Overview

• Official Name: Post Graduate Dental Common Entrance Test (PGD-CET 2006)
• Common Name: MDS Entrance Exam Maharashtra
• Type: State-level Common Entrance Test for admission to Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) courses in Maharashtra
• Year Established: 2006 (PGD-CET for Dental PG courses started)
• Campus Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India (Conducting authority - State CET Cell, Maharashtra)
• Approvals & Affiliations: Conducted under the aegis of the Government of Maharashtra; admissions to dental colleges recognized by Dental Council of India (DCI)
  The Dental courses are approved by Dental Council of India (DCI). Colleges affiliated to various universities in Maharashtra.
• Official Website: https://cetcell.mahacet.org (Maharashtra State CET Cell)

Quick Facts

• Conducting Body: Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test Cell
• Exam: PGD-CET (Post Graduate Dental Common Entrance Test) for MDS admissions
• Approximate Participating Colleges: Over 10 government and private dental colleges across Maharashtra
• NAAC Grade: Varies by college; NAAC accreditation is institution-specific
• Contact: Maharashtra CET Cell Phone: +91-22-22652263/64, Email: info@mahacet.org
• Ranking Mentions: Individual dental colleges may feature in NIRF, but PGD-CET itself is an entrance exam, not a ranking agency

Courses & Programs

• Faculty: Dental Sciences
• Popular Courses:
  • Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) - Specializations include Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopaedics, Prosthodontics, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Periodontology, Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Oral Pathology, Public Health Dentistry, Pedodontics, etc.
• Duration: 3 years (Regular)
• Mode: Regular, Full-time
• Intake: Varies by college and specialization, typically 2-5 seats per specialty per college

Admissions

• Admission Mode: State-level entrance exam (PGD-CET), followed by counselling based on merit rank
• Accepted Entrance Exams: Maharashtra PGD-CET (MDS); NEET-PG (Dental) is now primary national-level exam for MDS admissions post-2020, but PGD-CET was conducted until 2019/2020.
  Note: From 2021 onwards admissions are primarily via NEET MDS conducted by NBE; PGD-CET 2006 refers to earlier state entrance exam.
• Admission Timeline: Typically exam held in June-July; counselling from August-September
  Official Maharashtra CET Cell Admission Portal
• Application Process:
  1. Register online at Maharashtra State CET Cell
  2. Fill application form with required academic and personal details
  3. Upload scanned documents and pay application fee electronically
  4. Download admit card when released
  5. Appear for the PGD-CET exam as per schedule
  6. Check result and participate in counselling on official website

Eligibility Criteria

• Qualifications: BDS degree from a DCI-recognized institution
• Required Subjects: BDS including completion of compulsory rotating internship
• Minimum Marks: Typically minimum 50% aggregate marks in BDS (relaxation applicable for reserved categories as per Maharashtra government rules)
• Age Limits: No upper age limit for MDS admissions
• Documents Required:
  • BDS degree certificate and marksheets
  • Internship completion certificate
  • Attempt certificate for BDS exams
  • Birth certificate / proof of age
  • Maharashtra domicile certificate (for state quota)
  • Caste/category certificates (if applicable)
  • Photo ID proof (Aadhaar, PAN, Passport)

Fee Structure & Scholarships

• Fee Range MDS: Tuition fees generally between ₹1,00,000 to ₹5,00,000 per year depending on college (Government colleges lower; private colleges higher)
• Additional Fees: Hostel, exam fees, library, lab fees vary by institution
• Scholarships & Financial Aid:
  • Maharashtra Government scholarships for SC/ST/OBC/EWS and other reserved categories - details at Maharashtra DBT Portal
  • Institute merit-based scholarships where applicable
  • Central Government scholarships like Post Matric Scholarship for dental students

