NEET MDS 2026: Dates, Pattern, Syllabus, Question Papers, Eligibility, Application

While all dental colleges across India accept NEET MDS scores, AIIMS Delhi, or other AIIMS campuses offering MDS course do not accept NEET MDS scores. Hence, MDS aspirants planning to take admission to AIIMS colleges have to appear for INI CET (MDS) exam. On the other hand, candidates are advised to prepare and appear for NEET MDS entrance exam to amplify their chances of admission. 

NEET MDS, as the name suggests, is the entrance exam for the MDS courses in India. NBEMS is the conducting body of NEET MDS exam for admission to approximately 6,200 MDS seats under the All India Quota. The scores of NEET MDS are accepted by dental colleges across India. 

No, candidates have to qualify for NEET MDS to become eligible for NEET MDS counselling.  Candidates have to qualify for the NEET MDS exam with a minimum cutoff, which varies for each category. The minimum cutoff percentile for general category candidates is 50, while for SC/ST, the cutoff is 40th. Eligible candidates have to register on the official website, mcc.nic.in, to participate in the counselling for NEET MDS. Registration is followed by a choice declaration. Candidates can declare as many choices as they want to in order of their preferences.

There are two types of NEET MDS application correction window. In the first and primary correction window, and the final correction window. In the first or primary NEET MDS correction window, candidates can make corrections or changes in the informtion entered in the application form, except for a few fields. On the other hand, in the NEET MDS final correction window, candidates will be able to make corrections in the incorrect or deficient images of photograph, signature and thumb impression. Candidates will not be able to make changes in the images in the primary correction window and vice versa. 

NEET MDS application process is completely online. Candidates have to visit the official website of NEET MDS or the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) and after that, they will have to visit the NEET MDS section and follow the steps given below.

• Go to the official website of NBE - nbe.edu.in
• Click on "NEET-MDS"
• In the Links section, click on "New Registration"
• Enter the following details
  1. Name of Candidate
  2. Date of Birth
  3. Gender (Male/Female)
  4. Nationality (Indian/Others)
  5. Mobile Number
  6. Email Address
  7. Captcha
• Check the details for errors
• Click on "Submit"
• User ID and password will be sent to the registered email ID and mobile number
• Login using the "Applicant Login" section
• Enter the user ID and password
• Click on "Go to application form"
• Candidate’s Name, Date of Birth, Gender, Nationality, Mobile number and Email address will be pre-filled in the application form.
• Enter personal details such as
  1. Father’s Name
  2. Mother’s Name
  3. Select the Category (General/SC/ST/OBC)
  4. Are you a person with Disability (Yes/No)
  5. Identification Details
  6. Communication Address
• On completion of this section, click on "Save and Next"
• Enter qualification details such as
  1. 10+2 equivalent exam details
  2. BDS / Primary Medical Qualification details
     • Country of completion of BDS Qualification
     • Name of Country
     • State of completion
     • City of completion
     • University of completion
     • University name
     • Name of college
     • Month and Year of Passing
  3. Internship Details
  4. SDC/DCI Registration Details
• Once this section is complete, click on "Save and Next"
• Choose the desired NEET MDS test centre city.

The following fields cannot be edited in the NEET MDS application correction window:

• Candidate Name
• Nationality
• Mobile Number
• Email address
• Permanent address
• Test centre city choice.

To download the NEET MDS admit card, candidates have to login with their registration credentials such as application number and password or date of birth. In case they have forgotten or misplaced the details, they have to click on the Forgot Password link to retreieve the username or password. During this process, they should keep their mobile number and email id active as NBEMS will send the retrieving link through email or SMS. In case even the Forgot password option does not work, they have to contact NBEMS or NEET MDS helpline number. To avoid such a situation, candidates are advised to save the login details or registration credentials properly. 

NEET MDS admit card is one of the most crucial documents to be carried at the exam centres. Without this, candidates will not be allowed to appear for the exam as it also acts as the hall ticket for the exam centre. The following information are printed on the NEET MDS admit card:

• Candidate Name
• Candidate Photographs
• NEET MDS Roll Number
• NEET MDS Application ID
• Date of Birth
• Category
• Exam Date and Time
• Reporting Time
• Name and address of exam centre
• Google Map link of NEET MDS exam centre
• Exam Day Instructions

After downloading the NEET MDS admit card, candidates must verify each of the details properly and in case of any discrepancy, they should report it to the exam authorities. 

