The Centralised Admission Committee (CENTAC), Directorate of Higher and Technical Education, Government of Puducherry, has announced Round 3 counselling registration for postgraduate dental (MDS) admissions for the academic year 2026–27. The notice dated October 17, 2026, covers Government, Management Quota (MQ), Management Telugu Minority Quota (MQT) and NRI Quota seats in government and self-financing dental colleges in Puducherry.

The Round 2 admitted list and vacancy position have been published on the official CENTAC website. Candidates, including those who applied after the NEET PG cut-off was lowered, can participate in Round 3 without restrictions based on whether they received an allotment in Round 1 or Round 2, subject to the applicable eligibility conditions.

Eligible candidates must pay the prescribed registration fee, submit their willingness and enter their course preferences through the candidate login dashboard before the deadline.

CENTAC PG Dental Counselling 2026: Important Dates

Candidates who wish to resign from a seat admitted through CENTAC in Round 1 or Round 2 must submit the prescribed resignation request through their login dashboard by the deadline. Resignation will involve forfeiture of the applicable registration fee. Requests will not be accepted after October 20, 2026, at 5:00 PM.

MDS Courses and Quotas Covered in Round 3

Round 3 counselling covers PG Dental (MDS) seats under the following categories:

• Government Quota

• Management Quota (MQ)

• Management Telugu Minority Quota (MQT)

• Non-Resident Indian (NRI) Quota

Candidates should review the published vacancy position and the PG Dental Information Brochure for 2026–27 before submitting their preferences.

CENTAC MDS Counselling 2026: Registration Fee

Candidates participating in Round 3 must submit their willingness, pay the applicable registration fee and then enter their course preferences. The prescribed fee depends on the quota and category.

Candidates opting for both Government Quota and Management Quota or NRI Quota need to pay INR 2,00,000 for participation in Round 3 counselling.

Registration Fee Rules for Previously Admitted Candidates

CENTAC has issued separate payment instructions for candidates who have already been admitted and those who have not received or joined a seat.

Candidates admitted in Round 1 or Round 2

• Candidates admitted through Round 1 or Round 2 can participate in Round 3 without paying the registration fee again, except for Puducherry EBC, SC and ST candidates admitted under Government Quota.

• Eligible EBC, SC and ST candidates admitted under Government Quota must pay the applicable Round 3 registration fee or the balance amount if they have already paid a registration fee in Round 2.

• Candidates wishing to retain their existing seat should carefully review the rules governing Round 3 allotment and resignation.

Candidates not admitted

• Candidates who did not pay any registration fee in Round 2 must pay the full registration fee applicable to Round 3.

• Candidates who paid the Round 2 registration fee but were not allotted a seat must pay the balance amount required for Round 3.

• Candidates allotted a seat in Round 2 who did not join have forfeited the Round 2 registration fee under the applicable quota rules. They must pay the full Round 3 registration fee to participate.

Candidates should verify the amount displayed in their dashboard before making payment.

How to Pay the CENTAC Round 3 Registration Fee

Candidates can make the payment through the options available in their CENTAC login dashboard. The committee has permitted payment through UPI, net banking and bank transfer using an NEFT or RTGS challan, along with other available payment options.

The process is as follows:

1. Visit the official CENTAC website.

2. Log in to the candidate dashboard.

3. Review the Round 3 counselling details and applicable registration fee.

4. Submit willingness to participate in the counselling round.

5. Pay the required fee through an available payment method.

6. For NEFT or RTGS payments, generate the challan through the dashboard and transfer the exact amount shown.

7. Submit fresh course preferences in the required order.

8. Complete the process before October 20, 2026, at 5:00 PM.

Candidates should read the payment help instructions carefully. An NEFT or RTGS challan can be used only once, according to the notification.

Important Instructions for CENTAC MDS Round 3 Counselling

Candidates should take note of the following rules before participating in Round 3:

• Submit fresh course preferences: Preferences submitted during Round 2 are null and void. All candidates registering for Round 3 must submit their choices again.

• Sliding is allowed: Sliding will be permitted in Round 3. Vacancies may arise dynamically during allotment, so candidates should submit preferences for the courses they are interested in even if a vacancy is not currently listed.

• Conversion of seats: Unfilled NRI and Telugu Minority seats will be converted into Management Quota seats in Round 3, as prescribed by the counselling rules.

• Non-joining consequences: Candidates allotted a seat in Round 3 who fail to join will forfeit the applicable amount prescribed for their course, quota and category. They will also become ineligible for further counselling rounds.

• Further counselling eligibility: Candidates included in the Round 3 provisional allotment list will not be eligible to participate in subsequent counselling rounds.

• Resignation restrictions: Candidates admitted in Round 1 or Round 2 who retain their seat after Round 3 allotment cannot resign afterwards. Candidates allotted and admitted through Round 3 also cannot resign their seat after admission.

Candidates should read the PG Dental Information Brochure for 2026–27 for the detailed rules on eligibility, registration fees, forfeiture, refunds, course preferences and conversion or de-reservation of unfilled seats.

Sri Venkateshwaraa Medical College MDS Fee Update

CENTAC has also clarified the fee structure applicable to Sri Venkateshwaraa Medical College and Research Institute, pursuant to the interim order dated September 8, 2026, in W.P. No. 15159 of 2026.

The fee structure for PG Dental courses at the institution will follow the fee prescribed in the cited court order for the MBBS course, as referred to by the court. This arrangement is subject to the final outcome of the case.

Candidates seeking admission to the institution should refer to the relevant court order and official CENTAC updates for the applicable fee details.

How to Submit MDS Course Preferences

Eligible candidates can follow these steps to submit their preferences for Round 3:

1. Open the CENTAC website at www.centacpuducherry.in.

2. Log in using the registered candidate credentials.

3. Check the Round 2 admitted list and updated vacancy position.

4. Confirm eligibility and complete any required registration fee payment.

5. Submit willingness to participate in Round 3.

6. Enter fresh course preferences under the applicable quota categories.

7. Review the preferences and submit them before the deadline.

8. Save a copy of the submitted preferences and payment confirmation for future reference.

Candidates should complete registration, payment and course preference submission by October 20, 2026, at 5:00 PM.

CENTAC Helpdesk for MDS Counselling 2026

Candidates requiring assistance can contact CENTAC or submit queries through the Grievances option available in their login dashboard.

Candidates should use the official website for the latest vacancy information, counselling guidelines, fee instructions and updates.

For Counselling & Admission Guidance, Call or WhatsApp: 9340961481

For the latest CENTAC PG Dental Counselling 2026, MDS Round 3 registration, seat vacancies, Government and Management Quota admissions, fee updates and counselling deadlines, visit AdmissionDuniya for timely admission news and guidance.Click here