BDS in India or MBBS Abroad 2025

One of the biggest choices for medical students is to decide whether to undergo BDS in India or MBBS abroad. Due to a combination of increasing competition, decreasing seats availability, and rising opportunities overseas, students and parents are often seen caught in a dilemma between these two career-defining choices. This guide explains all you need to know about costs, course duration, future scope, and lifestyle, helping you with sound judgment. Be it dentistry in India or stethoscope dreams abroad; let us see which way works for you.

BDS in India or MBBS Abroad – Understand the costing, career scope, and merit of the two options in this ultimate guide for the medical student.

Overview Table: BDS in India or MBBS Abroad

Introduction: Why BDS in India or MBBS Abroad Is a Hot Topic

Most probably, as a student pursuing a medical career, you've been thinking about whether BDS in India or MBBS Abroad is the superior choice. Given that such choices carry a lot of weight when considering cost, time, effort, and later success, the right decision is more critical than ever. This blog delves deeper into all the advantages, disadvantages, and major differences between BDS in India and MBBS Abroad to aid you in making a wise decision.

Read More: Study MBBS Abroad: Scope of MBBS in Abroad for Indian Students

What are differences between BDS in India or MBBS Abroad?

Both the courses target various elements of medicine and mentioned below are the differences between BDS and MBBS.

• MBBS teaches a specialisation pivoted on the complete human body. In contrast, BDS is a specialisation that pivots more on the head and neck part of the human body.
• MBBS engages learning anatomy, physiology, biochemical reactions, surgical management and conservative measures. BDS engages oral surgery, dental anatomy, oral radiology, oral medicine and oral pathology.
• BDS is a +1 year compulsory internship and four years of academic education. At the same time, MBBS is a five and one year course.
• In case of MBBS abroad, once you complete your course, you must take hands-on training in outpatient departments and hospital wards. On the other hand, you can pursue the BDS course either full-time and part-time.

BDS in India or MBBS Abroad: Eligibility Criteria

Provided below are the eligibility criteria for BDS in India or MBBS abroad. Know which course is more suitable for you by checking out its eligibility criteria.

Eligibility Criteria for MBBS abroad

Students are required to fulfil particular eligibility criteria to be eligible for enrollment in MBBS course. The outlined criteria are as follows:

• The student must have completed the 12th grade from a recognised board.
• The student should have studied chemistry, physics and biology as compulsory subjects in class 12th.
• The student is needed to have obtained at least 50% total in Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry and Biology.
• The student should be at least 17 years old at the time of application.

Eligibility Criteria for BDS in India

Aspiring students seeking admission to the BDS course must satisfy the following eligibility criteria:

• Successful completion of a senior secondary exam from a recognised board.
• Inclusion of Physics, Chemistry and Biology as compulsory subjects in the class 12th curriculum.
• Attainment of minimum mark of 50% in Physics, Biology and Chemistry in class 12.
• The student should be at least 17 years old to be eligible for admission. 

BDS in India or MBBS Abroad: Admission Process

• For MBBS Abroad and BDS in India, applicants must appear in the NEET UG 2025 exam, as it is the single UG medical entrance test in India proceeded for admission into Nursing, BDS, MBBS, AYUSH and other courses. Students must pass class 12 with a minimum of 50% total marks for unreserved category students and 40% for reserved category students. 
• Students appear in NEET to enroll in any medical course and during NEET counselling 2025, they will get a scope to select between MBBS, BDS and other medical programs. 

MBBS Course Syllabus

The following is the MBBS course syllabus:

BDS in India Syllabus

BDS in India syllabus is explained ahead:

BDS in abroad for Indian Students Fee Structure

BDS in abroad for indian students fees in rupees are identified below:

BDS in India or MBBS abroad Fee structure

Cost Matters Path That Is Easily Affordable: 

• It is about cost, the first thing anyone would talk about when one wants to compare BDS in India or MBBS Abroad. BDS is not that expensive in India-mostly even in government dental colleges with fees going between ₹2 to 5 Lakhs.
• Private institutions can cost anywhere between 10 and 15 lakh rupees in total. Living expenses also remain nominal, about 10,000 to 20,000 a month.
• Meanwhile, MBBS abroad can cost anywhere from ₹20,000 to 60,000 depending on the country and university. To add to that, the monthly living expenses abroad can hover anywhere between ₹30,000 to 60,000. There are countries such as Russia, Ukraine, and the Philippines where tuition fees are quite low, yet this entire experience still costs steeper than going for BDS in India.

