Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal: Admission 2026, Courses, Fees, Ranking & Manipal Campus Life

About Manipal College of Dental Sciences - [MCODS] Manipal

Manipal College of Dental Sciences (MCODS), Manipal, established in 1965, is a premier dental institution located in Manipal, Karnataka. It is a private, constituent college under the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), a deemed-to-be-university. MCODS Manipal is recognized as the first self-financing private dental college in India and operates under the aegis of MAHE.

The college is accredited by NAAC with an A+ grade and ranked 5th in the Dental category in NIRF India Rankings 2025 with a score of 70.58. It offers BDS, MDS and certificate programmes in dental sciences, supported by a strong faculty and modern clinical facilities. MCODS Manipal is approved by the Dental Council of India and affiliated to MAHE, which is recognized by the UGC.

Key Highlights

Admission Dates 2026

Admissions to Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal for 2026 are based on NEET UG for BDS and NEET PG for MDS, followed by Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) counselling for All India Quota and state quota seats. For certificate and PG diploma courses, admissions are conducted directly by the college based on merit and availability.

Admission Process

Manipal College of Dental Sciences (MCODS) Manipal admits students to its BDS and MDS programmes through NEET UG and NEET MDS scores with central/state counselling (MCC/DGHS/KEA), while certificate and other short-term dental courses run on merit of the qualifying exam. Applications are submitted online through the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) admission portal.

BDS Admission

Steps to Apply

1. Register for NEET UG on the NTA portal and appear for the exam.
2. Check NEET UG result and ensure you meet BDS eligibility (10+2 PCB with 50% and NEET qualification).
3. Register for MCC/DGHS BDS counselling and fill choices, selecting “Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal (BDS)” as a top preference.
4. Simultaneously register on MAHE/MCODS Manipal admission portal, fill BDS application form and pay the online application fee (₹600).
5. Lock choices in counselling, download allotment letter if MCODS Manipal is allotted.
6. Report to MCODS Manipal with originals for document verification and medical fitness check.
7. Pay the first-year BDS tuition and other fees at MCODS Manipal to confirm admission.

MDS Admission

Steps to Apply

1. Complete BDS from a DCI-recognised college and obtain or renew Dental Council registration.
2. Register for NEET MDS and appear for the exam.
3. Check NEET MDS result and ensure you meet MCODS Manipal MDS eligibility and cutoff.
4. Register for NEET PG/MDS counselling (MCC/DGHS or KEA, as notified) and select MCODS Manipal with preferred specialisation.
5. Fill the MAHE/MCODS Manipal online MDS application form and pay the application fee (₹600).
6. Participate in seat allotment, download the allotment letter when MCODS Manipal is allotted.
7. Report to MCODS Manipal with required documents, complete bond/undertakings if any, and pay first-year MDS fees to confirm the seat.

Certificate / PG Certificate / PG Diploma Admission (Dental)

Steps to Apply

1. Check specific eligibility for the desired dental certificate / PG certificate / PG diploma course on the MAHE–MCODS Manipal page.
2. Ensure you hold the required qualification (usually BDS or other specified degree).
3. Register on the MAHE admission portal and select the specific certificate / PG certificate / PG diploma programme under MCODS Manipal.
4. Fill the online form, upload academic documents and pay the application fee (₹600).
5. Wait for merit-based shortlisting based on qualifying exam scores.
6. Download admission intimation and report to MCODS Manipal with originals.
7. Pay the course fees and complete enrolment formalities.

Eligibility Criteria & Fees

Documents Required

• Class 10 mark sheet and certificate
• Class 12 mark sheet and certificate (for BDS)
• BDS degree certificate and final-year mark sheets (for MDS / PG Diploma / PG Certificate / Certificate, wherever applicable)
• NEET UG scorecard and rank letter (for BDS)
• NEET MDS / NEET PG scorecard and rank letter (for MDS / PG Diploma where applicable)
• Internship completion certificate (for MDS / PG Diploma as applicable)
• Permanent/Provisional Dental Council registration certificate (for MDS / PG Diploma / PG Certificate)
• Transfer certificate from last attended institution
• Migration certificate (for students from boards/universities outside Karnataka or MAHE)
• Photo ID proof (Aadhaar/Passport/PAN/Driving Licence)
• Recent passport-size photographs
• Caste/Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS) if applicable and claimed in counselling
• Disability certificate from a designated centre (for PwD quota, if applicable)
• NRI/Foreign passport, visa and sponsorship documents (for NRI/Foreign seats, if applicable)

Cutoff 2025

For MCODS Manipal, BDS seats through the All India (Deemed) quota in NEET UG 2025 closed for General category candidates at an All India Rank around the mid‑50,000s, indicating a more competitive cut‑off compared with some previous years. For NEET MDS 2025 at MCODS Manipal, last‑round All India closing ranks for General category ranged roughly from the low 2,000s to around 16,000 across specialisations, with Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Conservative Dentistry among the most competitive.

