BDS is not a waste of time, but it needs patience. Many people online complain about low starting salaries, but that's mostly true for freshers without extra skills like an MDS specialization. If you focus on clinical skills, specialize after BDS, or start your own clinic, the career can pay off well. Think of BDS as the starting point, not the finish line.
Best BDS Colleges in India: Courses, Fees, Admission 2026, Placements
Best BDS Colleges in India: Courses, Fees, Admission 2026, Placements
India has around 370 BDS colleges, private, government, and semi-government. Admission to top Dental colleges in India happens through NEET UG and KEAM, followed by counselling by state authorities or MCC for All India Quota seats. Every BDS college must be approved by the NDC (National Dental Commission), the body that regulates dental education in India, to give valid degrees. Some well-known dental colleges are SIMTS Chennai, MAMC, Dr. D. Y. Patil Dental College and Hospital, Manipal College of Dental Sciences Manipal, KGMU, and A.B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences.
India has around 370 BDS colleges, private, government, and semi-government. Admission to top Dental colleges in India happens through NEET UG and KEAM, followed by counselling by state authorities or MCC for All India Quota seats. Every BDS college must be approved by the NDC (National Dental Commission), the body that regulates dental education in India, to give valid degrees. Some well-known dental colleges are SIMTS Chennai, MAMC, Dr. D. Y. Patil Dental College and Hospital, Manipal College of Dental Sciences Manipal, KGMU, and A.B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences.
- Best BDS Colleges in India: Known Facts 2026
- Best BDS Colleges in India: NIRF Ranking 2025
- Eligibility Criteria for Admission to BDS Colleges in India
- Entrance Exams Accepted in the Top BDS Colleges in India 2026
- Best Private BDS Colleges in India
- Fees Vs Salary of Private BDS Colleges in India
- Low-cost Private BDS Colleges in India
- Best Government BDS Colleges in India
- Best BDS Colleges in India: Comparison 2026
Best BDS Colleges in India: Known Facts 2026
Fees for BDS colleges vary widely - government colleges are usually affordable, while private and deemed colleges can charge significantly more. Along with fees, students should also compare cutoffs, course curriculum, faculty, clinical exposure, and placement support before choosing a college. The NDC replaced the earlier Dental Council of India (DCI) on March 19, 2026, and now sets the standards for dental colleges, courses, and practice across India. For more info, check the table below for the key highlights of the top BDS colleges in India.
| Parameters |
Statistics |
|---|---|
| Total no. of BDS colleges in India |
350+ colleges |
| Top BDS colleges in India |
MAMC, Manipal College of Dental, SIMTS, A.B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, KGMU, Saveetha Institute, etc. |
| Fee range of top colleges |
~ INR 10,000 - INR 40+ lakh |
| Regulated by |
National Dental Commission (NDC) |
| Accepted Entrance Exams |
NEET, KEAM, etc. |
Best BDS Colleges in India: NIRF Ranking 2025
SIMTS Chennai ranked as the top NIRF ranked Dental college in India followed by other top colleges like MAMC and Manipal College of Dental Sciences. The table below lists top Dental colleges in India giving BDS courses in India with their 2024 and 2025 NIRF rankings-
| Top Colleges |
NIRF 2024 |
NIRF 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences Ranking |
1 | 2 |
| 3 | 3 | |
| 2 | 5 | |
| 5 | 4 | |
| 6 | 6 | |
| 4 | 7 | |
| 7 | 8 |
NOTE: These NIRF rankings are taken from the official website and the 2026 rankings are yet to be released.
Eligibility Criteria for Admission to BDS Colleges in India
Check below for the eligibility criteria for the best BDS colleges in India -
- Candidates must complete their Class 12 boards in the Science stream in PCM subjects with a minimum 50% aggregate marks.
- Students must clear their accepted entrance exams like NEET, KEAM, etc.
