NEET MDS 2026 - Registration, How to Apply, Eligibility Criteria, Important Dates, Examination Fee, Exam Timings

The NEET MDS exam i.e., National Eligibility Entrance Test for Masters of Dental Surgery is conducted online by NBEMS - National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences through the computer based test mode. NEET MDS is conducted for admission into Master in Dental Surgery courses in various Institutions across India.

Refer to the following table to get the key highlights of the NEET MDS 2026:

Refer to the following table to get details of the important dates regarding events of the NEET MDS exam 2026:

To get admission into the Master in Dental Surgery (MDS) course offered by the participating institutes across India, students need to appear for the test for which they need to fulfill the NEET MDS Eligibility Criteria 2026. The candidates must have completed their Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) from a recognised university / institute.

After qualifying the final BDS exam, students must have completed 12 months / 1-year compulsory rotatory internship or practical training in the prescribed academic year to be eligible for NEET MDS. Moreover, as per the eligibility criteria, Indian nationals, NRI, OCI / PIO, and Non-OCI foreign nationals can apply for the NEET MDS exam.

The forms for NEET MDS Registration 2026 will be filled and submitted online through the exam’s official website “natboard.edu.in”. The registration for NEET MDS possibly is going to begin on 18th February 2026 & will end on 10th March 2026. The application fee for General, EWS, OBC category candidates will be Rs. 3500/- whereas, the students belonging to ST / SC / PWD category will have to pay an amount of Rs. 2500/- as application fee for the NEET MDS exam 2026. 

As per the exam authority, NEET MDS Syllabus 2026 will be released by the conducting body through the exam’s official website “natboard.edu.in”. The NEET MDS syllabus is prescribed in the DCI Revised BDS Course Regulations, 2007. In accordance to that, it will be based on the level of Bachelor’s of Dental Surgery syllabus.

All the subjects and topics covered in the curriculum of the NEET MDS exam will be similar to the BDS course. Students are advised to prepare on the basis of the syllabus prescribed by the exam authority to secure good marks in the final exam.

NEET MDS will be conducted in computer based test mode in English language only. As per the NEET MDS Exam Pattern 2026, there will be a total of 2 sections i.e., Part A and Part B. In a combination of both the sections, the students will have to attempt a total of 240 multiple choice questions within the allotted time of 3 Hours i.e., 180 minutes. There will be 4 options given per question.

It is to be noted that 4 marks will be awarded for every correct answer. There will be 25% of negative marking for every incorrect answer. No deduction will be applicable in case of unattempted questions.

NEET MDS will be conducted by the NMEMS at various exam centres. There are a total of 56 test cities across India where the NEET MDS exam 2026 will be held. Refer to the following table to get the details of NEET MDS Exam Centres 2026:

On the examination day, aspirants of the NEET MDS will have to strictly follow below-mentioned test day instructions that are stated by the conducting body:

• It is advised to reach the exam centre as per the stipulated date and time that is mentioned in the admit card.
• Students are not allowed to carry any item with them related to stationery, any electronic devices and ornaments in the exam hall.
• No eatables are accepted in the exam room including open or packed food, soft drinks, water bottles, etc.
• Students are advised to take their admit card and valid photo ID with them for verification on the day of NEET MDS exam.
• On the examination day, candidates are strictly not allowed to look around and to talk to other candidates in the exam hall.

Students aiming to achieve a good score in the NEET MDS entrance exam shall refer to the previous year question papers of the test. Practising with the NEET MDS Sample Papers 2026 before the exam boosts the confidence and reduces the anxiety of students. By solving previous year papers, students also get familiar with the exam pattern and syllabus.

The model test papers / past year papers of the exam are beneficial in many ways. Through these, students gain insights on the structure and format of the question paper. The old exam helps to understand the nature and type of questions, recurring topics, marking scheme, number of questions, and other aspects of the test paper.

After qualifying the national level NEET MDS exam, students can take admission into the MDS course in various participating institutes. Refer to some of the NEET MDS Participating Colleges 2026 that are mentioned below:

• Armed Forces Medical College, Pune
• Army Dental Centre, Army Hospital (Research & Referral), Delhi Cantt
• Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, MAMC
• Government Dental College And Hospital, Nagpur
• All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar
• AIIMS Jodhpur - All India Institute of Medical Sciences
• Government Dental College, Trivandrum
• Christian Dental College, Ludhiana