MDS admission 2025 is granted primarily through entrance examinations held by universities and institutions across India. MDS (Master of Dental Surgery) is a postgraduate program in Dentistry with a duration of three years. Admission requirements vary by institution, but qualifying in the relevant entrance exam is mandatory.

For eligibility, candidates must hold a BDS degree with a minimum of 55% marks. At the national level, admissions are conducted through three major exams: NEET MDS, INI CET, and NEET PG. Leading institutions offering MDS admission in 2025 include PGIMER, JIPMER, and Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, among others.

Students interested in pursuing MDS can explore further details on exam dates, eligibility, and MDS admission 2025 procedures in the sections below.

MDS Course Details

The Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) is a postgraduate medical programme that specializes in the study and treatment of the oral cavity, jaw, teeth, and related facial structures. The course has a duration of three years and is designed for candidates who have completed a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS). In certain cases, completion of a one-year internship is also required for eligibility.

Key highlights of the MDS programme are provided in the table below:

MDS Course: Specializations Offered

The Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) programme provides a range of specializations, including Prosthodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Orthodontics, among several others. The table below outlines the various MDS specializations along with their descriptions:

MDS Admission 2025 Eligibility Criteria

Applicants aspiring for MDS admission 2025 must meet the eligibility criteria outlined below:

MDS Admission 2025: All India Quota (AIQ) Counselling

For MDS admission 2025 under the 50% All India Quota (AIQ), there will be four rounds of counselling—Round 1, Round 2, AIQ Mop-up Round, and the AIQ Stray Vacancy Round, as per the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India.

All candidates who have qualified for AIQ seats based on their NEET PG rank, conducted by the National Board of Examinations (NBE), are eligible to participate. Rank letters and results can be downloaded from the NBE website. The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) will also publish the cut-off rank on its official site www.mcc.nic.in.

The AIQ counselling is domicile-free and covers the following seat categories:

50% All India Quota seats in medical institutions
50% seats of Banaras Hindu University (BHU)
50% seats of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU)
50% AIQ seats of Delhi University (DU) and other Central Institutes

MDS Admission 2025: Reservation Policy for AIQ

The reservation policy under AIQ counselling will follow the Central Government guidelines:

Scheduled Caste (SC): 15%
Scheduled Tribe (ST): 7.5%
Other Backward Class (OBC, Non-Creamy Layer as per Central List): 27%
Economically Weaker Section (EWS): 10%
Persons with Disability (PwD): 5% horizontal reservation as per NMC/DCI rules

PwD candidates must obtain a valid disability certificate from designated centres, as per the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. Certificates issued by non-designated hospitals or boards will not be accepted.

MDS Admission 2025: Eligibility for AIQ

To participate in AIQ counselling, candidates must:

Qualify NEET PG examination
Be domicile-free (open to candidates from all states and union territories)

The AIQ allotment will be conducted online by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India. For state quota seats and private colleges, candidates should apply directly to their respective state authorities, as MCC does not manage those.

MDS Admission 2025: Counselling in Deemed Universities

Following Supreme Court directives, MCC will conduct counselling for 100% of seats in Deemed Universities. There will be four rounds: Round 1, Round 2, Mop-up Round, and Stray Vacancy Round.

Key points for Deemed University MDS admission 2025:

All India Quota-qualified candidates are eligible, including those from Jammu & Kashmir.
No reservation is available for SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD categories, except in some Jain or Muslim Minority institutions (candidates must verify eligibility).
NRI quota seats are available. Candidates applying under this category must submit valid documents such as the sponsor’s passport, visa, affidavit, embassy certificate, and notarized family tree.

Additionally, as per Supreme Court orders in 2024, OCI cardholders will be treated at par with Indian citizens. They are eligible for General (UR) and NRI quota seats for NEET PG/MDS counselling.

MDS Admission 2025: Central Universities and Institutes

Central Universities (DU, AMU, BHU, etc.) will also have four rounds of counselling conducted by MCC.

Key details:

50% of seats are contributed to AIQ (domicile-free).
The remaining 50% fall under internal quota, with eligibility decided by the respective university.
PwD reservation of 5% applies in AIQ seats. Certificates must be issued from designated disability centres.
Seat conversion will take place in the Mop-up Round once eligible candidates are exhausted.

MDS Admission 2025: Delhi University (DU)

50% of DU seats are offered under AIQ.
The remaining 50% are reserved for DU internal candidates who have completed their BDS degree from DU and internship by the specified date.
Reservation for AIQ and DU internal seats follows Central Government policy (SC: 15%, ST: 7.5%, OBC: 27%, EWS: 10%, PwD: 5%).

