Hi aspirants! It’s pretty sure that if you are reading this blog, you are mostly planning to appear for the National Eligibility and Entrance Test (NEET) to pursue a Masters of Dental Surgery (MDS) course. Every year, the NBEMS conducts an eligibility and ranking test to administer admissions to postgraduate dental courses, often referred to as the NEET-MDS exam.
I am Vishnu Nambiar, a dental career counselor and dental blogger with more than 12 years of experience in the industry. Today, I will be giving you a complete idea about the NEET-MDS counseling procedure.
This article is going to be very long and informative. If you want to get the complete idea, then read through the article completely. Or you can use the table of contents below to navigate to the needed section.
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Contents
The NEET MDS exam is the one-and-only exam that enables any aspiring dentist to reach the goal of MDS. The exam is conducted for all government and private Universities/ and institutions across the country, and appearing for the exam is mandatory if you are in line to pursue admission into the course. Just not appearing, qualifying for the NEET-MDS is also mandatory for entry to MDS courses at various Universities/ and institutions in the country.
The NBEMS conducts the NEET-MDS exam once a year through its web portals https://nbe.edu.in/ and https://natboard.edu.in/. The tentative date for the NEET MDS 2024 exam has also been announced and is scheduled for February 9, 2024.
So, hang on there! Allow me to give you a basic overview of the NEET MDS Exam before we get into the grave details of the NEET MDS Counseling Process.
Basic Details of the NEET MDS Exam
| Name of Exam | National Eligibility and Entrance Test (NEET) |
| Admission Process | All-India NEET MDS Counseling |
| Conducting Authorities | National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) MCCI |
| Exam fee | UR category – Rs. 4250/- SC/ST/OBC – Rs. 4250/- |
| Exam Pattern | Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) |
| Mode | Online in designated examination centers |
| Syllabus | Based on All BDS subjects |
| Total Questions | 240 |
| Marking | 04 for each correct response |
| Negative Marking | 01 for each incorrect response |
| Admission Process | All-India NEET MDS Counseling |
| Included Institutes | All Dental Universities/ Institutions (except AIIMS) |
NEET MDS Counselling Eligibility Criteria
| NEET MDS Cut-off 2024 | ||
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Percentile | Cut-Off Score |
| General (UR/EWS) | 50 Percentile | Will be updated soon. |
| UR-PWD | 45 Percentile | Will be updated Soon |
| SC/ST/OBC including PWD of SC/ST/OBC | 40 Percentile | Will be updated soon |
All candidates must learn about the NEET MDS eligibility criteria before attempting the exam. This will help you plan your attempt without any mistakes. The eligibility criteria state that a candidate must possess a recognized degree of Bachelor in Dental Surgery from a recognized university or institute in India.
The candidate must be registered with the State Dental Council/Dental Council of India (DCI). Apart from that, completion of a one-year rotatory internship from an approved/recognized dental college is compulsory by March 31, 2024. Lastly, the candidate must be qualified in the NEET MDS exam with the minimum qualifying percentile stated by the NBEMS.
One of the most common questions that intrigues any MDS aspirant is the probable NEET MDS cutoff every year. Hence, for just an idea’s sake that might help you form your analysis, we have furnished the details of the previous two years, i.e., NEET MDS 2022 and NEET MDS 2023.
| NEET MDS Cut-off 2023 | ||||
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Percentile | Cut-Off Score | Revised Qualifying Percentile | Cut-Off Score
(Revised) |
| General (UR/EWS) | 50 | 263 | 24.286 | 174 |
| UR-PWD | 45 | 245 | 19.286 | 157 |
| SC/ST/OBC including PWD of SC/ST/OBC | 40 | 227 | 14.286 | 138 |
| NEET MDS Cut-off 2023 | ||||
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Percentile | Cut-Off Score | Revised Qualifying Percentile | Cut-Off Score
(Revised) |
| General (UR/EWS) | 50 | 272 | 18.193 | 168 |
| UR-PWD | 45 | 255 | 13.193 | 149 |
| SC/ST/OBC, including PWD of SC/ST/OBC | 40 | 238 | 8.193 | 125 |
In 2022, the first cut-off percentile/score was announced as 50 percentile (263 scores) for general and 40 percentile (227 scores) for SC/ST/OBC, respectively. 45 percentile (245 scores) was designated for the UR-PWD.
However, after the second round of counseling, this cutoff was revised, and a second cut-off percentile was announced, as 24.28 percentile (174 scores) for the general categories and 14.28 percentile (138 scores) for the SC/ST/OBC categories while it was 19.28 percentile (157 scores) for the UR-PWD categories.
