Master of Dental Surgery [MDS]

PGIMER Chandigarh MDS is a 3-year full-time postgraduate dental surgery program in 4 specializations with 12 seats. Admission is via INI-CET conducted by AIIMS New Delhi, with sessions in January and July each year. Total program fees range from INR 7,110 to INR 9,210 for the entire 3-year duration, among the lowest for any MDS program in the country, at this central government institution under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

📋 Admission Status: Applications closed. INI-CET January 2027 registration expected November 2026 (Tentative).

Key Points

• All MDS residents receive a monthly basic pay of INR 56,100 under 7th Central Pay Commission norms from the date of joining.
• Students train within PGIMER’s 2,000-bed apex tertiary care hospital, providing unmatched case volume across all dental specializations.
• No EWS reservation applies at PGIMER for INI-CET MDS seats. Covered categories are SC (5%), OBC (27%), PwBD (5%), and Rural Service (5%).
• A one-time thesis allowance of INR 5,000 is provided to all non-sponsored residents upon thesis submission, along with annual book allowance of INR 2,000.

PGIMER MDS Fees 2026

PGIMER Chandigarh charges nominal tuition fees as a central government autonomous institution. The following figures cover the complete 3-year program duration for each specialization.

• Fees listed are tuition fees only.
• Hostel is billed separately by PGIMER.
• Fees are subject to change. Verify with official sources before admission.

PGIMER MDS Admission 2026

Important Dates

• July 2026 session admissions concluded on 16 July 2026.
• INI-CET January 2027 dates are tentative pending official notification.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

• BDS from an NMC-recognized institution with a minimum aggregate of 55% marks (50% for SC/ST candidates).
• Completion of a 1-year compulsory rotating internship and valid registration with the State Dental Council or Dental Council of India.
• No upper age bar for INI-CET MDS admission at PGIMER Chandigarh.

Admission Process

• Register and appear for INI-CET at aiimsexams.ac.in. The test is a computer-based MCQ exam covering basic and clinical dental sciences.
• INI-CET rank determines eligibility for centralised online counselling conducted by AIIMS New Delhi for all INIs.
• PGIMER MDS seats are allotted based on INI-CET rank, category, and specialization preference during counselling rounds.
• Sponsored candidates apply under a separate quota and are not eligible for stipend or hostel from PGIMER.
• Selected candidates report to PGIMER with original documents on the allotted date to confirm enrollment.

PGIMER MDS vs Other Colleges

Here is how PGIMER MDS compares with similar institutions on fees, entrance exams, and career support.

✓ Opt for this if

• You want a monthly stipend of INR 56,100 throughout the program
• Clinical exposure from a 2,000-bed hospital is your priority
• You are targeting an academic or research career in dentistry
• You need affordable postgraduate education at a premier institution

✗ Skip if

• Your INI-CET rank is not competitive enough for these 12 seats
• You prefer a metropolitan city with private practice opportunities
• You need EWS reservation, which is not available at PGIMER

PGIMER MDS Scholarships 2026

PGIMER Chandigarh provides structured financial support to all non-sponsored MDS residents through government pay norms and institutional allowances.

• Sponsored residents do not receive stipend or allowances from PGIMER.
• Hostel accommodation is not provided to sponsored candidates.

PGIMER MDS FAQs

Ques. How is PGIMER MDS different from MDS at private dental colleges in India?

Ans. At PGIMER, you are embedded in a 2,000-bed hospital with a genuinely complex and diverse patient load. Private dental colleges may offer modern infrastructure, but the clinical volume at PGIMER is significantly higher. Additionally, PGIMER MDS residents receive a monthly government stipend of INR 56,100, which means no tuition debt unlike private institutions where fees can reach INR 15 lakhs or more for the full program.

Ques. What is the INI-CET exam pattern and how should I prepare for PGIMER MDS?

Ans. INI-CET is a 200-question MCQ computer-based test held twice a year in May and November. For MDS, questions span subjects from BDS including Oral Medicine, Orthodontics, Prosthodontics, Oral Surgery, Periodontics, and basic sciences. The key strategy is to master clinical scenarios and standard textbook concepts rather than rote learning. Past question analysis helps identify high-yield topics. Practice on timed mocks under exam conditions from at least 3 to 4 months before the exam.

Ques. Can I apply to PGIMER MDS through the Rural Service quota and what does it require?

Ans. Yes. PGIMER reserves 5% seats horizontally under the Rural Service quota for BDS graduates who have served continuously for a minimum of 2 years in areas with a population below 5,000. To claim this, you need a certificate from the state government confirming the rural posting duration and location. This quota operates as a horizontal reservation, meaning seats are distributed across existing categories rather than being a separate pool. Confirm current eligibility details at pgimer.edu.in before applying.

Ques. Are there any bond or service obligations after completing MDS at PGIMER?

Ans. No bond or mandatory government service obligation is imposed on regular non-sponsored MDS students at PGIMER. Sponsored candidates, however, are bound by the terms of their sending institution or state government, which typically requires them to return and serve for a specified period after completing the degree. If you are a self-funded or regular candidate, you are free to pursue private practice, academics, or further specialization after graduation.

Ques. How many MDS seats does PGIMER offer and across which specializations?

Ans. PGIMER offers 12 MDS seats per session across 4 specializations: Orthodontics (3 seats), Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry (3 seats), Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (3 seats), and Prosthodontics (3 seats). The seat matrix is published by AIIMS New Delhi on aiimsexams.ac.in before each INI-CET session. Always check the official seat matrix for the relevant session before registering, as reservation-wise distribution may vary slightly between sessions.