Placements 2025

Manipal College of Dental Sciences (MCODS) Manipal reports strong outcomes in recent NIRF-backed cycles, with 100% placement for MDS graduates and good absorption for BDS, largely into hospitals, corporate dental chains and private practice setups. Median salaries for recent batches are in the ₹3.75–4.5 LPA range for BDS and around ₹4.5 LPA for MDS, with most students also completing a paid compulsory internship.

Placement Statistics

Top Recruiters

Core: Manipal Hospitals network, Apollo Hospitals, Clove Dental, private dental clinics and labs (based on MAHE and MCODS hospital affiliations and typical recruiting pattern for recent batches)

Branch-wise Placement

Scholarships & Financial Aid

Manipal College of Dental Sciences (MCODS) Manipal students receive institute-level scholarships through MAHE for BDS and MDS, along with access to central and state government schemes routed via the National Scholarship Portal and Karnataka State Scholarship Portal. Most institute scholarships are merit- and NEET-rank-based, with substantial tuition-fee waivers.

Institute Scholarships

Government Scholarships

External Scholarships

• NSDL Vidya Lakshmi-linked Education Loan Interest Subsidy: Interest subsidy on education loans for eligible MCODS Manipal students from participating banks, routed through the Vidya Lakshmi portal based on scheme-wise income and category norms.

Campus & Infrastructure

Manipal College of Dental Sciences (MCODS), Manipal is located in the health sciences campus of Manipal Academy of Higher Education at Madhav Nagar, Eshwar Nagar, Manipal, Karnataka, integrated with Kasturba Hospital and the central Manipal Health Sciences Library. The campus offers modern dental clinics, laboratories, smart classrooms and large shared sports and recreational zones within the MAHE township.

Campus Details

Academic Facilities

• Library: Access to Manipal Health Sciences Library, one of the largest health sciences libraries in Asia, with extensive print books and online journals (exact counts not published)
• Labs: Phantom Head Lab for simulation-based preclinical training
• Classrooms: Smart classrooms with centralized AC, Wi‑Fi and biometric attendance

Hostel

Other Facilities

• Auditorium beside the main building with 1,500-seat capacity
• Swimming pool within MAHE campus access for students
• Sports arena with running tracks, badminton and table tennis courts, and multiple outdoor playgrounds
• Campus-wide Wi‑Fi for hostels and academic blocks

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NEET UG score needed to get a BDS seat at MCODS Manipal?

For BDS at MCODS Manipal, students generally target 450+ in NEET UG for a realistic chance through counselling under the general category. All BDS seats, including NRI, are allotted strictly on NEET merit through counselling, not by direct admission.

What are the basic eligibility criteria for BDS at MCODS Manipal?

For BDS, you must pass Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology and English individually, with at least 50% aggregate in PCB, and qualify NEET UG. Seats are then allotted through the central/state counselling process based on NEET rank.

How is admission done for MDS at MCODS Manipal?

MDS admission requires a BDS degree from a DCI-recognised college and a valid NEET MDS score. After qualifying NEET MDS, you must register on the MCC/competent authority portal, fill in MCODS Manipal as a preference, and participate in online counselling and seat allotment.

Is it possible to get BDS at MCODS Manipal without NEET or via direct management quota?

No. NEET UG is compulsory for BDS at MCODS Manipal. Even NRI or management quota seats are filled strictly on NEET merit through counselling conducted by the designated authority; students who do not qualify NEET are not eligible for admission.

How do I apply online for MCODS Manipal courses?

You must register on the official MAHE/MCODS Manipal website, fill the online application form, upload documents, and pay an application fee of ₹600 per programme through online payment modes. After this, admission is through NEET-based counselling for BDS/MDS or merit for certificate courses.

What is the fee structure for the BDS course at MCODS Manipal?

