BDS Admission 2024: Important Dates, Entrance Exam (NEET), Admission Process, Eligibility, Top Colleges

BDS Admission 2024 is based on the NEET UG 2024. Candidates must note that the admission is conducted through the NEET scores, followed by a counselling process after the results are announced. Each state conducts their own BDS counselling to offer admission to 85% of state quota seats.

The NEET exam was conducted on May 5, 2024, by the NTA. The NEET result was released on June 4, 2024.

BDS program is a 5-year undergraduate course aiming to prepare students for a rewarding career in the field of dentistry. To pursue it, candidates must have completed their 10+2 in science with at least 50% marks.

Table of Content

BDS Admission 2024: Entrance Exam
Top BDS Colleges: Admission Deadline 2024
BDS 2024: Admission Process

3.1 Eligibility Criteria for BDS Admission 2024

3.2 State-Wise BDS Admission 2024

BDS Admission 2024: FAQs

BDS Admission 2024: Entrance Exam

Candidates can check the NEET UG 2024 schedule in the following table.

Event	Dates
NEET Registration Process	February 9 – March 16, 2024
NEET UG Application Form Correction	February 18 – 20, 2024
NEET 2024 Admit Card	First week of May 2024
NEET 2024 Exam Date	May 5, 2024
NEET 2024 Result Date	June 4, 2024

Top BDS Colleges Admission Deadline 2024

The timeline for uploading the student data admitted to BDS courses has been revised as per the circular released by the Dental Council of India (DCI) on September 20, 2024. Revisions to the NEET UG 2024 counselling schedule were made by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC). As per the revision, the last date to join BDS courses is now November 5, 2024.

BDS Admission Process 2024

The general admission process for BDS 2024 is given below.

Candidates must ensure they meet all the eligibility criteria. They must have passed the 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology with a minimum of 50% marks.
They must pass the NEET entrance exam.
After the exam, the selected applicants will be contacted for a counselling session, and they will have the option to select the college or university where they want to study.
Candidates will be assigned seats at a dental college or university based on their ranks and preferences following the counselling procedure.
After seat allocation, they must submit the required documents for verification, pay the admission fee and complete the admission.

Eligibility Criteria for BDS Admission 2024

Candidates need to meet specific requirements in order to be admitted into BDS courses. The general criteria include.

Candidates must have passed the 10+2 exam, with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
Students must score a minimum of 50% marks in their 10+2. Relaxation in marks is provided to reserved and PwD categoty candidates.
Candidates must have achieved the required rank in the NEET admission exam.
They must be 17 years of age or older at the time of application.

State-Wise BDS Admission 2024

After NEET, a state-level counselling session is conducted to provide seats to deserving candidates in the BDS course. Conducting bodies for some of the top states are mentioned in the following table.

State Admission	Conducting Body
Gujarat BDS Admissions	ACPUGMEC
Maharashtra BDS Admissions	DMER
Kerala BDS Admissions	CEE
Karnataka BDS Admissions	KEA
Jharkhand BDS Admissions	JCECEB
Bihar BDS Admissions	Bihar Combined Entrance Competitive Examination Board
West Bengal BDS Admissions	Department of Health and Family Welfare
Rajasthan BDS Admissions	The Office of the Chairman, NEET UG Medical and Dental Admission/Counselling Board, and Principal Controller, SMS Medical College and Hospital, Jaipur
MP BDS Admissions	DME
UP BDS Admissions	DMET
Telangana BDS Admissions	Kaloji Narayana Rao University of Health Sciences

BDS Admission 2024: FAQs

Ques. Can I do BDS without NEET?

Ans. NEET scores are generally required to secure a BDS seat in India. NEET is the main entrance exam that is conducted by the NTA for admission to MBBS, BDS and other allied health courses. Some universities may conduct their own entrance exam, but the NEET scores are more widely accepted. Candidates should clear the NEET exam to get selected for the BDS admission process.

Ques. Which is better BDS or B pharmacy?

Ans. Choosing between BDS and B Pharmacy will depend upon the candidate’s interests and career goals. BDS is a specialised course preparing students for a career in dentistry in the healthcare sector. B Pharmacy provides broader opportunities in the pharmaceutical sector, regulatory affairs, research and more. If an individual is interested in working directly with patients in oral care and is passionate about healthcare, BDS can be a better option.

Ques. What is the salary of BDS in India?

Ans. The average annual salary of BDS graduates in India is INR 2.7 LPA. With added experience and skills, they can earn up to INR 8 LPA. The average take-home salary ranges between INR 21,498 to INR 23,139. Experience, skills, location and employer type are some of the top factors that affect the salaries of BDS graduates in India.

Ques. Which is more valuable MBBS or BDS?

Ans. The value between MBBS and BDS will depend on the personal preferences and career aspirations of the candidate. MBBS has broader options and specialisation abilities. On the other hand, BDS is solely focused on dentistry and has fewer career paths compared to MBBS. Both fields are important to healthcare and are integral part of the system. If an individual is passionate about oral health, he/she will find BDS to be more valuable.