The Selection Committee, Directorate of Medical Education and Research, Chennai, has published the tentative schedule for Round 3 (Mop-up Round) counselling for admission to MDS degree courses for the 2026-27 academic session.

The counselling covers MDS seats in Tamil Nadu Government Dental Colleges and Government Quota and Management Quota seats, including Minority Quota, in self-financing dental colleges.

According to the schedule, registration and payment will begin on November 2, 2026, at 10:00 AM and close on November 3, 2026, at 10:00 AM. Choice filling and locking will start on November 3 at 12:05 PM and continue until November 4 at 5:00 PM.

Tamil Nadu MDS Round 3 Counselling 2026: Important Dates

Registration Fee and Security Deposit

Fresh candidates who did not register during Round 1 or Round 2 must pay a non-refundable registration fee of INR 1,000 for Government Quota and INR 1,000 for Management Quota.

Candidates who have already registered in either of the previous two rounds do not need to pay the registration fee again.

Fresh candidates must also pay the applicable refundable security deposit, unless they have already paid it.

Candidates should read the prospectus carefully before beginning the choice-filling process.

Eligibility and Upgradation Rules for Round 3

The Selection Committee has specified the following participation and upgradation conditions:

• Candidates who resigned from their Round 1 or Round 2 seats within the stipulated date and time can participate in Round 3 and subsequent rounds.

• Candidates allotted seats in Round 1 or Round 2 who have not joined can participate in the mop-up round.

• Candidates who joined in an earlier round can opt for upgradation in Round 3.

• Candidates who wish to retain their Round 1 or Round 2 allotted college need not participate in the mop-up round.

• Candidates who have opted for upgradation must vacate their earlier allotted seat if they receive a new allotment in Round 3.

Candidates should carefully consider the consequences of participating in the upgradation process before submitting their choices.

Choice Filling and Virtual Vacancy Rules

Candidates can fill choices for all the seats under the quotas for which they have applied. For example, candidates who registered for both Government and Management Quota can submit preferences under both categories.

The Board has also clarified the following choice-filling rules:

• Candidates can edit their choices any number of times before locking them.

• Once choices are locked, candidates cannot edit them.

• If a candidate does not lock the choices by November 4, 2026, at 5:00 PM, the system will automatically lock the submitted choices.

• Candidates should arrange their preferences carefully because a change of course or college will not be permitted after final locking.

Seats held by candidates who opt for upgradation will be displayed as virtual vacancies. Other candidates can select these seats during choice filling. However, such seats will become actual vacancies only if the candidates currently holding them vacate them after receiving an upgraded allotment.

Reservation and Category-Wise Seat Instructions

The Selection Committee has also provided instructions for filling certain unfilled reserved category seats:

• If no eligible Service candidates opt for the MDS course, the vacant seats may be allotted to eligible General category candidates, as per Prospectus Clause 33(e).

• Unfilled SCA seats may be filled by eligible SC candidates on merit, as per the applicable government order.

• If eligible ST candidates are unavailable, remaining ST quota seats may be filled by SC candidates on merit.

• Unfilled BCM seats may be allotted to BC candidates on merit after exhausting the BCM merit list, without exceeding the overall BC quota.

Candidates belonging to the relevant categories should check the prospectus provisions before selecting these seats.

Round 3 Allotment, Seat Retention and Stray Round Eligibility

The counselling instructions specify different consequences depending on the candidate's allotment and joining status.

Candidates who receive an allotment and join the course should carefully review the discontinuation conditions before making any decision to leave the seat.

How to Download the MDS Round 3 Allotment Order?

Freshly allotted candidates must pay the applicable tuition fee online to download the provisional allotment order. The available payment methods include debit card, credit card and net banking.

Candidates should note the following instructions:

• The fee structure is available on the official website, www.tnmedicalselection.net.

• Freshly allotted candidates must pay the prescribed tuition fee to download the allotment order.

• Candidates who are re-allotted a seat and have already paid tuition fees in Round 1 or Round 2 need to pay only the difference, if applicable.

• Candidates should ensure that sufficient funds and an adequate credit limit are available before making the payment.

• Allotted and re-allotted candidates must download their provisional allotment orders and join the concerned dental college within the specified deadline.

Documents Required at the Time of Joining

Candidates must report to the allotted dental college in person and produce their original certificates for verification, along with scanned copies of the original documents.

Candidates must also submit a self-declaration form stating that their selection or admission may be cancelled if any suppression of facts or misrepresentation is discovered during or after admission.

Failure to report to the Head of the Institution within the date and time mentioned in the allotment order will result in cancellation of the selection or admission without further notice.

Important Instructions for Candidates

The Selection Committee has advised candidates to regularly visit the official counselling website for schedules, results, notices and other updates. Individual communications will not be sent directly to candidates.

The Committee has also clarified that it will not be responsible for connectivity errors or procedural errors during the counselling process.

Candidates should not share their login ID, password or One-Time Password (OTP) with anyone.

Official Website for Tamil Nadu MDS Counselling 2026

Candidates can access the counselling schedule, vacancy position, fee structure, allotment results and other admission-related notices through the official website.

Official Website: https://www.tnmedicalselection.net

For Counselling & Admission Guidance, Call or WhatsApp: 9340961481

MDS aspirants participating in Tamil Nadu Round 3 counselling should complete registration, payment and choice filling within the specified deadlines. Candidates should also review the vacancy position, quota options and upgradation rules before locking their preferences.

For the latest NEET MDS admission, counselling schedule, seat allotment and dental admission updates, visit AdmissionDuniya for timely admission news and guidance.Click here.