LATEST UPDATE 2026

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Master of Dental Surgery (NEET MDS) is the national level entrance exam conducted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) for admission to postgraduate dental programs (MDS) in India. The official notification for NEET MDS is expected to be released in February 2026, along with the detailed information bulletin containing eligibility, syllabus, pattern, and schedule. The NEET MDS application form is likely to be made available soon after the notification, also in February. The examination is expected to be held in April, probably in the third week of April in computer based online mode. The admit card for the exam will be released about 1 to 2 weeks before the exam, most likely in early to mid April. The results for NEET MDS are expected to be declared in May, approximately within one month after the exam, and counselling through the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) is likely to begin in June–July for seat allocation in MDS courses across India.

IMPORTANT DATES

The NEET MDS exam is likely to be held in April. The NEET MDS notification is expected anytime soon. The NEET MDS application form will be released along with the information bulletin at natboard.edu.in. 

PROGRAMS OFFERED

The NEET MDS exam allows admission to Master of Dental Surgery programs offered by dental colleges across India. These programs include postgraduate courses in various specializations such as Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics, Periodontology, Prosthodontics, Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Oral Medicine and Radiology, Public Health Dentistry, and Oral Pathology and Microbiology.

Each program is designed as a three-year full-time course after successful completion of the Bachelor of Dental Surgery. These programs provide in-depth theoretical knowledge along with hands-on clinical training in specialized areas of dentistry. The curriculum focuses on developing advanced skills required for clinical practice, research, and teaching in the respective specialization.

TOP COLLEGES & TOTAL SEATS

Admission through NEET MDS is offered by government dental colleges, private dental colleges, deemed universities, and central institutions across India. The most prominent government colleges include Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences in Delhi, Government Dental College and Hospital in Mumbai, Dr. R. Ahmed Dental College and Hospital in Kolkata, and Government Dental College in Chennai. Deemed universities and private institutions like Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Saveetha Dental College, ITS Dental College in Ghaziabad, and Amrita School of Dentistry in Kochi are also popular among candidates. These colleges follow the NEET MDS merit list for admission and offer well-equipped clinical facilities, experienced faculty, and research opportunities in dental sciences.

The total number of seats available through NEET MDS is distributed across all government, private, deemed, and central dental colleges in India. Government colleges generally have a higher number of seats for each specialization, often ranging from twenty to thirty per program, while private and deemed universities may offer around ten to fifteen seats per specialization. Overall, India has approximately 3500 to 4000 MDS seats available annually through NEET MDS across all institutions. Seats are further divided based on category including general, OBC, SC, ST, and persons with disabilities according to government regulations and reservation policies. The availability of seats in each specialization and college may vary slightly each year depending on government approvals, infrastructure, and faculty strength.

HOW TO APPLY

Candidates must apply for NEET MDS online through the official NBEMS portal. The first step is to register using a valid email address and mobile number to create a login account. After registration, candidates must fill in their personal details, academic information, and course preferences in the application form. Candidates must upload scanned copies of photograph, signature, and other required documents as per specifications. After completing the form, the application fee must be paid using online modes such as credit card, debit card, net banking, or UPI. Finally, candidates should review all details carefully before submitting the form and download the confirmation page and fee receipt for future reference.

Step 1: Go to the Official Website of NEET MDS. Click on “NEET-MDS” and Click on “New Registration”. Candidates willing to apply for NEET MDS shall be required to create an online profile of themselves to generate a User ID and Password.

Step 2: This User ID and Password created will allow the candidate to log in as an applicant for NEET MDS and register an online application. The “Go To Application” link will allow the candidate to continue with the application immediately. If the login password is lost, it can be retrieved by clicking “Forgot Your Password”.

Step 3: After completing the registration process, candidates have to click on ‘Complete Application Form’. It is mandatory to fill remaining details in the application form of NEET MDS.

Step 4: The Candidates can log in with the system-generated Application Number and pre-created Password for completing the Application Form including filling up personal details, choosing the Question Paper medium and Examination Cities (The test city can be selected from available choices on a first come first serve basis, while the city will be chosen by the candidate himself/ herself at the time of online submission of application form, allotment of test center/ venue in the chosen city shall be done by NBE), providing the details of Educational Qualifications, and uploading the images and documents.

Step 5: Uploading photograph, signature, and thumb impression. Images that are not as per prescribed specification shall not be considered and may lead to rejection of the application. Things which has to be uploaded by candidates are as under-

1) Candidate shall be required to upload two photographs (one in real time using in built camera/ webcam and another one is recent photograph (Not more than 3 months old).

2)  Candidate shall be required to upload two signatures (one by using a digital device and another one by scanning).

3) Candidate has to upload his/ her left thumb impression using a blue/ black colour ink pad.

Step 6:  After Uploading, next step is application fees, once the application fees is paid, a confirmation page or acknowledgment receipt will be generated. This means that the application for NEET MDS has been successfully submitted. A copy of the NEET MDS acknowledgment or confirmation page will also be sent to the registered email as well as the mobile number of the candidates. Candidates are advised to save this acknowledgment receipt for future reference. They are also advised to take a printout of the same for reference.

