Top 10 Dental Colleges In India: Admission Process, Eligibility And Other Details – News18

Last Updated:February 27, 2025, 09:39 IST

Top dental colleges in India, ranked by NIRF, include Saveetha, Manipal, Maulana Azad, King George’s, and A.B. Shetty. Admissions are based on NEET exams.

Top Dental College In India In 2025: Dental colleges play a crucial role in shaping skilled professionals in the field of oral healthcare. Recognised by regulatory bodies like the Dental Council of India (DCI), dental colleges offer undergraduate (BDS), postgraduate (MDS), diploma, fellowship and doctoral programmes. Admission to these programmes is typically based on national-level entrance exams such as NEET UG for BDS and NEET MDS for MDS.

Here are the top 10 dental colleges ranked by NIRF:

1. Saveetha Institute Of Medical And Technical Sciences

Founded in 2005, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS) is a distinguished private university in Chennai, recognised for its comprehensive academic programmes. It offers courses in various fields, including Medicine, Engineering, Dentistry, Law, Management, Physiotherapy, Pharmacy, Nursing, Physical Education, Allied Health Sciences and Architecture. With an ‘A’ grade accreditation from NAAC, the institute is committed to providing top-quality education and research opportunities.

Admission Process

Admissions are conducted based on a combination of entrance exams and merit-based selection set by the university. For medical programs, candidates must qualify through the NEET examination.

Eligibility Criteria:

BDS: Candidates must have completed their class 12 education with a minimum aggregate of 50 per cent

MDS: Admission is granted based on the candidate’s performance in the NEET MDS exam.

2. Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal

Manipal College of Dental Sciences (MCODS), located in Manipal, Karnataka, is a renowned institution dedicated to dental education and research. Established in 1965, it operates under the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) and has earned an A++ accreditation from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). The college is also recognised by the Malaysian Dental Council and Kathmandu University, further solidifying its global reputation.

Admission Process:

MCODS offers a diverse range of programmes, including undergraduate (BDS), postgraduate (MDS), diploma courses like the Diploma in Dental Hygienist, and various short-term certificate programs lasting from six months to a year. Admission to its programs is primarily entrance-based, with candidates required to qualify through national-level exams such as NEET for BDS and NEET-PG for MDS.

Eligibility Criteria:

BDS: Applicants must have completed Class 12 or an equivalent qualification with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology and English as separate subjects, achieving a minimum aggregate of 50 per cent.

MDS: Candidates must hold a BDS degree to be eligible for admission.

3. Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences

Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, located on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg in Delhi, is a highly reputed dental college, securing the 3rd position in the NIRF 2024 rankings under the Dental category. The institute operates through nine specialised departments, offering a variety of undergraduate, postgraduate and other programmes in the field of dentistry and related disciplines. Its flagship courses include the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) and Master of Dental Surgery (MDS).

Admission Process:

Entry into Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences is strictly based on entrance examinations. The institute considers national-level tests such as NEET for BDS admissions and NEET MDS for postgraduate courses.

Eligibility Criteria:

BDS: Candidates must have completed Class 12 with a minimum of 50 per cent aggregate in English, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (40 per cent for SC/ST candidates).

MDS: Applicants must have successfully passed the final BDS examination from the University of Delhi and completed a one-year compulsory rotating internship.

4. King George’s Medical University

King George’s Medical University (KGMU), a prestigious institution in Lucknow, holds the 4th position in the NIRF 2024 rankings under the Dental category. Established in 1905, the university is accredited with an ‘A’ grade by NAAC and is renowned for its excellence in medical and healthcare education. KGMU offers a wide range of programmes, including BSc, undergraduate diplomas and MD courses.

Admission Process:

KGMU provides more than 10 programs across undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral levels in Medicine, Health Sciences and Nursing. Admission to BSc courses is granted through direct entry, whereas other UG and PG programmes require candidates to qualify in national-level entrance exams such as NEET UG, NEET PG and NEET SS.

Eligibility Criteria:

BDS: Candidates must have completed their class 12 education with a minimum aggregate of 50 per cent.

MDS: Admission is based on the candidate’s performance in the NEET PG examination.