- Their age should range between 17 years and 25 years
Entrance Exams Accepted in the Top BDS Colleges in India 2026
To get admission, candidates must meet the eligibility criteria and pass an entrance exam. Listed below is the top entrance exam accepted in the best BDS colleges in India, with the exam dates and exam college predictor -
| Exam Name |
Exam Schedule |
Exam College Predictor |
|---|---|---|
| NEET Exam |
NEET College Predictor | |
| KEAM College Predictor |
Best Private BDS Colleges in India
The best private BDS colleges in India provide state-of-the-art infrastructure, modern dental equipment and highly modern labs. Tuition fees in private colleges are much higher than government colleges, but they bring in strong global exposure, modern campus life and direct career placement assistance. Below, you can see some of the best BDS private college fees in India and their seat intake.
| Private Colleges |
Tuition Fee |
BDS Seat Intake |
|---|---|---|
| SIMTS Chennai BDS Course | INR 43 lakh | - |
| Dr. D. Y. Patil Dental College and Hospital BDS Course | INR 37.5 lakh | 100 |
| Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal BDS Course | INR 16.6 lakh | 100 |
| A.B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences BDS Course | INR 20.3 lakh | 100 |
| SOA University BDS Course | INR 30 lakh | 100 |
| J.S.S. Dental College and Hospital BDS Course | INR 19.4 lakh | 100 |
| SRM IST Kattankulathur BDS Course | INR 15.6 lakh | 200 |
| Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore BDS Course | INR 14.8 lakh | 100 |
| SRIHER BDS Course | INR 24 lakh | 100 |
| Nair Hospital Dental College, Mumbai BDS Course | INR 4.8 lakh | 75 |
Note: Details are taken from official sites and may differ.
Fees Vs Salary of Private BDS Colleges in India
Private BDS colleges cost more than government colleges. So it helps to know how much you can earn after the course, before deciding if the fees are worth it. The table above shows the private BDS fees in India and the median salary of BDS graduates.
| Top Colleges | Tuition Fee | Median Salary Package |
|---|---|---|
| SDM College of Dental Sciences Placements | INR 3.8 lakh | INR 4.8 LPA |
| Sree Balaji Dental College and Hospital Placements | INR 16 lakh | INR 8.8 LPA |
| Yenepoya Dental College And Hospital, Mangalore Placements | INR 20.3 lakh | INR 6 LPA |
| Manav Rachna International Institute of Research & Studies Placements | INR 12.2 lakh | INR 3.9 LPA |
| Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research Placements | INR 17.4 lakh | INR 7.8 LPA |
Note: Data given above is taken from official colleges site and is subject to changes.
Low-cost Private BDS Colleges in India
Not all private BDS colleges are expensive. Some offer good education at a lower cost, making dental studies more affordable. This table lists private BDS college with lowest fees in India, so students can find good options without stretching their budget. Check the table below for the affordable BDS course fees in private colleges.
| Affordable BDS Colleges in India | Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| Vishnu Dental College Andhra Pradesh Fees | INR 71,500 |
| Post-Graduate Institute of Dental Science Fees | INR 1.86 lakh |
| Vivekanandha Dental College For Women Fees | INR 1 lakh |
| Bhabha College of Dental Sciences Fees | INR 1.5 lakh |
| Konaseema Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Foundation Fees | INR 1.5 lakh |
Source: The above-mentioned data was sourced from the official colleges and may vary.
Best Government BDS Colleges in India
Top government BDS colleges in India offer the highest return on investment due to extremely low tuition fees and massive patient inflows. Policymakers have strongly funded these institutions, and faculty have extensive experience and a wide range of clinical cases that students gain exposure to. Here are some of the best government dental colleges along with their tuition fees and ther seat intake -
| Public/Government Colleges |
Tuition Fee |
BDS Seat Intake |
|---|---|---|
| KGMU BDS Course | INR 1.9 lakh | 100 |
| Jamia Millia Islamia BDS Course | INR 2.1 lakh | 50 |
| Institute of Medical Sciences, BHU BDS Course | INR 1.7 lakh | 63 |
| Government Dental College And Hospital, Mumbai BDS Course | INR 3 lakh | 125 |
| Annamalai University BDS Course | INR 17.5 lakh | 94 |
Note: Information given above is taken from official sources and is subject to changes.