NEET MDS admit card is released by the National Board on Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) in online mode only. Hence, eligible candidates have to download the NEET MDS 2025 admit card in online mode by visiting the official website. Requesting NBEMS for sending the NEET MDS admit card post will be of no avail. The NEET MDS 2025 admit card was released on April 15, 2025.

NEET MDS is a computer-based exam of three hours duration with two time-bound sections. Part A was for 75 minutes and had 100 questions. Part B had 140 questions to be solved in105 minutes. The timing of the exam was 2 PM to 5 PM. There were a total of 240 objective-type multiple-choice questions (MCQs) from the NEET MDS syllabus. Each question has four marks and there will be negative marking of one mark for each wrong answer. The following table brings the overview and structure of the NEET MDS exam pattern. 

The NEET MDS 2025 exam pattern has been revised from last year. 

NBEMS has announced a change in the NEET MDS exam pattern and structure. There will be a time-bound sectional demarcation of questions for NEET MDS. There will be two sections, Part A and Part B, of 75 minutes and 105 minutes duration respectively. The total number of questions is 240. In Part A, candidates have to attempt 100 questions, and in Part B, there will be 140 questions. Candidates will not be able to move between two sections unless the time is over. They will have to first complete Part A for 75 minutes, after which the section will automatically switch to Part B. 

NEET MDS is conducted in only one language, which is English. This exam, conducted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) is held in a single language and window, in a computer-based test (CBT) mode.  Since BDS course is offered in English, it would not pose challenge to candidates in terms of attempting the NEET MDS exam in English. The exam will be conducted for a duration of three hours, from 2 PM to 5 PM in exam centres located in India. The syllabus and pattern and expected to remain the same as last year. 

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."

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. 

Yes, the NEET MDS syllabus is similar to the BDS course syllabus. Aspirants planning to appear for the NEET MDS exam must study in lines with the BDS course subjects and topics. Talking about this, NBEMS 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."

The difficulty level of NEET MDS 2025 exam was termed as Moderate. However, as compared to the previous years', the difficulty level was easier. Moreover, some questions were repeated from last year, which made it easier for candidates, especially those who had practiced and solved previous years' question papers. Also, candidates who had appeared for last year also found the difficulty level of NEET MDS 2025 on the easier lines. 

As per the NEET MDS analysis of previous years', the topics or subjects which have a higher difficulty level as compared to the others are Oral Pathology and Oral Microbiology, and Oral Medicine and Radiology. The weightage of these topics were also higher than other topics. According to the students, the number of image-based questions was higher as compared to last year. Moreover, the theoretical questions were tricky in nature, and not direct. 

The difficulty level of NEET MDS exam ranges from moderate to tough. Being a postgraduate entrance exam, the overall difficulty level of NEET MDS is on the higher side. However, according to the student reactions captured by Shiksha.com, the difficulty level of NEET MDS 2025 was easier than that of the previous year. In fact, some of the questions were repeated from 2024. The topics and question types were on the expected lines.  

NEET MDS merit list provides the overall record of the exam for all candidates. The merit list is released in a PDF format for all candidates. On the other hand, the scorecard is an individual document which is accessible only to the test-taker and carries detailed information regarding his/her exam performance in terms of subject-wise score, percentile and rank. Both the documents are prepared by NBEMS, the exam conducting body. The NEET MDS scorecard is issued only to candidates who can download it by logging in through their registration credentials and nobody else can access it. NEET MDS merit list, on the other hand, is released publicly and includes the candidates' Roll Number, scores and All India Rank.

NEET MDS scorecard has to be downloaded online from the exam website. Candidates have to enter their Application ID and password to download the scorecard. It comprises details such as roll number, application ID, marks scored All India Rank etc. The scorecard for NEET MDS should be preserved till the admission process is complete. The scorecard is available only in online mode and NBE will not send the hardcopy of the NEET MDS 2025 scorecard by post.

Yes, candidates are required to enter the details printed on the scorecard of NEET MDS in the registration form of the counselling. They are thus advised to download the NEET MDS scorecard well in advance. The scorecard is downloaded from the official website with login ID and password. NBE will release the NEET MDS scorecard tentatively after 10 days to the declaration of the result. The NEET MDS scorecard will also be verified by the counselling authorities during the institute reporting process. 

No, the NEET MDS cutoff varies each year. While the cutoff percentile is the same every year, the score varies. Moreover, in the last three years, the NEET MDS cutoff was reduced as per the recommendation of the Ministry of Health. The NEET MDS 2025 cutoff has been reduced by the Ministry of Health by 19.863 percentile for each category. 

