Best Dental Colleges in India: Fees, Admission 2026, Courses, Placements
Best Dental Colleges in India: Fees, Admission 2026, Courses, Placements
India has over 470 dental colleges recognised by the Dental Council of India, spread across nearly every state, making quality dental education accessible to students nationwide. Admission to top Dental colleges in India, like AIIMS Delhi, PGIMER Chandigarh, SIMTS Chennai, and CMC Vellore is done through NEET UG scores. BDS, the flagship Dental programme, opens doors to a rewarding career in dentistry, with growing demand for oral healthcare professionals across India.
- 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
- ROI of the Top Private Dental Colleges in India
- Best Affordable Private Dental Colleges in India
- Best
India has over 470 dental colleges recognised by the Dental Council of India, spread across nearly every state, making quality dental education accessible to students nationwide. Admission to top Dental colleges in India, like AIIMS Delhi, PGIMER Chandigarh, SIMTS Chennai, and CMC Vellore is done through NEET UG scores. BDS, the flagship Dental programme, opens doors to a rewarding career in dentistry, with growing demand for oral healthcare professionals across India.
- 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
- ROI of the 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 Dental colleges in India |
400+ 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
Candidates can see the eligibility criteria for the top Dental colleges in India at the BDS and MDS levels -
- For BDS admission, candidates should have completed their Class 12 in PCB with 50% aggregate marks minimum and clear the NEET entrance exam
- For MD, 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
Top private dental colleges in India offer high-quality education with excellent infrastructure and strong clinical exposure. These institutions are generally characterized by higher tuition fees compared to government colleges and require NEET scores for admission. Given below are some of the top private colleges with tuition fees -
| Private Colleges |
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 20.28 lakh - INR 22.5 lakh |
| SOA University Dental Courses | INR 22.5 lakh - INR 39 lakh |
| CMC Vellore Dental Courses | INR 1,500 |
| J.S.S. Dental College and Hospital Dental Courses | INR 60,000 - INR 35.1 lakh |
| SRM IST Kattankulathur Dental Courses | INR 15.6 lakh |
| Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore Dental Courses | INR 5.03 lakh - INR 43.53 lakh |
| Post-Graduate Institute of Dental Science Dental Courses | INR 64,000 - INR 1.86 lakh |
NOTE: The tuition fees given above are from the original college's site and can change.
ROI of the Top Private Dental Colleges in India
Choosing a dental college 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 Colleges | Tuition Fee | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Amrita School of Dentistry Placements | INR 32,000 - INR 42 lakh | INR 17 LPA |
| Nair Hospital Dental College, Mumbai Placements | INR 3.6 lakh - INR 4.83 lakh | INR 9.9 LPA - INR 12 LPA |
| Christian Dental College, Ludhiana Placements | INR 17.55 lakh | INR 4 LPA - INR 8.5 LPA |
| SDM College of Dental Sciences Placements | INR 3.83 lakh - INR 11.18 lakh | INR 4.8 LPA - INR 5.4 LPA |
| Yenepoya Dental College And Hospital, Mangalore Placements | INR 1.8 lakh - INR 45 lakh | INR 6 LPA - INR 8.4 LPA |
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.
| 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 government colleges with their tuition fees -
| Public/Govt. Colleges |
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.
AIIMS Delhi is one of the cheapest institutes for education in the field of Medicine in India. The fee information is taken from the official/ sanctioning body and is subject to change. Check below table to know AIIMS Delhi tuition fees:
| Course | Total tuition fees |
|---|---|
B.Sc. | INR 900 - 1,200 |
M.Sc. | INR 1,400 |
MD | INR 750 - 2,490 |
MBBS | INR 6,080 |
M.Ch. | INR 3,330 |
B.Sc. (Post Basic) | INR 400 |
DM | INR 3,330 |
Master of Surgery | INR 2,110 |
If students find the fee costly, they can apply for the various scholarships offered by AIIMS Delhi.
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.
There are about 200+ best BDS colleges in India. Some of them are mentioned below along with their tuition fees:
| BDS Colleges in India | Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| KGMU BDS | INR 2 lakh |
| Manipal College of Dental Sciences BDS | INR 17 lakh |
| SIMTS BDS | INR 43 lakh |
| Jamia Millia Islamia BDS | IN 2 lakh |
| A.B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences BDS | INR 20 lakh |
Disclaimer: This information is sourced from official website and may vary.
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
Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences is ranked 3rd by NIRF 2024 under the Dental category. Maulana Azad Dental College, through nine departments, offers UG, PG, and other courses to students. These courses are provided across the Delhi various other streams. Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences (MAIDS) was established as a small department of dentistry under Maulana Azad Medical College and associated Lok Nayak Hospital. MAIDS is now affiliated with Delhi University. Hence, choosing this college is a great decision for students.
Partly furnished single/shared accommodation is provided for all the PG students. Students get meals from the canteens in the hospital premises. Meals can also be taken from the mess run at the Men Intern's Quarters or Lady Doctor's Hostel, or from one of the many hotels available in the hospital area. Car Parking Facility is also available in the hospital area. Students must vacate their accommodation within 2 weeks of finishing their selected course.
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
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
No, you can not be a part of SRM Dental College directly. Admission to SRM Dental College for BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) publications calls for making use of through the university's official website and taking the NEET-UG examination. In 2023, there had been 100 seats available for BDS, and eligibility standards consist of a minimal combination rating of fifty% in PCB in class 12 board exams. The admission technique is primarily based on NEET UG scores, and the counseling is conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee of India. Applicants need to also be at least 17 years old via December thirty first of the admission yr. For 2024, admission to BDS will remain primarily based on NEET UG scores.
Commonly asked questions On Best Dental Colleges in India: Fees, Admission 2026, Courses, Placements
SRM Institute of Science and Technology admissions are conducted on the basis of entrance tests. The admission for the flagship programs are held on the basis of SRMJEEE UG exam. Further, SRM MBA admissions are conducted on the basis of SRMJEEM test. The SRMJEEE PG test is conducted for the various SRMIST PG courses. The university also accepts scoring from nationally-held tests like CAT, TANCET, MAT, etc. for admissions.
The manipal college of dental sciences, mangalore is bit costly. Students should get enough cutoff to get into this college. This college provides many courses. The courses are :
COURSE TUTION FEES ELIGIBILITY
- BDS 14.8 L 10+2 : 50% , exam : NEET
- MDS 26L exams: NEET MIDS
- Certificate 3.8L
These are the courses and fees of manipal dental science, mangalore.
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 |