Top Dental Colleges in India 2025
There are about 25+ top dental colleges in India, out of which there are 19 private and 8 government-run dental colleges, and one public-private model college. A whole range of institutions among the top 10 dental colleges in India include SIMTS, Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, Manipal College of Dental Science, King George’s Medical University, A.B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Science, and SRM Dental College, to name only a couple. To become a dentist, studying at the best dental colleges in India, one has to go through qualifying exams such as NEET, necessitating admission into UG or PG courses.
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Best Dental Colleges in India: Highlights 2025
Dental courses in India are academic as well as clinical programs focused on oral care, dental treatment, and disease prevention. The courses offer hands-on skills and theoretical knowledge in dental hygiene, aesthetic dentistry, oral health science(technology), and one for general dental mechanics. You could be searching for the best BDS colleges in India, or you might be exploring higher education; these courses are available and all types, starting from undergraduate to postgraduate to doctorate level.
Take a quick look at the main highlights of the top dental colleges in India. This short guide will help you better understand and compare the top BDS colleges in India, whether you’re interested in the best private dental colleges in India or planning for admission in the top 10 government dental colleges in India:
| Category | Details |
| Number of Institutions | More than 25 colleges offer MDS programs across India. |
| Fee Range (Per Year) |
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| Ownership Type |
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| Popular Entrance Exams | NEET MDS, NEET, and a few others are commonly accepted for admissions. |
| Leading Specialisations | Endodontics, Prosthodontics, Oral Medicine & Radiology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, etc. |
| Top-Ranked Colleges | King George’s Medical University, Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, SIMTS, and others |
Top Dental Colleges in India: NIRF Ranking 2025
Every year, the NIRF rankings are released based on detailed annual reports collected under a standard framework. Ranking of the top dental colleges in India is done on the basis of 5 parameters, which are graduation outcomes, teaching-learning environment, research and professional practices & overall perception of best BDS colleges in India.
Here is the revised list of the Top 10 Dental Colleges in India, according to NIRF 2025 Rankings:
| Dental College Name | Rank 2025 | Rank 2024 | Rank 2023 | Rank 2022 |
| All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi | 1 | NA | NA | NA |
| Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth | 4 | 5 | 3 | 3 |
| Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| A.B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences | 6 | 6 | 5 | 6 |
| King George’s Medical University | 7 | 4 | NA | 5 |
| SRM Dental College | 8 | 7 | 6 | 8 |
| Siksha `O` Anusandhan University | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 |
| JSS Dental College and Hospital | 10 | 12 | 11 | 12 |
Check Out: Top Medical Colleges in India Based on 2025 NIRF’s Ranking
Top Dental Colleges in India: Admissions 2025
If you’re planning to join one of the best dental colleges in India, it’s important to know that eligibility differs based on the level of the course. Here’s a breakdown of the qualification requirements for BDS, MDS, and Diploma programs offered by top BDS colleges in India, including both the best private dental colleges in India and the top 10 government dental colleges in India:
Eligibility Criteria for the Best BDS Colleges in India:
- Students must have passed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as core subjects from the Science stream
- General category candidates need at least 50% aggregate marks, while reserved category candidates should have 45%
- Age must be between 17 and 25 years
- Qualifying NEET is mandatory to secure a seat in the best BDS colleges in India
Eligibility Criteria for Best MDS Colleges in India:
- Must hold a BDS degree from a recognized dental college in India approved by the Dental Council of India
- Completion of a compulsory rotatory internship before MDS admission is required
- Applicants should score at least 55% aggregate across all BDS subjects
- Must clear the relevant MDS entrance examination
Eligibility Criteria for Diploma Dental Colleges in India:
- To apply for an undergraduate diploma in dentistry, students must pass Class 12 with at least 50% marks overall.
- Candidates must have studied Science subjects in Class 11 and 12 – Physics, Chemistry, Biology/ Biochemistry.
- In case of postgraduate diploma courses in dentistry, students should have either a BDS degree or an undergraduate dental diploma.
- Also, they must finish their rotatory internship before taking admission.
Top Dental Colleges in India: Exam Schedule 2025
Admission in the top BDS colleges in India is mainly done on the basis of two main entrance exams:
- NEET: It is a national-level cum entrance exam conducted by the NTA (National Testing Agency) for offering admission in MBBS & BDS courses. The offline test of this national-level examination is conducted once a year and lasts for a duration of three hours. For students who want to join the best dental colleges in India, this is mandatory.
- NEET MDS: Those who are looking forward to taking admission in postgraduate dental programs in top dental colleges in India must know that NEET MDS is the entrance test conducted by the National Board of Examinations (NBE). This exam is conducted to provide admission in MDS courses at Dental institutions in India.