Step 7: Take a printout of the filled Application form with Transaction ID printed on it for records.

Application Fees

EXAM CENTERS

NEET MDS is conducted in computer-based online mode at selected cities across India. Candidates can select their preferred exam city during the application process. The exam centers are located in major metropolitan and regional cities to ensure accessibility. The exact list of cities is released with the official notification. Candidates are advised to choose their exam city carefully because changes are usually not allowed after the application is submitted. The exam center allotment is done based on availability and first-come first-serve basis.

Admission to the Examination Centres

1. The Examination Centre will be opened two hours before the commencement of the test. Therefore, candidates must ensure that they leave home well in advance considering all facts like traffic, location of the Centre, weather conditions, etc. Candidates are expected to take their seats immediately after the opening of the Examination Hall.
2. The candidate must show, on-demand, the Admit Card for admission in the Examination Hall. A candidate who does not possess a valid Admit Card shall not be allowed to enter the Examination Hall by the Centre Superintendent.
3. A seat with a roll number will be allotted to each candidate. Candidates must find out and occupy their allotted seats. If a candidate is found appearing in the Examination from a seat or room other than the allotted one, the candidature shall be cancelled.
4. During the examination time, the Invigilator will check Admit Card of the candidates to ascertain the identity of each candidate. The Invigilators will also put their own signature in the place provided in the Answer Sheet and on the Attendance Sheet.
5. A candidate who comes late shall not be permitted to enter the Examination Centre under any circumstances.
6. Candidates must bring only the following documents on the day of examination at the test centre. Candidates who will not bring these will not be allowed to sit in the examination.
7. A) A printed copy of Barcoded/ QR Admit Card downloaded from website with passport size photograph (same as uploaded on the Application form) pasted on it.
8. B) Candidates are advised to carry photocopy of Permanent/ Provisional SMC/ MCI/ NMC registration.
9. C) Any one of the authorized photo IDs (must be original and valid and like PAN card/ Driving License/ Voter ID/ Passport/ Aadhaar Card / any other valid photo ID issued by the Government.
10. Candidates are not allowed to bring any barred item or any item which could be used for Unfair practices. Possession of any such article with the candidates inside the Centre premises will attract the penalties of unfair practices.      

ADMIT CARD

The NEET MDS admit card will be released online through the official NBEMS portal approximately one to two weeks before the exam date. Candidates must log in using their registration credentials to download the admit card. The admit card contains important details such as candidate name, roll number, exam date, reporting time, and the address of the allotted exam center. It is mandatory to carry the admit card along with a valid government-issued photo ID to the exam center. Candidates without the admit card are not allowed to enter the examination hall.

STEP 1- Visit the Official Website

STEP 2-Select “NEET MDS” 

STEP 3- Log in through the applicant login area.      

STEP 4– Click “Download admit card” 

STEP 5- Check that the ticket has no spelling mistakes. 

STEP 6– Download and save the admit card of NEET MDS.         

EXAM RESULT

NEET MDS results will be announced on the official NBEMS website. Results display the score obtained by the candidate, percentile, and rank in the national merit list. Candidates can check their results by logging in with their registration details. The merit list is the basis for counselling and seat allotment in MDS courses. The results are usually declared within four to six weeks after the exam.

STEP 1- Go to the Official Website

STEP 2- Click on ‘NEET MDS’ link.

STEP 3- NEET MDS result will be displayed on the screen.

STEP 4- Download the NEET MDS Result PDF and using CTRL+F, search for the Roll Number. 

STEP 5- Verify the Details mentioned in the result PDF.

STEP 6- Check the score and print the scorecard.

COUNSELLING PROCESS & CUTOFFS

Counselling for NEET MDS 2026 is conducted in two stages. The first stage is all India counselling for 50 percent All India Quota seats in government dental colleges and all seats in deemed universities. The second stage is state counselling for the remaining seats in respective state colleges. During counselling, candidates must register online, select preferred colleges and specializations, and verify documents. Seats are allotted based on merit, rank, and category. Candidates must complete all formalities, including fee payment and document verification, to confirm admission. Failure to report during the counselling window may result in forfeiting the allotted seat.

CUTOFFS AND EXPECTED CUTOFFS FOR NEET MDS

NEET MDS cutoffs are determined based on number of candidates, difficulty of the exam, and total seats available in different colleges. In 2025, general category candidates required approximately 450 to 470 marks to secure admission in government colleges, while reserved category candidates had lower cutoffs depending on the category. Deemed and private universities generally have higher cutoffs due to limited seats and high competition.

For NEET MDS 2026, it is expected that cutoffs will remain in a similar range, with top government colleges requiring higher scores and private institutions having slightly lower thresholds. Candidates are advised to aim for maximum accuracy and high percentile to secure a preferred seat in their desired specialization and college.