In a fresh communication 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 postgraduate (PG) student in dentistry with less than 80 per cent biometric attendance to appear in university examinations. He has also made it clear that schools will be held responsible if they do not comply with the rule.The letter, issued on June 30, 2026, is not a new regulation. Instead, it is recalled that the attendance requirement already exists under Regulation 18 (a) (i) of the Dental Council of India (DCI) Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) Course Regulations, 2017.
The Commission reminds schools of the existing attendance requirement
The latest notice relates to an earlier communication issued on January 19, 2026, which advised institutions to ensure that all postgraduate students maintain at least 80 per cent biometric attendance.Citing the regulation, the commission reminded colleges that the attendance requirement is mandatory before students can be considered eligible for university exams.He further directed the institutions to ensure that no postgraduate student can appear in the University or PG examination if the biometric attendance is less than 80 per cent.The commission also warned that the affected institution would be responsible for any violation of the statutory instructions issued by the National Dental Commission.
The rule follows complaints from three states
The latest recall has its origins in complaints received earlier this year from postgraduate dental colleges in Rajasthan, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.These complaints were examined by the Complaints Sub-Committee of the Dental Council of India, which found cases where postgraduate students allegedly did not meet the prescribed attendance requirement.After reviewing the matter, the committee recommended strict implementation of rule 18(a)(i) of DCI MDS Course Regulations, 2017, making biometric attendance a key condition before students can appear for MDS examinations.This recommendation resulted in the January 19 circular. The June 30 communication now reinforces the same instruction with an added warning about institutional responsibility.If a postgraduate student with less than 80 percent biometric attendance is allowed to appear in the examination, the institution may be held liable for non-compliance with the statutory instructions of the committee.Read the official notice here