Best Dental Colleges in India: Fees, Admission 2026, Courses, Placements
Best Dental Colleges in India: Fees, Admission 2026, Courses, Placements
Dental colleges in India include 480+ colleges across the country, run by the government, private groups, and deemed universities. Admission to top Dental colleges in India happens through NEET UG scores. No other exam works for BDS. The MCC fills 15% of All India Quota seats in government colleges, and state authorities fill the rest. BDS and MDS courses are the top Dental courses offered. The top BDS colleges in India has around 28,000 BDS seats in total. AIIMS Delhi, PGIMER Chandigarh, SIMTS Chennai, and CMC Vellore are some of the renowned colleges.
Dental colleges in India include 480+ colleges across the country, run by the government, private groups, and deemed universities. Admission to top Dental colleges in India happens through NEET UG scores. No other exam works for BDS. The MCC fills 15% of All India Quota seats in government colleges, and state authorities fill the rest. BDS and MDS courses are the top Dental courses offered. The top BDS colleges in India has around 28,000 BDS seats in total. AIIMS Delhi, PGIMER Chandigarh, SIMTS Chennai, and CMC Vellore are some of the renowned colleges.
- Best Dental Colleges in India - Known Facts 2026
- Best Dental Colleges in India: NIRF Ranking 2025
- Eligibility Criteria for Admission to Dental Colleges in India 2026
- Entrance Exams Accepted in the Best Dental Colleges in India 2026
- Best Private Dental Colleges in India
- Fees Vs Median Salary Offered by Top Private Dental Colleges in India
- Best Affordable Private Dental Colleges in India
- Best Government Dental Colleges in India
- Best BDS Colleges in India
- Dental Specialisations Offered by Colleges in India
- Comparison of the Top Dental Colleges in India 2026
Best Dental Colleges in India - Known Facts 2026
| Parameters |
Statistics |
|---|---|
| Total no. of Dentistry colleges in India |
480+ colleges |
| Top Dental Institutes in India |
AIIMS Delhi, SIMTS Chennai, Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, etc. |
| Annual Fee range of top colleges |
~ INR 6,000 - INR 52 lakh |
| Median Salary Range |
~ INR 3 LPA - INR 24+ LPA |
| Top Dental specialisations offered |
MDS Prosthodontics, Orthodontics, Periodontology, Oral Pathology, MDS Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, etc. |
| Accepted Entrance Exams |
NEET MDS, NEET, NEET PG, etc. |
Best Dental Colleges in India: NIRF Ranking 2025
As per NIRF ranking 2025, AIIMS Delhi ranked as the No. 1 Dental college in India, followed by other top colleges like SIMTS Chennai and Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences. Here is the table below showing some of the top Dental colleges in India over the past three years -
| Top Colleges |
NIRF 2024 |
NIRF 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| NA | 1 | |
| Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences Ranking |
1 | 2 |
| 3 | 3 | |
| 5 | 4 | |
| 2 | 5 | |
| 6 | 6 | |
| 4 | 7 | |
| 7 | 8 | |
| SOA University Ranking | 9 | 9 |
| JSS Dental College and Hospital Mysuru Ranking | 12 | 10 |
Eligibility Criteria for Admission to Dental Colleges in India 2026
Listed below is the eligibility criteria for admission in the best Dental colleges in India at the BDS and MDS levels.
- For BDS admission, you should have completed Class 12 in PCB with 50% aggregate marks minimum and clear the NEET entrance exam
- For MDS, they should have a BDS degree with a minimum passing percentage and clear the NEET PG entrance exam.
- They must have completed their Internship before taking admission to the PG course
Entrance Exams Accepted in the Best Dental Colleges in India 2026
Check the table below for the top entrance exams accepted in the best Dental colleges in India with schedule and cutoff predictor -
| Exam Name |
Exam Schedule |
Exam Cutoff Predictor |
|---|---|---|
| NEET Exam |
NEET College Predictor | |
| NEET MDS College Predictor | ||
| NEET PG Exam |
NEET PG College Predictor |
Best Private Dental Colleges in India
Private dental colleges in India give good teaching, modern buildings, and plenty of practice with real patients. They charge more fees than government colleges. You still need a NEET score to get a seat. Here are some of the top private BDS colleges in India, along with their fees:
| Top Private Dental Colleges in India |
Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| SIMTS Chennai Dental Courses | INR 50,000 - INR 52.5 lakh |
| Dr. D. Y. Patil Dental College and Hospital Dental Courses | INR 60,000 - INR 52.5 lakh |
| Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal Dental Courses | INR 1.32 lakh - INR 43.53 lakh |
| A.B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences Dental Courses | INR 22.5 lakh - INR 24.21 lakh |
| SOA University Dental Courses | INR 24 lakh - INR 42 lakh |
| J.S.S. Dental College and Hospital Dental Courses | INR 60,000 - INR 45.53 lakh |
| SRM IST Kattankulathur Dental Courses | INR 15.6 lakh |
| Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore Dental Courses | INR 1.32 lakh - INR 43.53 lakh |
| Post-Graduate Institute of Dental Science Dental Courses | INR 64,000 - INR 1.86 lakh |
| SRIHER Chennai Dental Courses | INR 13.5 lakh - INR 39 lakh |
NOTE: The tuition fees given above are from the original college's site and can change.
