NEET MDS 2026 counselling: CEE Kerala reopens applications, 49 seats vacant; apply by October 16
In short
- CEE Kerala reopened online applications for PG Dental (MDS) admissions 2026 on October 16, 2026, due to revised NEET MDS 2026 qualifying percentiles.
- The application window closes today, October 16, 2026, at 05:00 PM, for newly qualified candidates.
- A total of 49 vacant MDS seats across government and private dental colleges in Kerala were listed as of October 15, 2026.
- Revised qualifying percentiles are 29.424th for General, 19.424th for SC/ST/OBC, and 24.424th for General PwD candidates.
- The application fee is Rs 1,000 for General candidates and Rs 500 for SC/ST candidates and those eligible for SC/ST benefits.
The Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala, has reopened its online application facility for PG Dental (MDS) admissions 2026. This decision, announced today, October 16, 2026, follows the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s lowering of the minimum qualifying percentile for NEET MDS 2026, affecting candidates aspiring for Master of Dental Surgery programs in Kerala.
The application window for newly qualified candidates will remain open until 05:00 PM today, October 16, 2026. As of October 15, 2026, CEE Kerala has identified 49 vacant MDS seats across various government and private dental colleges in the state, which will be filled during the upcoming third round of allotment.
Revised NEET MDS 2026 Qualifying Percentiles and Eligibility
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has adjusted the minimum qualifying percentiles for NEET MDS 2026, prompting CEE Kerala to reopen its application portal. Candidates who now meet these revised cut-off scores and satisfy other eligibility conditions are eligible to submit fresh online applications.
Existing applicants who had previously submitted applications to CEE Kerala in accordance with earlier notifications are not required to submit fresh applications but may upload any pending documents. Only candidates newly qualified as per the revised cut-off scores are permitted to submit a new online application. The revised qualifying percentiles are detailed below:
| Category | Revised Qualifying Percentile |
|---|---|
| General (UR/EWS) | 29.424th percentile |
| SC/ST/OBC (including PwD under these categories) | 19.424th percentile |
| General PwD | 24.424th percentile |
Candidates submitting fresh applications with community reservation claims and a percentile between the 40th and 50th percentile will not be considered for category claims. Similarly, fresh applicants in the PwD Category with a percentile between the 45th and 50th percentile will also not be considered for category claims. Those who applied previously but were excluded from the merit list due to document upload failures can participate as General Category candidates without needing to re-apply.
Application Process and Fees
The online application facility is accessible via the ‘PG Dental 2026 – Re-Opening Online Application’ link on the CEE Kerala website, cee.kerala.gov.in. Prospective candidates must complete the online submission and upload all necessary documents within the stipulated time frame.
The application fee varies by category, with concessions provided for reserved categories. Required documents for basic eligibility, such as nativity and birth proof, along with those supporting fee concessions, lower NEET-MDS-2026 cut-offs for reserved categories, and other category claims, must be uploaded by the deadline.
| Category | Fee Amount |
|---|---|
| General | Rs 1,000/- |
| SC/ST candidates and those eligible for SC/ST benefits | Rs 500/- |
Newly qualified candidates who secure a place in the rank list will be eligible to participate in the third round allotment, subject to approval from the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) and without affecting previous allotments or admissions.
Third Round Allotment and Previous Counselling Rounds
The third round allotment aims to fill the 49 currently vacant MDS seats across various postgraduate dental specialities in Kerala, as well as any additional vacancies that may arise. This state-level counselling process by CEE Kerala operates within the broader framework of national-level counselling conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC).
The NEET MDS 2026 final merit list for admissions to MDS programs in Kerala was initially released on August 25, 2026, with option registration for this initial list closing on August 30, 2026. The MCC had also conducted its Round 2 counselling, which included registration and payment from September 15 to 19, 2026, choice filling from September 16 to 20, 2026, and final seat allotment on September 23, 2026. Reporting and joining for MCC’s Round 2 took place from September 24 to September 30, 2026. The MCC’s Round 2 vacancy list for NEET MDS 2026 included 460 clear vacancies, approximately 760 virtual vacancies, and 53 newly added seats nationally.
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