Updated By Shuchi Bagchi on 17 Dec, 2025 20:13
NEET MDS 2026 Counselling Round is expected to be conducted in July 2026. The qualifying cutoff percentile determines the NEET MDS counselling eligibility.
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The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has reduced the qualifying cut-off percentile for NEET MDS 2026. The qualifying cut-off percentile has been reduced by 19.863 percentiles for each category, including General, Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Other Backwards Classes, and UR-PWD. The NEET MDS counselling round 3 has been conducted. The NEET MDS counselling seat allotment result is expected to be out in July 2026. The Medical Counselling Committee, or MCC, is responsible for arranging the NEET MDS 2026 Counselling process. The result of NEET MDS Seat Allotment 2026 will be released in July 2026.
Students who pass the exam and meet the cutoff are invited to participate in online counselling sessions. Typically, 3 rounds of counselling are arranged for the NEET MDS 2026 Exam. Students who had qualified under the 50% AI quota seats will be eligible to participate in the All India MDS counselling 2026. Students are shortlisted for NEET MDS 2026 Counselling Registration as per the NEET MDS 2026 Merit List. However, the NEET MDS cutoff for 2026 has been reduced by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS). On this page, know in detail about the NEET MDS Counselling 2026 exam dates, eligibility criteria, counselling procedure, and more.
The students who have scored the NEET MDS 2026 cutoff score will be eligible to participate in the NEET MDS counselling 2026.
The NEET MDS counselling process 2026 is conducted on the official website i.e. mcc.nic.in.
NEET MDS 2026 counselling will be conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) for All India State Quota (AIQ) seats.
The NEET MDS Counselling 2026 is arranged in 3 rounds typically. In case of any vacant seats, an extra stray vacancy round will be conducted. MCC is responsible for declaring the NEET MDS 2026 Counselling date. NEET MDS counselling 2026 schedule will be announced on the official website . Here is a quick overview of the MDS Counselling 2026.
Full Exam Name | National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for MDS |
|---|---|
Short Exam Name | NEET MDS |
Event | Counselling |
NEET MDS counselling 2026 conducting authority | Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) |
Mode of NEET MDS counselling 2026 | Online |
Conducting Body | National Board of Examinations (NBE) |
Languages | English |
Exam Level | National Level Exam |
Frequency of Conduct | Once a year |
Application Fee (General) | 4250 Rs [Online] |
Mode of Application | Online |
Mode of Counselling | Online / Offline |
Exam Duration | 3 Hours |
Participating Colleges | 273 |
Total Counselling Rounds | 3 Rounds - Round 1, Round 2, Round 3 and Online stray Vacancy Round |
Here are some of the important dates related to NEET MDS counselling 2026:
Events | Dates |
|---|---|
NEET 2026 Counselling Schedule | |
NEET MDS 2026 exam date | April, 2026 |
NEET MDS Result 2026 declaration | May, 2026 |
Counselling Round 1 | |
NEET MDS Counselling Registration | June, 2026 |
Payment Facility | June, 2026 |
Choice Filling and Locking | June, 2026 |
Seat Allotment process | July, 2026 |
Declaration of Seat Allotment Result | July, 2026 |
Reporting at the allotted institute | July, 2026 |
Counselling Round 2 | |
NEET MDS Counselling Registration | July, 2026 |
Payment Facility | July, 2026 |
Choice Filling and Locking | July, 2026 |
Seat Allotment Process | July, 2026 |
Declaration of Seat Allotment Result | July, 2026 |
Reporting at the allotted institute | July, 2026 |
Counselling Round 3/ Mop-Up Round | |
NEET MDS Counselling Registration | August, 2026 |
Payment Facility | August, 2026 |
Choice Filling and Locking | August, 2026 |
Seat Allotment Process | August, 2026 |
Declaration of Seat Allotment Result | August, 2026 |
Reporting at the allotted institute | August, 2026 |
Stray Vacancy Round | |
Choice filling/Locking | August, 2026 |
Seat Allotment Process | August, 2026 |
Result of Seat Allotment Rounds | August, 2026 |
Reporting to the Institute | August, 2026 |
The aspirants can refer below to understand the step-wise NEET MDS Counselling 2026 Procedure.
