Top MDS Colleges in India

Updated: Sep 26, 2025 15:52 IST

Dentistry has evolved into one of the most viable healthcare fields in India; it not only offers rewarding careers but also significantly contributes to public health. Once the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) is completed, students aspire to specialise and gain expertise in advanced dental sciences and usually pursue the Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) degree. This postgraduate program offers chances of advanced learning, clinical practice, research and academic positions.

India is home to some of the best MDS (Master of Dental Surgery) colleges, known for their cutting-edge facilities, experienced faculty, advanced laboratories, and considerable patient care experience. These institutes are linked with reputable universities and are accredited by the Dental Council of India (DCI). These colleges and institutes offer expertise in a variety of dental fields, which are as follows:-

Oral Surgery
Orthodontics
Prosthodontics
Conservative dentistry
Pedodontics
Periodontology

List of Top MDS Colleges in India

Selecting the correct Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) college is an important part of each dental student's career. The quality of education, patient intake, research opportunities, academic climate, placement and fellowships options, and campus facilities all have a significant impact on a dental graduate’s professional career.

Below is the list of the top MDS colleges in India, which include both government and private colleges:-

Government MDS Colleges	Private MDS Colleges
Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, New Delhi	Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai
Government Dental College and Hospital, Nagpur	Dr D.Y.Patil Vidyapeeth (DPU), Pune
King George's Medical University, Lucknow	Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal
Postgraduate Institute of Dental Sciences, Pt Bhagwat Dayal Sharma Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Rohtak	AB Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Mangalore
Government Dental College and Research Institute, Bangalore	SRM Dental College, Ramapuram
Government Dental College, Thiruvananthapuram	Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore
Nair Hospital Dental College, Mumbai	JSS Dental College and Hospital, Mysore
Government Dental College and Hospital, Ahmedabad	Siksha 'O' Anusandhan (SOA) (Deemed to be University), Bhubaneswar
Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Aligarh	Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai
Government College of Dentistry, Indore	Bhabha University, Bhopal
Armed Forces Medical College, Pune	Bharati Vidyapeeth Dental College and Hospital, Pune
Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar	Army College of Dental Sciences, Secunderabad

What is the Admission Process and Specialisations Offered in MDS Colleges in India?

The admission process for MDS ( Master of Dental Surgery) colleges in India starts with a national-level entrance exam, which is then followed by a counselling and seat allotment process. There is also a certain eligibility criterion that the students have to qualify for if they seek admission to the MDS colleges in India. Master of Dental Surgery also offers a variety of specialisations in the dental field, allowing post-graduate students to specialise in a specific area of dentistry.

Admission Process for MDS Colleges in India

The main exam to seek admission to the Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) offering colleges in India is the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test, popularly known as the NEET-MDS exam. Below are some steps that are involved in the admission process for MDS colleges in India:-

Eligibility Criteria

Students must have graduated from a recognised college with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS).
Students must have completed or should be continuing a one-year mandatory internship within the stipulated time as specified in the NEET MDS bulletin.
Students must also be registered with their State Dental Council (SDC) or the Dental Council of India (DCI).

NEET-MDS Examination

The NEET-MDS exam is conducted by the National Board of Examinations(NBE) and is a single-window admission exam.
It is a computer-based entrance exam, which is based on the Bachelor of Dental Surgery Curriculum.
To qualify for the counselling process, students must obtain a minimum percentage of marks as specified by the authorities.

Counselling and Seat Allocation

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) administers the All India Quota(AIQ) counselling for 50% of the seats in government dental colleges as well as central universities and AFMS institutions.
The State Quota Counselling is administered by the respective state counselling bodies for the remaining 50% of seats in state government colleges, as well as all seats and other dentistry colleges in the state.
Seats are awarded to the student strictly based on the NEET-MDS rank and the student’s preferences.

Specialisations Offered in MDS at Colleges in India

MDS is a three-year postgraduate program which offers students various specialisations that are recognised by the Dental Council of India. Below is the list of the specialisations offered by the MDS colleges in India:-

Prosthodontics And Crown & Bridge	Conservative Dentistry And Endodontics
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery	Periodontology
Public Health Dentistry	Oral And Maxillofacial Pathology And Oral Microbiology
Orthodontics And Dentofacial Orthopaedics	Oral Medicine And Radiology
Pediatric Dentistry