5. Dr D Y Patil Vidyapeeth

Dr D Y Patil Dental College & Hospital trains about 100 students for BDS and 49 students for MDS programs in 9 specialities each year. The specialities on offer are Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Oral Medicine and Radiology, Pedodontics & Preventive Dentistry, Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge, Periodontology, Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics, Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics, Oral Pathology & Microbiology and Public Health Dentistry. Postgraduate training is also imparted in all the nine specialties of dentistry.

Admission Process: Through the National Eligibility and Entrance Test (NEET).

Eligibility Criteria:

BDS: HSC or any other examination equivalent to 10+2 HSC examination of any recognized Board/ University after 12 years of study.50% in PCB for the general category and 40% for reserved category.

MDS: Bachelor of Dental Surgery (B.D.S.) from any recognizance Board/ University.

6. A.B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences

A.B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences (ABSMIDS), established in 1985, is a renowned dental college located in Mangalore. The institute is accredited with an ‘A’ grade by NAAC and houses 13 specialised departments, including Oral Medicine and Radiology, Oral Pathology and Oral Implantology. ABSMIDS offers a wide range of programmes in Dental Sciences, including BDS, MDS, PhD, as well as Certificate and Fellowship courses.

Admission Process:

Admissions to all programmes, including BDS and MDS, are based on entrance examinations followed by a counselling process. The institute considers NEET UG scores for BDS admissions and NEET MDS scores for MDS admissions.

Eligibility Criteria:

BDS: Candidates must have completed 10+2 with a minimum aggregate of 50 percent.

MDS: Admission is granted based on performance in the NEET MDS exam.

7. SRM Dental College

SRM Dental College (SRMDC) is a prestigious institution recognised by the Dental Council of India (DCI) and accredited with an A++ grade by NAAC. The college holds the 6th position in the Dental category as per the NIRF rankings. SRMDC offers both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Dentistry, with its flagship course being the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS).

Admission Process:

Entry into BDS and MDS programmes at SRM Dental College is determined by performance in national-level entrance exams. NEET UG scores are required for BDS admissions, while NEET MDS scores are considered for MDS admissions.

Eligibility Criteria

BDS: Applicants must have completed the class 12 examination with a minimum aggregate of 50 per cent.

MDS: Candidates must hold a BDS degree to qualify for admission.

8. Jamia Millia Islamia

Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) is a prestigious central university based in Delhi. Several of its programmes are approved by regulatory bodies such as AICTE and NCTE, while the university is also accredited by the NBA. JMI holds an A++ grade accreditation from NAAC, reflecting its commitment to academic excellence.

Admission Process

For the 2025 academic session, admissions at Jamia Millia Islamia are determined by entrance exam scores.

Eligibility Criteria:

BDS: Candidates must have completed class 12 with a minimum aggregate of 50 percent and must qualify for the NEET exam.

9. Siksha O Anusandhan

Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan University (SOA), formerly known as SOA University, is a private deemed university accredited by multiple national and international bodies, including NBA, NABL, NABH, ICAR, ABET and NAAC with an A++ grade.

Admission Process:

Admissions to most UG and PG programmes are conducted through SOA’s in-house entrance exam, SAAT. Additionally, national-level exams like JEE Main, NEET, CLAT and CAT are accepted for specific courses.

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Eligibility Criteria:

BDS: Completion of class 12 examination with a minimum aggregate of 50 per cent.

MDS: Admission is based on NEET MDS scores.

10. Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research

Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (SRIHER), formerly known as Sri Ramachandra University and Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute, is a private institution situated in Porur, Chennai. Recognised by the UGC and a member of AIU, SRIHER is also accredited by NABH and holds an A++ grade from NAAC.

Admission Process:

For the 2025 academic session, admissions at SRIHER are based on both entrance exams and merit, depending on the course. The deemed-to-be university offers over 50 undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD programs across nine faculties. These programmes span various disciplines, including Dental Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Allied Health Sciences, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy and Management. Additionally, the institute provides scholarships for outstanding students.

Eligibility Criteria:

MDS: Admission is granted based on NEET MDS scores.