In a new statement sent to university registrars and principals and deans of dental colleges across the country, the National Dental Commission (NDC) has directed the institutions not to allow any previous year (PG) student with less than 80% marks to sit for university examinations. It has also made it clear that colleges will be held accountable if they fail to comply with the law.The letter, which was issued on June 30, 2026, is not a new law. Rather, it is a reminder that attendance requirements are already in place under Regulation 18(a)(i) of the Dental Council of India (DCI) Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) Course Regulations, 2017.
The committee reminds the colleges of the existing conditions
The latest notification refers to an earlier communication issued on January 19, 2026, where institutions were instructed to ensure that all undergraduate students have at least 80 percent biometric attendance.Citing the law, the commission has reminded colleges that the requirement for these courses is mandatory before students can be considered eligible to take the university entrance exam.It also ordered the institutions to ensure that no undergraduate student is allowed to appear for University or PG examinations if the biometric attendance is below 80 percent.The organization has also warned that the concerned organization will be held liable for violating the rules issued by the National Dental Commission.
The law follows complaints from three countries
The latest reminder is based on complaints received earlier this year from postgraduate dental colleges in Rajasthan, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.The complaints were investigated by the Dental Council of India’s Grievance Sub-Committee, which found instances where the graduates allegedly did not meet the requirements for attendance.After reviewing the matter, the committee recommended strict implementation of Regulation 18(a)(i) of the DCI MDS Course Regulations, 2017, making biometric attendance a prerequisite before students can be admitted to the MDS examination.Those thoughts led to the circular of January 19. The communication of June 30 now reinforces the same instructions with an additional warning on the role of the organization.If an undergraduate student with a grade below 80 percent is allowed to sit for the exam, the school may be held liable for failure to comply with the institution’s mandate.Read the official notification Here.