NEET MDS 2026 Exam Date Out: NBEMS Announces Tentative Schedule and Internship Cut-off

The long wait for dental post-graduation aspirants across India is finally over. The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has officially released the tentative schedule for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Masters of Dental Surgery (NEET MDS) 2026. This announcement brings much-needed clarity for thousands of candidates who can now plan their preparation strategy accordingly.

Here is a detailed breakdown of the exam date, eligibility criteria, and what candidates need to know next.

NBEMS Releases Official Tentative Schedule

In a recent public notice, NBEMS has announced the tentative dates for upcoming major medical entrance examinations. According to the official notification, the NEET MDS 2026 exam is tentatively scheduled to be held on Saturday, May 2, 2026.

This announcement serves as the first official confirmation regarding the timeline for the 2026 academic session’s dental postgraduate entrance test. Along with NEET MDS, the board also announced the tentative date for the NEET PG 2026 examination, which is scheduled for late August.

Key Dates at a Glance

Candidates should mark these important tentative dates in their calendars. While the registration schedule has not been released yet, knowing the exam and eligibility cutoff dates is crucial for planning.

Event	Tentative Date
NEET MDS 2026 Exam Date	May 2, 2026 (Saturday)
Internship Completion Cut-off Date	May 31, 2026
Release of Information Bulletin & Registration	To be announced soon

Note: These dates are tentative and subject to change based on final official notifications from NBEMS.

Crucial Eligibility Update: Internship Cut-off Date

Alongside the exam date, NBEMS has also specified a very important eligibility criterion related to the mandatory rotary internship. To be eligible to appear for NEET MDS 2026, candidates must complete their 12-month compulsory rotating internship on or before May 31, 2026.

This cutoff date is critical. Candidates who will not be able to complete their internship by this specified date will not be eligible to sit for the examination. Dental graduates are advised to check their internship schedules carefully against this deadline.

Read more: CMAT 2026 Admit Card Out

Why This Announcement Matters

NEET MDS is the single eligibility-cum-ranking examination for admission to various postgraduate dental courses (MDS) in the country. It is conducted annually for admissions into government, private, and deemed universities across India.

The early announcement of the exam date is significant as it gives aspirants roughly 15-16 months to prepare for this highly competitive computer-based test (CBT). Having a clear target date helps in creating a structured study plan, managing internship duties, and scheduling revision effectively.

What Should Aspirants Do Next?

With the exam date now public, here are the immediate steps aspiring dental postgraduates should take:

1. Verify Eligibility: Double-check your internship completion date to ensure it falls on or before May 31, 2026.
2. Plan Preparation: Start formulating a long-term study plan covering all subjects from the BDS curriculum.
3. Watch for Official Updates: Keep a close eye on the official NBEMS websites (natboard.edu.in and nbe.edu.in) for the release of the detailed Information Bulletin. This document will contain final dates for online registration, application fees, the exact exam pattern, and syllabus.

The board has stated that the detailed information bulletin will be published in due course. Until then, candidates should focus on their studies based on the existing syllabus.

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