The Dental Council of India (DCI) has issued a new circular making it mandatory for all postgraduate dental students to attain a minimum of 80 % biometric attendance in their institutions before being permitted to appear in MDS examinations. The directive was officially issued on 19 January 2026 and communicated to dental universities and colleges across India for immediate implementation.
This move follows a review by the DCI Grievance Sub-Committee, which examined complaints about low attendance among MDS students in several states, including Rajasthan, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. The committee recommended strict enforcement of attendance requirements in line with existing regulatory provisions.
Attendance Requirement Under MDS Regulations
The attendance mandate references Regulation 18(4)(i) of the DCI Master of Dental Surgery Course Regulations, 2017, which stipulates that postgraduate dental students must fulfil attendance criteria to be eligible for the final examination. The council has emphasised that institutions must strictly comply with these norms and verify attendance through biometric systems.
The directive has been approved by the DCI Executive Committee and communicated to the principals and heads of dental colleges nationwide. Institutions are now instructed to ensure that PG dental students have achieved the required biometric attendance before permitting them to register for or sit in their respective examinations.
Rationale and Implementation of 80% Biometric Attendance
According to the council, adherence to attendance norms is critical for maintaining academic discipline and ensuring the quality of postgraduate dental education in the country. Biometric systems are considered more reliable for monitoring actual student presence and engagement in academic activities.
Colleges and universities have been directed to implement the attendance monitoring strictly, and failure to comply could affect students’ eligibility for MDS examinations. The notification underscores the council’s objective to curb absenteeism and uphold standards in dental postgraduate training.