In a fresh communication sent to registrars of universities and principals and deans of dental colleges across the country, the National Dental Commission (NDC) has directed institutions not to allow any postgraduate (PG) dental student with less than 80 per cent biometric attendance to appear in university examinations. It has also made it clear that colleges will be held responsible if they fail to enforce the rule.The letter, issued on June 30, 2026, is not a new regulation. Instead, it is a reminder 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.
Commission reminds colleges of existing attendance requirement
The latest notice refers to an earlier communication issued on January 19, 2026, in which institutions were advised to ensure that all postgraduate students maintain at least 80 per cent biometric attendance.Quoting the regulation, the commission reminded colleges that the attendance requirement is mandatory before students can be considered eligible for university examinations.It further directed institutions to ensure that no postgraduate student is allowed to appear in the University or PG examination if biometric attendance is below 80 per cent.The commission also warned that the institution concerned would be held responsible for any violation of the statutory directions issued by the National Dental Commission.
Rule follows complaints from three states
The latest reminder traces its origins to complaints received earlier this year from postgraduate dental colleges in Rajasthan, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.Those complaints were examined by the Dental Council of India’s Grievance Sub-Committee, which found instances where postgraduate students were allegedly not meeting the prescribed attendance requirement.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 key condition before students are permitted to appear for MDS examinations.That recommendation led to the January 19 circular. The June 30 communication now reinforces the same instruction with an added warning on institutional responsibility.If a postgraduate student with less than 80 per cent biometric attendance is allowed to sit for the examination, the institution may be held responsible for failing to comply with the commission’s statutory directions.Read official notice here.