Best BDS Colleges in India: Comparison 2026
To check the comparison of the best BDS colleges in India, click on the links below:
Best BDS Colleges in India: Courses, Fees, Admission 2026, Placements
Commonly asked questions On Best BDS Colleges in India: Courses, Fees, Admission 2026, Placements
214 colleges offer BDS courses in India. For graduates to broaden their knowledge in both practical and theoretical areas, which will help them acquire a better career in the future, the subjects presented in the BDS course curriculum are crucial and necessary.
Top Colleges | NIRF 2023 | NIRF 2024 | NIRF 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences Ranking | 1 | 1 | 2 |
4 | 3 | 3 | |
2 | 2 | 5 | |
3 | 5 | 4 | |
5 | 6 | 6 | |
NA | 4 | 7 | |
6 | 7 | 8 |
Note: The info is taken from other sources and can be different.
There are around 200+ best BDS colleges in India. Of these, 100+ are private colleges, 10+ are government colleges and semi-government own 5 colleges. MAMC, Manipal College of Dental, SIMTS, A.B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences and SRIHER are the top Dental colleges in India offering BDS courses.
NEET and KEAM are the popular entrance exams for admission to best dental colleges in India.
Hi, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences has been ranked as the No.2 Dental college by in India NIRF for the year 2025. Established in 2005, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences is a private college which is situated in Chennai.
BDS and MBBS lead to very different careers, so calling one better isn't fully accurate. MBBS offers wider job options and higher average pay, while BDS is more specialised and works well for those genuinely interested in dentistry. If you're only choosing BDS because you couldn't get MBBS, you may regret it. But if you like dental work, BDS can be a solid, focused career.
NTA will release the NEET 2026 result in July, 2026 after the NEET re-exam has been conducted. The cutoff will be released for the admission to the UG-level medical courses for MBBS and BDS and other courses.
Commonly asked questions On Best BDS Colleges in India: Courses, Fees, Admission 2026, Placements
Some colleges are genuinely worth the investment because of their reputation, facilities, and placement support. Higher fees at such recognised colleges often pays off through better training and career opportunities later.
| Top Colleges | Tuition Fee | Median Salary Package |
|---|---|---|
| SDM College of Dental Sciences Placements | INR 3.8 lakh | INR 4.8 LPA |
| Sree Balaji Dental College and Hospital Placements | INR 16 lakh | INR 8.8 LPA |
| Yenepoya Dental College And Hospital, Mangalore Placements | INR 20.3 lakh | INR 6 LPA |
| Manav Rachna International Institute of Research & Studies Placements | INR 12.2 lakh | INR 3.9 LPA |
| Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research Placements | INR 17.4 lakh | INR 7.8 LPA |
The National Exit Test (NEXT) (called the National Exit Test Dental/Dental NExT for dental graduates) will be introduced but until then students have to register with the Dental Council of India (DCI) and the state councils after their 1-year internship. It will probably become mandatory to pass the yet-to-be-introduced NExT exam to get a license to practice and also admit into a postgraduate course.
Graduates from elite government colleges like MAIDS or King George's Medical University (KGMU) can secure starting packages of INR 3.5 LPA to INR 6 LPA through hospital postings or private practices.
There are about 20 top UP NEET accepting BDS colleges in India. Some of them are mentioned below along with their tuition fees:
| Top Colleges | Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| KGMU | INR 1.9 lakh |
| ITS Dental College | INR 15.36 lakh |
| School of Dental Sciences (SDS), Sharda University | INR 14.6 lakh |
| SVSU - Swami Vivekanand Subharti University | INR 12.54 lakh |
| ITS Dental College, Hospital and Research Centre | INR 14.6 lakh |
Source: Official site and may vary.
