Karnataka NEET MDS Counselling 2026 is the state-level admission process for candidates seeking admission to Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) courses in government, private, and deemed dental colleges across Karnataka.

Karnataka is considered one of the best states in India for MDS admissions because:

✅ Large number of private dental colleges
✅ High seat availability
✅ Open management/NRI seats
✅ Good clinical exposure
✅ Easier chances compared to many states

Counselling is conducted through:

• MCC (Medical Counselling Committee)—for All India Quota (50%)
• KEA (Karnataka Examinations Authority)—for state quota & Private/Management seats

Admissions are strictly based on NEET MDS 2026 rank and merit.

📌Karnataka NEET MDS Counselling 2026: Key Highlights

Why Choose Karnataka for MDS? (Very Important)

Karnataka is the top choice for MDS aspirants because:

✔ 15+ Dental Colleges
✔ 700+ MDS seats approx
✔ Management seats available for all India students
✔ Lower cut-off compared to AIQ colleges
✔ Good infrastructure & patient flow
✔ Multiple specializations available

👉 Even students with average NEET rank can secure seats here.

Karnataka NEET MDS Counselling 2026:Important Dates (Tentative 2026)

✅ Karnataka NEET MDS Counselling 2026 – Tentative Schedule (Updated)

(Based on NEET MDS Exam: 2 May 2026)

📌 Karnataka Notes

✔ Register on both MCC + KEA
✔ Karnataka has maximum private/management seats, so rounds extend till July
✔ Mop-Up round very important for low rank students

⚠️ Exact dates will be updated on KEA/MCC portals.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must:

✔ Qualify NEET MDS 2026
✔ Hold BDS degree from a recognized institute
✔ Complete 12-month internship
✔ Have DCI/State Dental Council registration
✔ Domicile required only for Karnataka state quota (not for management seats)

Types of Seats in Karnataka

🔹 All India Quota (50%)

• Conducted by MCC
• Open for all India candidates
• Govt colleges mainly

🔹 State Quota Seats

• Only Karnataka-domiciled students
• Conducted by KEA

🔹 Private/Management Seats

• Open for all states
• Slightly higher fees
• Easier admission

🔹 NRI Seats

• For NRI/OCI candidates
• Premium fee structure

Step-by-Step Counselling Process

Step 1—Online Registration

Register on:

• MCC portal (AIQ)
• KEA portal (State/Private seats)

Step 2 – Fee Payment

Pay registration + security deposit.

Step 3 – Document Verification

Upload/verify documents as per KEA instructions.

Step 4 – Merit List Release

KEA publishes a merit list based on NEET rank.

Step 5 – Choice Filling

Select:

• Colleges
• Specializations
• Seat type

Lock choices before the deadline.

Step 6 – Seat Allotment

Seat allotted based on:

• Rank
• Category
• Preference
• Seat availability

Step 7 – Reporting to College

Report physically and complete admission.

Documents Required

Candidates must carry:

✅ NEET MDS Scorecard
✅ Admit Card
✅ BDS Degree
✅ All mark sheets
✅ Internship certificate
✅ Dental Council Registration
✅ Aadhar/ID Proof
✅ Passport photos
✅ Caste/Category certificate
✅ Domicile certificate (if applicable)

Top MDS Colleges in Karnataka

Some of the best colleges include

1. Government Dental College & Research Institute – Bangalore
2. ESIC Dental College – Kalaburagi
3. Rajarajeswari Dental College – Bangalore
4. Dayananda Sagar Dental College
5. KLE Dental College – Belagavi
6. Vydehi Dental College
7. AECS Maaruti Dental College

Karnataka has maximum private options, so students get more flexibility.

Expected Fees (Approx.)

(Exact fees vary by college.)

Expert Tips for Students

✔ Apply for both MCC and KEA
✔ Fill maximum choices
✔ Keep management option as backup
✔ Participate in all rounds
✔ Track deadlines daily
✔ Keep documents ready

🦷 NEET MDS Karnataka / All India Quota – College Closing Ranks 2025

KLE Vishwanath Katti Institute of Dental Sciences, Belagavi – NEET MDS 2025

(General / AI Quota closing ranks in counselling)

👉 The overall closing rank range at this college in 2025 for general candidates was approximately ~1,931–15,965 across all specializations.

📌 Interpretation:

• Competitive clinical specializations like OMFS and Conservative close much earlier (lower ranks).
• Less sought after branches like Public Health Dentistry and Pathology allow much higher closing positions.

📊 How to Read These MDS Cutoffs

✔ Lower AIR = better rank / tougher competition
✔ Higher AIR = weaker competition / usually later rounds
✔ These ranks are for All India Quota counselling, which is generally what most students use as a benchmark.

