Best Dental colleges in India - Courses, Fees, Admissions 2024
There are around 400+ best Dental colleges in India of which 180+ colleges are privately owned, 40+ colleges are government owned and the rest 5+ colleges are owned by semi government institutions. NEET MDS, NEET and INI CET are the popular entrance exams for admission to top Dental colleges in India. AIIMS, Delhi, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, SIMTS, MAMC and PGIMER are the best Dental colleges in India.
Table of Contents
- Best Dental Colleges in India: Highlights 2025
- Best Dental Colleges in India: Admissions 2025
- Best Dental Colleges in India: Entrance Exams 2025
- Best Dental Colleges in India: NIRF Ranking 2024
- Best Private Dental Colleges in India
- Best Government Dental Colleges in India
- Location-Wise Best Dental Colleges in India
- Best Dental Colleges in India: Placements and Salary
- Best Dental Colleges in India: Comparison 2025
Best Denta
There are around 400+ best Dental colleges in India of which 180+ colleges are privately owned, 40+ colleges are government owned and the rest 5+ colleges are owned by semi government institutions. NEET MDS, NEET and INI CET are the popular entrance exams for admission to top Dental colleges in India. AIIMS, Delhi, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, SIMTS, MAMC and PGIMER are the best Dental colleges in India.
Table of Contents
- Best Dental Colleges in India: Highlights 2025
- Best Dental Colleges in India: Admissions 2025
- Best Dental Colleges in India: Entrance Exams 2025
- Best Dental Colleges in India: NIRF Ranking 2024
- Best Private Dental Colleges in India
- Best Government Dental Colleges in India
- Location-Wise Best Dental Colleges in India
- Best Dental Colleges in India: Placements and Salary
- Best Dental Colleges in India: Comparison 2025
Best Dental Colleges in India: Highlights 2025
There are several types of dentistry courses in India, but the most prevalent is the Bachelor of Dentistry Surgery (BDS) degree. The BDS programme is a five-year undergraduate programme that teaches all elements of oral health care. After completing the BDS program, graduates can register with the Dental Council of India (DCI) and practice dentistry. Please refer to the table below for the various parameters and statistics best Dental colleges in India:
Parameters |
Statistics |
---|---|
No. of Colleges |
430+ colleges |
Tuition Fee |
< INR 1 lakh: 70+ colleges INR 1-2 lakh: 40+ colleges INR 2-3 lakh: 10+ colleges INR 3-5 lakh: 40+ colleges > INR 5 lakh: 250+ colleges |
Ownership |
Private: 180+ colleges Government: 40+ colleges Semi-Government: 7 colleges |
Top Specialisations |
Prosthodontics, Orthodontics, Periodontology, Oral Pathology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, etc. |
Accepted Entrance Exams |
NEET MDS, NEET, INI CET, etc. |
Disclaimer: This information is sourced from official website and may vary.
Best Dental Colleges in India: NIRF Ranking 2024
Given below are the best Dental colleges in India ranked by NIRF for the year 2024:
College Name |
NIRF 2022 |
NIRF 2023 |
NIRF 2024 |
---|---|---|---|
Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences Ranking |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
2 | |
4 |
4 |
3 | |
5 |
NA |
4 | |
3 |
3 |
5 | |
6 |
5 |
6 | |
8 |
6 |
7 | |
16 |
10 |
8 | |
SOA University Ranking | 10 | 9 | 9 |
Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research Ranking |
13 |
7 |
10 |
Best Dental Colleges in India: Admissions 2025
The eligibility criteria for top dental universities in India vary from institution to institution. However, given below is the eligibility criteria that is followed by the top 10 dental colleges in India:
For UG Courses:
- Candidates must have passed Class 12 in Science stream with Physics, Chemistry and Biology as core subjects.
- Candidates must be between 17 -25 years of age to be considered eligible for admission to best Dental schools in India.
- Candidates must have qualified NEET.
For PG Courses:
- Candidates must have passed BDS and completed their internship.
- Candidates must have scored a minimum of 55 per cent aggregate to be considered eligible for top ten dental colleges in India
- Candidates must qualify for MDS entrance exam.
Disclaimer: This information is sourced from official website and may vary.
Best Dental Colleges in India: Entrance Exams 2025
Given below are the popular entrance exams for admission to best BDS colleges in India:
- NEET: National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). It is the sole entrance test for admission to undergraduate medical and paramedical courses offered in India.
