BDS to MBBS Bridge Course: Eligibility, Duration, Admission, Best Universities

BDS to MBBS Bridge Course: Eligibility, Duration, Admission, Best Universities

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Parul
Parul Thapa
Senior Executive Content
Updated on Jan 28, 2025 16:45 IST

In recent years, there has been much discussion about the possibility of transitioning from a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) to a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) in India. However, as of now, there is no approved pathway for such a transition. The National Medical Commission (NMC), which has replaced the Medical Council of India (MCI), has not sanctioned any bridge courses or lateral entry programs that would allow BDS graduates to directly pursue MBBS.

This clarification is crucial for students and professionals considering a shift in their Medical careers. If a BDS graduate wishes to pursue an MBBS degree, they must qualify through the regular admission process, including appearing for the NEET-UG examination and securing a seat in an MBBS program. Misinformation on this topic can lead to confusion, so it's essential to rely on verified updates and official announcements.

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What is a Bridge Course?

A bridge course is a specially designed educational program that helps students or professionals transition from one field of study or practice to another. These courses aim to bridge the knowledge gap between disciplines, providing the foundational skills and qualifications required to adapt to a new domain.

Q:   Can I get an MBBS seat with a NEET score of 350?

A:

If you belong to SC /ST category, you can get a MBBS seat with 350. for OBC and general category, cut-off score is much more higher than 350. So, prepare well. All the best.

Q:   Can I get MBBS admission with a 300 score in NEET 2024?

A:

It is possible to get admission to a private medical college with a score of 300 in NEET 2023. For government medical college, one should ideally obtain a score above 600. The NEET cutoff for the Government medical colleges vary as per the institute rank and round of counselling. Hence, it can be said that a score of 300 in NEET 2023 may not be sufficient for admission to Government medical colleges. As per past years' trends, a score between 500 to 700 or above is in the cutoff marks for NEET. 

Q:   How many times can I appear for NEET?

A:

According to NTA a candidate can appear for NEET any number of times. There is no restriction on the number of attempts permitted. Moreover, ever since the upper age limit of NEET has been removed, there is even more flexibility in terms of the number of NEET attempts.

The exam is conducted once a year, hence candidates can appear only once in an academic year. But unless candidates fulfil the eligibility criteria, they would not be able to get admission even if they score the qualifying cutoff marks for NEET.

In healthcare, bridge courses are often proposed to enable practitioners from alternative or specialized fields, such as dentistry, to gain eligibility or competency in broader medical practices like allopathic medicine. However, in India, no such approved bridge course exists to facilitate a transition from BDS to MBBS.

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Quick Links:

BDS Courses

MBBS Courses 

BDS Career

MBBS Career

Best Colleges for BDS Courses

When it comes to pursuing a BDS course in India, several colleges stand out for their exceptional education, state-of-the-art facilities, and clinical exposure.

Candidates can check the table below to see the list of best colleges that offer BDS courses in India:

BDS Colleges  BDS Course Fees in Government College (in INR)
KGMU  1.9 Lakh
Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research  19.4 Lakh
Institute of Medical Sciences 1.67 Lakh
Jamia Millia Islamia 1.55 Lakh
Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University 3.5 Lakh
SRIHER 24 Lakh
Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Poonamallee 43 Lakh
Maharishi Markandeshwar University 9.6 Lakh
Manav Rachna International Institute of Research & Studies 15.63 Lakh
Padmashree Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Navi Mumbai 31 Lakh

Suggested Links:

Know all about the MDS course

List of Medical Colleges in India accepting NEET Scores

Total AIIMS Colleges in India: Complete List with Fees, Courses, Ranking, and Total Seats

Best Colleges for MBBS Courses

India boasts some of the best colleges for pursuing an MBBS course, offering world-class facilities and rigorous academic training. Candidates can check the table below to see the list of best colleges that offer MBBS courses in India:

Q:   Can a class 12 student appear for NEET?

A:

A Class 12 student can appear for NEET, provided he/she fulfills the eligibility criteria for the exam stated by the National Testing Agency (NTA), the exam conducting body. Although there is no upper age limit for appearing in NEET, but the lower age limit is still applicable. A candidate must of at least 17 years as of December 31 of the academic year. Unless candidates meet the lower age limit criterion, they would not be considered eligible to appear for NEET for the particular year. The other factors of eligibility include studying Physics, Chemistry and Biology as core subjects. 

Q:   How many attempts are allowed in NTA NEET UG exam?

A:

There is no limit to the number of attempts to appear in the NTA NEET UG exam. While NEET UG is conducted once a year and candidates can appear only once in one year, an overall basis, an aspirant can appear for the exam as many times as he/she wishes to. Given the fact that the upper age limit has been removed, there is no barrier to the highest number of attempts. 

Q:   What is the minimum NEET score required to get an MBBS seat?

