Introduction to the BDS Course
Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) is an undergraduate degree program that prepares students to become dental surgeons. Regulated by the Dental Council of India, BDS is a comprehensive five-year course that combines theoretical knowledge with practical experience through a one-year internship.
The BDS course fees in India vary depending on the type of institution and location. On average, the fees for the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) program range from INR 80,000 to INR 5 lakhs per annum. Government-run colleges generally have lower fees compared to private institutions.
Let's explore the details about BDS course and its fees across major colleges.
BDS Course Fees

The Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) course fees in India vary depending on the type of institution and location. On average, the BDS course fees range from INR 1 lakh to INR 6 lakhs per annum. However, the fees can be significantly higher in private dental colleges.

BDS Course Fees in Top Colleges
Lets have a look at the total fees of BDS course in some of the most prominent colleges:
| Name of the College | College Location | Average Course Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Faculty of Dental Sciences, IMS BHU | Varanasi | INR 1,66,840/- |
| Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences | New Delhi | INR 16,480/- |
| Faculty of Dental Sciences, King George's Medical University | Lucknow | INR 1.90 lakhs |
| Government Dental College and Hospital | Mumbai | INR 2 - 2.5 lacs |
| Government Dental College and Hospital | Nagpur | INR 2 - 2.5 lacs |
| Dr. R. Ahmed Dental College and Hospital | Kolkata | Below 1 lacs |
| Manipal College of Dental Sciences | Mangaluru | INR 25-30 lacs (approx.) |
BDS Course Fees in Private College
BDS course fees in private colleges range from INR 1.75 lakhs to INR 5.9 lakhs per year, depending on the college. While some colleges offer BDS seats for as low as INR 1.5 lakhs per year, including hostel and food, the top dental colleges in India may cost up to INR 25-30 lakhs, which includes tuition fees, hostel and extra charges.
The table below shows the total fees of BDS course at some of the top private colleges:
| BDS Colleges | BDS Course Fees |
|---|---|
| Maharishi Markandeshwar University | INR 15 Lakh |
| Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences | INR 21.3 Lakh |
| Teerthanker Mahaveer University | INR 7.9 Lakh |
| MSRUAS | INR 38.1 Lakh |
| NIMS Dental College and Hospital | INR 7 Lakh |
| Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal | INR 16.6 Lakh |
| School of Dental Sciences (SDS), Sharda University | INR 14.6 Lakh |
| Krishna Vishwa Vidyapeeth | INR 25 Lakh |
| Nair Hospital Dental College, Mumbai | INR 4.04 Lakh |
BDS Course Fees in Government College
On the other hand, BDS course fees in government colleges are generally lower, ranging from INR 50,000 to INR 1,200,000. However, the actual fees may vary from college to college, and it is essential to check the specific fees for each institution.
The table below shows the total fees of BDS course at some of the top government colleges:
| Name of the College | College Location | BDS Course Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Ahmedabad Dental College and Hospital | Ahmedabad | INR 26 lacs |
| Al - Badar Rural Dental College and Hospital | Karnataka | INR 15 lacs |
| Aligarh Muslim University - AMU | Aligarh | INR 2 lacs |
| All India Institute of Medical Sciences - AIIMS Delhi | Delhi | INR 2,927 |
| All India Institute of Medical Sciences - AIIMS Jodhpur | Jodhpur | INR 10,735 |
| All India Institute of Medical Sciences - AIIMS Raipur | Raipur | INR 8,567 |
| AMC Dental College | Ahmedabad | INR 20.6 lacs |
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BDS Course Fees Across States
Lets see the BDS Course fees across different states of India:
BDS Course Fees in Karnataka
| Name of the College | Location | BDS Course Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Manipal College of Dental Sciences | Mangalore | INR 7 lakhs |
| Bapuji Dental College and Hospital | Davanagere | INR 4.8 lakhs |
| A B Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences | Mangalore | INR 5.13 lakhs |
| SDM College of Dental Sciences and Hospital | Dharwad | INR 3.84 lakhs |
| Coorg Institute of Dental Sciences | Virajpet | INR 3.84 lakhs |
BDS Course Fees in Maharashtra
| Name of the College | Location | BDS Course Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Nair Hospital Dental College | Mumbai | INR 1.04 lakhs |
| Government Dental College & Hospital | Mumbai | INR 82,000 |
| Sinhgad Dental College and Hospital | Pune | INR 6.5 lakhs |
| Bharati Vidyapeeth Dental College and Hospital | Mumbai | INR 4.5 lakhs |
| Dr DY Patil Vidyapeeth | Pune | INR 6.15 lakhs |
BDS Course Fees in Tamil Nadu
| Name of the College | Location | BDS Course Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Sri Ramachandra Dental College | Chennai | INR 6 lakhs |
| Saveetha Dental College & Hospital | Chennai | INR 8.5 lakhs |
| SRM Institute of Science and Technology | Chennai | INR 3.9 lakhs |
| Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology | Chennai | INR 4.5 lakhs |
| Vinayaka Missions University | Salem | INR 3.51 lakhs |
BDS Course Fees in Delhi
| Name of the College | Location | BDS Course Fees |
|---|---|---|
| I.T.S Dental College | Ghaziabad | INR 7.24 lakhs |
| Manav Rachna Dental College | Faridabad | INR 4.77 lakhs |
| SGT Dental College Hospital & Research Institute | Gurgaon | INR 6.99 lakhs |
| Sharda University | Greater Noida | INR 3.65 lakhs |
| Santosh University | Ghaziabad | INR 2.50 lakhs |
BDS Course Fees in Uttar Pradesh
| Name of the College | Location | BDS Course Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Aligarh Muslim University | Aligarh | INR 23.50 lakhs |
| King George's Medical University | Lucknow | INR 55,000 |
| Babu Banarasi Das University | Lucknow | INR 3.49 lakhs |
| Rama University | Kanpur | INR 3.20 lakhs |
| Bareilly International University | Bareilly | INR 2.75 lakhs |
BDS Course Highlights

| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Course Level | Undergraduate |
| BDS Full-Form | Bachelor of Dental Surgery |
| BDS Course Duration | 5 years (4 years of academic education + 1 year of compulsory paid internship) |
| Examination Type | Semester-Based |
| Eligibility | 10+2 with a minimum of 50% marks. Compulsory subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Biology |
| Admission Process | Entrance Exam (primarily NEET - National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) |
| BDS Course Fees | INR 1-6 lacs per annum, varying significantly between government and private institutions |
| Average Initial Salary | INR 4-10 lacs per annum (approx.), depending on the sector and location |
| Top Recruiters | Hospitals, Dental Clinics, Educational Institutes, Health Consultancies, Dental Equipment Manufacturers |
| Job Positions | Dental Research Scientist, Dentist, Lecturer, Dental Surgeon, Clinical Practitioner, Private Practitioner |
| Professional Licensing | Requires registration with the Dental Council of India to practice after graduation |
| Skills Required | Strong interpersonal skills, attention to detail, dexterity, ethical practice, scientific acumen, and patient management |
| Career Progression | Opportunities to specialize further in areas like Orthodontics, Periodontics, Oral Surgery, etc., after postgraduate studies |
BDS Course Eligibility Criteria
Lets see the eligibility requirements for BDS:
| Eligibility | Description |
|---|---|
| Academic Qualification | 10+2 or equivalent with at least 50% marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology for unreserved category candidates and 40% for SC, ST, and OBC candidates. Students from Foreign/International Boards are eligible if their qualified exam meets the equivalency determined by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) as per regulations of the Dental Council of India and the concerned University. |
| Entrance Exam | Admissions to BDS take place through the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). |
| Age Criteria | The candidate should be at least 17 years old on or before December 31 of the year of admission. |
| Medical Requirements | The candidate should be medically fit and free of any physical deformity that would prevent him/her from performing dental surgery. |
| Fees Requirements | The candidate should have paid the necessary fees, such as application fees, tuition fees, and hostel fees, during the admission process. |
| Submission of Documents | The candidate should have submitted all the necessary documents, such as mark sheets, certificates, and identity proof, during the admission process. |
| Counselling | The candidate must have attended the counselling sessions conducted by the authorities. |
BDS Course Admission Process

The BDS course admission process in India involves the following steps:
1. Qualification
To qualify for the BDS course, students must complete their 10+2 exam or an equivalent degree with at least 85% from a recognized board.
2. Preparation
To qualify for the entrance exams, students must prepare a year before the exam.
3. Entrance Exam
The BDS course admission is based on the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) or other entrance exams conducted at the state or institution level.
4. Counselling
After qualifying for the entrance exam, students must attend the counselling sessions which are usually organized in three rounds.
5. College Selection
Students must ensure that the college they desire to get into is good enough for them by checking the course curriculum, placements offered, and fee structure of the college.
