About Bachelor of Dental Surgery [BDS]
The Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) at LNCT Group of Colleges is offered through its constituent dental institution, Rishiraj College of Dental Sciences and Research Centre (RCDS), located at Gandhinagar, Pipalner Road, Bhopal. RCDS is recognized by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, and the Dental Council of India (DCI). The BDS program is a 5-year full-time course (4 years of academic study + 1 year of compulsory rotating internship), with a seat intake of 100. The annual fee is Rs. 2,75,000, making the total course fee Rs. 13,75,000 over 5 years. Admission is strictly through NEET UG scores, followed by MP DME (Directorate of Medical Education) counselling. BDS is one of the most sought-after medical courses after MBBS, and RCDS is widely regarded as one of the leading dental colleges in Madhya Pradesh, offering state-of-the-art labs, clinics, and a strong research environment.
Admissions for the 2026-27 batch are upcoming. NEET UG 2026 is scheduled for May 3, 2026, and the MP DME BDS counselling is expected to begin in July-August 2026 after NEET UG results are declared. The 2025 MP BDS counselling registration opened in late July 2025, so a similar timeline is expected for 2026. Students who have registered for NEET UG 2026 (registration window: February 8 to March 8, 2026) are eligible to participate in the counselling process.
Key Points
- RCDS is recognized by the Dental Council of India (DCI) and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
- The college has 9 fully equipped clinical departments: Orthodontics, Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Prosthodontics, Oral Medicine and Radiology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Periodontics, Oral Pathology and Microbiology, and Public Health Dentistry.
- RCDS has a dedicated International Student Cell and has hosted international collaborations including a visit from IMU Malaysia.
- The college publishes its own peer-reviewed journal, the Rishiraj Journal, and a student newsletter, Rishiraj Times.
- Interns at RCDS receive a monthly stipend during the 1-year compulsory rotating internship.
- RCDS has satellite clinics for community outreach and public health dentistry activities.
- The college is part of the LNCT Group, which has 32+ years of academic excellence and a NAAC-accredited ecosystem.
RCDS BDS Fees
The BDS program at RCDS (LNCT Group) has an annual fee of Rs. 2,75,000 as per the official fee structure published on the college website. Over the 5-year duration (including the internship year), the total tuition fee amounts to Rs. 13,75,000. A one-time caution deposit of Rs. 10,000 is also applicable. Hostel facility is optional and available on campus with varying charges depending on room type.
Fee Structure
| Fee Component | Annual Amount (Rs.) | Total (5 Years) (Rs.) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fee | 2,75,000 | 13,75,000 |
| Caution Deposit (One-time, Refundable) | 10,000 | 10,000 |
| Total Fees (Tuition + Caution Deposit) | - | 13,85,000 |
| Hostel Fee - 3 Seater Non-AC (Optional, incl. Mess) | 75,000/year | - |
| Hostel Fee - 2 Seater Non-AC (Optional, incl. Mess) | 97,000/year | - |
| Hostel Fee - 1 Seater Non-AC (Optional, incl. Mess) | 1,18,000/year | - |
| Hostel Fee - 1 Seater AC, Girls Only (Optional, incl. Mess) | 1,45,000/year | - |
- The caution deposit of Rs. 10,000 is refundable at the time of leaving the college.
- Hostel fees are not included in the total course fee as hostel is optional.
- Fees are subject to revision each academic year as per DCI and regulatory guidelines.
- Students are advised to confirm the latest fee structure directly from the official RCDS website (lnctrishiraj.ac.in) or the college admissions office before applying.
- Electricity charges may be levied separately for hostel residents.
RCDS BDS Admission 2026
Admissions to the BDS program at RCDS (LNCT Group) are conducted through the MP DME (Directorate of Medical Education, Madhya Pradesh) centralized counselling process, based on NEET UG scores. The 2026-27 admission season has not yet commenced as of March 2026. NEET UG 2026 is scheduled for May 3, 2026, and the MP DME BDS counselling is expected to begin in July-August 2026 after results are declared. Based on the 2025 schedule, registration for Round 1 opened in late July 2025, and the merit list was published around July 30, 2025. A similar timeline is expected for 2026.
RCDS BDS Admission Dates
| Event | Tentative Date (2026) |
|---|---|
| NEET UG 2026 Exam | May 3, 2026 |
| NEET UG 2026 Result Declaration | June 2026 (Tentative) |
| MP DME BDS Counselling Registration Opens (Round 1) | July 2026 (Tentative) |
| Last Date to Register (Round 1) | Late July 2026 (Tentative) |
| Vacancy / Merit List Publication | Late July 2026 (Tentative) |
| Choice Filling and Locking | Late July - Early August 2026 (Tentative) |
| Seat Allotment and Reporting at Institute | August 2026 (Tentative) |
| Round 2 / Stray Vacancy Round | August - September 2026 (Tentative) |
| Last Date of Admission | September - October 2026 (Tentative) |
NEET UG 2026 Exam Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Start Date | February 8, 2026 |
| Application End Date | March 8, 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | April 30, 2026 (Tentative) |
| Exam Date | May 3, 2026 |
| Answer Key Release | June 6, 2026 (Tentative) |
| Result Declaration | June 2026 (Tentative) |
The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.
