National Dental Commission warns students against fake dental colleges, urges verification of courses, admissions before enrolling

The NDC is the regulatory authority for dental education in the country. Under the Act, no dental college or institution may be established, start a dental course or increase its intake without the prior permission of the Commission. In compliance with the said direction, and in the larger public interest, UGPG-DEB issues this advisory so that students and parents are not misled by unauthorised institutions.

According to the public advisory, “the Hon'ble Supreme Court, in ***Jain v. Amity University, Noida & Ors. [W.P. (C) No. 531/2025, IA No. 296269/2026], took note of a fake medical college that was allegedly running from a dilapidated structure in a farmhouse in District Etah, Uttar Pradesh, and purportedly offering courses such as D. Pharma, B. Pharma, B.Sc. Nursing, DMLT, BMLT, BAMS, GNM and ANM”.

Vide its order, the Hon'ble Court directed the UGC and all regulatory authorities to issue a public advisory cautioning all authorities, institutions and, especially, the public at large not to take admission in, or deal with, any institution without first verifying its authenticity. The said matter is under police investigation and an independent inquiry.

Advisory to Students, Parents and the General Public: Before taking admission in any dental course, or in any other medical or allied health course, the following precautions are advised-

1 VERIFY BEFORE YOU PAY- Check on the official NDC website that the college is permitted, that the specific course (BDS / MDS and speciality) is approved, and that the seats are sanctioned for the current session. Approval of one course or one session does not mean approval of all courses or sessions. The NDC maintains a searchable database of dental institutions and publishes information on permitted seats.

2 ADMISSION ONLY THROUGH THE LAWFUL ROUTE- Admission to BDS and MDS courses is made only based on NEET-UG / NEET-MDS, through counselling conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee or the competent State / UT counselling authority. Any offer of "direct", "spot" or "guaranteed" admission outside this process should be treated as fraudulent.

3 CHECK THE UNIVERSITY- Under Sections 22 and 23 of the UGC Act, 1956, only a University established by law may award degrees. Consult the list of fake universities published by the UGC.

4 RECOGNISE THE WARNING SIGNS- Classes held in residential, farm or makeshift premises; no attached dental hospital, dental chairs, laboratories or patients for clinical training; admission without NEET or counselling; back-dated admissions; fees collected in cash or into personal accounts; and affiliation claims that cannot be independently verified.

5 AVOID MIDDLEMEN- Do not rely on agents, pamphlets, social-media advertisements or telephonic offers. Insist on written proof of permission and affiliation, and cross-check it with the NDC and the university.

6 KNOW THE CONSEQUENCES- Know the consequences: A degree or certificate obtained from an unrecognised institution does not entitle the holder to registration in the National / State Dental Register, to practise dentistry, to employment in the health sector, or to admission to higher studies.

7 REPORT- Information about any unauthorised dental institution, or any person offering admission in one, may be reported to NDC and to the local police.

ADVISORY TO DENTAL INSTITUTIONS, UNIVERSITIES AND STATE AUTHORITIES- Dental colleges shall prominently display their NDC permission, approved courses and sanctioned intake on their websites and prospectuses. Universities shall not allow the misuse of their name or affiliation, and shall report any such misuse.

Running an unrecognised institution, using the word "University" without legal authority, or issuing fake degrees and certificates attracts action under, inter alia, the National Dental Commission Act, 2023 and the regulations made thereunder; Sections 22-24 of the UGC Act, 1956; and the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, relating to cheating and forgery. Persons who knowingly facilitate such activity, including agents, owners of premises and those who lend their names or signatures, are also liable to legal action. Unqualified persons entering the health workforce on such certificates pose a direct threat to patient safety, the advisory added.

To view the public advisory, click the link below