The Union Grant Commission (UGC) had released a notification recently stating that NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) would be compulsory to gain admission in all medical colleges across the country – both government-aided and private. This rule applies to all medical courses including MBBS, BDS, and MD/MS. This was done so as to help students obtain admission through a single test instead of writing separate tests in each state and other tests organised by private colleges.

Statement by NBE

On 21st September 2016, the NBE (National Board of Examinations) announced that they would be conducting NEET for Post-Graduate Dental course aspirants from November 30th to December 3rd this year. The test will take place across 41 cities and 86 examination centres. The examination for the Post-Graduate Diploma courses will be held from 5th-13th December this year.

It was mentioned in the statement that the examination would contain 300 multiple choice questions and would be a computer-based examination. The syllabus for the examination would be similar to the curriculum of MBBS followed by medical colleges in India. NEET would contain 240 multiple choice questions for MDS courses.

The examination process would also include an all-India 50% quota seats for MS, PG, and MD courses for all states except Telangana, Jammu & Kashmir, and Andhra Pradesh. A certain percentage of seats would also be reserved for candidates from all over the country including all Union Territories, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir.

As per the Dental Act, 1948, with effect from 2017 admission process, NEET-MDS would be the only criteria for admission to dental post graduate courses. Any other examination conducted by either state level or institution level authorities would be deemed invalid and shall not be considered in the examination process.

The online registration for the NEET-PG and NEET-MDS will begin on 26 September and end on 31October. The website will go live on 24September.

Institutions not covered by NEET

There are a few institutions not covered by NEET for the 2017 admission session. These are PGIMER in Chandigarh, AIIMS, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), SRICHITRA, and National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS).