Hello to all of you! In India, it is common that nearly all science stream students aim to enter the field of medicine. The planning begins immediately following the 10th boards, or even much earlier! Sometimes.
“Dentistry” is one of the oldest medical professions that has been practiced since 7000 B.C. Today it is also one of the most chosen fields among aspiring doctors. Are you too interested in fixing smiles??😁
If yes, then you must know that the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) program is your entry pass to the dental world.
Have you considered dental education in India? After all, there are a huge number of dental Institutes in India, offering the BDS undergraduate program. Getting accepted into a reputed dental institution is the first step in the admission process.
In this article, I will clear all or most of the doubts regarding BDS admission in India. We will walk through the BDS counseling process, types of colleges and seats, fee structure, seat matrix, future scope, etc. We will give you practical guidance as well!
There is an important circular from the Dental Council of India, that all dental colleges must be NAAC accredited. Out of 329 dental colleges in India – only 76 dental colleges are NAAC accredited.
Read the circular given below.
It is clearly mentioned that NAAC is mandatory. So, as of my experience there are chances that dental colleges without NAAC might face some serious actions from the DCI.
To make you future secure, only opt for NAAC accredited dental colleges.
Contents
BDS Admission Process in India
You have to first qualify for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) for BDS admission in India. Certain state-level entrance tests are also conducted for BDS admission, but NEET UG is the only common national-level exam. The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts this exam every year.
If you have qualified for the entrance test, you have to participate in the NEET-UG counseling for undergraduate medical courses to initiate your BDS admission.
The Directorate General of Health Sciences (DGHS), Delhi, Govt. of India, and Medical Counselling Committee of India (MCCI) conducts the All-India NEET counseling for BDS admission.
You can also participate in the individual state counselings held by the state medical directorates for dental colleges of individual states.
The NEET counseling for the BDS admission process anywhere in India has a similar basic pattern. There are multiple counseling rounds, each scheduled for a designated period. You can participate in one of the rounds and follow these steps!
- Application Process and Registration.
- The Security Deposit.
- Option Entry.
- Allotment and Results.
- Reporting and Verification.
Application Process and Registration
In India, you have to begin with the online application form for attending the NEET UG counseling for your BDS admission.
This involves candidates’ online registration and payment of registration fees. The registration fee usually ranges between Rs.500/- to Rs.5000/- depending on your category, state, and the type of counseling you are planning to participate in.
For, e.g., if you want to participate in All-India Counseling, the registration fee for BDS students is Rs.5000/- but the fee in Uttar Pradesh state counseling is Rs.2500/-.
Being registered with the concerned counseling for admission is compulsory for every student. This process is scheduled and conducted only within a specific time limit. Don’t miss out!
The Security Deposit
The Security Deposit is charged in every BDS counseling. All registered students must pay this amount to be eligible for further participation. The security fees range between Rs.25000/- to Rs. 2,00,000/- and vary with the counseling one targets.
For e.g., The security deposit for targeting AIQ BDS seats is Rs.25,000/-, but the same is Rs.2,00,000/- to apply for BDS seats in deemed universities.
It would be best if you were not doubtful about the security deposit. It is mandatory for everyone and is charged only one-time. After admission is completely over, the amount is even refunded. This may take a bit of time, but don’t worry!
Option entry
During the option entry round, you get to select the dental colleges and also the seat category through which you to pursue the BDS degree.
The choice-filling is also preceded by choice-locking in some counselings.
There is no limit to entering the number of options, but ensure you complete both within the designated period.
Allotment and Results
On the scheduled date, the respective counsels will announce the results. The allotment to BDS seats is based on your NEET rank and also the options entered.
Reporting and Verification
Finally, the allotted students have to report for document verification to complete the admission process. Admission is finalized, only for the students who complete the document verification.
The reporting procedure is carried out in specific nodal centers and varies based on state and counseling. However, there are certain sets of common rules that apply everywhere.
This includes physically reporting in front of the appointed authorities. Secondly, only original copies of the required documents are accepted.
Failure to comply with both can even lead to the cancellation of the allotted seat. So, keep things ready before you go for the verification. I have also added the list of required documents below so you can go through them!
Once you pass this, you will receive your admission confirmation for BDS in one of the dental colleges in India!
I have also written a few articles about BDS admission in different states; you can check those if interested:
- BDS admission in UP.
- BDS admission in Ghaziabad.
- BDS admission in Delhi NCR.
- BDS admission in Haryana.
