NEET MDS Exam Pattern 2026: Check Time-Bound Sections, Negative Marking, Total Marks, No. of Questions

Yes, the pattern of NEET MDS clearly states that penalty marks will be deducted for incorrect answers. Each correct answer will fetch four marks and for each wrong answer, there will be negative marking of one mark. Hence, the negative marking applied in the NEET MDS exam is 25 per cent. No marks will be awarded or deducted for unattempted questions. 

The NEET MDS exam consists of 240 objective type multiple choice questions (MCQs). Each question carries four answer options, out of which candidates have to select the correct answer option and mark it. Divided into two parts, the Part A of the question paper will have 100 questions and Part B of the paper will have 140 questions. 

The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS), the exam conducting body has released the complete syllabus and pattern for NEET MDS. The topic or subject-wise weightage is given in the table below. 

There are a total of 17 subjects or topics from which questions are asked in the NEET MDS exam. Each of the subject carries 14 to 15 questions. While all subjects carry 14 questions, there are two subjects, General Medicine and General Surgery, which carry 15 questions each. Candidates will not be provided any choice in terms of attempting the subjects or sections. Moreover, there is no time limit to attempt the subjects. Hence, candidates will have to divide the time accordingly in order to solve as many questions as possible within the three hours total duration. 

There are a total of 17 topics which are covered under the NEET MDS exam syllabus. The topics are listed below.

1. General Anatomy including embryology and histology
2. General Human Physiology and Biochemistry
3. Dental Anatomy, Embryology and Oral Histology
4. General Pathology and Microbiology
5. General and Dental Pharmacology and Therapeutics
6. Dental Materials
7. General Medicine
8. General Surgery
9. Oral Pathology and Oral Microbiology
10. Oral Medicine and Radiology
11. Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry
12. Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
13. Periodontology
14. Prosthodontics and Crown and Bridge
15. Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics
16. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
17. Public Health Dentistry

NBE, or the exam conducting body states, "The syllabus of the above topics shall be as per the latest Regulations for BDS courses notified by the Dental Council of India with prior approval of the Govt. of India."

Being a computer-based exam, candidates are given the option to mark one or more answer options for review. According to NBE, candidates are given an option to mark any question, whether attempted or not, for review which means that candidate has been given an option to go through these questions again before the examination time ends. However, candidates must submit the answer as without that, the question will be considered unattempted.  

The NEET MDS syllabus is set by the Dental Council of India (DCI). The contents of the NEET MDS syllabus is similar to the BDS course. Explaining the same, NBE has stated, "The syllabus for the exam shall be that of BDS standard and shall cover all the subjects/syllabus taught during the BDS course as prescribed in the DCI Revised BDS Course Regulations, 2007 as amended from time to time."

No. NEET MDS is conducted only once a year. The exam is generally conducted in the first week of March. National Board of Examinations (NBE) conducts the exam for admission in postgraduate dental courses in medical institutes. NEET MDS application form is released online and candidates have to submit it there only. No offline and any other mode of application is accepted. According to existing NEET MDS pattern, the exam is conducted in English language only. A total of 240 question is asked and candidates get 3 hours to answer them.