The last year 2022, cutoff ranks for Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) at AB Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences other than General category was - 865960 for PWD. While the admissions are based on the scores/rank obtained in NEET exam, the last cut-offs also change a lot depending on the All India quota or Home State quota.
Commonly asked questions On Best BDS Colleges in India: Courses, Fees, Admission 2026, Placements
For last year, the closing rank for Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) was 1034869 which is very close to this range. This was for general category under All India quota. Unless the candidate belongs to some other category or domicile, one cannot afford to score less than this. With this rank, there is a probability of getting admission however since, the cut offs keep changing year on year, it is advisable to try to score better ranks to increase your chances of getting admission in Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research.
For last year, the closing rank for BDS was 1049927 which is very close to this range. This was for general category under All India quota. Unless the candidate belongs to some other category or domicile, one cannot afford to score less than this. With this rank, there is a probability of getting admission however since, the cutoffs keep changing year on year, it is advisable to try to score better ranks to increase your chances of getting admission in Amrita School of Dentistry.
The NEET 2025 result is expected to be released in the first week of June 2025, within a month of conducting the exam. NTA does not announce the NEET result date in advance. Although last year the result date was stated to be declared on June 14, NTA released it 10 days in advance. Hence, there is no fixed date or schedule for NTA to declare the NEET result. Prior to the declaration of the result, NTA releases the final NEET answer key. Last year, NEET was conducted on May 5 and the result was declared June 4.
While the current year's cutoff is not available online, past cutoff for Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) at Jamia Millia Islamia [JMI] other than General category is 35224 for PWD. While the admissions are based on the scores/rank obtained in NEET exam, the last cut-offs also change a lot depending on All India quota or Home State.
Commonly asked questions On Best BDS Colleges in India: Courses, Fees, Admission 2026, Placements
Yes, there are many affordable BDS colleges in India which are having tuition fees of less than INR 1 lakh. Some of them are mentioned below along with their tuition fees:
College Name | Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
INR 25,000 | |
INR 29,000 | |
INR 31,200 | |
INR 31,200 |
Source: Official site and may vary.
Yes, there is 1 private BDS colleges with the lowest fees in India. Listed below is the college along with their tuition fee:
| Private Low Cost College | Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| Vishnu Dental College Andhra pradesh | INR 71,500 |
Disclaimer: This information is sourced from official website and may vary.
Opening and Closing rank depends on the category and quota of candidates. For the general category under All India, the opening rank was 22363 and the closing rank was 83277. Cut off are different when it comes to other categories or female candidates and even the domicile of the home state. Admission to BDS - Bachelor of Dental Surgery in Nair Hospital Dental College, Mumbai is based on the scores obtained in the entrance exam NEET. Applicants are advised to confirm what category are they applying for while checking for cut-offs.
Commonly asked questions On Best BDS Colleges in India: Courses, Fees, Admission 2026, Placements
Yes, candidates can get admission to BTech without JEE Main score. Admission to BTech course at SRM IST is primarily based on SRMJEEE score. Candidates are required to pass Class 12 with minimum 60% aggregate as per the minimum eligibility criteria.
SRMJEEE is conducted in three phases. The Phase 1 and Phase 2 exam for 2026 academic year was conducted in April and June while the Phase 3 exam is scheduled for July.
The last year 2022 cutoff ranks for Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) at M.S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences (MSRUAS) other than General category are - 111136 for OBC, 111136 for SC, 111136 for ST, 111136 for EWS, 111136 for PWD. While the admissions are based on the scores/rank obtained in NEET exam, the last cut offs also change a lot depending on All India quota or Home State.
Students with 50% marks in Class 12th are eligible for UG admissions at VMMC. DM, MCh, etc. admissions are based on the online counselling held by DGHS (MCC). The commonly accepted entrance tests for UG and PG admissions are NEET, NEET PG, etc. The eligibility criteria changes with the choice of the course.