Refer to the table provided below, which has the latest schedule of these exams to understand the admission into the best BDS colleges in India, for the top government dental colleges in India, and the best private dental colleges in India as well:
| Exam Name | Exam Dates |
| NEET 2026 | May, 2026 (tentative) |
| NEET MDS 2026 | Third week of January 2026 (tentative) |
Check Out: List of Medical Entrance Exams in India for 2026
Minimum NEET Score Required for BDS in 2025
The cut-off marks for NEET BDS 2025 are set yearly, and the score changes every year, dependent on factors like the difficulty of the exam, the total number of candidates appearing, etc. As per the NEET 2025 cutoff for the General category, the candidate must obtain a minimum of the 50th percentile. It is the 40th percentile for OBC, SC & ST, and 45th percentile for General-PH. Candidates looking forward to seeking admission in the best BDS colleges in India or the top dental colleges in India can go through category-wise cut-off scores as mentioned below.
BDS cutoff for NEET 2025
| Category | Cutoff Marks Range | Minimum Qualifying Percentile |
| SC (PwD) | 126 – 113 | 40th Percentile |
| General / EWS | 686 – 144 | 50th Percentile |
| ST | 143 – 113 | 40th Percentile |
| OBC (PwD) | 126 – 113 | 40th Percentile |
| ST (PwD) | 126 – 113 | 40th Percentile |
| OBC | 143 – 113 | 40th Percentile |
| SC | 143 – 113 | 40th Percentile |
| General / EWS – PwBD | 143 – 127 | 45th Percentile |
Category-wise BDS cutoff for NEET
NEET 2025 BDS Qualifying Cutoff will be released on the official website (idioms website) at the time (race against time phrase meaning) of the declaration of the result- neet.nta.nic.in. The cutoff for the best BDS colleges in India varies from year to year due to the number of seats and the level of difficulty of the NEET exam. For the General category, the cut-off for getting into the top dental colleges of India comes between 550–570. The SC Cutoff is generally from 380–420, whereas for ST candidates, it comes around 350–380.
| Category | NEET cutoff marks 2025 |
| ST Candidates | Around 350 to 380 marks |
| SC Candidates | Approximately 380 to 420 marks |
| OBC Category | Between 520 and 540 marks |
| General Category | Between 550–570 range |
Check Out: NEET Cutoff 2025 For SC, ST, OBC, EWS & General, Cut off Marks For MBBS/BDS
NEET 2025 BDS cutoff – Top 10 dental colleges
Below are last year’s BDS cutoffs opening & closing ranks, which can be referred to by candidates seeking admission in different dental colleges of India.
BDS cutoff for NEET Last Year
| Institute Name | Opening Rank (2025) | Closing Rank (2025) |
| Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi | 1160132 | 1160132 |
| AB Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Mangalore | 1,28,431 | 8,46,485 |
| Dr. D. Y. Patil Dental College & Hospital, Pune | 1,09,900 | 7,80,816 |
| SRM Dental College, Ramapuram | 1,56,122 | 8,83,250 |
| Saveetha Dental College, Chennai | 27,514 | 6,55,596 |
| Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal | 68,026 | 4,06,153 |
| Sri Ramachandra Dental College and Hospital, Chennai | 1,60,488 | 8,74,678 |
| Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, New Delhi | 9,786 | 10,590 |
| King George’s Medical University (Dental), Lucknow | 17,513 | 22,426 |
| Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore | 79,348 | – |
Top Dental Colleges Accepting NEET in India
More than 20+ dental colleges in India take (take with a grain of salt idiom synonym) admissions through NEET. Some of these colleges, along with their fee structures, are:
| Dental Institute Name | Total Tuition Cost |
| A.B. Shetty Memorial Dental College, Mangalore | Around ₹20 lakh |
| King George’s Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow | Nearly ₹2 lakh |
| SRM Dental College, Ramapuram, Chennai | Roughly ₹16 lakh |
| Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi | Close to ₹2 lakh |
| Manipal College of Dental Sciences | Approximately ₹17 lakh |
Check Out: What is a Good Score in NEET 2026?
NEET BDS 2025 Good Score
Many of you have been familiar with what should be a safe NEET score to get admission in BDS for the year 2025, so here is a simple breakdown on that:
For top government colleges, the required score will vary from college to college, category-wise cut off and quota-wise seat, but if you can score around 550 + marks, then you might get placed in top dental colleges in India.
- General category students can get admission in top BDS colleges of India, such as GDC Mumbai or MAIDS Delhi, with the marks of 600+.
- OBC candidates need to secure a minimum of 540 marks or above to be eligible reputed government./ private dental colleges.
- SC/ST candidates with a score from 470 to 510 can expect admission into good government/private dental colleges.
