectomy. See: Retinal Detachment Topic Page

Diabetic retinopathy: non-proliferative (background -- microaneurysms, haemorrhages, hard exudates; pre-proliferative -- CWS, IRMA) and proliferative (neovascularisation, vitreous haemorrhage, tractional RD). Management: tight glycaemic control, laser photocoagulation, anti-VEGF intravitreal injections.

Hypertensive retinopathy: Keith-Wagener-Barker classification (I-IV), AV nipping, copper/silver wiring, flame haemorrhages, papilloedema in Grade IV.

Prevention of Blindness

Common causes of blindness in India: cataract (most common -- ~66%), refractive errors, glaucoma, corneal blindness (trachoma, trauma), diabetic retinopathy. National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment (NPCBVI): targets, cataract surgical rate, school eye health screening. WHO VISION 2020: "The Right to Sight" global initiative and India's targets.

Practical: Visual acuity testing (Snellen's chart -- distance; Jaeger's -- near), colour vision (Ishihara chart, useful for identifying colour blindness in drivers and pilots), direct ophthalmoscopy and fundoscopy technique, Schiotz tonometry, fluorescein staining for corneal defects, visual field confrontation testing.

Study resources: Best Ophthalmology Book for MBBS

NTRUHS 3rd Year Exam Pattern

The question paper format for NTRUHS 3rd Year subjects is visible when you open any year paper in the GeckoMed app. NTRUHS papers from 2023, 2024 and 2025 are available for all three subjects.

Internal Assessment in NTRUHS 3rd Year

Under NMC CBME, students must clear internal assessment to be eligible for the Third Professional MBBS examination. For Community Medicine, internal assessment includes field visits, epidemiology project reports, and periodic written assessments. For ENT and Ophthalmology, it includes clinical OPD postings, case documentation, and practical assessments. Verify minimum thresholds with NTRUHS academic regulations.

Recommended Textbooks for NTRUHS 3rd Year

• Community Medicine: K. Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine is the standard reference for Indian MBBS and is particularly suited to NTRUHS papers because it covers India-specific national programme data and AP-relevant public health issues. Verify the current edition recommendation with your college.
• ENT: Dhingra's Diseases of Ear, Nose and Throat and Head and Neck Surgery is the standard Indian reference widely used in NTRUHS-affiliated colleges.
• Ophthalmology: Best Ophthalmology Book for MBBS -- GeckoMed's guide to recommended ophthalmology textbooks for MBBS.

NTRUHS 3rd Year Question Papers

GeckoMed has NTRUHS previous year question papers for all three 3rd Year subjects. Papers from 2024 and 2025 are available for each subject:

• NTRUHS Community Medicine Question Papers -- 2023, 2024, 2025
• NTRUHS ENT Question Papers -- 2023, 2024, 2025
• NTRUHS Ophthalmology Question Papers -- 2023, 2024, 2025
• All NTRUHS Question Papers -- complete archive across all 14 subjects

National 3rd Year resources: MBBS 3rd Year Hub | MBBS 3rd Year Question Papers

Other NTRUHS MBBS Year Syllabi

• NTRUHS 1st Year Syllabus 2026 -- Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry
• NTRUHS 2nd Year Syllabus 2026 -- Pathology, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Forensic Medicine
• NTRUHS Final Year Syllabus 2026 -- General Medicine, General Surgery, OBG, Paediatrics
• NTRUHS Exam Dates
• NTRUHS Results
• NTRUHS University Hub

Frequently Asked Questions