NEET MDS 2026 Online Application, Exam Date, Eligibility

NEET MDS 2026 Application process has started on 14 March 2026, and the Last date for Registrations is 30 March 2026,11:55 PM. According to the official Schedule Released, NEET MDS 2026 will be conducted on 02 May 2026 by NBA for admission to MDS courses at various Universities/Institutions across the country. NEET MDS is a Single-window entrance examination for admission to MDS Courses.

NEET-MDS 2026  shall be the  single eligibility cum entrance examination for admission to MDS Courses for the academic session 2026, which will include the following:

• All India 50% quota seats for MDS courses (all states)
• State quota seats for MDS courses for all States/Union territories of India.
• MDS courses at all Private Dental Colleges, Institutions & Universities all across the country
• MDS courses at Armed Forces Medical Services Institutions.
• Screening exam for dental surgeons (BDS & MDS) for Short Service Commission in Army Dental Corps

No other entrance examination, either at the state or the Institution level, shall be valid for entry to MDS courses. Qualifying NEET-MDS is mandatory for admission to MDS courses at various Universities/Institutions in the country.

NTA NEET MDS 2026 Summary

NTA NEET MDS 2026 Notification

The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has officially announced the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test for Master of Dental Surgery (NEET-MDS) for the 2026 academic session. Serving as a single-window entrance examination, NEET-MDS is a mandatory eligibility-cum-ranking test for candidates seeking admission to various postgraduate MDS courses under the Dentists Act, 1948. State- or institution-level entrance exams are not valid for admission to MDS programs, making this a crucial examination for aspiring dental professionals across the country.

NEET MDS 2026: Important Dates

Exam Details

The NEET-MDS 2026 will be conducted on a single day and in a single session on May 2, 2026. It will be administered strictly as a Computer-Based Test (CBT) at various designated examination centers nationwide.

NEET MDS 2026 Eligibility Criteria

To participate in NEET-MDS 2026, candidates must fulfill the following mandatory criteria:

• Applicants must possess a recognized degree of Bachelor in Dental Surgery (BDS) awarded by an Indian university or institute.
• Candidates must be registered with the State Dental Council and have obtained either a provisional or permanent registration.
• Aspirants must have completed a 12-month compulsory rotatory internship in an approved or recognized dental college.
• The cut-off date to complete the compulsory internship towards eligibility for this exam is on or before May 31, 2026.

NEET-MDS 2026 will be conducted by NBEMS. Candidates may note that the role of NBEMS is limited to the conduct of NEET- MDS, declaration of the result and handing over the result to the designated counselling authority. NBEMS has no role in counselling and allotment of MDS seats. Verification of documents and eligibility determination of the candidates shall be undertaken at the time of the counselling/admission process.

A candidate for admission to the Master in Dental Surgery course, must possess a recognized degree of Bachelor in Dental Surgery awarded by a university or institute in India registered with the State Dental Council has obtained provisional or permanent registration and has undergone compulsory rotatory internship of a year in an approved/recognized dental college.

A candidate who after passing the final qualifying examination (BDS or the foreign dental degree recognized by GoI/DCI), is undergoing 12-month compulsory rotatory internship/ practical training and is likely to complete the same by 31st March 2026 can take up this examination, but he/she shall not be eligible for admission unless he/she has completed the compulsory rotatory internship and obtained provisional or permanent registration on or before 31st March 2026 or the candidate produces a certificate from the head of Institution that he/she will be completing internship by 31st March 2026. Candidate may visit the DCI  website to know any change in the date of Internship completion.

Participating Institutes

The scope of NEET-MDS 2026 covers admissions for multiple participating categories:

• All India 50% quota seats for MDS courses across all states.
• State quota seats for MDS courses in all States and Union Territories of India.
• MDS courses at all Private Dental Colleges, Institutions, and Universities across the country.
• MDS courses at Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) Institutions.
• Screening test for dental surgeons (BDS & MDS) aiming for Short Service Commission in the Army Dental Corps.
• Exception: AIIMS, New Delhi is not covered for admission to MDS courses through NEET-MDS for the 2026 admission session.

NEET MDS 2026 Application Fee

How to pay: The prescribed exam fee should be remitted through a payment gateway provided using a Credit Card or a Debit Card issued by banks in India or other modes as may be made available and have been provided on the web page. Fee can not be deposited through any mode other than the payment gateway available while submitting online application form submission.

How to Apply

Applications for NEET-MDS 2026 can only be submitted online; no other mode is acceptable.

1. Visit the official NBEMS website (natboard.edu.in) to access the online application form.
2. Fill in the user registration form to generate a unique User ID and Password, which will be shared via SMS and Email.
3. Log in using the provided credentials and accurately complete the application form with personal, educational, and communication details.
4. Upload prescribed documents, including a recent photograph, a scanned signature, and a thumb impression, according to the official guidelines.
5. Select your preferred Test City from the available options on a first-come, first-serve basis, and pay the Examination Fee online.
6. Agree to the declaration and hit “Submit Application”.
7. Take a printout of the filled application form that reflects the transaction ID and a “Successful” (S) payment status for your future records.

Official Links

NEET MDS 2026 Exam Scheme – Syllabus

NEET-MDS 2026 shall be conducted in a single day & single session as a computer-based examination on 6th March 2026.

Syllabus: The syllabus for the exam shall be that of BDS standard and shall cover all the subjects/syllabus taught during the BDS course as prescribed in the DCI Revised BDS Course Regulations, 2007 as amended from time to time.

The examination shall be a multiple choice questions test delivered using a computer network (CBT) as per the scheme prescribed.

The exam comprises of 240 Multiple Choices, and single correct response questions in English language only. The time allotted is 3 hrs.

There shall be 25% negative marking for incorrect answers. No marks will be deducted for unattempted questions.

Marking Scheme: Allocation of marks for each MCQ shall be as follows:

NEET MDS 2026 Subject-wise Distribution of Questions

Centres for NEET-MDS 2026