- Students who score below 450 marks may find it a bit difficult to get admission in a top government dental college, but still can consider getting admission in the best private dental colleges.
Top Government Dental Colleges in India: Tuition Fee and NIRF Ranking 2025
Here is the list of top government dental colleges in India that offer total tuition fees and NIRF 2025 rankings: List of top BDS colleges in India that provide excellent quality education with a fairly low fee structure are listed below.
| Institute Name | 2025 NIRF Position | Course Fee (BDS) |
| SRM Kattankulathur Dental College, Main Campus | Rank 39 | ₹15.60 lakh |
| King George’s Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow | Rank 7 | ₹1.90 lakh |
| Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi | Rank 15 | ₹50,000 |
| Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education & Research | Rank 36 | ₹30 lakh |
| Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), New Delhi | Rank 17 | ₹1.55 lakh |
Top Private Dental Colleges in India: Tuition Fee and NIRF Ranking 2025
India has numerous best private BDS colleges in India and these colleges offer high-quality education in the field of dentistry. The list of the best private dental colleges in India, with their fee structure and NIRF Ranking 2025, is as follows:
| Dental Institute Name | NIRF 2025 Rank | Total Course Fee (Approx.) |
| JSS Dental College and Hospital | 10 | ₹60,000 |
| Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal | 11 | ₹16.60 lakh |
| Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research | 13 | ₹24 lakh |
| Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore | 11 | ₹14.76 lakh |
| A.B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences | 6 | ₹20.28 lakh |
Check Out: Top Private Medical Colleges in Delhi/NCR 2026
State-wise Top Dental Colleges in India
Among the top dental colleges in India, the state of Karnataka has the highest number of dental institutions. Take a look at the table below for a detailed state-wise breakdown of the top 10 dental colleges in India:
| State | Number of BDS Colleges |
| Tamil Nadu | 9 |
| Maharashtra | 5 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 4 |
| Karnataka | 10 |
Top Dental Colleges in Maharashtra
Maharashtra is home to five of the best dental colleges in India. The table below lists the top dental colleges in Maharashtra, which also rank among the best BDS colleges in Maharashtra:
| Name of the Dental Institute | Approximate Total Fee |
| Government Dental College and Hospital, Mumbai | ₹3.02 lakh |
| Nair Hospital Dental College, Mumbai | ₹4.58 lakh |
| Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education & Research, Wardha | ₹30 lakh |
| Government Dental College & Hospital, Nagpur | ₹4.56 lakh |
Top Dental Colleges in Karnataka
You can also check out the top dental colleges in Karnataka in the table below, including their tuition fees:
| Institute Name | Estimated Total Fee |
| M.S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences | ₹38.07 lakh |
| Manipal College of Dental Sciences (Mangalore Campus) | ₹14.76 lakh |
| A.B. Shetty Memorial Dental Institute, Mangalore | ₹20.28 lakh |
| JSS Dental College & Hospital, Mysuru | ₹60,000 |
| Manipal College of Dental Sciences (Main Campus) | ₹16.60 lakh |
Top Dental Colleges in Uttar Pradesh
Find the tuition fees of the top dental colleges in Uttar Pradesh in the following table:
| Dental College Name | Total Tuition Fee |
| Dr. Ziauddin Ahmad Dental College, Aligarh | ₹16 lakh |
| Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS-BHU), Varanasi | ₹1.67 lakh |
| I.T.S Dental College, Ghaziabad | ₹15.36 lakh |
| King George’s Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow | ₹1.69 lakh |
Top Dental Colleges in Tamil Nadu
Refer to the list below to explore the top dental colleges in Tamil Nadu and their fee details:
| Name of the Institution | Approx. Tuition Fee |
| Adhiparasakthi Dental College & Hospital | ₹5.20 lakh |
| Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education & Research | ₹24 lakh |
| SRM Kattankulathur Dental College & Hospital (Main University Campus) | ₹15.60 lakh |
| SRM Dental College, Chennai | ₹15.60 lakh |
Top BDS Colleges in India Placements
Both private and government dental colleges in India provide placement opportunities to students enrolled in BDS programmes. Hence, it is important for students to review the placement records of the top BDS colleges in India, which include data on average packages, job roles offered, and past hiring trends. Generally, BDS graduates receive an average salary package of around INR 6 to 7 LPA.
