What is MDS?
The Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) is the specialist degree in dentistry. Since 19 March 2026 dental education and practice in India have been regulated by the National Dental Commission (NDC), which replaced the Dental Council of India when the Dentists Act, 1948 was repealed. The NDC works through boards for UG and PG dental education, assessment and rating, and ethics and registration.
MDS training is mostly clinical. You manage your own patients in your specialty, perform procedures under supervision, attend seminars and journal clubs, and complete a dissertation. An orthodontics resident will plan and treat malocclusion cases with braces and aligners. An oral surgery resident handles extractions, fractures of the jaw and cyst removal in the operating theatre.
An MDS differs from short certificate courses (for example in implants or aligners): it is a full university degree, required for teaching posts in dental colleges and recognised as a specialist qualification.
Who is this course for?
- BDS graduates who want to become specialist dentists
- Dentists with fine motor skills and patience for detailed work
- Those who want to teach in dental colleges (MDS is required for faculty posts)
- People interested in surgery of the face and jaws
- Dentists planning a specialist clinic, e.g. orthodontics or implants
- Anyone curious about dental research and materials
What you study
- Year 1
- Applied basic sciences (anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology for the specialty)
- Pre-clinical and laboratory exercises
- Introductory clinical work in the specialty
- Research methodology and biostatistics
- Dissertation protocol
- Year 2
- Independent specialty clinical cases
- Postings in related departments
- Seminars and journal clubs
- Dissertation work
- Advanced techniques and materials
- Year 3
- Complex case completion
- Teaching BDS students
- Dissertation submission
- Final exam: theory, clinical cases, practical and viva
Specialisations and electives
Orthodontics and Dentofacial OrthopaedicsOral and Maxillofacial SurgeryConservative Dentistry and EndodonticsProsthodontics, Crown and BridgePeriodontologyPaediatric and Preventive DentistryOral Medicine and RadiologyOral and Maxillofacial PathologyPublic Health Dentistry
Eligibility & admission
- A BDS degree from a recognised dental college
- Completion of the one-year compulsory rotating internship by the cut-off date given in the NEET-MDS bulletin
- Registration with the State Dental Council / the NDC register
- Qualifying percentile in NEET-MDS (set each year; typically 50th for General, 45th for General-PwD, 40th for SC/ST/OBC, but it can be lowered)
- No upper age limit
How admission works
- Complete BDS and the internship, and register as a dentist
- Apply for NEET-MDS, conducted by NBEMS (the 2026 exam was held on 2 May 2026, with results on 2 June 2026); for AIIMS and other INI dental seats, apply for INI-CET
- Register for counselling: MCC for 50% All India Quota, central and deemed-university seats; state authorities for state-quota and private seats
- Fill choices of specialty and college and receive a seat allotment
- Report with documents, pay fees and start the three-year residency
Entrance exams
NEET-MDSconducted by NBEMS; the entrance for nearly all MDS seats in India
INI-CETfor MDS seats at AIIMS institutes and other Institutes of National Importance
MCC counsellingfor All India Quota, central-university and deemed-university MDS seats
NExT (Dental) (proposed)planned as a future licensing and MDS entrance test; not yet operational
Planning to study MDS?The AISEE merit scholarship can cover up to 100% of tuition fees at participating colleges. One online exam, results by rank.
Apply for AISEE-2027
Top colleges for MDS
| College | City | Why it stands out |
|---|
| Centre for Dental Education and Research, AIIMS | New Delhi | NIRF 2025 Dental rank 1; admission via INI-CET |
| Saveetha Dental College (SIMATS) | Chennai | NIRF 2025 Dental rank 2; private deemed university |
| Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences | New Delhi | NIRF 2025 Dental rank 3; government |
| Dr. D.Y. Patil Dental College (Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth) | Pune | NIRF 2025 Dental rank 4; private deemed university |
| Manipal College of Dental Sciences | Manipal | NIRF 2025 Dental rank 5; private deemed university |
| Faculty of Dental Sciences, King George's Medical University | Lucknow | Large government dental faculty |
| Government Dental College and Hospital | Mumbai | Long-established government college |
| Post Graduate Institute of Dental Sciences | Rohtak | Government institute with all MDS branches |
Ranks are from the NIRF 2025 India Rankings where shown. Check each college’s official website for this year’s seats, fees and cut-offs.
Careers & salary
OrthodontistCorrects irregular teeth and jaws with braces, aligners and appliances.
Oral and Maxillofacial SurgeonOperates on the jaws and face, including trauma, cysts, tumours and implants.
EndodontistSpecialises in root canal treatment and saving damaged teeth.
Prosthodontist / ImplantologistRestores missing teeth with crowns, bridges, dentures and implants.
Dental FacultyTeaches BDS and MDS students at dental colleges.
Dental Officer (Specialist)Serves in the Army Dental Corps, state health services, railways or ESIC.
Specialist Clinic Owner / ConsultantRuns a private specialist practice or consults at multi-specialty dental chains.
Dental Researcher / Industry AdvisorWorks with dental materials and equipment companies or research bodies.
Top recruiters & sectors
AIIMS and government dental collegesArmy Dental CorpsState health servicesESIC and railway hospitalsPrivate dental collegesClove DentalSabka DentistApollo DentalMulti-specialty hospitalsDental product and aligner companies
Salary
MDS residents receive a stipend that varies widely, from modest amounts in some private colleges to about ₹60,000–1 lakh per month (approx.) in central institutes. Newly qualified specialists in salaried jobs typically earn about ₹4–10 LPA (approx.); faculty pay follows college scales. Established orthodontists, oral surgeons and implantologists in private practice can earn ₹20–60 LPA or more (approx.) after several years.
Income depends on your specialty, city, whether you practise privately, and how quickly you build a referral network. Figures vary; check current placement reports.
Scope & higher studies
India produces many BDS graduates, so general dental practice is crowded, but specialists are still in short supply outside big cities. Demand is rising for orthodontics and aligners, implants, cosmetic dentistry and trauma surgery, and every dental college needs MDS faculty. Dental chains are expanding and hire specialists on salary or revenue share.
The new National Dental Commission, in place since March 2026, is expected to reform dental education, accreditation and registration. Its governing law provides for a future National Exit Test (Dental), but this is not yet operational, so NEET-MDS remains the entrance for now. Watch NDC and NBEMS notices for changes.
After this course
- PhD in Dental Sciences
- Fellowships in implantology, cleft and craniofacial surgery, aesthetic dentistry
- MFDS / MOrth (UK) or licensing routes in the US, Canada, Australia or the Gulf
- MPH or Hospital Administration for public-health and management roles
- Certificate programmes in aligners, lasers or digital dentistry
MDS FAQs
Who regulates dental education in India now?
The National Dental Commission (NDC), which replaced the Dental Council of India with effect from 19 March 2026 under the National Dental Commission Act.
Is NEET-MDS still the entrance exam for MDS?
Yes. NEET-MDS, conducted by NBEMS, remains the entrance for MDS seats; AIIMS and some other national institutes use INI-CET. A National Exit Test (Dental) is planned but not yet operational.
Which MDS branch is best?
Orthodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Endodontics and Prosthodontics are most in demand for private practice. Choose based on whether you enjoy surgery, precise restorative work or long-term treatment planning.
Can I do MDS without an internship?
No. You must complete the one-year compulsory rotating internship after BDS before the cut-off date to be eligible.
Is MDS necessary to practise dentistry?
No. A BDS lets you practise general dentistry. MDS is needed to call yourself a specialist and to teach in dental colleges.
AISEE - 2027 Online Scholarship Application Available 