A similar pattern was seen in 2023, wherein initially, a minimum qualifying percentile was published as 50 percentile (272 scores) for the general category and 40 percentile (238 scores) for the SC/ST/OBC students. For the UR-PWD candidates, the qualifying cut-off was 45 percentile (245 scores).
Likewise, in 2022, again, the initial percentile of NEET MDS 2023 was also revised, and another cut-off was announced after the second round of counseling. The revised cut-off percentile/score was updated to 18.193 (168 score), 13.193 (149 score), and 8.193 (125 score), or the general, UR-PWD, and SC/ST/OBC categories, respectively.
Now, since the NBEMS has already announced the probable dates, you will be updated soon about the NEET MDS 2024 cut-off as well, after the exam results are announced.
NEET MDS Seat Matrix
A little idea about the seat matrix can be really helpful before you attempt the counseling for MDS admission. The MDS exam is conducted for 6,501 seats, which includes seats from :
- All India 50% quota seats for MDS courses (all states)
- State quota seats for MDS courses for all States/Union territories of India
- MDS courses at all Private Dental Colleges, Institutions, and Universities all across the country
- MDS courses at Armed Forces Medical Services Institutions
- Screening exam for dental surgeons (BDS & MDS) for Short Service Commission in Army Dental Corps
However, the counseling conducted by the MCCI includes MDS seats distributed across all states, which include 392 AIQ seats and approximately 70 MDS seats in central universities (DU/AMU/BHU). Additionally, 1071 seats in deemed universities are also covered through this counseling.
If you detailed information about seats, you can also through my detailed post about total MDS seats in India.
NEET MDS Counseling Process
The NEET MDS counseling is held by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Government of India, New Delhi, after the NEET MDS exam results are announced. The counseling is accomplished in 4 rounds, which are the first round, second round, third or MOP-UP round, and the stray vacancy round.
Qualified students have to participate in counseling, one of these rounds to pursue admission to the MDS program. However, I understand that this counseling is a tricky process, and a thorough review can be really helpful, for the best benefit of our readers!
Overview
| Admission Process | All-India NEET MDS Counseling |
| Conducting Authorities | DGHS, Govt. of India (GoI) MCCI |
| Various fees | Registration fee Security Deposit (refundable) |
| Included Seats |
|
| Number of Rounds | 04 |
The NEET MDS counseling for AIQ, Central Universities, and Deemed Universities offering MDS courses is conducted online by the DGHS, New Delhi, and the Medical Counseling Committee of India, New Delhi.
To summarize, if anyone wants to apply for MDS admission in the above-mentioned seats, they have to apply for the All-India NEET MDS Counseling through https://mcc.nic.in.
The NEET MDS counseling procedure is accomplished in nine steps, which are as follows:
| NEET MDS Counseling Stepwise |
| 1. Online Registration https://mcc.nic.in |
| 2. Payment of Registration Fees. |
| 3. Payment of Security Deposit. |
| 4. Choice-filling (Branch/Institute). |
| 5. Choice locking. |
| 6. Processing of results. |
| 7. Provisional Allotment of seats. |
| 8. Reporting for Document Verification. |
| 9. Final Allotment & Admission Confirmation. |
Step 1: Registration
The first step towards participating in the NEET MDS counseling starts with online registration in the MCC portal. Once you log into the web portal, the candidate has to click on “New Registration” and fill up the necessary information, such as their name, NEET exam roll number, e-mail ID, and phone number.
They also have to create a password that is required every time they enter the website for further steps. The noteworthy point here is that only the e-mail ID and mobile number that was provided during the online application form for the NEET exam are accepted during registration, following which a security pin is sent to the applicant through the mentioned phone number or mail ID.
You have to fill up all the mandatory credentials further and provide the information requested, such as your details (parents’ name, address, DOB, etc.), caste or category details, BDS college and exam details, etc.
Once this information is accepted, the next step is to submit the registration form and pay the registration fees as designated by the website.
Step 2: Payment of Registration Fees and Security Deposit
| Registration Fees (non-refundable) | ||
| Unreserved (UR/EWS) | AIQ | Deemed Universities |
| Rs. 1000/- | Rs. 5000/- | |
| Reserved (ST/SC/OBC/PwD) | Rs.500/- | Rs. 5000/- |
| Security Deposit (refundable) | ||
| Unreserved (UR/EWS) | AIQ | Deemed Universities |
| Rs. 25000/- | Rs. 2,00,000/- | |
| Reserved (ST/SC/OBC/PwD) | Rs. 10000/- | Rs. 2,00,000/- |
The MCCI charges two types of fees: registration fees and security deposits. Both of these amounts vary based on the type of institute you want to apply to. Additionally, the registration fees, once paid, are non-refundable, while the security deposit is usually refundable (non-refundable only under certain conditions).
