The Government of Kerala, Health & Family Welfare Department has issued G.O.(Ms) No.108/2026/H&FWD dated March 15, 2026, approving a major change in BDS admissions to self-financing dental colleges in the state.
Under the new decision, 15% of BDS seats in self-financing dental colleges in Kerala will be offered under the All India Quota (AIQ) from the academic year 2026-27 onwards. The provision will allow students from outside Kerala to compete for these seats, irrespective of their domicile or nativity.
The admission to these AIQ seats will be based on the NEET UG rank list prepared by the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala. The decision brings BDS admissions in self-financing dental colleges in line with the AIQ provision already applicable to certain other professional medical courses in the state.
The order notes that the existing KEAM 2025 prospectus provided for 15% All India Quota seats in MBBS, BAMS, BSMS and BUMS courses in self-financing institutions, with allotment based on the NEET UG rank list.
However, a similar provision was not included for BDS admissions in self-financing dental colleges.
The issue was also raised before the Hon’ble High Court of Kerala through WP(C) No. 17302/2025, filed by the Principal of PMS College of Dental Science and Research, Thiruvananthapuram. The petition contended that excluding BDS from the AIQ provision was discriminatory when similar provisions existed for other medical-stream courses.
Following examination of the matter and discussions with representatives of self-financing dental colleges, the Kerala Government decided to introduce the 15% AIQ provision for BDS admissions.
Candidates seeking admission under the newly introduced AIQ provision will be considered based on their NEET UG rank. The Government order specifically states that students from all India, irrespective of their domicile, can be admitted to self-financing dental colleges under the 15% AIQ provision.
The Commissioner for Entrance Examinations, Kerala has been directed to take the necessary steps to incorporate this provision in the KEAM 2026 prospectus for admission to professional degree courses.
The introduction of the 15% AIQ provision expands the opportunity for NEET UG 2026 candidates from outside Kerala to seek BDS admission in participating self-financing dental colleges in the state.
Candidates who are not domiciled in Kerala will also be able to compete for the designated AIQ seats, subject to the applicable admission rules and NEET UG rank requirements.
The detailed admission procedure, participating institutions, seat distribution and other counselling-related provisions are expected to be reflected in the KEAM 2026 prospectus and subsequent CEE Kerala notifications.
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