NEET MDS exam date has been scheduled for 2 May 2026, as announced by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS). This national-level entrance test will be conducted in computer-based mode at multiple exam centres across India for admission to Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) courses. Candidates must complete their internship by 31 May 2026 to be eligible for admission through this session. The exam schedule has been released as part of the NBEMS examination calendar to help students plan preparation and application timelines, authorities advise checking official updates regularly in case of changes.
Highlights of NEET MDS 2026
This national entrance test is conducted by the (NBEMS) for admission to Master of Dental Surgery programmes across India. The exam is held in a computer-based format and includes multiple-choice questions from subjects studied during the BDS course. The duration of the test is three hours, and candidates are evaluated through a single-session examination. Admission to government, private, and deemed dental colleges is based on the score and rank obtained, followed by a centralized counselling process.
Important Dates for NEET MDS 2026
Applicants should keep track of the NEET MDS 2026 schedule to avoid missing any step in the admission process. The exam date is 2 May 2026, and it will be conducted in an online mode at allotted test centres across the country. The application form release, last date to apply, admit card issue, and result declaration will be announced through the official NBEMS notification in the months leading up to the examination. After the result, the counselling process for All India Quota, state quota, and participating universities will begin as per the published counselling calendar. Regularly checking official updates is important so candidates can complete registration, download documents, and attend counselling on time.
NEET MDS 2026 Registration Process
Candidates need to complete the online application steps through the official NBEMS website within the announced schedule. First, they create a user account by entering basic details such as name, mobile number, and email ID, then log in to fill personal, academic, and internship information carefully. After that, they upload scanned copies of the photograph, signature, and required certificates in the prescribed format. The next step is paying the application fee using digital payment methods like debit card, credit card, or net banking. Once the form is submitted, applicants should download and save the confirmation page for use during admit card release and counselling
NEET MDS Eligibility Criteria 2026
NEET MDS eligibility criteria students must meet some basic conditions before they can register for counselling. First, candidates should have a BDS degree from a dental college recognised by the dental authority and should have completed the required one-year internship within the specified time. They must be registered with the dental council of India or the respective state council. There are age and educational requirements, and students should check the official guidelines to make sure all details match before they apply. Following these rules helps students with their plans for postgraduate dental studies.
NEET MDS 2026 Exam Pattern
Before starting preparation, students should clearly understand the NEET MDS exam pattern so they can plan their study schedule properly. The exam is conducted in online mode and consists of multiple-choice questions. A total of 240 questions are asked, and the duration of the test is three hours. For every correct answer, candidates receive four marks, while one mark is deducted for each wrong response, and no marks are given or deducted for unanswered questions. The paper covers subjects studied during BDS, including clinical and basic dental sciences.
NEET MDS 2026 Application Process
Students planning to apply must follow the application steps through the official NBEMS website during the given schedule. The process begins with creating a login using basic details like name, mobile number, and email ID. After logging in, candidates fill in personal information, educational records, and internship details carefully and are required to upload scanned images of their photograph, signature, and necessary certificates in the prescribed format. The final step is payment of the application fee through online modes such as debit card, credit card, or net banking. After successful submission, it is important to download the confirmation page and keep it safe for future admission procedures.
NEET MDS 2026 Result
After the examination is completed, the NEET MDS 2026 result will be released online on the official website of the National Board of Examinations. Students can check their result by logging in with their application number and password. The result will show the candidate’s score, rank, and qualifying status. Along with the scorecard, the authority will also publish the category-wise cutoff marks. Those who meet the required cutoff can take part in the counselling process for postgraduate dental admissions. It is important to download and save the scorecard for future use during admission procedures.
NEET MDS 2026 Cutoff
The cutoff for admission depends on factors like number of candidates, difficulty level of the exam, and total seats available in that year. For admission through this entrance test, candidates must score the minimum qualifying percentile set by the authorities, and this percentile can change every year based on overall performance. In recent years, the qualifying level for the general category has typically been around the 50th percentile, while reserved categories such as SC, ST, and OBC have had a lower percentile requirement, generally around the 40th percentile, with relaxed criteria for PwD candidates. Marks matching to these percentiles vary annually, so students should not focus only on the minimum qualifying score but should try for a much higher mark to improve chances of getting a seat in government or reputed dental colleges.
NEET MDS Counselling 2026 Schedule
After the result is declared, the counselling timeline for 2026 admissions is expected to begin in the following weeks through the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) for All India Quota seats, while other rounds are conducted by state authorities for state quota seats. The process generally includes online registration, choice filling, seat allotment result, document verification, and reporting to the allotted college. Counselling is conducted in multiple rounds, including Round 1, Round 2, and a mop-up round to fill remaining seats. Candidates must complete each step within the given deadline, regularly check official notifications, and keep all documents ready to avoid missing their allotted seat.
FAQs
Ans:- NEET MDS 2026 is expected to be conducted in December 2025 or January 2026, with exact dates announced officially by the exam authority closer to the schedule.
Ans:- The NEET MDS 2026 application is expected to open in November 2025 and close in December 2025, with exact dates to be announced by authorities.
Ans:- The NEET MDS 2026 admit card is expected to be released in January 2026, a few days before the exam date, once the official schedule is announced by the authorities.
Ans:- Candidates who have completed BDS and a one-year compulsory internship are eligible for NEET MDS 2026.
Ans:- The NEET-UG 2026 exam is scheduled to be held on May 3, 2026 across India, based on the official notification released by the NTA.
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Conclusion
Planning for NEET MDS 2026 requires a clear understanding of the exam date, eligibility rules, application steps, exam pattern, result process, cutoff marks, and counselling schedule. From registration to seat allotment, each stage follows an official timeline that students must follow carefully. Keeping track of notifications, preparing documents in advance, and staying updated through the official website can help avoid confusion. With proper planning and regular study, candidates can move through each step and take part in postgraduate dental admission with confidence.