Dental graduates all over the country are getting ready as the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) is expected to start the NEET MDS 2026 registration process any day now. This exam is the only way for students to get admission into Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) courses in India. According to the latest updates, the application window is likely to open in the last week of February. You can find all official notices and the registration link on the official NBEMS website.
Important Exam Dates and Eligibility Rules
For aspirants, the most important thing is to stay updated with the calendar. The NBEMS has already released a tentative schedule that helps students plan their studies.
- Exam Date: The NEET MDS 2026 is scheduled to be held on May 2, 2026.
- Internship Deadline: You must complete your 12-month compulsory rotatory internship by May 31, 2026.
- Registration Start: The application link is expected to go live very shortly on the official portal.
- Mode of Exam: This is a computer-based test (CBT) that will be held at various centers across India.
If a student does not finish their internship by the May 31 deadline, they will not be allowed to take the exam. This rule is very strict and applies to all aspirants who want to join postgraduate dental courses.
Understanding the Exam Pattern
The NEET MDS 2026 is a long and challenging test. It is designed to check everything a student has learned during their four years of BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery).
| Section | Subject Type | Number of Questions |
| Part A | Basic Sciences (Anatomy, etc.) | 100 Questions |
| Part B | Clinical Dental Subjects | 140 Questions |
| Total | Full Paper | 240 Questions |
Students have 3 hours to finish the paper. The marking system is also specific: you get +4 marks for every right answer, but -1 mark is taken away for every wrong answer. Because of this negative marking, aspirants must be very careful when choosing their answers. All questions are Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), and the language of the exam is only English.
Steps to Apply and Required Documents
Once the window opens, you should apply early. If you wait until the last day, the website might become very slow. You can check the Dental Council of India website for more details on recognized colleges.
- Step 1: Go to the official NBEMS website and click on 'New Registration'.
- Step 2: Enter your name, phone number, and email to get a User ID and Password.
- Step 3: Fill in your educational details and your internship information.
- Step 4: Upload your photo, signature, and a scan of your thumb impression.
- Step 5: Pay the exam fee online using a card or UPI and download your receipt.
Conclusion
The NEET MDS 2026 is a major step for dental surgeons. It requires a lot of hard work and careful planning. Since the registration is about to start, all aspirants should keep their documents like the BDS degree and internship certificate ready. If you have any doubts about the rules, you should only trust the official information bulletin provided by the NBEMS. This will ensure that you do not make any mistakes in your application and can focus entirely on your studies for the May exam.