KD NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, Jan 25: In a decisive step aimed at tightening academic discipline and addressing growing concerns over absenteeism, the Dental Council of India (DCI) has made it mandatory for postgraduate dental students across the country to maintain a minimum of 80 per cent biometric attendance in order to be eligible to appear in their examinations.
In an official public circular, the DCI— a statutory body functioning under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India— directed all universities and dental colleges to strictly enforce attendance norms for PG students enrolled in Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) programmes. The directive applies uniformly to all recognised dental institutions nationwide and is to be implemented with immediate effect.
The decision follows a series of complaints received by the Council from several dental colleges, particularly from the states of Rajasthan, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. These complaints highlighted persistent issues of non-attendance among postgraduate students, raising serious concerns about academic integrity, clinical training, and compliance with existing regulations.
Taking note of the issue, the matter was placed before the Grievance Sub-Committee of the Dental Council of India, which examined the complaints in detail during its meeting held on November 24, 2025. After thorough discussion and deliberation, the committee concluded that stricter enforcement of attendance norms was necessary to ensure quality education and adequate clinical exposure for PG dental students.
The Grievance Sub-Committee subsequently recommended strict adherence to Regulation 18(a)(i) of the Master of Dental Surgery Course Regulations, 2017, which clearly mandates a minimum of 80 per cent attendance for postgraduate students. The recommendation was later approved by the Executive Committee of the Dental Council of India through circulation.
The approved decision has now been formally communicated to all universities and dental colleges for information and immediate compliance. The circular categorically states that institutions must ensure a minimum of 80 per cent biometric attendance of all PG students before permitting them to appear in examinations, leaving no scope for relaxation or deviation.
The order has been signed by Mukesh Kumar, Deputy Secretary, Dental Council of India. Academic authorities believe the move will help curb absenteeism, improve academic accountability, and strengthen the overall standard of postgraduate dental education across the country.
