BDS to MBBS Bridge Course: Eligibility, Duration, Admission, Best Universities

BDS to MBBS Bridge Course: Eligibility, Duration, Admission, Best Universities

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Parul
Parul Thapa
Assistant Manager
Updated on Dec 2, 2025 17:14 IST
In India, both Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) and Bachelor of Medicine, as well as Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), are among the most respected degrees in the healthcare sector. While BDS focuses on dental studies, MBBS covers a broad spectrum of medical sciences, preparing students to become licensed doctors.
Many discussions in India about possibility of transitioning from BDS to MBBS is going on. For now, there is no approval for this transition. The National Medical Commission (NMC) replaced Medical Council of India (MCI), has not sanctioned any such bridge courses or lateral entry programs that allows BDS graduates to directly pursue MBBS.
Knowing about this shift is very important for both students and professionals to grow in their Medical careers. Say there is a BDS graduate wants to pursue MBBS, they must appear and qualify NEET-UG examination to secure a seat in MBBS program. It is important to depend on rely on verified updates and official announcements.
Table of contents
  • What is a Bridge Course?
  • Best Colleges for BDS Courses
  • Best Colleges for MBBS Courses
  • What is the Difference Between BDS and MBBS?

What is a Bridge Course?

As name suggest it acts as bridge between two field of study or practice. They fill gap between disciplines and provide qualifications and skills for new domain. It is useful in case where one practitioner such as dentist wants to be eligible for other allopathic practices. However, in India, there is no options for such transition from BDS to MBBS.

Quick Links:

BDS Courses

MBBS Courses 

BDS Career

MBBS Career
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is the minimum marks to be scored for qualifying in NEET?
A: 

Candidates belonging to the General category should secure 50 percentile. Those belonging to the PwD General category has to secure 45 percentile. The NEET cutoff percentile for the reserved category candidates is 40. The exact qualifying marks or cutoff scores will be announced by NTA along with the scorecards. This year, General category candidates had to score minimum 137 marks to qualify for the exam. 

Q:   What is the age limit to apply for NEET?
A: 

The minimum age limit to apply online for NEET exam is 17 years. However, there is no upper age limit in the exam. Candidates must be of 17 years as on or before December 31, 2026 to be eligible for NEET. Check here NEET age limit 2026 for OBC, SC, ST, General

Q:   How many city preference candidates can submit while selecting the NTA NEET exam centre?
A: 

Candidates will be allowed to enter three choices of NEET exam cities in the order of their preference in NEET form 2026. During 2022-2024, candidates could select two cities only and till 2022, candidates could enter as many as four cities. The list of exam cities in the dropdown menu is based on the permanent and present address entered by candidates in the registration form of NEET. 

Best Colleges for BDS Courses

If you want to complete BDS course in India, several colleges stand out for exceptional education, top facilities, and clinical exposure. See table below for list of best colleges that offer BDS courses in India:

BDS Colleges  BDS Course Fees in Government College (in INR)
KGMU  1.9 Lakh
Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research  19.4 Lakh
Institute of Medical Sciences 1.67 Lakh
Jamia Millia Islamia 1.55 Lakh
Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University 3.5 Lakh
SRIHER 24 Lakh
Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Poonamallee 43 Lakh
Maharishi Markandeshwar University 9.6 Lakh
Manav Rachna International Institute of Research & Studies 15.63 Lakh
Padmashree Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Navi Mumbai 31 Lakh

Suggested Links:

Know all about the MDS course

List of Medical Colleges in India accepting NEET Scores

Total AIIMS Colleges in India: Complete List with Fees, Courses, Ranking, and Total Seats

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Best Colleges for MBBS Courses

India boasts some of best colleges for pursuing an MBBS course, offering world class facilities and rigorous academic training. See below for list of best colleges that offer MBBS courses in India:

MBBS Colleges 

MBBS Course Fees (in INR)

All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi

6,000

King George Medical University

2,00,000

JIPMER Puducherry 

7,000

Madras Medical College, Chennai

68,000

AIIMS Jodhpur

24,000

Christian Medical College, Vellore

14,000

Kasturba Medical College

44,00,000

Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research

1,00,00,000

St. John’s National Academy of Health Sciences

30,00,000

KIMS - Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences

83,00,000

Relevant Links:

What is a Good Score in NEET UG?

