The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Master of Dental Surgery (NEET MDS) is a national-level entrance examination conducted by the National Board of Examinations (NBE) for admission to postgraduate dental programs in India.
For the year 2025, NEET MDS is scheduled to take place on April 19, 2025. This comprehensive examination serves as the gateway for dental graduates aspiring to specialize in various dental disciplines across reputed institutions nationwide.
Application Process and Important Dates for NEET MDS 2025
The application process for NEET MDS 2025 commenced on February 18, 2025, and concluded on March 10, 2025.
Candidates were required to register online through the NEET MDS official website, providing necessary personal and educational details, uploading relevant documents, and paying the application fee. The application fee was structured as follows-
- General and OBC candidates- ₹4,250
- SC/ST/PwD candidates- ₹3,250
Post the application submission, NBE opened the correction window from March 15 to March 17, 2025, allowing candidates to rectify specific details in their application forms. A final correction window is scheduled from March 27 to March 31, 2025, for any last-minute edits.
Eligibility Criteria for NEET MDS 2025
To be eligible for the NEET MDS exam, candidates must fulfill the following criteria-
- Educational Qualification– Possess a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree from a recognized dental college or university in India.
- Registration– Hold a provisional or permanent registration certificate issued by the Dental Council of India (DCI) or State Dental Council (SDC).
- Internship– Complete a compulsory rotatory internship of one year in a recognized dental college on or before March 31, 2025.
NEET MDS Exam Pattern
Understanding the exam pattern is crucial for effective preparation. The NEET exam for MDS will be conducted in a computer-based test (CBT) mode, comprising 240 multiple-choice questions (MCQs). It is a 3-hour exam and the question paper is divided into two parts-
- Part A- 100 questions
- Part B- 140 questions
NEET MDS total marks or maximum marks are 960. Each correct answer will be awarded four marks, while one mark will be deducted for every incorrect response. Unanswered questions will not attract any negative marking. The medium of the examination will be English only.
NEET MDS Syllabus
The syllabus for the NEET MDS examination 2025 encompasses subjects taught during the BDS program, as prescribed by the DCI. The subjects include-
- Part A
- General Anatomy including Embryology and Histology
- General Human Physiology and Biochemistry
- Dental Anatomy, Embryology, and Oral Histology
- General Pathology and Microbiology
- General and Dental Pharmacology and Therapeutics
- General Medicine
- General Surgery
- Part B
- Dental Materials
- Oral Pathology and Oral Microbiology
- Oral Medicine and Radiology
- Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry
- Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
- Periodontology
- Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge
- Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Public Health Dentistry
NEET MDS Subject-Wise Weightage
Understanding the subject-wise weightage in NEET MDS can help candidates focus on high-scoring areas and optimize their preparation.
As mentioned above, the exam has 240 questions divided between Part A (100 questions) and Part B (140 questions). Below is the expected distribution of questions across subjects-
Part A (Preclinical and Paraclinical Subjects – 100 Questions)
| Subject | Number of Questions |
| General Anatomy, Embryology & Histology | 14 |
| General Human Physiology & Biochemistry | 14 |
| Dental Anatomy, Embryology & Oral Histology | 14 |
| General Pathology & Microbiology | 14 |
| General & Dental Pharmacology & Therapeutics | 14 |
| General Medicine | 15 |
| General Surgery | 15 |
Part B (Clinical Subjects – 140 Questions)
| Subject | Number of Questions |
| Dental Materials | 14 |
| Oral Pathology & Oral Microbiology | 14 |
| Oral Medicine & Radiology | 14 |
| Pedodontics & Preventive Dentistry | 14 |
| Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics | 14 |
| Periodontology | 14 |
| Prosthodontics & Crown & Bridge | 14 |
| Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics | 14 |
| Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery | 14 |
| Public Health Dentistry | 14 |
NEET MDS 2025 Admit Card
The NEET MDS admit card will be released approximately one week before the examination date. Candidates can download it from the official NBE website using their login credentials.
The admit card will contain details such as the candidate’s name, roll number, photograph, signature, examination date, time, and venue. It is mandatory to carry a printed copy of the admit card along with a valid photo ID proof to the examination center.
NEET MDS 2025 Results and Cut-Off
The results for NEET MDS 2025 are expected to be declared by May 2025. Candidates can check their results on the official NBE website by entering their roll number and date of birth.
Along with the results, the cut-off scores will also be announced. The cut-off is the minimum qualifying percentile that candidates must secure to be eligible for the counseling process. The expected cut-off percentiles are-
- General and EWS- 50th percentile
- SC/ST/OBC- 40th percentile
- PwD (General and EWS)- 45th percentile
NEET MDS Counseling Process
Post the declaration of results, the Medical Counseling Committee (MCC) will conduct the counseling process for 50% All India Quota (AIQ) seats, deemed/central universities, and ESIC institutes. The remaining 50% of state quota seats will be filled by the respective state counseling authorities. The counseling process involves-
Registration
Candidates must register on the MCC or respective state counseling portals. They need to fill in their details, select their preferred colleges, and pay the counseling registration fee.
Choice Filling & Locking
Candidates must select and rank their preferred dental colleges based on their interests. Once choices are locked, no further modifications can be made.
Seat Allotment
Based on the NEET MDS rank, category, available seats, and preferences, candidates are allotted seats in different colleges.
Reporting & Admission
Candidates who receive a seat allotment must report to the respective college within the given timeframe. They need to carry original documents for verification and complete the admission formalities.
If a candidate is not satisfied with their allotted seat, they can participate in subsequent counseling rounds.
Top Colleges Accepting NEET MDS Scores
NEET MDS serves as the qualifying exam for admission to some of the most prestigious dental colleges in India. Some of the top colleges accepting NEET MDS scores include-
- Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, New Delhi
- Government Dental College and Hospital, Mumbai
- Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal
- Saveetha Dental College, Chennai
- Nair Hospital Dental College, Mumbai
- Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai
- Government Dental College, Bangalore
Preparing for NEET MDS 2025
NEET MDS 2025 is a crucial exam for dental graduates aiming for postgraduate specialization. With the right preparation, a thorough understanding of the NEET MDS exam pattern and syllabus, and strategic time management, candidates can secure admission to top dental colleges in India.
Aspiring candidates should stay updated with official notifications, practice rigorously, and maintain a disciplined study approach to achieve success.
FAQs on NEET MDS 2025
The NEET MDS 2025 exam was scheduled for 31st January. However, it has been postponed to 19th April by the NBE without explicitly stating a reason.
Candidates must have a BDS degree, a valid DCI/SDC registration, and should complete their internship by March 31, 2025.
The exam consists of 240 multiple-choice questions divided into Part A (100 questions) and Part B (140 questions).
Yes, 1 mark is deducted for every incorrect answer, while 4 marks are awarded for every correct response.
The registration window for NEET MDS 2025 was open between 18th February and 10th March on the official NBE NEET MDS portal at https://natboard.edu.in/.
