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 Oct 14, 2025 13:38 IST
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 the 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.

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Table of content
  • 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?

A bridge course is a specially designed educational program that helps students or professionals transition from one field of study or practice to another. These courses aim to bridge the knowledge gap between disciplines, providing the foundational skills and qualifications required to adapt to a new domain.

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. The highest score secured in NEET 2023 was 720 out of 720, obtained by two candidates.

Q:   How many marks are required in NEET to get AIIMS Delhi?
A:
If a candidate belongs to the General Category, he/she should aim for at least 700+, and in the case of a reserved category, a candidate should aim for at least 675+. This is with regard to marks. In case the candidate wishes to know the same percentile-wise, he/she must score above 99 percentile to secure admission to AIIMS Delhi. Until 2020, students with 650+ score were able to get admission to MBBS at AIIMS Delhi, but the competition has been rising every year.
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 2025, 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 2025 exam centre include Aadhaar card/ Driving Licence/ PAN Card/ Passport/ Voter Id, etc. The NEET 2025 admit card is also required to have the passport and postcard-sized photographs pasted on it.

In healthcare, bridge courses are often proposed to enable practitioners from alternative or specialized fields, such as dentistry, to gain eligibility or competency in broader medical practices like allopathic medicine. However, in India, no such approved bridge course exists to facilitate a transition from BDS to MBBS.

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Quick Links:

BDS Courses

MBBS Courses 

BDS Career

MBBS Career

Best Colleges for BDS Courses

When it comes to pursuing a BDS course in India, several colleges stand out for their exceptional education, state-of-the-art facilities, and clinical exposure. Candidates can check the table below to see the 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

Best Colleges for MBBS Courses

India boasts some of the best colleges for pursuing an MBBS course, offering world-class facilities and rigorous academic training. Candidates can check the table below to see the 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

Q:   Is it possible to get an NTA NEET exam centre that I did not choose?
A:
Yes, it is possible in exceptional situations. NTA reserves the right to allocate a NEET exam centre in a city other than the ones specified by you. Centre allocations are subjected to the availability of seats at the chosen centre. However, the chances are low since this year onwards NTA has allowed only two exam city selection. Also, the exam authorities endeavour to allot NEET exam centre in the preferred city, if not, then it will be allotted to the second preferred city for candidates' convenience.
Q:   How many candidates appeared for NEET 2024?
A:

According to the reports, this year saw the highest number of NEET applications and appearance for the exam. A total of 24,06,079  candidates applied for the exam, out of which 23,33,297 candidates appeared. The exam was originally conducted on May 5, 2024, in 571 cities across India and abroad. A re-test for 1,563 candidates who were awarded grace marks on May 5, was conducted on June 23, 2024. In this exam, 813 candidates had appeared.

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

Candidates will be allowed to enter three cities in the order of their preference. Till last year, candidates could select two cities only. Earlier, till 2022, candidates could enter as many as four cities. The list of exam cities in the dropdown menu will be based on the permanent and present address entered by candidates in the registration form of NEET. This would ensure that candidates are allotted a city in or near their present and permanent address. This also led to reduction in choosing other cities mistakenly.

Relevant Links:

What is a Good Score in NEET UG?

NEET Last Minute Preparation Tips by Experts and Toppers

What is the Difference Between BDS and MBBS?

MBBS provides the broadest scope, with opportunities in various medical specialities while BDS specialises in dental care. Candidates can check the table below to see the comparison between the two courses below:

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

12 months ago

Is this true and the latest news?

Reply to Farhaan