The NEET MDS counselling is conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee for All India Quota seats. The counselling process is completely online, except for the final stage, which is the institute reporting process, which requires physical verification. The different stages of NEET MDS counselling are given below:

• Registration: To participate in the NEET MDS counselling, eligible candidates need to first register for the counselling on the MCC website.
• Choice filling and locking: Based on the seat matrix, candidates have to fill and lock choices in preferential order.
• Declaration of seat allotment result: Based on the choices entered and the ranks of candidates, the seat allotment list is prepared
• Institute reporting: Candidates have to visit the allotted institute with the requisite documents to accept the admission offer. 

Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) is the conducting body for the NEET MDS counselling. It must be noted, NBE only conducts the exam and declares the result of NEET MDS. MCC conducts counselling for allotment of 50 per cent All India Quota seats. For rest 50 per cent seats, respective state authorities conduct the counselling. Candidates have to register on the official website of MCC and declare choice for college and course for NEET MDS counselling. Only NEET MDS qualified candidates are eligible to participate in the counselling for seat allotment.

No, NEET MDS application form can be filled in an online mode only. Candidates have to visit the NBE website and click on the NEET MDS section and complete the registration and application procedure by filling in the mandatory details, uploading the documents such as certificates, photograph and signature, and paying the requisite application fee in an online mode. Even if a candidate plans to send the hardcopy of the filled up NEET MDS application form by post, it will not be accepted making the candidate ineligible to appear for the exam. 

NEET MDS 2026 exam is expected to be conducted in the third week of April 2026. NBE will announce the exam date in February 2026. The application process will be tentatively conducted from the third week of February to the second week of March 2026. NEET MDS is a computer-based test of three hours duration, scheduled from 2 PM to 5 PM. 

The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) released the complete notification or information bulletin for NEET MDS 2025. There is no specific change in this year's NEET MDS. The number of exam cities has increased from 56 to 59. Apart from that, the change in NEET MDS 2025 is in terms of the exam date, which was originally on January 31, but has now been postponed to April 19, 2025.  The NEET MDS 2025 exam structure has been revised. The two sections will be time-bound for 75 minutes with 100 questions and 105 minutes with 140 questions.

The following fields can be updated or edited in the NEET MDS application form during the correction window:

• Date of Birth
• Gender
• Parents' Names
• Religion
• Category
• EWS and PWD status
• Identification Type
• Correspondence Address
• BDS Qualification and Internship Details
• BDS exam result
• If you appeared for NEET MDS before
• If you are pursuing any other postgraduate dental course
• Have any unfair means registered against you by NBEMS?
• Document Upload - Image, Signature and Thumb Impression.

Candidates can select only one exam city preference in the NEET MDS application form. The total number of NEET MDS 2025 exam cities was 59. It is expected that the number of exam cities will increase for NEET MDS 2026. Since only one exam city choice is allowed, candidates must choose the city closest to their present address. 

NEET MDS stands for National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Masters of Dental Surgery. The exam is conducted for providing admissions to all the postgraduate dental courses offered by the institutions in India. The exam is conducted by National Board of Education (NBE) in computer-based mode. NBE holds the exam annually for allotment of around 6200 MDS seats under 50% All India Quota and 50% state quota. After the exam, MCC conducts online counselling for allotment of seats. Only those who qualify the exam with minimum cut off marks qualify for the counselling rounds.

Read more: MDS Admission 

The date of completing the BDS internship as per the NEET MDS 2025 eligibility criteria was June 30, 2025. It is expected that the internship deadline for NEET MDS 2026 will be June 30, 2026. In case a candidate does not complete the BDS internship within the said date, he or she will not be eligible to appear for the exam. However, if he or she is issued the NEET MDS admit card, then the candidate will be able to appear for the exam, but during the further checking of candidature, or during the document verification, he or she will be considered non-qualified.

The NEET MDS admit card was released online by the exam conducting body NBEMS. Candidates had to download it by visiting the official website of the exam and logging in with their registration credentials. The step-by-step process to download the NEET MDS 2025 exam is given below:

• Visit the official website of NBE - nbe.edu.in
• Click on "NEET-MDS".
• Select "Click here to download your admit card"
• Check the admit card for errors.
• Download, save and print the admit card.

Candidates must take multiple printouts of the admit card and preserve it till the admission process is completed.