Breaking news: National Dental Commission abolishes provisional registration requirement for BDS internship
New Delhi: In a major decision, the National Dental Commission (NDC), erstwhile Dental Council of India (DCI), has abolished the mandatory requirement for BDS graduates to obtain provisional registration before commencing the Compulsory Rotatory Internship. The move takes immediate effect and is expected to significantly simplify the registration process for dental graduates across the country.
With this, BDS students will no longer have to obtain provisional registration from State Dental Councils before starting their internship. The Commission has also directed State Dental Councils to grant permanent registration to eligible graduates after successful completion of the BDS course and compulsory internship without insisting on a provisional registration certificate, provided all other prescribed requirements are fulfilled.
Issuing a notice on the discontinuation of the requirement of obtaining Provisional Registration for Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) students undergoing internship, the National Dental Commission (NDC) has announced that "BDS students undergoing the Compulsory Rotatory Internship shall not be required to obtain Provisional Registration from any State Dental Council."
According to the circular released by the NDC, the Ethics and Dental Registration Board has received various representations from BDS students regarding difficulties faced by them in obtaining Permanent Registration after completion of the BDS course in the absence of Provisional Registration, which was mandatory to obtain before commencement of Internship.
The matter was considered by the EDRB in its meeting held on 22 June 2026. Taking into account the grievances received from students, the need for uniform implementation across the country, and the Government of India's initiatives on Ease of Doing Business (EoDB), Ease of Living, and regulatory simplification, the Board recommended that the requirement of Provisional Registration for BDS students undergoing the Compulsory Rotatory Internship be dispensed with. The recommendation was approved by the National Dental Commission in its meeting held on 09 July 2026.
Accordingly, in supersession of the instructions contained in the earlier circulars issued by the Erstwhile Dental Council of India on this subject, it has been decided that-
1 BDS students undergoing the Compulsory Rotatory Internship shall not be required to obtain Provisional Registration from any State Dental Council.
2 State Dental Councils shall grant Permanent Registration to candidates who have successfully completed the BDS course, including the prescribed Compulsory Rotatory Internship, without insisting upon production of a Provisional Registration Certificate, provided all other applicable requirements for grant of Permanent Registration are fulfilled.
3 Universities, Deemed Universities, Examining Authorities, Dental Colleges, Hospitals and all other concerned stakeholders shall not insist upon Provisional Registration for commencement or completion of the Compulsory Rotatory Internship or for any academic, clinical or administrative purpose connected therewith.
4 The Dental Council of India Circular No. DE-NEET(MDS)Admission-2021/3099-M dated 29.11.2021, Circular No. DE-101(ARPM-IDR)-2022/M-24 dated 21.06.2023 and Circular No. DE-101(ARPM-IDR)-2022/M-25 dated 28.06.2023, and all other instructions issued by the Dental Council of India to the extent they relate to the requirement of Provisional Registration for BDS students, are hereby superseded with immediate effect.
"This decision has been taken to ensure uniform implementation throughout the country, facilitate timely grant of Permanent Registration to eligible graduates, reduce procedural hardship faced by students, and promote a transparent, efficient and student-centric regulatory framework in consonance with the Government of India's initiatives on Ease of Doing Business (EoDB), Ease of Living and regulatory simplification. This circular shall come into force with immediate effect with the approval of the Competent Authority," the notice read.
To view the circular, click the link below:
