NEET MDS: Ministry Revises Qualifying Percentile for Dental Surgery Postgraduates

Significant Cut-off Reduction for NEET MDS 2024

INDIA: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has announced a substantial revision of the qualifying percentile for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Masters of Dental Surgery (NEET MDS) 2024. The qualifying marks for the exam, which serves as the gateway to advanced dental programs across India, have been lowered by 21.692 percent across all categories.

The revision, effective immediately, brings down the qualifying percentile for General category (UR/EWS) candidates to 28.308. For SC/ST/OBC candidates, including those with disabilities, the revised cut-off stands at 18.308, while the threshold for UR-PWD candidates is now 23.308.

Notification from the Ministry

The Ministry has issued an official statement explaining the rationale behind the decision. “The Ministry has decided to lower the qualifying cut-off percentile for NEET-MDS, 2024 by 21.692 for each category (General, SC/ST/OBC and UR-PWD) in pursuance of DCI’s MDS Regulations, 2017 and 2nd provision in clause 7(1) of DCI’s Master of Dental Surgery course (1st Amendment) Regulations, 2018,” read the notification.

The decision is in line with recommendations from the Dental Council of India (DCI), as outlined in the regulatory framework governing the MDS program.

Impact on Candidates and Institutions

The NEET MDS exam was held on March 18, 2024, with results being declared on April 3, 2024. With the revised cut-off, many more candidates are expected to qualify for Masters of Dental Surgery programs, potentially filling seats that might have otherwise gone vacant. This development is being welcomed by both medical professionals and education experts.

“This decision will help in filling vacant seats and allowing more deserving candidates to pursue their dreams,” experts noted. By broadening the eligibility pool, the revision is expected to give opportunities to a larger segment of students who may have narrowly missed the previous threshold.

NEET MDS: A Crucial Step for Dental Postgraduates

The NEET MDS serves as a vital examination for dental professionals seeking to advance their careers through specialized postgraduate education. Established under the Dentists Act of 1948, the exam is the sole entry point for candidates seeking admission to MDS programs in institutions across India. There are no alternative exams at the state or institutional levels that can be used for MDS admissions.

Qualifying NEET MDS is mandatory for aspiring dental surgeons who wish to enroll in advanced training and education programs offered by universities and institutions nationwide.

The revised cut-off marks aim to align the supply of postgraduate dental surgeons with the demand within India’s healthcare sector, addressing both the shortage of specialists and vacant seats in dental schools.