BDS at MCODS Manipal is a 4-year course plus 1-year compulsory internship, with tuition charged annually MAHE’s notified fee schedule. Students pay tuition, university charges, hostel and mess fees separately; exact annual tuition is in the official MAHE fee notification for that year.

Are there any scholarships or fee concessions for BDS/MDS students at MCODS Manipal?

MAHE offers a limited number of institutional scholarships and freeships based on merit and NEET performance, and some category-based concessions where notified. Students typically combine these with bank education loans, using the MAHE admission letter and fee structure as supporting documents.

Does MCODS Manipal help with education loans?

Students generally obtain education loans from nationalized or private banks using MAHE’s admission offer, fee schedule, and bonafide certificates. The university issues all required documents and has experience with students availing loans from large banks for full course duration.

What kind of clinical exposure and patient inflow do students get at MCODS Manipal?

MCODS Manipal functions with its own dental hospital and is attached to Kasturba Medical College Hospital, giving students ample clinical cases across specialties. The college specifically states that it ensures sufficient clinical experience for general dental practice during internship.

How is the teaching and curriculum at MCODS Manipal for BDS?

The BDS curriculum follows Dental Council of India regulations with pre-clinical training followed by intensive clinical postings. Teaching includes lectures in smart classrooms, simulation labs and chairside demonstrations across nine dental specialties, along with mandatory one-year rotating internship.

What specializations are available for MDS at MCODS Manipal?

MCODS Manipal offers MDS in nine specialties, including Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Prosthodontics, Orthodontics, Periodontology, Pedodontics, Oral Medicine and Radiology, Oral Pathology, and Public Health Dentistry, each of three years duration.

How is the library and academic infrastructure at MCODS Manipal?

The central health sciences library in Manipal is a multi-storey, air-conditioned facility with 24/7 access for many sections, Wi‑Fi, separate reading areas, and thousands of Indian and international journals. Classrooms are fully equipped with projectors and smart boards for digital teaching.

What are the hostel facilities like for MCODS Manipal students?

Hostels offer mostly twin-sharing rooms with bed, mattress, cupboard, study table and attached or common bathrooms. AC rooms are limited and allotted on a first-come basis. Facilities include 24/7 Wi‑Fi, security, backup power, water coolers, and separate hostels/blocks for juniors and seniors.

How is the mess and food quality for dental students in Manipal?

Manipal campus has multiple student messes and food courts offering both North and South Indian options and some international cuisine. Student reviews highlight generally good quality food, hygienic kitchens, and vegetarian as well as non‑vegetarian choices within a student-friendly budget.

What sports and recreation options are available for MCODS Manipal students?

MAHE Manipal has dedicated sports complexes with gym, indoor stadium, badminton and squash courts, synthetic running tracks, football and basketball facilities, along with the Mareena sports centre. Students from MCODS use these for regular fitness, tournaments and inter-college events.

Is the Manipal campus safe for students, especially for girls?

The Manipal campus is fully residential with 24/7 security, CCTV surveillance in key areas, regulated hostel entry, and dedicated health services. The university enforces strong anti‑ragging measures, separate hostels for girls, and has an on-campus medical emergency response system.

What is the dress code for BDS students at MCODS Manipal?

Students attend classes in formal or semi-formal attire and wear a white lab coat during clinical and pre-clinical sessions. In clinics, proper shoes, trimmed nails and professional appearance are mandatory, and ID cards must be worn at all times inside academic and hospital areas.

Can MCODS Manipal students do part-time jobs while studying BDS?

BDS is a full-time, attendance-heavy professional course with long clinical hours, so regular part-time jobs are impractical and generally discouraged. Students sometimes take up short academic activities like tutoring during breaks, but not during core clinical postings and university terms.

How does MCODS Manipal compare with other top private dental colleges in India?

MCODS under MAHE is consistently ranked among the top private dental colleges in India, and MAHE often features in the upper bands of NIRF and other rankings. Its brand value, extensive alumni base, research output and campus facilities make it a preferred choice for many NEET-qualified students.

What kind of alumni network and career support does MCODS Manipal offer?

MCODS Manipal has a formal alumni association with members across India and abroad in academia, private practice and corporate roles. Alumni contribute through guest lectures, mentoring and networking, helping graduates seek MDS seats, academic positions and clinic or hospital-based opportunities.