- NEET MDS: National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Masters of Dental Surgery abbreviated as NEET MDS is an entrance exam conducted by NBE for providing admissions to all the postgraduate dental courses offered by the institutions in India.
- INI CET: Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test is conducted by AIIMS Delhi for admission to PG courses such as Masters of Surgery (MS), Doctor of Medicine (MD), Master of Dental Surgery (MDS), Doctorate of Medicine (DM), and Master of Chirurgiae (MCh).
Please refer to the table below for the schedule of the above-mentioned exams for admission to top BDS colleges in India:
Exam Name |
Exam Dates |
Exam Schedule |
---|---|---|
May '25 |
||
31 Jan '25 |
||
Over for '24 |
Disclaimer: This information is sourced from official website of the institute/exam.
Best Private Dental Colleges in India
There are around 179 best private Dental colleges in India and listed below are the top 10 private dental colleges in India:
College Name |
Tuition Fee |
Eligibility / Exams |
---|---|---|
INR 1.32 lakh – INR 43.53 lakh |
NEET, NEET MDS |
|
INR 1.5 lakh – INR 49.5 lakh |
NEET, NEET MDS |
|
INR 17.55 lakh |
INI CET |
|
INR 1,500 |
Merit-Based |
|
INR 6 lakh – INR 30 lakh |
NEET, NEET MDS |
Disclaimer: This information is sourced from official website and may vary.
Best Government Dental Colleges in India
Given below are the best government Dental colleges in India out of the top 10 government dental colleges in India:
College Name |
Tuition Fee |
Eligibility / Exams |
---|---|---|
INR 1,050 |
AIIMS Paramedical, INI CET, AIIMS |
|
INR 39,000 – INR 46,800 |
NEET, NEET MDS |
|
INR 1.64 lakh - INR 1.9 lakh |
NEET, UP NEET, NEET MDS |
|
INR 6,600 |
INI CET, NEET PG |
|
INR 1.55 lakh |
NEET |
|
INR 6,080 |
INI CET |
Location-Wise Best Dental Colleges in India
Listed below are the best Dental colleges in different regions of India:
Best Dental Colleges in Delhi NCR
Listed below are the best Dental colleges in Delhi NCR that are also part of the best BDS colleges in India:
College Name |
Tuition Fee |
Eligibility / Exams |
---|---|---|
INR 1,050 |
AIIMS Paramedical, AIIMS, INI CET |
|
INR 16,480 – INR 46,800 |
NEET, NEET MDS |
|
INR 64,000 – INR 2.08 lakh |
NEET, NEET MDS and Merit-Based |
|
INR 39,000 |
NEET MDS |
Disclaimer: This information is sourced from official website and may vary.
Best Dental Colleges in Bangalore
Listed below are the best Dental colleges in Bangalore:
College Name |
Tuition Fee |
Eligibility / Exams |
---|---|---|
INR 13.11 lakh – INR 38.4 lakh |
NEET, NEET MDS |
|
INR 24,000 – INR 1.92 lakh |
NEET, NEET MDS |
|
INR 3.31 lakh – IINR 20.44 lakh |
NEET, NEET MDS |
|
INR 3.83 lakh – INR 20.44 lakh |
NEET, NEET MDS |
Disclaimer: This information is sourced from official website and may vary.
Best Dental Colleges in Chennai
Given below are the best Dental colleges in Chennai:
College Name |
Tuition Fee |
Eligibility / Exams |
---|---|---|
INR 1.5 lakh – INR 49.5 lakh |
NEET, NEET MDS |
|
INR 15,000 – INR 34.5 lakh |
NEET, NEET MDS |
|
INR 10.5 lakh – INR 42 lakh |
NEET, NEET MDS |
|
INR 10.5 lakh – INR 36 lakh |
NEET, NEET MDS |
Disclaimer: This information is sourced from official website and may vary.
Best Dental Colleges in India: Placements and Salary
Given below are the best Dental colleges in India that offer the highest Return on Investment to their students in the form of placement packages:
College Name |
Tuition Fee |
Annual Median Package |
---|---|---|
INR 9.72 lakh – INR 18.46 lakh |
INR 30 LPA – INR 50 LPA |
|
INR 10 lakh – INR 13.2 lakh |
INR 48 LPA |
|
INR 21 lakh |
INR 16 LPA – INR 24 LPA |
|
INR 6,600 |
INR 24 LPA |
|
INR 3.83 lakh – INR 11.18 lakh |
INR 4 LPA – INR 22.5 LPA |
Disclaimer: This information is sourced from official website and may vary.