Visit the official website i.e. mcc.nic.in
Applicants need to select the stream of their choice (medical/ dental), application number, candidate’s name, date of birth, NEET MDS roll number, security pin, and other details asked
Complete the registration process by adding the remaining details
Do not cancel the tab where the login credentials appear on the screen
The second step asks candidates to enter their details, like their mother’s name, father’s name, category, address, and other information
Fill all the details correctly and carefully, as any changes won’t be allowed at a later stage of NEET MDS counselling 2026
In this step, aspirants are required to complete the payment for the non-refundable registration fee and the refundable tuition fee
Money can be transferred by net payment, debit card, or credit card
Refer to the table below to find out the breakdown of the NEET MDS counselling 2026 non-refundable registration fee and refundable tuition fee:
NEET MDS counselling 2026 Non-Refundable Fees | |
|---|---|
For 50% AIQ/Central Universities | Fee (INR) |
General | 1,000 |
For Deemed Universities | Fee (INR) |
All categories | 5,000 |
SC/ST/OBC | 500 |
NEET MDS Refundable Tuition Fees | |
For 50% AIQ/Central Universities | Fee (INR) |
General | 25,000 |
For Deemed Universities | Fee (INR) |
All categories | 2,00,000 |
SC/ST/OBC | 10,000 |
Log in using your official credentials
The available choices for colleges will be displayed on the left-hand side of the screen
Those who have paid the fees for 50% AIQ/central and deemed universities have the freedom to fill choices under each category of seats
With every click on the ‘+’ button, candidates will be able to add more colleges and institutes to the list
Once you’ve selected the option, all the added colleges will shift to the right-hand side of the page
After the selection is done, click on the ‘save and continue’ button to lock in your choices
Students need to take at least 3 printouts of all the preferences and keep them saved for future reference
If aspirants have not locked their choices filled, then they can also take printouts of the preferences as soon as the locking process is over
The NEET MDS Counselling 2026 includes several steps like registration, document verification, choice filling, and seat allotment. Here are some things to remember about NEET MDS 2026 counselling.
Registration: Students who have qualified for the NEET MDS 2026 exam and have been shortlisted in the merit list must register themselves for counselling on the official website.
Choice Filling: During the counselling process, students must choose their preferred dental college and course from the list of available options.
Allotment of seats: The seat allotment is done based on the student's rank in the NEET MDS merit list, choice of dental college, and availability of seats.
Document Verification: Students must carry all the necessary documents and certificates for verification during the counselling process. Failing to do so can lead to disqualification.
Reporting to College: After the seat allotment, students must report to the allotted dental college within the specified time and complete the admission process.
Fee Payment: Students must pay the admission fee and other related fees within the specified time to confirm their admission.
Upgradation: Students who are unsatisfied with the allotted dental college and course can apply for upgradation in subsequent rounds of counselling, subject to the availability of seats.
Withdrawal: Students who wish to withdraw their admission must do so within the specified time and follow the procedures mentioned on the official website.
Students need to have all the NEET MDS Counselling 2026 documents in place during the final rounds. Any official might ask you to produce these documents for verification. Here are the documents required for NEET MDS counselling 2026:
NEET MDS Score Card 2026
NEET MDS Admit Card 2026
Qualifying certificate for the BDS examination
The mark sheets of 1st, 2nd and 3rd year of BDS
Provisional/ permanent certificate by the Dental Council of India
Internship certificate duly signed by the Head of the Institution (where the student completed their internship)
10th standard certificate
Date of Birth Certificate
Aadhar Card/PAN Card/Voter ID Card
Driving License/Passport
Physically Handicapped Certificate
SC/ST/OBC certificate
To be eligible for NEET MDS 2026 counselling registration, students must pass higher secondary with 50% marks in aggregate. Additionally, applicants must hold a certificate from the State Dental Council to apply for NEET MDS 2026 counselling. The NEET MDS 2026 counselling eligibility criteria are mentioned below for students’ reference.
BDS Qualification from a Recognised University: For NEET MDS Counselling 2026, students must have a qualified BDS degree from a widely recognised university or institute in India. The university/institute in question must be duly registered with the State Dental Council.