Eligibility Criteria
- Candidates must have passed Class 12 (10+2) with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as compulsory subjects.
- Minimum aggregate of 50% marks in PCB in Class 12 (45% for SC/ST/OBC candidates).
- Candidates must have qualified NEET UG 2026 with a valid score/rank.
- Minimum age: 17 years as on December 31 of the year of admission.
Admission Process
- Appear in NEET UG 2026 (May 3, 2026) and obtain a valid score.
- Register on the MP DME counselling portal (dme.mponline.gov.in) during the registration window.
- Pay the counselling registration fee as applicable.
- Fill in and lock college and course preferences in order of priority.
- Download the seat allotment letter after the merit list is released.
- Report to RCDS, Bhopal with original documents for verification and pay the admission fee to confirm the seat.
- Complete the 1-year compulsory rotating internship in the final year to be eligible for the BDS degree.
RCDS BDS Scholarships 2026
Students enrolled in the BDS program at RCDS (LNCT Group) can avail scholarships from both government and institutional sources. The Madhya Pradesh government offers several schemes for SC, ST, OBC, and economically weaker section students, while the college provides merit-based incentives. Given the relatively higher fee structure of BDS compared to engineering programs, these scholarships can significantly reduce the financial burden for eligible students.
Available Scholarships
| Scholarship Name | Eligibility | Amount | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| MP Mukhyamantri Medhavi Chhatra Yojana | MP domicile, Class 12 score >= 75%, NEET qualified | Up to Rs. 2.75 lakh/year (tuition fee coverage) | State Government |
| MP Post Matric Scholarship (SC/ST) | SC/ST students with family income below Rs. 6 lakh/year | Partial to full fee reimbursement | State Government |
| MP OBC Scholarship | OBC students with family income below Rs. 6 lakh/year | Partial fee reimbursement | State Government |
| Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships (CSSS) | Top 20 percentile in Class 12, family income below Rs. 8 lakh/year | Rs. 10,000/year (UG) | Central Government |
| National Scholarship Portal (NSP) Schemes | Various categories (SC/ST/OBC/Minority/EWS) | Varies by scheme | Central/State Government |
| LNCT Group Institutional Scholarship | Merit-based, top-performing students | Fee concession / cash award | Institutional |
- The Mukhyamantri Medhavi Chhatra Yojana is particularly beneficial for BDS students as it can cover the full annual tuition fee for eligible MP domicile students.
- Government scholarships are disbursed through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) and the MP Scholarship Portal (scholarshipportal.mp.nic.in).
- Students must apply for scholarships within the stipulated deadlines, typically between July and November each year.
- Scholarship renewal is subject to satisfactory academic performance each year.
- Students are advised to check the official MP Scholarship Portal for updated eligibility conditions and deadlines.
RCDS BDS FAQs
Ques. Is RCDS (LNCT Group) recognized by the Dental Council of India, and is the BDS degree valid for practice?
Ans. Yes, RCDS is recognized by the Dental Council of India (DCI) and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. The BDS degree from RCDS is valid for dental practice in India. After completing the degree and the 1-year compulsory internship, graduates must register with the State Dental Council or the DCI to practice as a licensed dentist.
Ques. What is the seat intake for BDS at RCDS, and how competitive is admission?
Ans. The BDS program at RCDS has an intake of 100 seats. Admission is based on NEET UG scores through MP DME counselling. Given that NEET UG is one of the most competitive exams in India with over 20 lakh applicants annually, students need a strong NEET score to secure a seat. MP domicile students have an advantage in state quota seats.
Ques. Do BDS interns at RCDS receive a stipend during the internship year?
Ans. Yes, BDS interns at RCDS receive a monthly stipend during the 1-year compulsory rotating internship. The stipend amount typically ranges from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 40,000 per month depending on the college's policy. Students are advised to confirm the current stipend amount directly with the college admissions office.
Ques. What are the career options after BDS from RCDS?
Ans. After completing BDS from RCDS, graduates can pursue multiple career paths: practice as a dentist in government or private hospitals, open their own dental clinic, pursue MDS (Master of Dental Surgery) for specialization, work as a dental research scientist or lecturer, join the Defence Services (Army/Navy/Air Force) as a Dental Officer, or work as a dentist in Gulf countries where demand and salaries are high. The expected starting salary for BDS graduates ranges from Rs. 4 to 10 lakh per annum.
Ques. Can I pursue MDS from RCDS itself after completing BDS?
Ans. Yes, RCDS offers MDS programs in 8 specializations: Orthodontics, Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Prosthodontics, Oral Medicine and Radiology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Periodontics, and Oral Pathology and Microbiology. Admission to MDS is through NEET MDS scores. The MDS clinical fee at RCDS is Rs. 7,25,000 per year and non-clinical is Rs. 3,73,000 per year.
Ques. Is the BDS program at RCDS affiliated to a university, and which university?
Ans. The BDS program at RCDS is affiliated to Barkatullah University, Bhopal (also referred to under the LNCT Group's academic framework). The college is recognized by the Dental Council of India and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Students receive their BDS degree from the affiliated university upon successful completion of the program and the compulsory internship.