Fees Vs Median Salary Offered by Top Private Dental Colleges in India
Choosing a top 10 private Dental colleges in India is not just about education it is also a financial decision. With this table, you get a quick look at the tuition fees and median salaries of best private dental colleges in India, so that you know how much you will pay and how much salary you will get after your graduation.
| Top Private Dental Colleges in India | Tuition Fee | Median Salary Package |
|---|---|---|
| Bhabha College of Dental Sciences Placements | INR 1.5 lakh - INR 15.18 lakh | INR 48 LPA |
| KSR Educational Institutions Placements | INR 21 lakh | INR 16 LPA - INR 24 LPA |
| Rural Medical College, Loni Placements | INR 12.6 lakh - INR 33 lakh | INR 3.2 LPA - INR 19 LPA |
| Jan Nayak Ch.Devi Lal Vidyapeeth - JCDV Placements | INR 8.8 lakh - INR 20.55 lakh | INR 7 LPA - INR 18.8 LPA |
| Government College Of Dentistry, Indore Placements | INR 1.74 lakh - INR 4 lakh | INR 8 LPA - INR 18 LPA |
NOTE: Fees and median salaries given above have been taken from official college's website and can change.
Best Affordable Private Dental Colleges in India
Not every student can afford high fees for admission to Dental colleges, and the good news is that there are several private dental colleges in India at much lower costs. These colleges give you the same BDS degree, DCI-approved curriculum, and clinical training without putting too much financial pressure on you or your family. Check the table below for the best BDS private colleges in India with fees.
| Low-cost Dental Colleges | Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| NIILM University Fees | INR 66,000 - INR 69,000 |
| K.M. University Fees | INR 84,000 |
| Institute of Laser and Aesthetic Medicine Fees | INR 76,700 |
| DR. K.R. Adhikary College of Optometry and Paramedical Technology Fees | INR 47,000 |
| Sumandeep Vidyapeeth Fees | INR 47,500 - INR 74,000 |
NOTE: The affordable dental fees given in the table have been fetched from the college's official site and can change.
Best Government Dental Colleges in India
The top government Dental colleges in India are renowned for their quality education with very low fees. Government colleges are governed and managed by the central and state governments. Given below are some of the top 10 government dental colleges in India fees.
| Top Government Dental Colleges in India |
Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| PGIMER Chandigarh Dental Courses | INR 17.55 lakh |
| Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, MAMC Dental Courses | INR 39,000 |
| JIPMER Puducherry Dental Courses | INR 6,600 |
| KGMU Dental Courses | INR 1.64 lakh - INR 1.9 lakh |
| AIIMS Rishikesh Dental Courses | INR 5,780 - INR 1.35 lakh |
Source: The above information been taken from the official site of the colleges and can change.
Dental Specialisations Offered by Colleges in India
Dental colleges in India offer a variety of specialisations. This allows graduates to develop focused careers in a specific area of dentistry. Most popular college specialisations are Orthodontics, Oral Surgery, Periodontics and Prosthodontics.
| Top Specialisations | No. of Colleges |
|---|---|
| Prosthodontics | 250+ (KGMU, Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, MAMC, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal, etc.) |
| Orthodontics | 240+ (A.B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, SRM Dental College, Ramapuram Campus, Chennai, SOA University - Siksha 'O' Anusandhan, etc.) |
| Periodontology | 230+ (KGMU, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore, J.S.S. Dental College and Hospital, etc.) |
| Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery | 190+ (KGMU - King George's Medical University, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal, SRM Dental College, Ramapuram Campus, Chennai, etc.) |
| Oral Pathology | 180+ (M.S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, Government Dental College and Research Institute, Government Dental College, Trivandrum, etc.) |
Comparison of the Top Dental Colleges in India 2026
To check the comparison between the best Dental colleges in India, click on the links below -
Best Dental Colleges in India: Fees, Admission 2026, Courses, Placements
Commonly asked questions On Best Dental Colleges in India: Fees, Admission 2026, Courses, Placements
Hi, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences has been ranked No.1 Dental college in India by NIRF for the year 2024. SIMTS has been ranked no.1 consecutively for the last three years.