A:

According to last year's NEET cutoff marks, a General or OBC category candidate should secure at least 500 marks to get an MBBS seat at a standard medical college in India. However, for a reserved category candidate, a score of 300 to 400 may get them an MBBS seat. Students must note that the minimum NEET score mentioned here is indicatie and not absolute. The minimum marks or the NEET cutoff marks will vary based on the qualifying cutoff, number of seats, number of aplications, andother factors. Candidates with a relatively low score must be patient and participate in multiple rounds of counselling untill they get the seat of their choice. Candidates may also participate in both national as well as state-level counsellings to expand their chances of admission.   

Q:   Can I get a government medical college with 470 marks in NEET 2023? I belong to SC category and I am from Haryana.

A:

It is possible to get a government medical college with 470 marks in NEET 2023 if you belong to the SC category and are from Haryana. However, it is important to note that the competition for government medical colleges is very high, and your chances of getting a seat will depend on a number of factors, including your rank in the NEET exam, the number of seats available in government medical colleges in Haryana, and the reservation policy for SC candidates.

Here are some of the factors that can affect your chances of getting a government medical college with 470 marks:

  • Your rank in the NEET exam: Your rank in the NEET exam is the most important factor that will determine your chances of getting a government medical college. The higher your rank, the better your chances of getting a seat.
  • The number of seats available in government medical colleges in Haryana: The number of seats available in government medical colleges in Haryana is limited. The number of seats available will depend on the number of colleges in Haryana that offer MBBS courses and the number of seats each college has.
  • The reservation policy for SC candidates: The reservation policy for SC candidates will also affect your chances of getting a government medical college. Under the reservation policy, a certain percentage of seats in government medical colleges are reserved for SC candidates. This means that if you belong to the SC category, you will have a better chance of getting a seat in a government medical college than if you did not belong to the SC category.

If you are serious about getting a government medical college, it is important to start preparing for the NEET exam early. You can start by taking online practice tests and reviewing the NCERT textbooks. You can also consider joining a coaching institute to help you prepare for the exam.

It is also important to stay motivated and focused during your preparation. The NEET exam is a challenging exam, but it is possible to clear it with hard work and dedication.

Q:   How many city preference candidates can submit while selecting the NTA NEET exam centre?

A:

Candidates will be allowed to enter only two cities in the order of their preference. Till 2022, candidates could enter as many as four cities. Last year, NTA reduced the number of exam city choice. The list of exam cities in the dropdown menu will be based on the permanent and present address entered by candidates in the registration form of NEET. This would ensure that candidates are allotted a city in or near their present and permanent address. This also led to reduction in choosing other cities mistakenly.

MBBS Colleges 

MBBS Course Fees (in INR)

All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi

6,000

King George Medical University

2,00,000

JIPMER Puducherry 

7,000

Madras Medical College, Chennai

68,000

AIIMS Jodhpur

24,000

Christian Medical College, Vellore

14,000

Kasturba Medical College

44,00,000

Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research

1,00,00,000

St. John’s National Academy of Health Sciences

30,00,000

KIMS - Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences

83,00,000

Relevant Links:

What is a Good Score in NEET UG?

NEET Last Minute Preparation Tips by Experts and Toppers

What is the Difference Between BDS and MBBS?

MBBS provides the broadest scope, with opportunities in various medical specialities while BDS specialises in dental care.

Candidates can check the table below to see the comparison between the two courses below:

Particulars

MBBS

BDS

Course Level

UG

UG

Course Duration

5 years + 6 months internship

5 years

Course Fees

Government: INR 10,000 - INR 50,000 per year

Private: INR 3 Lakh - INR 25 Lakh per year  

INR 16,500 - INR 42.5 Lakh

Admission Criteria

Entrance-Based

Entrance-Based

Eligibility Criteria

Class 12 & NEET

Class 12 & NEET

Entrance Exams

NEET

NEET & KEAM 

Popular Colleges

Government - AIIMS Delhi, JIPMER, KGMU, AIIMS Rishikesh, etc.

KGMU, SRIHER, SRM Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, etc. 

Job Profiles

MBBS Doctors, Medical Surgeons, Medical Officers, Paediatricians, General Physicians, Medical Assistants (Surgery), etc.

Dentists, Dental officers in Defense Services, Dentists in Indian Railways, Lecturers, Researchers, etc.

Average Salary

INR 2.5 LPA - INR 15 LPA 

INR 3 LPA - INR 9 LPA

Top Recruiters

Medanta Hospitals, Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre, Fortis Healthcare Ltd, Wockhardt Ltd, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, Apollo Hospitals Enterprises Ltd, etc.

Hospitals, Dental Clinics, Educational Institutes, Dental Product Manufacturers etc.

Useful Links:

Top 20 Medical Colleges in India Based on NIRF Ranking

BAMS vs BDS – Differences, Eligibility, Syllabus, Jobs, Salaries, and More!

About the Author
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Parul Thapa
Senior Executive Content

A postgraduate in English Literature and Language. From a background in writing and content creation, she is passionate about speaking and writing what's on her mind. One who loves to sing, dance and binge on Netfli... Read Full Bio

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Comments

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Farhaan

2 months ago

Is this true and the latest news?

Reply to Farhaan