BDS Course 2026-27: Eligibility, Fees, NEET Cutoff, Syllabus, Admission, Salary & Career Guide

• Dr. Ishaan Verma
• February 24, 2026

The BDS Course is popularly known as Bachelor of Dental Surgery that is a professional undergraduate programme of 5 years in India, comprising 4 years of academic study plus 1 year of compulsory rotatory internship for students who wish to become dentists. The course is a combination of practical learning and theoretical knowledge and focuses on dental science, oral medicine, oral pathology, oral radiology, orthodontics, and dental public health. Students learn the skills necessary to diagnose and treat patients with dental problems.

Eligibility Criteria for Bachelor of Dental Surgery Course 2026-27

To be eligible for BDS in India in 2026-27, candidates must: (a) pass 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology and English (50% marks in PCB for General, 40% for SC/ST/OBC), and (b) qualify NEET-UG, which is compulsory for admission to all recognised dental colleges.

• Interested candidates must have completed 17 years of age on or before 31 December of the admission year as per NEET-UG and BDS regulations.
• Must have passed a recognised 10+2 or equivalent examination from a central, state, or other recognised board with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English.
• For SC/ST/OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates, the minimum required marks in PCB subjects is 40% (as per NEET-UG category norms), while other eligibility conditions remain the same.
• Note: Candidates who have passed the qualifying examination from National Open School will be eligible provided they fulfill the conditions laid down above.
• Diploma in Pharmacy and Dresser course is not equivalent to 10+2 for the purpose of admission in BDS course.

NEET-UG Cutoff for BDS 2026-27 (Expected)

Cutoffs vary yearly based on exam difficulty, seats, and applicant numbers. Check MCC website for exact 2026 figures.

Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) Syllabus

Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) is an undergraduate dentistry program; in India it has a fixed duration of 5 years (4 years academics + 1 year internship). The first two years are spent learning the basics of dentistry, while the last two to three years are spent in clinical rotations in various departments within the college. The curriculum of the course covers various aspects of dentistry, including periodontics, oral medicine, pediatric dentistry, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, and orofacial pain management.

Year I

• General Anatomy
• Embryology and Histology
• General Human Physiology
• Dental Anatomy and Embryology
• Oral Histology
• General Biochemistry

Year II

• Dental Materials
• General Pathology and Microbiology
• General Pharmacology and Therapeutics
• Pre-Clinical Prosthodontics & Crown & Bridge
• Preclinical Conservative Dentistry
• Dental Pharmacology and Therapeutics

Year III

• Oral Pathology and Microbiology, General Medicine, General Surgery (with clinical postings in relevant hospital departments)

Year IV

• Oral Medicine
• Radiology
• Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics
• Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics
• Prosthodontics and Crown and Bridge
• Public Health Dentistry
• Periodontology
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Paediatric and Preventive Dentistry

BDS Application Process & Admission 2026-27

BDS admissions in India are based on NEET-UG scores. NEET-UG (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) is the only recognised entrance exam for BDS admission in all government, private, and deemed dental colleges in India. A counseling session takes place after a candidate clears the examination. Then, seats are given to those who are eligible, as per the choice and also the availability of seats.

After qualifying NEET, candidates participate in national or state counselling, fill in college choices, and are allotted seats as per rank, category, and availability.

BDS Fee Structure (Average 2026-27)