- BDS admission in Himachal Pradesh.
- BDS admission in Punjab.
- BDS admission in Karnataka.
- BDS admission in Bangalore.
BDS Course In India-Overview
Before going into further details, let me give you an overview of the Bachelor of Dentistry course. The curriculum is very interesting as you get to learn through medical theory, practical applications, experiments, diagnosis, treatment, scientific research, and various technical applications. I also consider it as one kind of art as well!
So, if you are planning to join the BDS course, then the details are here;
| Course Name | Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) |
| Duration` | 4 years plus 1-year internship |
| Entrance Exam | NEET UG |
| Website | nta.nic.in |
| Admission Process | Through NEET Counseling |
| Exam Authorities | National Testing Agency of India (NTA) |
| BDS Eligibility Criteria | Passing the 12th exam in Science Stream. 50% aggregate in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, and pass in English in the 12th exam. Age should be 17 years or more at the time of admission. You must appear and qualify for the NEET-UG exam. |
| NEET UG 2024 | May 5, 2024, |
BDS Seats in Dental Colleges of India
India has a commendable number of Dental Colleges spread across various cities and towns in the Indian states.
There are a total of 329 dental colleges in India. Out of these, 36 are government dental colleges, 32 are deemed universities, and 207 are private dental colleges. They all together contribute approximately 28,092 BDS seats in India for admission.
Also, here I have added the entire list of the dental colleges and available BDS seats in India, state-wise. This might help you to decide which NEET counseling you want to proceed with!
| Total Number of Dental Colleges and BDS Seats in India | ||
| State | Dental Colleges | BDS seats |
| Andaman and Nicobar | N/A | N/A |
| Andhra Pradesh | 17 | 1540 |
| Arunachal Pradesh | N/A | N/A |
| Assam | 03 | 176 |
| Bihar | 06 | 380 |
| Chandigarh | 01 | 100 |
| Chattisgarh | 6 | 600 |
| Dadra and Nagar Haveli | N/A | N/A |
| Daman and Diu | 01 | 100 |
| Delhi | 03 | 162 |
| Goa | 01 | 50 |
| Gujarat | 13 | 1240 |
| Haryana | 10 | 950 |
| Himachal Pradesh | 05 | 355 |
| Jammu & Kashmir | 03 | 226 |
| Jharkhand | 04 | 363 |
| Karnataka | 47 | 3465 |
| Kerala | 27 | 1980 |
| Lakshadweep | N/A | N/A |
| Madhya Pradesh | 15 | 1383 |
| Maharashtra | 37 | 3526 |
| Manipur | 02 | 100 |
| Meghalaya | N/A | N/A |
| Mizoram | N/A | N/A |
| Nagaland | N/A | N/A |
| Odisha | 04 | 363 |
| Pondicherry | 04 | 410 |
| Punjab | 16 | 1350 |
| Rajasthan | 16 | 1400 |
| Sikkim | N/A | N/A |
| Tamil Nadu | 32 | 3100 |
| Telangana | 14 | 1310 |
| Tripura | 01 | 50 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 26 | 2600 |
| Uttarakhand | 03 | 200 |
| West Bengal | 06 | 613 |
If you are looking for deemed colleges, then you can go through my detailed article about BDS seats in deemed universities.
You can also check the total BDS seats in India, which I have listed state wise.
BDS Course Fees In India
The fee structure for BDS courses is widely ranged because it depends upon the college you are admitted to. I will give you an average of the BDS fee structure divided into three categories of dental colleges.
You must be aware that BDS in government dental colleges has an extremely affordable fee structure. The course fee ranges between Rs. 18,000/- to Rs. 50,000/- a year. So, in Govt. a lakh or two is sufficient for the complete BDS course fee!
On the other hand, you can also pursue BDS in a private college. This might cost you between Rs. 1,75,000/- per annum tuition fee to Rs.7,00,000 as well.
In deemed universities, the fees range between Rs. 4,00,000/- annually and can even go as high as Rs. 9,00,000/- lakh a year.
In private colleges or universities your estimated fee for the complete four-year BDS course can be between Rs.10,00,000/- to Rs. 40,00,000/-, depending on the college.
If you need information regarding BDS fees in different states, then you can go through the following articles:
- BDS fee structure in private colleges.
- BDS course fees in government colleges.
- BDS fee structure in Delhi.
- BDS fee structure in UP.
- BDS management quota fees.
- BDS course fees in Karnataka.
- BDS fees structure in Mangalore.
- BDS fees in deemed universities.
