National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test for Masters of Dental Surgery Exam Pattern 2026
National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test for Masters of Dental Surgery Exam Pattern
NEET MDS 2026 Exam Pattern
The National Board of Examinations (NBE) will release the NEET MDS 2026 exam pattern tentatively in the second week of February 2026, along with the information bulletin. The exam pattern for 2026 is expected to remain the same as the previous year, which included time-bound sections.
NEET MDS is a computer-based test (CBT) with a total duration of three hours. The exam will be held from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
Section-wise Breakdown
- Part A: 100 questions to be answered in 75 minutes.
- Part B: 140 questions to be answered in 105 minutes.
- Total Questions: 240.
All questions will be multiple-choice objective type with four answer options. NBE is expected to release a demo test or official mock test for practice before the exam.
Key Highlights of NEET MDS 2026
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | National Eligibility Entrance Test for Masters of Dental Surgery (NEET MDS) |
| Conducting Body | National Board of Examinations (NBE) |
| Exam Level | National-level Postgraduate Exam |
| Exam Frequency | Once a year |
| Mode of Exam | Computer-based test |
| Courses Offered | MDS/PG Diploma in Dental Studies |
| Exam Duration | 3 hours |
| Exam Timing | 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM |
| Total Questions | 240 |
| Total Marks | 960 |
| Marking Scheme | +4 for each correct response, -1 for each incorrect response, no marks for unanswered questions |
| Language | English |
| Official Website | nbe.edu.in |
| Contact Information | Helpline Numbers: 022-61087595, 7996165333, Email: helpdesknbeexam@natboard.edu.in |
NEET MDS 2026 Marking Scheme
The total marks for NEET MDS 2026 are 960. The marking scheme is as follows:
- +4 marks for every correct answer.
- -1 mark for every incorrect answer (25% negative marking).
- 0 marks for unanswered questions.
NEET MDS 2026 Application Fee
The application fee for NEET MDS 2026 varies by category. The fee is payable online during the application process.
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General/OBC/EWS | INR 3,500 |
| SC/ST/PWD | INR 2,500 |
Important Dates for NEET MDS 2026
The NEET MDS 2026 exam is anticipated to be held in the third week of April 2026. The application process is expected to run between February and March 2026.
| Event | Tentative Date |
|---|---|
| Application Process | February – March 2026 |
| Exam Pattern Release | Second week of February 2026 |
| Admit Card | March 2026 |
| Exam Date | Third week of April 2026 |
| Result Declaration | May 19, 2026 |
| Individual Scorecards | Around May 23, 2026 |
| Counselling | June – August 2026 |
NEET MDS 2026 Syllabus
The syllabus for NEET MDS 2026 is based on the BDS curriculum prescribed by the Dental Council of India (DCI). The syllabus is divided into two parts, matching the exam sections.
Part A covers the following subjects:
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Biochemistry
- Pathology
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
- Medicine
- Surgery
Part B includes:
- Oral Pathology
- Dental Materials
- Oral Medicine & Radiology
- Pedodontics
- Orthodontics
- Periodontology
- Prosthodontics
- Conservative Dentistry
- Oral Surgery
- Public Health Dentistry
NEET MDS 2026 Counselling
After the results are declared, a merit list for the 50% All India Quota (AIQ) will be released. Counselling for AIQ seats will be conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC).
State counselling will be conducted separately for state quota seats. The counselling process will include registration, choice filling, and seat allotment, and is likely to conclude by August 2026.
NEET MDS 2026 Important Dates
The NEET MDS 2026 application form is expected to be released in the 4th week of January 2026. The exam is likely to be conducted in March 2026.
| Event | Tentative Dates |
|---|---|
| Application Form Release | January 2026 (likely 4th week) |
| Last Date to Apply | Within 1 month of application start |
| Admit Card Release | March 2026 |
| NEET MDS Exam Date | March 2026 |
| Result Declaration | May 2026 |
| Counseling | June 2026 |
NEET MDS 2026 Exam Pattern Highlights
The NEET MDS 2026 exam will be conducted online as a computer-based test (CBT). There are a total of 240 objective-type questions divided into two parts.
| NEET MDS Pattern 2026 | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode of the Examination | Online/Computer-based |
| Medium of the Examination | English |
| Duration of the Examination | 3 hours |
| Sectional Duration | Part A – 75 minutes, Part B – 105 minutes |
| Type of Questions | Objective type |
| Total Number of Questions | 240 |
| Sectional Questions | Part A – 100, Part B – 140 |
| Number of Parts in Question Paper | Two |
| Number of Topics for Each Subject | 14 and 15 |
| Negative Marking | 25% negative marking for incorrect answers |
NEET MDS 2026 Exam Pattern in Detail
The NEET MDS 2026 exam pattern is explained below. The test will be held online or through a computer-based mode, requiring minimal computer knowledge.
- Mode of the Examination: The test will be held online or through a computer-based mode. The candidate requires minimal knowledge of computers to take the test.
- Medium of the Examination: English is the sole language choice for candidates who want to take NEET MDS.
- Duration of the Test: NEET MDS will be conducted from 2 PM to 5 PM, providing three hours to attempt the test. Part A will last for 75 minutes and Part B for 105 minutes.
- Number and mode of questions: The number of questions in the NEET MDS examination will be 240. All questions will be objective type, with four options for each question. The candidate must select the right answer out of these four options. Part A will have 100 questions and Part B will have 140 questions.