Placements & Career Outcomes

• Placement Highlights: Postgraduate dental students mostly pursue clinical practice, academic roles, or private sector employment
• Placement Percentage: Not centrally published; varies by college
• Average Salary: Entry-level average CTC ₹3-6 Lakhs per annum in clinical or hospital setups
• Top Recruiters: Dental hospitals, clinics, research institutes, universities
• Placement Cell Contact: Dependent on individual colleges - usually part of college’s Training and Placement Office
• Internship Support: Clinical internships are integral part of MDS courses

Campus & Facilities

• Hostels: Available in most government and private dental colleges with separate provisions for male and female students
• Mess: On-campus mess facilities offering hygienic meals
• Sports & Recreation: Sports grounds and indoor games facilities in most institutions
• Labs & Clinics: Well-equipped dental labs and specialty clinics for hands-on training
• Library: Comprehensive medical and dental literature including e-resources
• Healthcare: On-campus medical facilities for students
• Transport: College buses and good local connectivity
• Wi-Fi: Campus-wide internet access
• Research Centres: Available in select institutes focusing on dental sciences
• Student Clubs & Festivals: Regular cultural, academic and extracurricular events conducted

Faculty & Research

• Notable Faculty: Leading dental surgeons and academicians appointed by respective dental colleges
• Research Centres: Found within dental colleges affiliated to Maharashtra universities
• Major Grants & MoUs: Varies by individual colleges; no central data available

Rankings & Reputation

• NIRF Ranking: Individual dental colleges may have NIRF ranking; PGD-CET is an entrance test, not rank-based institute
  NIRF Official
• NAAC Accreditation: Varies per dental college; check respective institute websites
• India Today / Outlook: Dental colleges may feature in health or medical categories, not PGD-CET exam

Results, Cut-Offs & Seat Matrix

• Results Publication: On Maharashtra CET Cell website - https://cetcell.mahacet.org
• Seat Matrix: Published annually alongside counselling notifications on official CET Cell portal
• Cut-Offs: Vary by college, category, and specialization; typical SC/ST cut-offs lower; General category higher
  Example: General category NEET MDS cut-offs above 50 percentile

How to Reach

• Nearest Airport: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai (~15 km from major college locations)
• Nearest Railway Station: Mumbai CST, Dadar, and other main suburban railway stations
• City Connectivity: Well connected by local trains, buses, metro, and taxis
• Local Transit: Mumbai local trains, BEST buses, autorickshaws, app-based cabs available

FAQs

• Q1: What is PGD-CET 2006?
  It is the state-level entrance exam conducted in Maharashtra for admission to MDS dental courses.
• Q2: Is PGD-CET still conducted for MDS admissions?
  From 2021 onwards, NEET MDS by NBE is the national exam; PGD-CET was held earlier till 2020.
• Q3: What is the eligibility for MDS admission?
  Candidate must have a recognized BDS degree and completed the compulsory internship.
• Q4: Where can I apply for PGD-CET?
  Applications were submitted via Maharashtra CET Cell official website.
• Q5: What documents are required at admission?
  BDS marksheets, internship certificate, identity proof, caste certificate (if applicable), and domicile certificate.
• Q6: Are there scholarships available?
  Yes, Maharashtra government provides scholarships for reserved categories; also, institutes offer merit-based aid.
• Q7: What is the typical fee for MDS courses?
  Government colleges: approx ₹1-2 lakhs per year; private colleges: ₹3-5 lakhs per year.
• Q8: How are seats allotted?
  Seats are allotted based on entrance exam rank followed by counselling through Maharashtra CET Cell.
• Q9: Where can I check cut-offs and results?
  On Maharashtra CET Cell website under MDS admissions section.
• Q10: Are hostels available for MDS students?
  Most dental colleges provide hostel facilities for PG students with mess and security.
• Q11: Can candidates from other states apply?
  Yes, but domicile and reservation benefits are primarily for Maharashtra residents; check college policies.
• Q12: Whom to contact for queries?
  Maharashtra CET Cell Helpline: +91-22-22652263/64; Email: info@mahacet.org