BDS Admission 2025: BDS or Bachelor of Dental Surgery is an undergraduate program. This UG program is generally 5 years long in duration. This duration includes 4 years of academic studies, while the last year is for a compulsory internship. This course focuses on providing both theoretical and practical knowledge and skills crucial to enhance and become a dental practitioner.
The admission criteria for this course are to qualify for entrance exams. NEET is a national-level exam that is mandatory for students to qualify and pursue BDS. To be qualified for this course, candidates must have passed class 10+2 with science streams, including Biology.
What is a Bachelor of Dental Surgery?
Bachelor of Dental Surgery or BDS is a UG-level program, and it is regulated by the Dental Council of India (DCI). The course focuses on offering a deeper understanding of dental science, which involves pathology, anatomy, physiology, radiology, and surgical procedures. This course concentrates on hands-on learning and training with practical experiences. It offers mind-expanding and challenging academic experiences. The mean fees for this program are around INR 50,000 to INR 5 Lakh per annum. This course can only be pursued in Full-time (regular) mode of learning. This programme provides students profound understanding of the domains of dental science and various surgical procedures using medical techniques. The course equips students with aspects including oral surgery, dental histology, oral pathology, and many more.
| BDS Course Highlights | |
| Parameters | Details |
| Course Full Form | Bachelor of Dental Surgery |
| Degree Level | Undergraduate |
| Course Duration | 5 Years |
| Mode of Education | Regular (Full Time) |
| Admission Criteria | Entrance-based |
| Entrance Examinations | NEET only. |
| Fees Range | INR 10 K to INR 5 Lakhs. |
Who should pursue a Bachelor of Dental Surgery?
Candidates who are interested in healthcare, oral health, and hygiene are suitable for this course. Students who enjoy working with people and interaction, and providing personal care, can pursue this course. Dentistry is in demand, and BDS offers learning opportunities and professional development to the students.
Admission Procedure for Bachelor’s in Dental Surgery 2025
The admission for the BDS programme occurs on the basis of the merits of the NEET examinations. National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET) is a national level examination conducted all over India. Since 2016, the NEET examination has been mandatory for admission in medical courses, including BDS. The eligibility criteria for BDS are to complete class 12th with at least 50% aggregate marks. Higher education must be passed through the Science stream (physics, chemistry, biology). Class 12 must be pursued from an approved and recognized education board such as CBSE, ICSE and state boards.
Syllabus for BDS Admission 2025
As the Bachelor of Dental Surgery is a 5-year-long course, it focuses on deep theoretical and practical knowledge. The curriculum follows for a 4-year time span, as last year’s students have to be in an Internship program.
The following is a curriculum for a BDS programme.
| Year 1 | |
| Theory, Subjects, and Practical | |
| Bio Chemistry | |
| General Human Physiology | |
| General Human Anatomy, Including head and neck | |
| Dental Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology | |
| Year 2 | |
| Theory, Subjects, and Practical | |
| Microbiology | |
| General and Dental Pharmacology | |
| Dental Materials | |
| General Pathology | |
| Pre-Clinical Prosthodontics | |
| Pre-Clinical Conservative Dent | |
| Year 3 | |
| Theory, Subjects, and Practicals | |
| Oral Pathology and Microbiology | |
| General Surgery | |
| General Medicine | |
| Year 4 | |
| Theory Subjects | |
| Periodontology | |
| Public Health Dentistry | |
| Orthodontics and dentofacial Orthopedics | |
| Oral Medicine and Radiology | |
| Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery | |
| Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics | |
| Prosthodontics and Crown and Bridge | |
| Paediatric and Preventive Dentist |
Top Colleges offering BDS Admission 2025
India has a broad range of colleges offering a Bachelor of Dental Surgery. These colleges include many governmental and private colleges. Among them are some of the best colleges known for providing a strong curriculum and other facilities.
Given below is a list of top colleges according to NIRF 2024, in the domain of Bachelor’s of Dental Surgery.
- Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technology Science
- Manipal College of Dental Science
- King George’s Medical University
- Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth
- Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Science
- SRM Dental College
- A.B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Science
- Jamia Millia Islamia
- SOA University
- Sri Ramchandra Institute of Higher Education and Research
- Jobs and Scopes in Bachelor of Dental Surgery
Bachelor of Dental Surgery or BDS offers a wide variety of careers and scopes to the graduates. The job prospects also include government and private hospitals, or they can open their own dental clinics. Graduates can work in the field of Periodontics, Orthodontics, Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Prosthodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Oral Medicine and Radiology, and many more.
The following table will provide insights into the job prospects and their expected salaries.
| Job Prospects | Average Income |
| Researcher | INR 3 Lakh |
| Professor | INR 5 Lakh |
| Dentist in Indian Railways | INR 3.5 to 4.5 Lakh |
| Dental Officer at Indian Defense Services | INR 9 Lakh |
| Territorial Army Officer | INR 10 Lakh |
| Dentist | INR 3.5 to 4.5 Lakh |
FAQs
Ques.1 What are the marks to obtain for BDS in NEET?
Ans: The NEET score generally should be around 400 to 500 for admission in a BDS programme. Although the eligible scores can vary each year.
Ques.2 What is the No. 1 dental college in India?
Ans: according to the NIRF ranking of the year 2024, Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences is the No. 1 college all over India.
Ques: What are the eligibility criteria to pursue BDS?
Ans: Aspiring candidates must have completed their class 12th with a science stream with biology as a major subject. Higher secondary education must be completed from a recognized board and with a minimum eligible marks of at least 50% marks.