6. Document Verification
To confirm the admission, students will have to submit the documents mentioned below:
- NEET scorecard
- Class 12 mark sheet and passing certificate
- Valid identity proof
- Passport size photographs
- Proof of residence
BDS Syllabus
| Year | Subjects |
|---|---|
| 1st Year | Biochemistry, Anatomy, Physiology, Dental Materials, Oral Medicine, General Medicine |
| 2nd Year | Dental Histology, Oral Pathology, Pharmacology, Preclinical, Conservative Dentistry |
| 3rd Year | General Surgery, Pedodontics, Oral Medicine, Oral Surgery, Periodontics |
| 4th Year | Prosthodontics, Orthodontics, Public Health Dentistry, Community Orientation Program, Accident and Emergency Medicine |
| 5th Year | Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Comprehensive Oral Health Care, Practice Observership |
Looking for a more detailed overview of BDS Syllabus? Read about BDS Syllabus & Subjects 2024: Year Wise and Semester Wise
BDS Entrance Exams
| Entrance Exam | Exam Type | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) | National Level | Qualifying NEET is mandatory for BDS admissions |
| NEET MDS | National Level | Candidates must hold a BDS degree from a DCI-recognized institution |
| AIIMS PG | National Level | Candidates must hold a BDS degree from a DCI-recognized institution |
| JIPMER PG | National Level | Candidates must meet specific eligibility criteria to appear for the exam |
| PGIMER | National Level | 18 seats available; candidates must qualify for the entrance exam |
Courses after BDS
After completing a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) program, students have various options for further studies. Some of the courses that individuals can pursue after BDS include:
- Master of Public Health (MPH)
- Master in Health Administration
- MDS in Oral Pathology
- MDS in Pedodontics
- MDS in Prosthodontics
- MBA in Healthcare Management
- MBA in Hospitality Management
Know more about NEET PG Syllabus 2024-25: Subject wise Weightage & Pattern
BDS Jobs and Salary
Dentists have diverse career options, including practising in private clinics, hospitals, community health centres, or specialising in various dental fields like orthodontics, oral surgery, or public health dentistry.
The BDS course salary ranges from INR 400,000 to INR 600,000 per annum. However, the salary can vary depending on the location, type of employer, and the candidate's experience and skills.
| Job Profile | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Dentist | INR 3.5 - 4.5 lacs |
| Researcher | INR 3 lacs |
| Lecturer | INR 5 lacs |
| Dental Officer at Indian Defense Services (Army, Navy, Air Force) | INR 9 lacs |
| Dentist in Indian Railways | INR 7.2 lacs |
| Territorial Army Officer | INR 10 lacs |
Scope After BDS Course
1. Private Practice
Starting a private dental clinic remains a popular choice. With the right location and investment, a private practice can be highly lucrative, especially in urban areas where demand for cosmetic dentistry and specialised dental services is increasing.
2. Higher Specialisation
Many BDS graduates opt for further specialisation in Orthodontics, Endodontics, or Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Specialisation usually involves 2-3 years of additional training but significantly enhances career prospects and earning potential.
3. Academic Roles
There is a growing scope for BDS graduates in academia, which involves teaching future dentists. This path often requires additional qualifications like a Master's degree or PhD in dental sciences, but it offers a stable career with opportunities for research and development.
4. Dental Research Analyst
BDS graduates can work as research analysts in pharmaceutical companies, dental product manufacturers, or independent research institutes. This role involves developing new dental products, conducting clinical trials, and innovating dental care.
5. Public Health Specialist
With a focus on improving dental health at the community or national level, BDS graduates can work with government bodies or international health organisations. This role may involve setting public health policies, conducting epidemiological studies, and implementing community dental health programs.
BDS vs MBBS: Which is Better?
While both are completely separate degrees and have their own scope of study and career, however, we have tried to make a comparative analysis on major POVs:
| POV | BDS | MBBS |
|---|---|---|
| Course Duration | 5 years (4 years of study + 1 year of internship) | 5.5 years (4.5 years of study + 1 year of internship) |
| Focus of Study | Dentistry, oral health, and related surgical procedures | General medicine, surgery, and related clinical practices |
| Course Content | Dental anatomy, orthodontics, periodontology, prosthodontics | Anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, internal medicine, surgery |
| Career Path | Dentist, oral surgeon, orthodontist, periodontist | General practitioner, surgeon, specialist (e.g., cardiologist) |
| Scope of Practice | Focuses on oral health, teeth, gums, and mouth-related issues | Broader scope covering entire body, diagnosis, and treatment of various medical conditions |
| Specialisations | Orthodontics, prosthodontics, periodontology, oral surgery | Internal medicine, surgery, paediatrics, gynaecology, etc. |
| Clinical Training | Focused on dental clinics and hospitals with dental departments | Comprehensive training in various departments of hospitals |
| Job Opportunities | Dental clinics, hospitals with dental departments, private practice | Hospitals, clinics, research institutions, academic positions |
| Income Potential | Generally lower compared to MBBS doctors, but varies by specialisation | Generally higher, especially for specialised roles and positions in private practice |
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