- BDS course fees in Kerala.
- BDS fee structure in Bihar.
Documents Required for BDS in India
I have mentioned previously about the document verification round for admission to BDS. The list of documents you need to prepare for taking BDS admission in India would be helpful.
The list may, however, vary slightly based on the individual admission process, especially in state NEET counseling.
So, below is the complete list of basic documents required during every NEET counseling process.
- NEET Admit Card.
- NEET Result.
- Allotment Letter.
- Class 10th Mark sheet and Pass Certificate.
- Class 12th Marks Sheet and Pass Certificate.
- Passport-size photographs.
- Proof of identity (Aadhar/ PAN/ Driving Licence/ Passport).
- Fee Receipts (if applicable).
- Caste Certificate (if applicable).
- Disability Certificate (if applicable).
- EWS Certificate (if applicable).
- NRI Documents (if applicable).
For detailed information, you can also read my blog post about documents required for BDS admission.
Tips-Choosing College for BDS in India
Since I have visited many colleges, I would like to give you a few tips on selecting one.
Choose your BDS college based on factors like the age of the college, affiliations, the infrastructure, education quality, hospital facility, safety, hostel facility, etc.
If possible, try and visit some. If not, then still don’t worry!
You can consult us to make your work easier! We can help you to choose the right college for BDS as well. For many years, we have evaluated multiple dental colleges in India.
I can help you with the correct and detailed information about dental institutes, their admission, and the counseling process, as well. So, feel free to talk to us anytime about anything related to BDS!
FAQ
Will it be good to study BDS in India?
Yes, studying BDS in India is a good option. India has a huge number of good and well-reputed dental colleges. You can build a good and lucrative career by choosing dentistry, which is a noble profession.
How can I get BDS admission in India?
You have to take the NEET entrance test to take BDS admission in India. The NEET-UG exam is conducted every year here. You also have to qualify for the NEET exam and participate in the UG NEET counseling process to get admission.
How much should I spend on BDS in India?
In India, the BDS course can cost you between Rs.10,00,000/- to Rs. 40,00,000/- for four years. The cost for BDS has a wide range because it depends on the type of dental college you choose for BDS admission.
How many BDS seats are there in India?
Including all government and private colleges, there are 28,092 BDS seats for admission in India.
What is the scope after BDS in India?
The future scope after BDS in India is wide. I would like to highlight a few career options after you complete BDS. The list is here; Post Graduation/MDS. Joining as a Research Scientist. Joining a Dental clinic. Joining a Dental Hospital. Entrepreneurship. PG Diploma/Fellowship. Aesthetic Dentistry. Joining a Dental College. Govt. Jobs as dentist. Civil Services. Join the Army Dental Corps. Joining as a dentist in PSU/Banks. Pursuing MPH/MHA. Pharmacovigilance Jobs. Medical Coding. Medical Transcription.
What is the curriculum for BDS in India?
Bachelor of Dentistry is a vast course and the curriculum is designed with 13 subjects. It involves both dental and medical subjects from the first year to the fourth in terms of both subjective and practical aspects.
Can I go abroad after doing BDS in India?
Yes, definitely, why not? You can go and work abroad after doing BDS in India. Going abroad after BDS has been practiced here for ages now. Certainly! you do have to qualify for a few exams according to the rules and regulations of the specific country. In a few countries, however, you can directly apply and work there where BDS is a recognized degree. Of course! Immigration battle applies there too!
How much can I earn after BDS in India?
A BDS graduate in India can earn between Rs. 3,50,000 lakh a year to even Rs.10,00,00/- or more. The number can be huge! This depends on the options you choose after passing out. You can either join a clinic or own one, the decision is yours. Both have the pros and cons! But certainly, you can make a good income out of dentistry if you work hard and consistently.
Conclusion
This article has been helpful to you in understanding the BDS admission process in India. I have seen that although our country has a humongous number of dental colleges, what matters is quality. Right?
Also, you must be aware that lakhs of students apply for this course through various dental colleges. So, getting a decent and good college is more important since you are going to invest a large amount of money as well. The competition is tough!
We understand your need and concern since we have been guiding numerous students for BDS in India and even students from abroad. From my years of experience, among these dental colleges, some are the best, but some also lack quality.
I suggest! Do all the research possible on your end regarding your favorite colleges. Never hesitate to get help! If needed!
Learn about other feasible college options as well, and be wise enough to make beneficial decisions when you choose your undergrad college. After all, this is just a start to your career path!