Registration with the State Dental Council: Students must remember that either provisional or permanent registration with the State Dental Council is mandatory for NEET MDS Counselling and Admission 2026. This ensures that candidates are officially recognised and authorised to practice dentistry.
Compulsory Rotatory Internship: Completion of a one-year compulsory rotatory internship in a recognised/approved dental college is a prerequisite for eligibility. This internship provides valuable practical training and experience to aspiring postgraduate dental students.
Through the MDS counselling 2026, seats of Central universities, Deemed Universities, and ESIC Colleges are covered. The following seats will be covered under the NEET MDS 2026 counselling process:
Categories | Details |
|---|---|
Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMC) | MDS seats are allocated in the prestigious Armed Forces Medical Services for specialized dental education and training for candidates looking to serve in the armed forces. |
Deemed Universities | MDS seats are available in reputed Deemed Universities across India for offering candidates a diverse range of choices for pursuing their postgraduate dental studies. |
50% All India Quota seats | These seats are allotted under the All India Quota, providing candidates with opportunities to secure admission in renowned dental colleges across the country based on their NEET MDS 2026 merit. |
Central Universities | MDS seats are offered in various Central Universities for their academic excellence and research opportunities in the field of dentistry. |
ESIC Colleges | The NEET MDS 2026 counselling also includes seats in ESIC (Employees' State Insurance Corporation) colleges, offering specialized dental education and healthcare facilities. |
To qualify for NEET MDS 2026 counselling, candidates need to make it to the merit list first by scoring way above the minimum cutoff range. Check out the revised NEET MDS cutoff 2026 below:
Students Category | Revised Minimum Qualifying Percentile | Revised NEET MDS Cutoff Score | Minimum Qualifying Percentile | NEET MDS Cutoff Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
General/EWS | 30.137 | 197 | 50 | 261 |
General PwBD | 25.137 | 182 | 45 | 244 |
SC/ST/OBC (Including PwBD of SC/ST/OBC) | 20.137 | 168 | 40 | 277 |
NEET MDS Seat Allotment 2026 result is released at the beginning of each counselling round. MCC publishes the seat allotment. The NEET MDS 2024 Seat Allotment result comprises crucial information on the NEET MDS merit rank, seats available, and preferences filled. The NEET MDS seat allotment 2026 result is posted in the form of a list containing name, All India Rank, allotted college, remarks (allotted/not allotted), as well as candidate category. Aspirants who receive the NEET MDS 2026 seat allotment are required to download the result letter. It is mandatory to carry the seat allotment letter of NEET MDS 2026 along with a requisite list of documents to the desired college/ university/ institute for admission.
The NEET MDS counselling process includes:
According to the counselling criteria, the General category student requires 50th percentile, SC/ST/OBC/PwD(SC/ST/OBC) student requires 40th percentile.
The NEET MDS 2025 counselling is conducted in three rounds followed by the stray vacancy round if there are vacant seats.
After the NEET MDS 2026 counselling result, students will need to complete the admission process by reporting to the allotted dental college within the specified period. Here are some key things to keep in mind:
The NEET MDS 2026 round 3 counseling has been done.
Yes. The NEET MDS counselling fee 2025 is different for different categories of students.
Yes. There is no limit on the number of choices that can be filled for NEET MDS counselling 2026.
Want to know more about NEET MDS
The counseling fee for NEET MDS 2026 is usually Rs. 5000 for General and OBC candidates, and Rs. 2500 for SC/ST/PWD candidates. The fee may vary depending on the MCC guidelines.
No, it is not mandatory to participate in the first round of counseling. However, candidates who do not participate in the first round will only be considered for subsequent rounds of counseling.
No, once a seat is allotted to a candidate, they cannot change their allotted college or course.
No, only candidates who have qualified for NEET MDS 2026 and meet the eligibility criteria can participate in the counseling process.
Yes, candidates can fill in their choice of colleges and courses during the counseling process based on their preference and eligibility.
To participate in the NEET MDS 2026 counselling, candidates need to register. While filling out the form, they need to enter their college choices and lock the same. However, in case the options are not locked, then the filled-in or pre-filled choices will get locked automatically and considered as the final one. So, make sure to lock in your preferences without fail.
The fee for NEET 2026 counselling is usually INR 1,000 for unreserved category candidates and INR 500 for reserved category aspirants.
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