Best Dental Colleges in India: Cut Off 2025
Listed below is the cut off for top Dental colleges in India:
Best Dental Colleges in India: Comparison 2025
Please refer below for the comparison between best Dental colleges in India:
Best Dental colleges in India - Courses, Fees, Admissions 2024
Commonly asked questions On Best Dental colleges in India - Courses, Fees, Admissions 2024
Q: How many Dental colleges are there in India?
India is home to around 400+ best Dental colleges in India of which 180+ colleges are privately owned, 40+ colleges are government owned and the rest 5+ colleges are owned by semi government institutions. NEET MDS, NEET and INI CET are the popular entrance exams for admission to top Dental colleges in India. AIIMS, Delhi, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, SIMTS, MAMC and PGIMER are the best Dental colleges in India.
Q: Which is the No.1 Dental college in India?
Hi, SIMTS or Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences is the top Dental college in India according to NIRF 2024 under the Dental category.
Q: Is studying Dental course in India expensive?
Yes, it can be observed that studying Dental is considered to be expensive as most of the colleges have an average tuition fee of more than INR 5 lakh. GIven below is the fees for top Dental colleges in India in different fee ranges:
Fee Range | No. of Colleges | Popular Colleges |
---|---|---|
< INR 1 lakh | 76 | AIIMS Delhi, Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, CMC, etc. |
INR 1-2 lakh | 47 | Manipal College of Dental Sciences, SIMTS, JMI, etc. |
INR 2-3 lakh | 15 | Manipal College of Dental Sciences, SIMTS, PGIDS, etc. |
INR 3-5 lakh | 43 | Manipal College of Dental Sciences, SIMTS, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore, etc. |
> INR 5 lakh | 257 | Manipal College of Dental Sciences, SIMTS, PGIMER, etc. |
Q: What are the top colleges that offer Dental courses in India?
Hi, please refer below for the top Dental colleges in India according to NIRF 2024 under the Dental category:
College Name | NIRF 2022 | NIRF 2023 | NIRF 2024 |
---|---|---|---|
Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences Ranking | 1 | 1 | 1 |
2 | 2 | 2 | |
4 | 4 | 3 | |
5 | NA | 4 | |
3 | 3 | 5 | |
6 | 5 | 6 | |
8 | 6 | 7 | |
16 | 10 | 8 | |
Sri6 University Ranking | 10 | 9 | 9 |
Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research Ranking | 13 | 7 | 10 |
Commonly asked questions On Best Dental colleges in India - Courses, Fees, Admissions 2024
Q: Can I do Dental course in India without NEET?
No, NEET is mandatory for admission to most Dental colleges in India including BDS. NEET ensures a fair and consistent selection procedure for dental colleges across the country. The exam assesses candidates' knowledge and skills in Science disciplines related to dentistry, such as biology and chemistry. The DCI requires NEET scores for BDS admissions to all recognised dental colleges, both government and private.
While there are other dental courses available without NEET, they:
- Do not qualify you to practise dentistry in India.
- Career options are restricted when compared to BDS.
- Separate entrance tests may continue to be necessary.
As a result, if you want to become a dentist in India, you must first take and pass the NEET.
Q: Which is better, a MBBS or a BDS?
Medical aspirants have preferred the MBBS course over the BDS course. Two are different from one another as follows:
- Coursework: In the MBBS program, you learn about human anatomy, pathology, and other clinical aspects of medicine. A BDS degree qualifies you as a specialist in dental surgery and treatment.
- Fees: The fees for the BDS are comparably lower than the MBBS fee. The cost of the MBBS program can reach 15 lacs even in government colleges, while the BDS program can cost up to 6 lacs.
- Career Options: A BDS can be used to become a dentist, dental hygienist, or prosthodontist. After earning your MBBS, you can apply for medical officer jobs in the government, like in UPSC CMS, but private hospitals and clinics demand a master's degree in any field of medicine, including surgery.
- Salary: An MBBS degree can earn you up to Rs. 1 lac per month, while a BDS degree can earn you an average annual salary of about Rs. 4.5 lacs. When it comes to NEET counseling, the majority of students who receive high marks opt for MBBS, though BDS is an excellent and less hectic choice.
Q: Is the NEET syllabus tough?