AIIMS Delhi is ranked as the top Dental college in India as per NIRF ranking 2025. The table below shows the top Dental colleges in India as per NIRF ranking over the past two years -
Top Colleges | NIRF 2024 | NIRF 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| NA | 1 | |
Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences Ranking | 1 | 2 |
| 3 | 3 | |
| 5 | 4 | |
| 2 | 5 | |
| 6 | 6 | |
| 4 | 7 | |
| 7 | 8 | |
| SOA University Ranking | 9 | 9 |
| JSS Dental College and Hospital Mysuru Ranking | 12 | 10 |
Disclaimer: This information is sourced from official website of the ranking body listed and may vary.
There are around 400+ best Dental colleges in India of which 200+ colleges are privately owned, 50+ colleges are government owned and the rest 9 colleges are owned by semi government institutions. NEET MDS, NEET and INI CET are the popular entrance exams for admission to top Dental colleges in India. AIIMS, Delhi, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, SIMTS, MAMC and PGIMER are the best Dental colleges in India.
Specialization is not mandatory after completing a general Dental course. Graduates can practice as general dentists immediately after earning their degree and completing required internships.
However, pursuing a specialisation in areas like orthodontics, prosthodontics, or oral surgery can enhance career prospects, increase earning potential, and allow dentists to handle more complex cases. It is a choice based on career goals rather than a requirement.
Candidates willing to take part in the AIIMS Delhi admission process must apply before the last date of application. Candidates must know their AIIMS Delhi eligibility criteria before applying online. At the undergraduate level, AIIMS Delhi offers BSc and MBBS programmes to students. At the postgradaute level, AIIMS Delhi offers MSc, MD, MS, and other courses.
Commonly asked questions On Best Dental Colleges in India: Fees, Admission 2026, Courses, Placements
There are about 50+ Dental colleges in India offer Diploma courses. Some of them arementioned below along with their tuition fees:
| Top Colleges | Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| SIMTS Chennai | INR 10 lakh |
| J.S.S. Dental College and Hospital | INR 60,000 |
| Banaras Hindu University | INR 50,000 |
| Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research (Deemed to be University) | INR 20,000 |
| Yenepoya Dental College And Hospital, Mangalore | INR 3 lakh |
Disclaimer: This information is sourced from official website and may vary.
Dental colleges do not offer campus placements like engineering colleges. Most students do the internship in the college hospital. After that, they join clinics or study MDS. The Manipal name helps when you look for jobs. Some students also prepare for licence exams abroad. Your skill matters most.
The top skills that employers look for in Dental course graduates are:
Strong clinical proficiency
Effective patient communication
Attention to detail and accuracy
Knowledge of the latest dental technologies
Ability to work under pressure
Ethical and professional conduct
Teamwork and collaboration
For Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research admission, candidates need to qualify INICET entrance exam. Eligible candidates are then called for the counseling round. PGIMER's application process is completely online.
The entrance examination is held in December for the January session and in the June for July session. MD/MS Courses Candidates are assessed at a formal entrance-test on the basis of a suitably designed Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) type theory paper.
CMC Vellore has not released its placement highlights for 2026. The table below provides the placement statistics as per the NIRF Report released by the college:
| Particulars | Placement Statistics (2025) |
|---|---|
| Total Students | 2 (PG 2-year) 175 (PG 3-year) |
| Students Placed | 2 (PG 2-year) 175 (PG 3-year) |
| Median Package | INR 7.95 LPA ( PG 2-year) INR 12.95 LPA (PG 3-year) |
Commonly asked questions On Best Dental Colleges in India: Fees, Admission 2026, Courses, Placements
BDS is the top Dental UG courses accepted in many private Dental colleges in India. Some of them are mentioned below with their tuition fees -
| Top Colleges | Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| SIMTS Chennai | INR 43 lakh |
| Dr. D. Y. Patil Dental College and Hospital | INR 26 lakh |
| Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal | INR 16.6 lakh |
| KGMU | INR 1.9 lakh |
| A.B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences | INR 20.28 lakh |
Source: Official site and may vary.
Please refer to the table below for the various courses offered by best Dental colleges in India:
| Courses | No. of Colleges |
|---|---|
| MDS | 308 |
| BDS | 217 |
| Certificate | 43 |
| UG Diploma | 43 |
| BSc | 37 |
| PhD | 37 |
| PG Diploma | 8 |
| MD | 6 |
Yes, Dental graduates can explore careers in healthcare administration. Roles may include managing dental clinics, hospital departments, or public oral health programs.
Administrative positions require a combination of dental knowledge and management skills. Graduates can contribute to policy-making, patient management systems, quality control, and training programs while supporting the broader healthcare infrastructure.
