In a new notification sent to registrars of universities and principals and deans of dental colleges across the country, the National Dental Council (NDC) has directed institutions not to allow postgraduate dental (PG) students with less than 80% biometric attendance to sit for university examinations. It also made it clear that universities would be held liable if they did not enforce the rule.The letter was issued on June 30, 2026 and is not a new regulation. On the contrary, it needs to be reminded that the attendance requirement already exists in Regulation 18(a)(i) of the Dental Council of India (DCI) Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) Course Regulations, 2017.
Committee reminds universities of existing attendance requirements
The latest notification refers to an earlier notification issued on January 19, 2026, in which institutions were advised to ensure that all postgraduate students maintain at least 80% biometric attendance.The committee cited the provision to remind universities that attendance requirements are mandatory before students are considered eligible to sit for university examinations.It further directed institutions to ensure that postgraduate students are not allowed to appear for college or PG examinations if the biometric attendance falls below 80%.The council also warned that agencies concerned will be held accountable if statutory directions issued by the National Dental Council are breached.
Rules follow complaints in three states
The latest reminder dates back to complaints received by postgraduate dental colleges in Rajasthan, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh earlier this year.A review of the complaints by the Grievances Subcommittee of the Dental Council of India found instances of postgraduate students allegedly failing to meet prescribed attendance requirements.After examining the matter, the committee recommended strict implementation of Rule 18(a)(i) of the DCI MDS Course Rules, 2017 to make biometric attendance a key condition for students to be admitted to appear for the MDS examination.The recommendation resulted in a Jan. 19 notification. The June 30 communication now reinforces the same instructions and adds a warning about agency liability.If a postgraduate student with less than 80% biometric attendance is allowed to sit for the examination, the institution may be held liable for failure to comply with the statutory instructions of the Board.Read the official notice here.