Step 3: Choice-filling and Choice-locking
The most crucial step in counseling is the filling of choices for the interested specialty and dental college. The choice filling is only enabled for the applicant after the payment of the security deposit. You can fill in any number of choices in the order of your preference.
Followed by which choice locking confirms the options entered. Although it is optional to lock your choice, once the choices are locked, it is not possible to edit them, so you have to be very sure before you lock your entries.
Step 4: Processing of results and Allotment
Once the option entry round is over, the provisional result is announced, and allotment is completely rank-based. Once results are displayed, the admission letter is issued by the MCC, and interested students have to save it for future use.
For the final allotment and confirmation of admission, allotted candidates have to first upload all the designated documents to https://mcc.nic.in. The allotted students might also receive an e-mail or phone call from the respective institute regarding the information and protocols of their reporting procedure.
This step might also include the payment of fees for the preferred college before or during the reporting procedure, depending on the college regulations. Finally, after all the protocols are completed, your MDS admission is confirmed.
Step 5: Document verification and final allotment
Document verification is the final and last step of the NEET MDS counseling process. Further physical reporting to the institute for verification of eligibility and documents is mandatory to confirm admission. Original copies of documents have to be produced in front of the competent authorities.
This step might also include the payment of fees for the preferred college before or during the reporting procedure, depending on the college regulations. Finally, after all the protocols are completed, your MDS admission is confirmed.
Preparing your documents before you go for reporting is an anxious process. Hence, so that you don’t miss out on any one of them, we have also created a document checklist that might help you calm down your nerves.
| Essential Documents for NEET MDS Document Verification |
| Personal Information related documents |
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| NEET exam-related documents |
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| BDS/Past college-related documents |
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I hope by now you have an idea about the NEET MDS counseling process for AIQ and deemed universities. However, it is equally important to be updated about various state counseling programs as well. Therefore, allow me to give you a brief overview of NEET MDS state counseling as well.
If you are looking for deemed dental colleges, then you can read my post about the MDS fee structure in deemed universities.
NEET MDS State Counseling
Unlike the deemed universities, the state government and private dental colleges are affiliated with central or state universities. Therefore, NEET MDS counseling for these categories of institutes is held under the respective medical education directorate or the competent authority of that state.
For example, the MDS counseling in the state of Uttar Pradesh is conducted by the Directorate General Medical Education (DGMET), Uttar Pradesh. In contrast, the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) conducts the MDS counseling in Karnataka. Similarly, Pt. BD Sharma University, Rohtak, for Haryana MDS counseling, and the list goes on.
The gist here is that if you want to apply for MDS seats in any government or private dental colleges affiliated with government universities, you have to target MDS counseling through the designated websites of those particular states.
Although the basic outline and sequence of events in all-state counseling are similar to those in All-India or MCC counseling, the eligibility criteria and reservation policies vary from state to state.
The counseling authorities might create their application forms customized to their requirements for conducting the admission process in the concerned state.
If you want information regarding NEET MDS counseling in different states, then you can go through the following articles, which I have written recently.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the seat matrix for MDS NEET counseling?
The MDS exam is conducted for 6,501 seats.
How do I get a NEET MDS seat?
To acquire an MDS seat, interested candidates have to attempt the NEET MDS exam. The applicant must qualify for the exam with the minimum qualifying percentile announced by the NBEMS. They have to participate in the NEET MDS counseling to get an allotment in the MDS program, which is completely based on the rank the candidate has obtained in the NEET MDS exam.
What is MCC MDS counselling 2024?
The All-India MCC counseling for MDS in 2024 will be conducted for AIQ, Central Universities, and Deemed Universities. The process is conducted online under the direction of DGHS, New Delhi, and the Medical Counseling Committee of India, New Delhi.
What is the official website for the NEET MDS application?
The official website for filling out the application form for the NEET MDS exam is https://nbe.edu.in/, while the official website for participating in NEET MDS counseling is https://mcc.nic.in.
Can I get MDS seat without attending the counselling?
No, you have to attend the state or All India counseling depending on the college you want to get an admission in.
Wrapping Up
Hopefully, this information will brush up your mind and give you a refined idea regarding the NEET MDS counseling process. Since MDS is a three-year-long course and it forms the blueprint of your future as a specialist, researching your college of interest and branches is suggested before you attempt counseling.
Furthermore, understanding the counseling process and proceeding ahead will also eliminate the risk of errors. Lastly, the counseling processes are usually time-consuming and sometimes take a toll on your mind, so you gotta bear it with some patience and stick along till you get the allotment you have dreamt of! 😀
All the information provided here is from my personal experience and knowledge. If you found this article to be useful, please share it with your friends and people in need.
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Dear Chithiravel,
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