NEET Last Minute Preparation Tips by Experts and Toppers

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is the minimum score to qualify NEET?
A: 

The minimum qualifying percentile for NEET UG exam is shared below-

Category

NEET 2025 Cutoff percentile

UR/EWS

50th

OBC, SC, ST

40th

UR/EWS-PwD

45th

OBC/SC/St-PwD

40th

Q:   Can I appear for NEET if I forget to carry my photo ID?
A: 

No, candidates will not be allowed to appear for the examination without a valid photo ID. Candidates were advised to keep the following three things ready with them, a day before the examination; a valid photo ID proof, NEET admit card, and a recent passport-sized photograph. These are the mandatory documents to be produced during entry to the NEET exam centre. The valid photo identity card which will be allowed at the NEET exam centre include Aadhaar card/ Driving Licence/ PAN Card/ Passport/ Voter Id, etc. The NEET admit card is also required to have the passport and postcard-sized photographs pasted on it.

Q:   Does AIIMS Raipur accept NEET score?
A: 

Yes, AIIMS Raipur accepts NEET scores. There is no other entrance exam conducted by AIIMS Raipur or AIIMS institutes for MBBS admission. Although earlier AIIMS used to conduct its own entrance exam, but it was scrapped in 2020. The admission to AIIMS Raipur takes place through NEET counselling, conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee. AIIMS Raipur seats are a part of the 15 per cent All India Quota (AIQ) seats. Candidates must secure a NEET score above 700 in order to have a chance to get admission to the MBBS course in this coveted medical institute of India. 

Explore colleges based on NEET

Delhi
₹6.08 K
Vellore
₹15.00 K
Lucknow
₹2.14 L

Want better recommendations?

There is a 90% more chance of getting best college recommendations by sharing preferences.
Manipal
₹43.95 L
Rishikesh
₹51.52 K
Chennai
₹1.25 Cr
Bhubaneswar
₹89.78 L
Chennai
₹68.02 K
Bhubaneswar
₹26.35 K
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What is the Difference Between BDS and MBBS?

See below table:

Particulars

MBBS

BDS

Course Level

UG

UG

Course Duration

5 years + 6 months internship

5 years

Course Fees

Government: INR 10,000 - INR 50,000 per year

Private: INR 3 Lakh - INR 25 Lakh per year  

INR 16,500 - INR 42.5 Lakh

Admission Criteria

Entrance-Based

Entrance-Based

Eligibility Criteria

Class 12 & NEET

Class 12 & NEET

Entrance Exams

NEET

NEET & KEAM 

Popular Colleges

Government - AIIMS Delhi, JIPMER, KGMU, AIIMS Rishikesh, etc.

KGMU, SRIHER, SRM Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, etc. 

Job Profiles

MBBS Doctors, Medical Surgeons, Medical Officers, Paediatricians, General Physicians, Medical Assistants (Surgery), etc.

Dentists, Dental officers in Defense Services, Dentists in Indian Railways, Lecturers, Researchers, etc.

Average Salary

INR 2.5 LPA - INR 15 LPA 

INR 3 LPA - INR 9 LPA

Top Recruiters

Medanta Hospitals, Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre, Fortis Healthcare Ltd, Wockhardt Ltd, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, Apollo Hospitals Enterprises Ltd, etc.

Hospitals, Dental Clinics, Educational Institutes, Dental Product Manufacturers etc.

Useful Links:

Top 20 Medical Colleges in India Based on NIRF Ranking

BAMS vs BDS – Differences, Eligibility, Syllabus, Jobs, Salaries, and More!

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About the Author
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Parul Thapa
Assistant Manager
Parul Thapa is an MA English graduate and the Assistant Manager at Shiksha, with over 5 years of experience in content writing. She specializes in Medical, Hospitality, and Mass Communication courses, crafting clear Read Full Bio
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Comments

(1)

F

Farhaan

a year ago

Is this true and the latest news?

Reply to Farhaan