BDS Colleges in India 2026 | Fees, Rankings & NEET Cutoff

About BDS

A Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) is a 5-year undergraduate dental program (including a mandatory 1-year internship) for students who have completed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB). It qualifies graduates to practice as licensed dentists and forms the foundation for further specialization through the Master of Dental Surgery (MDS).

Admission to every BDS seat in India — government and private alike — is through NEET UG, the same exam used for MBBS admission, followed by centralized or state-level counselling rounds based on the candidate's rank and category. There is no institute-level alternative to NEET for BDS admission.

Duration5 Years

MDS Specializations9

Dental Colleges300+

Practice SettingsClinics & Hospitals

Program Structure

Pre-Clinical & Para-Clinical (Years 1–2)

Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Dental Materials, and Pathology.

Clinical Phase & Internship (Years 3–5)

Clinical postings across Oral Surgery, Orthodontics, and other dental specialties, followed by a mandatory 1-year internship.

Popular Specializations After BDS

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Surgical treatment of the mouth, jaw, and facial structures.
Orthodontics
Correction of teeth and jaw alignment using braces and aligners.
Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics
Root canal treatment and restoration of damaged teeth.
Prosthodontics
Dentures, crowns, bridges, and dental implant restoration.
Periodontics
Diagnosis and treatment of gum disease and supporting tooth structures.
Pedodontics
Dental care and treatment specifically for children.
Oral Pathology & Microbiology
Diagnosis of oral diseases through lab-based analysis.
Public Health Dentistry
Community dental health programs and preventive care.
Oral Medicine & Radiology
Diagnosis of oral diseases using imaging and clinical examination.

What You'll Learn

Dental Anatomy & Physiology
Oral Pathology & Microbiology
Dental Materials Science
Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Clinical Dental Practice

Career Opportunities

General DentistDental SurgeonResident DentistDental OfficerPublic Health DentistClinical ResearcherDental Practice OwnerPG Specialist (post MDS)

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BDS Entrance Exams

Admission to BDS in India runs entirely through NEET UG, the same exam used for MBBS — there is no alternate entrance route. Here's a quick look at NEET UG and the exam relevant further along the dental education path.

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NEET UG

National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate)

The sole entrance exam for BDS admission across all government and private dental colleges in India, alongside MBBS. Tests Physics, Chemistry, and Biology from the Class 11–12 syllabus.

Conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA)

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