The NEET syllabus is same as that of Class 11 and Class 12 CBSE Board exam syllabi. Hence, it is not that difficult or students need not study anything additional apart from their school or Board exam studies. However, the difficulty level of the exam depends on the question types, which is generally tricky in nature, which makes the difference in the difficulty level.
The best way to tackle the NEET syllabus is through revision and taking as many mock tests as possible. According to experts and previous years' NEET analysis, Physics section is the toughest followed by Chemistry and Biology. Moreover, toughness is subjective and it depends on the preparation level and aptitude of students.
Q: What is the eligibility criteria for admission to top Dental colleges in India?
The eligibility criteria for best dental schools in India vary from course to course. Refer below the course-wise eligibility criteria for top Dental Universities in India:
Eligibility Criteria for best BDS Colleges in India:
- Candidates should pass Class 12 in the Science stream with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as core subjects
- They should obtain a minimum 50 percent aggregate (General category students) and 45 percent (reserved category candidates)
- Their age should range between 17 years and 25 years
- They should qualify for NEET
Eligibility Criteria for best MDS Colleges in India:
- Candidates should have a BDS degree from a dental college/institute recognised by Dental Council India
- They must have completed their Internship for BDS before taking admission to the MDS course
- Candidates should secure a minimum 55 percent aggregate of all subjects of the BDS course
- They should qualify for the MDS entrance exam
Eligibility Criteria for Diploma Dental Colleges in India
- For undergraduate Dental Diploma courses, candidates should pass Class 12 with a minimum 50 percent aggregate
- They must have studied Science stream, with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biochemistry as core subjects in Class 11 and Class 12
- Postgraduate dental Diploma should have completed BDS or undergraduate Dental Diploma course and completed a compulsory rotatory internship by the time of admission
Eligibility Criteria for Certificate Dental Colleges in India
- Candidates should complete a bachelor’s level Dental course from a recognised institute
- They should complete the compulsory rotatory internship followed by the course completion
Disclaimer: This information is sourced from official website and may vary.
Commonly asked questions On Best Dental colleges in India - Courses, Fees, Admissions 2024
Q: How do I find the best private Dental college in India?
Choosing the best private dental college in India can be difficult, but with careful thought and study, you can undoubtedly find the one that best meets your needs and goals. Here are a few crucial steps to help you:
- Are you seeking for a college with a challenging curriculum, renowned faculty, and a strong research focus?
- Do you value hands-on experience through various clinical rotations and early patient interaction?
- What is your budget, and are scholarships available?
- Do you have a preference for a specific city or region, or do you value a bustling campus life?
- Does the college provide options for specialisation or training in your selected field?
Remember that the "best" college is subjective and based on your own needs and interests. Following these steps and completing thorough research will prepare you to make an informed selection that will put you on the path to a successful dental profession.
Q: Which is a better course among BDS and BAMS?
First of all, as said by everyone it totally depends on your interests. Here are some points regarding the comparison.
- Study content * Bams involves Ayurveda, the study of plants, how to prepare medicines naturally and so on so the studies of this field are quite hard. On the other hand, BDS only involves the studies of dental health and its theory.
- * Entrance * For BDS, you have to give NEET and score 450 above to get a good govt. college and BAMS can be achieved by both NEET and state entrance test.
- * Salary *Of course, BDS has much higher salary than BAMS and scope too.
- *My suggestions* I think you should go for BDS. It's fun playing with the tools, you can also come across dental surgeries while BAMS is just about medicine, medicine and medicine. But it totally depends on your interest and where your happiness lies, so make your decision wisely. Best of luck!
Q: What are the various courses offered by Dental colleges in India?
Please refer to the table below for the various courses offered by best Dental colleges in India:
Courses | No. of Colleges |
---|---|
MDS | 303 |
BDS | 216 |
Certificate | 47 |
UG Diploma | 44 |
BSc | 35 |
PhD | 30 |
PG Diploma | 10 |
After 10th Diploma | 8 |
MD | 7 |
Q: Does NBE conduct NEET MDS exam twice a year?
No. NEET MDS is conducted only once a year. The exam is generally conducted in the first week of March. National Board of Examinations (NBE) conducts the exam for admission in postgraduate dental courses in medical institutes. NEET MDS application form is released online and candidates have to submit it there only. No offline and any other mode of application is accepted. According to existing NEET MDS pattern, the exam is conducted in English language only. A total of 240 question is asked and candidates get 3 hours to answer them.