National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test For Masters Of Dental Surgery

NEET MDS 2026 is a national-level exam for students who want to study Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) in India. It is conducted every year by the National Board of Examinations (NBE). This exam is compulsory for admission to MDS courses in dental colleges across the country. The exam will be held online (computer-based) and will have 240 multiple-choice questions (MCQs). It will be divided into two parts – Part A (100 questions) and Part B (140 questions), covering topics from basic medical science and dentistry. The exam duration is 3 hours. To apply, candidates must have a BDS degree from a college recognized by the Dental Council of India (DCI) and must have completed their internship. The application form will be available online from December 2025, and the exam is expected in January 2026. After the exam, results will be declared in March 2026, followed by counselling in April 2026 for seat allocation.

NEET MDS 2026 Important Dates

The NEET MDS (National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test for Master of Dental Surgery) is conducted annually at the national level. It is a mandatory exam for students who wish to secure admission to MDS programs in various institutes and universities across the country.

NEET MDS 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Admission to the Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) program requires candidates to fulfill specific academic and professional requirements. These include possessing a valid BDS degree, completing the mandatory internship, achieving the minimum marks required, and qualifying in relevant dental entrance exams like NEET MDS.

NEET MDS 2026 Application Form

•     NEET MDS 2026 registration form will be available online.
•     The application form can be accessed from the first week of December 2025.
•     Ensure to review the eligibility criteria before filling out the form.
•     Applicants must provide details such as name, email, qualifications, and contact information.
•     A scanned image of the photograph, signature, and left thumb impression must be uploaded in the specified format.
•     An edit window will be available to correct any errors in the application.
•     The submission deadline for the registration form will be the first week of January 2026.
•     Applicants should keep a printed copy of the completed application form for future reference.

NEET MDS 2026 Application Fee:

The NEET MDS 2026 application fee will be paid through online methods. Payment options include Credit Card, Debit Card, and Net Banking.

The non-refundable registration fee is as follows:

•     Rs 3500/- for General, OBC, and EWS candidates.
•     Rs 2500/- for SC, ST, and PWD candidates

NEET MDS 2026 Exam Pattern

The NEET MDS 2026 exam pattern is expected to follow the same structure as the previous year. Last year, the National Board of Examinations (NBE) introduced time-bound sections in the exam. The exam will be a computer-based test (CBT) lasting for three hours, consisting of 240 multiple-choice questions (MCQs). The test will be divided into two sections: Part A and Part B, with durations of 75 minutes and 105 minutes, respectively. Part A will contain 100 questions, while Part B will have 140 questions. The detailed breakdown of the exam is provided in the table below.

NEET MDS 2026 Exam Syllabus 

The NEET MDS 2026 syllabus is divided into two parts—Part A and Part B—covering both basic medical sciences and dental subjects. Part A focuses on general medical topics like anatomy, physiology, and pathology, while Part B emphasizes specialized dental disciplines such as prosthodontics, orthodontics, and oral surgery.

NEET MDS 2026 Preparation Tips

Here are some effective NEET MDS 2026 preparation tips to help candidates plan their study strategy efficiently:

• Start early with a well-structured study plan covering all NEET MDS 2026 syllabus topics.
• Focus on high-weightage subjects such as Dental Materials, Oral Pathology, and General Anatomy.
• Use previous years’ question papers to understand exam trends and question patterns.
• Refer to the standard textbooks recommended for NEET MDS preparation.
• Allocate separate time slots for revision and solving MCQs daily.
• Take regular mock tests to improve time management and accuracy in the NEET MDS 2026 exam.
• Analyse performance after each test to identify weak areas and improve them.
• Join online or offline coaching or a test series for expert guidance and structured learning.
• Prioritise health and maintain consistent study hours to ensure long-term retention and performance.
• Stay updated with the latest NEET MDS 2026 notifications, exam pattern changes, and eligibility guidelines.

NEET MDS 2026 Admit Card

The NEET MDS 2026 Admit Card will be released online by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) for all registered candidates. It can be downloaded from the official website, natboard.edu.in.

How to Download the NEET MDS 2026 Admit Card?
Candidates must follow these steps to download the NEET MDS 2026 admit card:

1. Visit the official NBE website – nbe.edu.in.
2. Select the "NEET-MDS" section.
3. Click on the application link, then the login link (active after the admit card release).
4. Enter the application ID and password.
5. Verify the details on the admit card for any errors.
6. Download, save, and print the admit card for future use.

NEET MDS 2026 Counselling Process

The NEET MDS 2026 counselling process involves several important steps that candidates must follow to secure admission. Each step, from registration to final seat locking, must be completed carefully as per MCC guidelines.

Step 1: Registration: Visit the official MCC counselling portal and select the NEET MDS link. Enter details such as roll number, application number, name, date of birth, and security pin to complete registration.

Step 2: Fill Personal Details: Provide accurate personal information such as father’s name, mother’s name, address, and category. These details will be verified during admission.

Step 3: Fee Payment: Pay the counselling registration fee and refundable tuition fee online using a debit card, credit card, or net banking.

Step 4: Download Registration Slip: Download and print the registration slip after payment for future reference.

Step 5: View Available Choices: Check the list of available colleges and seat options for 50% AIQ, central universities, and deemed universities.

Step 6: Choice Filling and Locking: Select preferred colleges and save the choices. Use the lock option to finalize preferences. If not locked manually, the system will lock them automatically.

Step 7: Print Filled Choices: Take three to four printouts of the filled and locked choices for future reference during counselling and admission.

NEET MDS 2026 FAQs