Top Dental Colleges in India: Fees Vs Salary
Return on Investment (ROI) refers to the value a student receives in terms of job offers after spending a significant amount on a degree. So to give you a better picture, we have listed below the top 5 BDS colleges in India along with their total fees and average annual salary packages offered to graduates:
| Institution Name | Average Salary Package (Per Year) | Approx. Total Course Fee |
| Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) | ₹13 LPA | ₹1.55 lakh |
| SRM Dental College | ₹3 LPA | ₹15.60 lakh |
| King George’s Medical University (KGMU) | ₹8.5 LPA | ₹1.90 lakh |
| Banaras Hindu University (BHU) | ₹8 LPA | ₹50,000 |
| Post Graduate Institute of Dental Sciences | ₹8.5 LPA | ₹1.86 lakh |
Top Recruiters for Best Dental Colleges in India
The table illustrates the top dental colleges in India and their major recruiters, placement category with total placements:
| Institute Name | Leading Recruiters | Student Placement Rating (Out of 5) |
| Saveetha Institute of Medical & Technical Sciences | TCS, Capgemini, Accenture, Cognizant, BOSCH | 4.0 |
| King George’s Medical University (KGMU) | Sir Ganga Ram, Medanta, Apollo Hospitals, Fortis, Max Healthcare, Sahara Hospital | 4.5 |
Low-Cost Top Dental Colleges in India
The top Dental colleges in India are expensive to study at, as most of the institutions take a complete course fee of more than ₹5 Lakh. However, there are a few best dental colleges in India that offer excellent education at a much lower cost less than INR 1 lakh in total. We’ve listed these colleges below for your convenience:
| NIRF 2025 Rank | Dental College Name | Estimated Tuition Fee |
| 15 | Banaras Hindu University (BHU) | ₹50,000 |
| 37 | Govt. Dental College & Hospital, Ahmedabad | ₹60,000 |
| 10 | JSS Dental College & Hospital, Mysuru | ₹60,000 |
Specializations Offered by Top Dental Colleges in India
In India, the BDS degree is available in various fields of specialization. The table below highlights some of the most popular specializations provided by the top dental colleges in India:
| MDS Specialization | Colleges Offering the Program |
| Endodontics | 1 College – Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education & Research |
| Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery | 4 Colleges – Yenepoya Dental College (Mangalore), KLE VK Institute (Belagavi), Govt. Dental College (Ahmedabad) |
| Prosthodontics | 1 College – Chettinad Dental College & Research Institute |
FAQs on Top Dental BDS colleges in India 2025
Q: Which college is considered the best for BDS in India?
Some of the top BDS colleges in India, such as Manipal College of Dental Sciences, JSS Dental College and Hospital, DY Patil Dental College, and King George’s Medical University etc. These are one of the top dental colleges in India and have a great preference due to their education quality and placements as well.
Q: Who is eligible to apply to the best BDS colleges in India?
Candidates who have passed their class 12th with science as the subject scored at least the qualifying marks, along with a valid score in NEET UG, are eligible to apply for admission to top dental colleges in India.
Q: Are there any private dental colleges in India that are top-ranked and charge low fees?
Yes, several best private dental colleges in India charge nominal fees. It includes SDM College of Dental Sciences and Hospital, Dharwad, Christian Dental College, Ludhiana, Bapuji Dental College and Hospital, Davanagere, and A.B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences. These are the top BDS colleges in India and offer quality education along with good ROI.
Q: How many top-ranked dental colleges are there in India?
According to the NIRF 2025 Rankings, top dental colleges of India include All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) – Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, and King George’s Medical University. These are all ranked under one of the best dental colleges in India and in the list of top 10 dental colleges in India.
Q: How much is the fee for studying in top government BDS colleges in India?
The fee for BDS in government dental colleges in India is on average between ₹4,000 to ₹3 lakhs or more, depending on the state and college. These fee structures make government institute cheaper as compared to top private dental colleges in India.
Q: Which is the best Dental college in India as per ranking?
According to the NIRF Rankings, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences in Chennai is known as the top dental college in India. It consistently ranks as one of the best dental colleges in India and provides higher education in dentistry.
Q: What is the starting salary of a BDS graduate in India?
After completing BDS, a fresher in India can earn a salary ranging from ₹2.5 LPA to ₹6 LPA. The salary depends on the type of job and city. In private clinics, the monthly income may range between ₹15,000 and ₹30,000 for entry-level roles. Many graduates from the top BDS colleges in India secure better packages due to strong academic and clinical training.
Q: Is NEET required to take admission in Dental courses in India?
No, you cannot get admission without NEET for BDS. The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is compulsory for getting into both government and private dental colleges in India.
Q: Can I get admission in BDS with 540 marks in NEET?
Yes, certainly 540 in NEET is a good chance of getting admission into top dental colleges of India, especially under the OBC or reserved category. For the General category, it might just (just in case definition) fetch you a seat in some of the BDS colleges in India, though marginally higher marks are required for most of them, to get among the highly ranked colleges like MAIDS.
