Top Dental Colleges in Tamil Nadu 2026 – Admission, Cutoff & NEET Details

Do you plan to pursue dentistry in Tamil Nadu? What you are looking at is one of the most competitive and yet rewarding ecosystems of dental education in India. Tamil Nadu is a developed medical hub with a fine network of government as well as private dental colleges. The duration of the course at BDS is 5 years with 1 year internship (compulsory), and in this case, there are no exceptions to the occupation of all seats by NEET UG qualified candidates. The course is split into 85 per cent State Quota, administered by the Directorate of Medical Education (DME), Tamil Nadu, and 15 per cent All India Quota (AIQ), administered by MCC. The first step that you have to get right is the knowledge of what NEET score you require and which quota to apply through for top dental colleges in Tamil Nadu.

Also Read: Top Private Dental Colleges for BDS in India with Low Fees 2026

Dental Colleges in Tamil Nadu: How Many Are There?

There are a total of more than 47 dental colleges in Tamil Nadu. Among them, there are approximately 9 government institutions and about 38 colleges privately or self-financing institutions. They have a combined total of nearly 2,760 BDS seats offered annually. State quota seats are filled through DME Tamil Nadu counselling on tnmedicalselection.net, and All India Quota seats are filled under MCC counselling. If you have a Tamil Nadu domicile, the state quota will allow you to benefit from reservation advantages and a more competitive pool.

Top Government Dental Colleges in Tamil Nadu

If you are seeking low fee and exposure to the clinical practice of utmost level, your best options would be government dental colleges. These include the Tamil Nadu Government Dental College and Hospital at Chennai established in 1952 and the Rajah Muthiah Dental College and Hospital at Cuddalore , a part of the Annamalai University. They both are accredited by the Dental Council of India (DCI) and affiliated to Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University. The footfalls of patients in the hospitals that are attached to the government are high, and your clinical training is vigorous. However, the NEET cutoff for government colleges is usually quite high.

Top Private Dental Colleges in Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu has four privately run dental colleges that provide you with all the modern infrastructure and good academic facilities, although the fees may be stiffer. Saveetha Dental College and Hospital (SIMATS, Chennai) has been constantly featured on the NIRF list of top dental colleges in the country. Other well-known colleges that take in students nationwide are SRM Dental College (Ramapuram) , Meenakshi Ammal Dental College (Maduravoyal), and Sri Ramachandra Dental College (Porur). The cutoff of private colleges is comparatively easier to attain than the government cutoff, making them a good alternative in case your NEET 2026 score is within the average standards.

Tamil Nadu Government vs Private Dental Colleges Fee Structure

Before you finalise a college, you need to understand what you are paying and what you are getting in return. Here is a clear comparison of the fee structure of Tamil Nadu government vs private colleges to help you decide.

Source: Cutoff figures for Dental Colleges in Tamil Nadu are referenced from NEET 2025

If you are considering a private college on an education loan, factor in the repayment timeline before committing. A dentist in private practice earns well over time, but your first few years are crucial for building a patient base.

NEET Cutoff for BDS Admission in Tamil Nadu 2026

Admission to a dental college in Tamil Nadu depends on your NEET score. According to NEET 2025 data, the qualifying cutoff was 144 marks for general category and 113 marks for SC/ ST/ OBC, though it should not be mistaken with the admission cutoff. The actual distribution of government seats is far above the real position. An important aspect is the reservation for several categories, and your community rank during state counselling can be of great importance compared to your All India Rank. NEET 2026 cutoffs will vary according to the number of applicants and the general level of difficulty, and hence, they will provide these figures of 2025 as a guide, not as a fixed value.

Admission Process for BDS in Tamil Nadu 2026

The admission process at Tamil Nadu dental colleges is quite straightforward; however, there is a deadline notified for each of these steps, which you must meet.

• Step 1 – Appear for NEET UG 2026: Clear NEET UG 2026. Confirm your results on the official portal of NTA nta.ac.in.
• Step 2 – Enrol in the Counselling: Register at mcc.nic.in, All India Quota of 15 per cent. To register 85% State Quota register at tnmedicalselection.net. They are both independent registrations.
• Step 3 – Complete Preferences in College: Go to your counselling portal and add preferred colleges in order of priority. Check deadlines and expenses prior to making decisions.
• Step 4 – Seat Allotment: The seats will be assigned according to your rank, category, and likes. Results can be checked from mcc.nic.in (AIQ) or tnmedicalselection.net (state quota).
• Step 5 – Document Verification: Bring original documents to the assigned centre- NEET scorecard, Class 10 and 12 marksheets, community certificate and ID proof.
• Step 6 – Report to College: Remit fees and turn up to your assigned college in time according to your allotment letter. Missing a single deadline can cost you your seat.

Also Read: List of Dental Colleges Approved by Dental Council of India

The healthcare ecosystem of Tamil Nadu is actually robust- there is a large number of patients, old-fashioned faculty, and a great research culture, which makes it an excellent training state. Upon completion of your BDS, you may establish your own dental practice, become an MDS dentist specialising in orthodontics, oral surgery or prosthodontics, appear for governmental dental officer exams by TNPSC, or work in corporate hospital groups. Your career path becomes significantly larger with the appropriate specialisation.