NEET MDS 2026 Exam Pattern
The NEET MDS 2026 exam consists of two parts: Part A and Part B. The exam has a total of 240 questions.
Part A has 100 questions and Part B has 140 questions. All questions are multiple-choice questions.
| Part | Subjects | Number of Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Part A (Total – 100) | ||
| 1 | General Anatomy including Embryology and Histology | 14 |
| 2 | General Human Physiology and Biochemistry | 14 |
| 3 | Dental Anatomy, Embryology & Oral Histology | 14 |
| 4 | General Pathology and Microbiology | 14 |
| 5 | General and Dental Pharmacology and Therapeutics | 14 |
| 6 | General Medicine | 15 |
| 7 | General Surgery | 15 |
| Part B (Total – 140) | ||
| 1 | Dental Materials | 14 |
| 2 | Oral Pathology and Oral Microbiology | 14 |
| 3 | Oral Medicine and Radiology | 14 |
| 4 | Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry | 14 |
| 5 | Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics | 14 |
| 6 | Periodontology | 14 |
| 7 | Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge | 14 |
| 8 | Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics | 14 |
| 9 | Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery | 14 |
| 10 | Public Health Dentistry | 14 |
| Grand Total | Part A + Part B | 240 |
NEET MDS 2026 Marking Scheme
Each correct answer carries +4 marks. Each incorrect answer carries -1 mark as negative marking.
Unanswered questions carry 0 marks.
| Type of Response | Marks Awarded |
|---|---|
| Correct Response | +4 |
| Incorrect Response | -1 (25% negative marking) |
| Unanswered | 0 |
NEET MDS 2026 Syllabus
The syllabus of NEET MDS 2026 follows the BDS course of study under the Dental Council of India (DCI) curriculum. It is split into two sections.
Part A has 100 questions. Part B has 140 questions.
Part A Subjects (100 Questions)
- General Anatomy including Embryology and Histology
- General Human Physiology and Biochemistry
- Dental Anatomy, Embryology, and Oral Histology
- General Pathology and Microbiology
- General and Dental Pharmacology and Therapeutics
- General Medicine
- General Surgery
Part B Subjects (140 Questions)
- Dental Materials
- Oral Pathology and Oral Microbiology
- Oral Medicine and Radiology
- Periodontology
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Prosthodontics
- Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics
- Orthodontics
- Public Health Dentistry
- Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry
NEET MDS 2026 Result and Counselling
The NEET MDS 2026 result is scheduled to be announced on May 19, 2026 (Tentative). It will be made available on nbe.edu.in in PDF format.
Individual scorecards will be announced on/about May 23, 2026 (Tentative). They will be downloadable through login credentials.
The 50% All India Quota (AIQ) merit list is published after result. It identifies the eligibility for counselling.
Counselling is organised by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) for AIQ seats and state authorities for state quota seats.
Counselling Process
- Registration and choice filling on mcc.nic.in.
- Seat allotment against rank, preferences, and seat availability.
- Four counselling rounds, which are over by August 2026.
NEET MDS 2026 FAQs
Ques. What is the pattern of NEET MDS 2026 exam?
The NEET MDS 2026 exam consists of two parts: Part A and Part B.
Ques. What is the marking scheme for NEET MDS 2026?
Each correct answer carries +4 marks, each incorrect answer carries -1 mark as negative marking, and unanswered questions carry 0 marks.
Ques. How is the NEET MDS 2026 syllabus divided?
The syllabus is divided into two sections: Part A with 100 questions and Part B with 140 questions.
Ques. What subjects are included in Part A of the NEET MDS 2026 syllabus?
Part A includes General Anatomy including Embryology and Histology, General Human Physiology and Biochemistry, Dental Anatomy, Embryology and Oral Histology, General Pathology and Microbiology, General and Dental Pharmacology and Therapeutics, General Medicine, and General Surgery.
Ques. When will the NEET MDS 2026 result be announced?
The NEET MDS 2026 result is scheduled to be announced on May 19, 2026 (tentative) and will be available on the official website in PDF format.
Ques. When will individual scorecards for NEET MDS 2026 be released?
Individual scorecards are expected to be available around May 23, 2026 (tentative) and can be downloaded using login credentials on the official website.
NEET MDS 2026 Exam Pattern
NEET MDS 2026 is a computer-based test with two time-bound sections. The exam has a total of 240 objective-type questions.
Part A has 100 questions to be solved in 75 minutes. Part B has 140 questions to be solved in 105 minutes.
- Total exam duration: 3 hours
- Exam timing: 2 PM to 5 PM
- Language: English
- Marking: +4 for each correct answer
- Negative marking: -1 for each incorrect answer
- No marks deducted for unanswered questions
NEET MDS 2026 Expected Date
The NEET MDS 2026 exam is expected to be held in the third week of April 2026.
NEET MDS Exam Duration
The total duration of the NEET MDS exam is 3 hours. Part A lasts 75 minutes and Part B lasts 105 minutes.
The exam timing is from 2 PM to 5 PM.
NEET MDS 2025 Exam Pattern
The NEET MDS 2025 exam pattern was similar to 2026. It was a computer-based test of 3 hours divided into two sections.
Part A had 100 questions in 75 minutes. Part B had 140 questions in 105 minutes.
- Question type: Multiple-choice
- Marking: +4 for correct, -1 for incorrect
- No negative marking for unattempted questions
- Exam timing: 2 PM to 5 PM
- Language: English