If you are planning to pursue a Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) in Maharashtra in 2026, this complete guide covers counselling authority, eligibility criteria, important dates, seat matrix, expected cutoff trends, and top dental colleges.
Maharashtra is one of the top states for dental PG admission due to reputed government institutions and a large number of private MDS seats.
Admission is strictly based on the NEET MDS 2026 score.
Overview of Maharashtra MDS Admission 2026
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Course Name | Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) |
| Admission Basis | NEET MDS 2026 |
| Exam Authority | National Board of Examinations (NBE) |
| State Counselling Authority | State CET Cell, Maharashtra |
| Mode of Counselling | Online |
| Academic Session | 2026–27 |
| Course Duration | 3 Years |
| Official Website | cetcell.mahacet.org (Expected) |
NEET MDS 2026 Important Dates (Expected)
Since NEET MDS 2026 is expected on 2 May 2026, Maharashtra counselling is likely to follow:
| Event | Expected Date |
|---|---|
| NEET MDS 2026 Exam | 2 May 2026 |
| Result Declaration | May 2026 |
| Maharashtra Registration Start | June 2026 |
| Document Verification | June 2026 |
| Round 1 Counselling | June/July 2026 |
| Round 2 Counselling | July 2026 |
| Mop-Up Round | August 2026 |
| Stray Vacancy Round | September 2026 |
Dates are tentative and subject to official notification.
Eligibility Criteria for Maharashtra MDS Admission 2026
Candidates must:
- Qualify for NEET MDS 2026.
- Hold a BDS degree from a DCI-recognized institution.
- Complete a 1-year compulsory rotatory internship.
- Have valid Dental Council registration.
- Maharashtra domicile is required for state quota seats.
- Non-domicile candidates are eligible under the management/NRI quota in private colleges.
Maharashtra MDS Counselling Process 2026
Counseling is conducted by the State CET Cell, Maharashtra.
Step-by-Step Process
1️⃣ Online Registration on CET Cell portal
2️⃣ Payment of Counselling Fee
3️⃣ Document Verification
4️⃣ State Merit List Publication
5️⃣ Choice Filling & Locking
6️⃣ Seat Allotment
7️⃣ Reporting to Allotted College
Maharashtra MDS Seat Matrix 2026 (Expected)
- 50% AIQ Seats – Filled through MCC.
- 50% State Quota Seats – Filled by State CET Cell.
- Government Dental Colleges – Limited but highly competitive.
- Private Dental Colleges – Large seat availability.
- Management & NRI quota seats available.
Maharashtra offers a good mix of government and private MDS institutions.
Expected Cutoff for Maharashtra MDS Admission 2026
NEET MDS Qualifying Percentile
| Category | Percentile |
|---|---|
| General | 50th Percentile |
| SC/ST/OBC | 40th Percentile |
| PwD (General) | 45th Percentile |
Expected Cutoff Trend (Indicative)
- Government Colleges (Mumbai, Pune): Very high cutoff.
- Clinical Branches (Oral Surgery, Orthodontics, Conservative Dentistry): Highly competitive.
- Non-clinical branches: Moderate cutoff.
- Private Colleges: Lower cutoff compared to government institutions.
Cutoff varies every year depending on exam difficulty and competition.
Top MDS Colleges in Maharashtra
🏥 Government Dental College & Hospital, Mumbai
🏥 Nair Hospital Dental College, Mumbai
🏥 Bharati Vidyapeeth Dental College, Pune
🏥 Dr. D.Y. Patil Dental College, Pune
🏥 MGV’s KBH Dental College, Nashik
Maharashtra has several reputed dental colleges with strong clinical exposure.
Documents Required for Maharashtra MDS Counselling
- NEET MDS 2026 Scorecard
- Admit Card
- BDS Mark Sheets
- Internship Completion Certificate
- Dental Council Registration
- Domicile Certificate
- Category Certificate (if applicable)
- ID Proof
- Passport-size Photographs
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Who conducts Maharashtra MDS Counselling 2026?
State CET Cell, Maharashtra.
Q2. Is domicile mandatory?
Yes, for state quota seats.
Q3. What is the NEET MDS 2026 exam date?
Expected on 2 May 2026.
Q4. Are management quota seats available?
Yes, in private dental colleges.
Q5. Is Maharashtra good for MDS admission?
Yes, due to reputed colleges and high patient flow.
Final Words
Maharashtra MDS Admission 2026 provides excellent opportunities in both government and private dental colleges. Clinical branches are competitive, especially in Mumbai and Pune, so candidates must plan a counselling strategy carefully.
Stay updated with CET Cell notifications and complete registration within deadlines.