🧠 Expected NEET MDS 2026 Trends (Based on 2025 Patterns)

While official 2026 cutoff data isn’t published yet (counselling is ongoing), you can reasonably expect:

2026 Expected Closing Ranks (General Category – AI Quota)

• Competitive clinical seats (OMFS, Conservative, Orthodontics): ~< ~5,000–8,000 AIR
• Moderate demand branches (Paediatrics, Prosthodontics): ~~6,000–12,000 AIR
• Lower demand / para-clinical branches: ~10,000–18,000+ AIR
• Management / less competitive seats: Higher than ~20,000 AIR

⚠️ Actual cutoff will vary after each counselling round, and state quota procedures (like KEA) may influence final seat allotments differently than AIQ.

📌 How to Use These Figures in Your Article

You can include sections like:

Actual 2025 Cutoff Example — Real Data

“At KLE Vishwanath Katti Institute (Belagavi), competitive branches like OMFS saw closing AIR around ~1931–2131 in 2025, while other branches extended into the ~10,000+ range.”

What 2026 Might Look Like

“If trends continue, top MDS specializations in 2026 might close under ~5,000–8,000 AIR for general category, with other programs extending beyond ~10,000–15,000.” (educated estimate based on 2025 pattern)

Difference Between Qualifying Score vs. Counselling Cutoff

“MDS qualifying cutoff (minimum marks to enter counselling) was considerably lowered in 2025 (~197 marks for General) but securing a seat still depended on competitive ranks.”

🧾 Important Note for Your Readers

Karnataka state counselling (KEA) may show slightly different closing ranks due to state quota, domicile, and category preferences.

Qualifying cutoff (to sit in counselling) is different from college closing cutoffs (seat allotment ranks).

Frequently Asked Questions (Karnataka NEET MDS Counselling 2026)

(Based on most searched and common student queries from previous years)

Q1. Who conducts Karnataka NEET MDS Counselling 2026?

Karnataka MDS counselling is conducted by:

• MCC for 50% All India Quota seats
• KEA (Karnataka Examinations Authority) for state quota, private, and management seats

Q2. Can non-Karnataka students apply for Karnataka MDS seats?

Yes.
Non-Karnataka candidates can apply for:

• Private seats
• Management seats
• NRI seats

But state quota seats are only for Karnataka domicile students.

Q3. Is Karnataka domicile compulsory for MDS admission?

No.
Domicile is required only for state quota seats.
For private/management seats, students from any state can apply.

Q4. What is the minimum NEET MDS rank required for Karnataka colleges?

There is no fixed rank. It depends on:

• Seat type (Govt/Private/Management)
• College preference
• Category
• Competition level

👉 Generally:

• Govt. seats → High rank needed
• Private seats → Medium rank
• Management seats: Even average/low rank can get a seat.

Q5. How many rounds are conducted in Karnataka counselling?

Usually 4 rounds:

1. Round 1
2. Round 2
3. Mop-Up Round
4. Stray Vacancy Round

Students should participate in all rounds for better chances.

Q6. Do I need to register separately for MCC and KEA?

Yes.
Both processes are separate.

• AIQ → Register on MCC
• Karnataka/Private → Register on KEA

👉 Many students miss seats because they register only on one portal.

Q7. Can I change my college after the Round 1 allotment?

Yes.
If you participate in Round 2 or Mop-Up, you can:

• Upgrade seat
• Change college
• Change specialization

But you must follow KEA rules carefully.

Q8. What happens if I don’t report after seat allotment?

If you don’t report:

• Your seat may be cancelled
• Security deposit may be forfeited
• You might be restricted in next rounds

👉 Always report on time.

Q9. Is internship completion compulsory before counselling?

Yes.
You must complete a 1-year compulsory internship before the prescribed date; otherwise, admission will be rejected.

Q10. Are management seats available in Karnataka?

Yes.
Karnataka has the maximum number of management seats in India, which makes it one of the best states for MDS admission.

These seats:

• Have higher fees
• Lower cut-off
• Easier admission chances

Q11. What documents are required during reporting?

You need:

• NEET scorecard
• BDS certificates
• Internship certificate
• Dental council registration
• ID proof
• Photos
• Category/Domicile certificate (if applicable)

Original documents are mandatory.

Q12. What is the fee structure for Karnataka MDS colleges?

Approximate annual fees:

• Govt → ₹1–3 Lakhs
• Private → ₹4–8 Lakhs
• Management → ₹8–15 Lakhs
• NRI → ₹15–30 Lakhs

Fees vary by college and specialization.

Q13. Can I participate in counseling with a low NEET score?

Yes.
Because Karnataka has many private & management seats, even low-rank candidates get admission opportunities.

Q14. When does Karnataka MDS counselling usually start?

Counselling usually starts 1–2 months after the NEET MDS result, mostly around March–April.

Q15. Why is Karnataka considered best for MDS admission?

Because:
✔ More colleges
✔ More seats
✔ Easier management quota
✔ Flexible options
✔ Good clinical exposure

That’s why most students prefer Karnataka.

https://www.bharatadmission.org/up-neet-mds-counselling-2026/