MDS Admission 2025: Aligarh Muslim University (AMU)

50% of AMU seats are contributed to AIQ.
The other 50% are reserved for internal candidates who have completed BDS from AMU with the required internship.
AIQ seats follow Central Government reservation policy, but AMU’s internal quota seats do not carry additional reservation.

MDS Admission 2025: Banaras Hindu University (BHU)

BHU contributes 50% of seats to AIQ.
The remaining 50% are available to BHU internal candidates (those who completed BDS at IMS, BHU with the required internship).
Both AIQ and internal seats follow the Central Government’s reservation structure.

MDS Admission 2025: AFMS (Armed Forces Medical Services)

From 2024 onwards, counselling for Priority III, IV, and V candidates for admission to AFMS PG Teaching Institutes is being conducted by MCC.

Key points:

Eligibility lists for Priority III and IV candidates are provided to MCC by DGAFMS after screening.
Priority V candidates are provisionally allotted seats based on merit and seat availability, subject to medical fitness exams at the allotted institute.
Candidates are advised to regularly check the AFMS website (www.afmcdg1d.gov.in) and MCC portal for detailed notifications.

MDS Admission 2025: Admission Process

1. Verify Eligibility

Educational Qualification: Applicants must hold a BDS degree from a dental college/institute approved by the Dental Council of India (DCI).
Minimum Marks: Certain institutions specify a minimum percentage requirement, such as 55% aggregate marks across all subjects in the BDS programme.

2. Select the Relevant Entrance Exam

Most admissions are based on national-level exams such as:

NEET MDS
INI CET

3. Prepare and Take the Exam

Appear for the exam on the scheduled date at the assigned centre.
Follow all examination guidelines and instructions carefully.

4. Check Results

Admission is merit-based and determined by performance in the entrance examination.
Candidates must wait for the official declaration of results to know their eligibility for the next stage.

5. Participate in Counselling

Shortlisted candidates are invited for counselling rounds.
During counselling, candidates can select their preferred dental speciality and institution, based on their rank and seat availability.
The process includes document verification and provisional seat allotment.

6. Confirm Admission

Once a seat is allotted, candidates must confirm their admission by paying the prescribed fee within the specified deadline.
Failure to complete this step may lead to forfeiture of the allotted seat.

MDS Admission 2025: MDS Counselling 2025

Round 1 (Main Counselling)

Registration:

Candidates complete main counselling registration including payment of non-refundable registration fees and refundable security deposit (refundable only to the account used for payment).

Choice Filling:

Candidates select and lock their preferred colleges and specialities.

Seat Allotment:

Round 1 seat allotment is conducted based on rank and choices.

Result Publication:

Results are published on the MCC website.

Reporting at College:

Candidates allotted seats must physically report to the allotted medical/dental college with original documents.

Options After Round 1:

Free Exit: Candidates can leave the allotted seat and directly participate in Round 2.
Upgradation: Candidates can opt to upgrade their seat in Round 2, but only after reporting to the allotted institute and completing admission formalities.
Candidates not allotted a seat in Round 1 can participate in Round 2 without fresh registration.

Note: Data of candidates joining Round 1 will be shared by MCC with participating states and vice versa.

Round 2

Registration:

Candidates who did not get a seat in Round 1 need not register again.
Fresh candidates must complete registration with full payment of fees.
Candidates who resigned or did not report in Round 1 also need not register again.

Choice Filling:

Fresh choices must be filled and locked for Round 2.

Seat Allotment & Result:

Round 2 seat allotment is published on the MCC website.

Reporting at College:

Candidates allotted seats must report with original documents.

Upgradation and Resignation:

Candidates participating in Round 2 for upgradation can resign from Round 1 seat within 2 days of result declaration without forfeiting security deposit.
Upgraded candidates must take relieving from the previous seat before joining the new seat.
Upgraded candidates will have no claim on the previous round’s seat.

Exit Options:

Candidates allotted seats in Round 2 can leave and participate in further rounds (with forfeiture of security deposit) if:

They are newly allotted seats but wish to exit.
They upgraded but did not join Round 1 seat before Round 3 registration.
They joined and then resigned.

Note: MCC and participating states share data of joined candidates after Round 2.

Round 3 (Mop-Up Round)

Eligibility:

Fresh registration with fee payment is required for:

Candidates not registered in Rounds 1 & 2.
Candidates who resigned from Round 2.
Candidates who exited after forfeiting fees in Round 2.
Candidates registered but not allotted a seat in previous rounds do not need to register again.

Choice Filling:

Fresh choices must be filled and locked for Round 3.

Seat Allotment & Result:

Round 3 results are published on MCC website.

Reporting at College:

Candidates must report physically with original documents.

Upgradation:

Upgraded candidates must take relieving from previous round seats before joining Round 3.
Once joined in Round 3, candidates cannot upgrade or resign.

Exit:

Candidates not joining their allotted Round 3 seat may exit with forfeiture of security deposit and cannot participate in further MCC rounds.
Fresh registrants in Round 3 not allotted seats can participate in the final Stray Vacancy round.
Candidates upgraded in Round 3 cannot claim any previous round seats.

Note: MCC shares data of joined candidates with all participating states. Candidates joined in Round 3 will be filtered before Stray Vacancy round allotment.

Final Stray Vacancy Round

Registration and Choice Filling:

Fresh registration is required.
Previous choices from Round 3 will not be considered.

Eligibility:

Candidates who do not hold any seat or were not allotted seats in Rounds 1, 2, and 3 (AIQ, State, Deemed) are eligible.

Seat Allotment:

Conducted online using MCC software.
For Deemed Universities, the process follows Supreme Court directions (Order dated 12.12.2022).

Reporting & Joining:

Allotted candidates must report and join the assigned college.
Failure to report results in debarring from NEET PG counselling for 1 year and forfeiture of security deposit.

Data Sharing:

MCC shares joined candidates’ data with the Centre and participating states.
Candidates already allotted in states are eliminated from Stray Vacancy round eligibility.

MDS Admission 2025 Documents Required

Candidates who have been allotted an MDS seat must report to the allotted college/institute with the following original documents for completing admission formalities:

Allotment Letter issued by MCC (mandatory).
NEET Admit Card issued by the National Board of Examinations (NBE).
Result/Rank Letter issued by NBE.
Mark Sheets of all MBBS/BDS professional examinations (1st, 2nd & 3rd years).
MBBS/BDS Degree Certificate or Provisional Certificate (mandatory).
Internship Completion Certificate or certificate from the Head of Institution confirming internship completion by June 30 of the admission year.
Permanent/Provisional Registration Certificate issued by MCI/NMC or DCI/State Medical or Dental Council. Provisional registration is acceptable only if internship is expected to be completed on or before March 31 of the admission year (mandatory).
High School Certificate, Higher Secondary Certificate, or Birth Certificate (mandatory).
One valid ID, such as PAN Card, Passport, Driving License, Voter ID, or Aadhaar Card.

Category-Specific Certificates (if applicable):

SC/ST Certificate: Issued by competent authority, in English or Hindi, with sub-caste clearly mentioned. Certified translation if required (mandatory).
EWS Certificate: As per central government norms, in English or Hindi, with certified translation if required (mandatory).
OBC Certificate: Issued by competent authority, matching the Central OBC list, and candidates should not belong to the Creamy Layer. Certified translation if required (mandatory).
Disability Certificate: Issued by authorized medical board for 21 benchmark disabilities as per RPWD Act 2016 and NMC norms (mandatory for PwD candidates).
NRI/OCI Sponsorship Certificates: Originals must be submitted at the time of reporting (mandatory for applicable candidates).

Note:

Physical verification of all documents is done by the allotted college authorities. MCC’s role is limited to provisional seat allotment.
Candidates should confirm details regarding fees, stipend, bond, course duration, and other college-specific conditions directly with the allotted college.

MDS Admission 2025: Top Government Colleges for MDS Courses

There are 28 government institutions in India that provide MDS admission 2025. Among these, JIPMER Puducherry and KGMU are widely recognized for their MDS programs.

Candidates can refer to the table below to view the application status for each of these prominent government colleges offering MDS admission 2025.

MDS Admission 2025: Top Private Colleges for MDS Courses

In India, 105 private colleges offer MDS admission 2025. Notable institutions include Christian Medical College, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Kasturba Medical College, and Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, which are well-known for their Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) programs.

The table below provides a list of popular private colleges in India that offer MDS courses.

Final Words

To secure MDS admission 2025 in top government or private colleges, careful guidance and timely application are essential. For personalized support, expert counselling, and assistance throughout the admission process, candidates can contact Olympia Education to maximize their chances of securing a seat in leading dental institutions across India.

MDS Admission 2025: Course Fees, Admission Process, Entrance Exam, Eligibility Criteria, Top Colleges, etc.