Yes, Manipal College of Dental Sciences (MCODS) is considered one of the best dental colleges in India. The MCODS courses are approved by All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). The college was ranked 2nd by NIRF in 2024 in the Dental category. India Today ranked MCODS 5th in the Dental category. The median package offered during UG 5-year and PG 3-year MCODS placements 2023 stood at INR 3.8 LPA and INR 5 LPA, respectively. Candidates can visit the official website to consider the college's infrastructure, faculty, campus life and internships.
Commonly asked questions On Best Dental Colleges in India: Fees, Admission 2026, Courses, Placements
You still need to qualify NEET UG. Seats go through MCC counselling for deemed universities. A low score may still get a seat in some years. Fees for such seats can be very high. Never pay anyone outside the official process.
Yes, Dental graduates can work abroad, but most countries require licensing exams and registration with local dental councils.
Additional requirements may include language proficiency, credential verification, or completing certain clinical hours. Graduates can pursue clinical practice, research, teaching, or healthcare consultancy, but preparation for international licensing is essential for smooth transition.
Dental college rankings are based on multiple factors, including academic performance, faculty quality, research output, infrastructure, and clinical exposure.
Placement records, student feedback, and accreditation by dental councils also play a role. Rankings help students identify institutions with better education quality, facilities, and career opportunities, but they should also consider personal preferences and location before choosing a college.
The skills that are developed through Dental courses are:
Clinical and diagnostic skills
Patient management and communication
Manual dexterity and precision
Knowledge of dental materials and procedures
Problem-solving and critical thinking
Research and analytical skills
Infection control and hygiene practices
Teamwork and collaboration
ABSMIDS, Mangalore offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and fellowship courses in dental sciences. The only undergraduate course offered by ABSMIDS is BDS with a duration of 5 years. ABSMIDS Mangalore offers MDS programmes in eight specialisations.
- Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS)
- Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) in various specializations such as Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Orthodontics, Paediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Periodontology, Prosthodontics, and Crown and Bridge
- Fellowship Programme in Cleft Lip and Palate
- Fellowship Programme in Oral Implantology
- Certificate Course in Forensic Odontology
- Certificate Course in Cone Beam Computed Tomography
- Certificate Course in Oral Implantology
Commonly asked questions On Best Dental Colleges in India: Fees, Admission 2026, Courses, Placements
Yes, Manipal college of denrtal sciences, Mangalore is a good option for the students . Sometimes it is based on the students interest . This college is a good option beacuse it provides good placemnts . All the students who are eligibile can get the placemnts. The highest package is 8LPA and the lowest package is 4.3LPA . The college provides all the facilities which are useful for the students and the college conatains hostels with higenic rooms and mess. The faculty here are certified and well trained, they encourage the students to develop more skills. College contains gpood infrastructure like: cafetria, library, labs, sports, badmention court etc. This college is the good option for the students
PGIDS Rohtak offers scholarships to undergraduate and postgradute students as financial assistance. The college provides a Post Matric Scholarship Scheme SC/BC and other state schemes for the year 2023-2024. Scholarship applications must be filled out on the Centralised Scholarship Portal.
Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research offers many scholarships such as Founder-Chancellor Merit-cum-Means Scholarship, Founder-Chancellor Cash Award, Hospital Ward Technician Course, Chancellor Undergraduate Summer Research Fellowships, Founder-Chancellor Fellowships for PhD. Candidates and Publication Support Grant. Students can avail of the scholarships only if they meet the eligibility criteria. After meeting the eligibility criteria, students are awarded the scholarship amount. Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research scholarship amount is awarded for a fixed period of time, that is, till the completion of the course. The eligibility criteria for SRIHER scholarships are given below:
Scholarship Name | Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|
Founder-Chancellor Merit-cum-Means Scholarship | Students should have passed the previous year/semester’s university exam on the first attempt and are pursuing 2nd year UG Paramedical programme |
Founder-Chancellor Cash Award | Students who have obtained the highest marks in the 1st-year undergraduate programme university examination |
AIIMS Rishikesh provides good placements to its graduating students. The students are given excellent placement support every year placing them in top companies. Check out the table below to know the key highlights of the AIIMS Rishikesh placements 2025:
Course | Total Students (2025) | Students Placed (2025) | Median Salary (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
UG 4-year | 149 | 121 | INR 8.50 LPA |
UG 5-year | 105 | 37 | INR 14 LPA |
PG 1-year | 6 | 4 | INR 16.5 LPA |
PG 2-year | 35 | 31 | INR 13.5 LPA |
PG 3-year | 163 | 127 | INR 26 LPA |
NOTE: The above data is obtained from the NIRF report 2026