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 in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) for admission to postgraduate dental programs in India.
For the year 2026, NEET MDS is expected to be conducted in the first half of 2026 (tentative). 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 2026
The application process for NEET MDS 2026 is expected to begin in February 2026 (tentative). Candidates will have to complete the application process within the official registration window as released by NBEMS.
Candidates will be 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 is generally structured as follows:
- General and OBC candidates- ₹4,250 (Expected)
- SC/ST/PwD candidates- ₹3,250 (Expected)
After application submission, NBEMS usually opens a correction window for candidates to edit selected fields in their application form. A final correction window may also be provided for any last-minute permitted edits (as per official notice).
Eligibility Criteria for NEET MDS 2026
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 the cut-off date mentioned in the official NEET MDS 2026 bulletin (Expected).
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 2026 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 2026 Admit Card
The NEET MDS admit card will be released approximately one week before the examination date. Candidates can download it from the official NBEMS 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 2026 Results and Cut-Off
The results for NEET MDS 2026 are expected to be declared within a few weeks after the exam (tentative). Candidates can check their results on the official NBEMS website by entering their details as asked on the portal.
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 2026
NEET MDS 2026 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
NEET MDS 2026 exam date will be announced officially by NBEMS. It is expected to be held in the first half of 2026 (tentative).
Candidates must have a BDS degree, a valid DCI/SDC registration, and must complete their internship by the cut-off date mentioned in the official NEET MDS bulletin.
The exam consists of 240 multiple-choice questions divided into Part A (100 questions) and Part B (140 questions).
Yes. One mark is deducted for every incorrect answer, while four marks are awarded for every correct response.
Candidates can apply online through the official NBEMS portal once the NEET MDS 2026 application window opens. The official website is https://natboard.edu.in/
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