Course Period: How Long Will You Study?

• Almost both BDS in India and MBBS abroad tends to take about 5 to 6 years. BDS requires a compulsory one year of internship after the course. The duration of MBBS after "abroad" varies slightly from one another, depending on the curricula of the country, and an internship may or may not be included in the stipulated timeline.
• For example, an MBBS in the Philippines will generally provide you with a different year for your clinical clerkship, while MBBS in Russia or Georgia could take six years, given that internships are embedded in the common part of the duration. Either way, you expect to have around solid commitment of five to six years in the curriculum.

How Difficult Is It to Get Into?

• It is really difficult to get into a BDS course in India. The coveted NEET has to be cleared, and there are many fewer seats in government colleges. Private dental colleges have lower entry barriers but are very costly.
• NEET is a prerequisite for MBBS abroad as well, but the general trend becomes lighter. All the above universities do not have entrance examinations other than their admissions , which simplifies the process. Therefore, if your NEET doesn't show quite a high-ranking score, MBBS abroad might benefit from a more realistic option.
• The program in BDS offers a means for staying near home; imparts medical training in English with local patients; thereby facilitating adjustment to college life in general. This allows for cultural anchorage and family support.
• In contrast, every MBBS abroad program offers exposure to international surroundings. Although the attendance for lectures might be in English, the ability to converse with patients in their local language is often imposed; thus, practical training requires some knowledge of these tongues, such as Russian, Mandarin, or Georgian, depending on the foreign nation where the candidate pursues their studies. If the soul is open to accepting a new culture, it can be a path to revolution. But it also involves toughness and adaptability.

Licensure: What's Next After Graduation?

Upon completing the 5-year BDS program in India, any graduate is required to sit for the NEXT (National Exit Test) as a requirement to practice and further his career towards postgraduate courses. NEXT is an upcoming single-window licensing and entrance examination for all medical and dental graduates in India.

In the case of MBBS abroad, clearing the FMGE (Foreign Medical Graduate Exam) is a must if one intends to practice in India. An arduous exam with a history of extremely low passing rates, the FMGE. If you wish to practice abroad, you will probably also be preparing for other examinations, such as the USMLE (USA), PLAB (UK), or AMC (Australia)-all of which are worth your time, investment, and strong focus.

Benefits of BDS in India or MBBS Abroad

Benefits of BDS in India

• Compared to the MBBS, the BDS course comes with lower annual fees, which makes it accessible to Indian students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds.
• While the MBBS course duration is 5.5 years and the BDS course can be completed in 5 years.
• Pursuing BDS courses serves specialised knowledge and skills in the domain of dentistry. Unlike MBBS, which qualifies you for general medicine, BDS enables me to specialize in dental practice right from the UG level.
• Securing admission into a BDS course is relatively simpler than getting into an MBBS program

Benefits of MBBS Abroad

• The MBBS program enjoys a prestigious standing in India, commanding respect and admiration from students, the wider community and parents
• The medical field serves a huge landscape for professional growth, serving a wide array of exciting career scopes.
• The medical profession is considered one of the noblest vocations. Physicians shoulder the profound responsibility of saving lives.  

Top Colleges for BDS in India Or MBBS Abroad

Names of the top colleges for BDS in Indian or MBBS abroad are listed below:

BDS Career Scope or MBBS Career Scope

BDS Career Scope

• Upon successful completion of the 5 year BDS course, students get good opportunities in different avenues. Sometimes, reputed medical colleges facilitate placement scopes for graduates in both government and private hospitals. While job prospects exist at this phase, studying a Masters in Dental Surgery unlocks even more promising career prospects.

MBBS Career Scope

• Pediatrics
• Psychiatry
• Gynaecology
• Orthopaedics
• Endocrinology
• Ophthalmology
• Internal Medicine
• Plastic Surgery

BDS in India or MBBS Abroad: Ranking

Clinical Experience: Where Will You Learn More?

• Many government dental colleges in India offer strong clinical exposure but cash history does not include infrastructure in a positive manner. Some private ones may give better equipment but with scanty patient flow.
• MBBS Abroad universities, on the other hand, have well-equipped laboratories with attached hospitals. There are other institutions in China, Russia, and Eastern Europe giving global medical education toward international medical practice. However, not every university holds the bar high, so be wise and choose the NMC-approved ones.
• Also, do remember that the choice between BDS in India or MBBS abroad should finally boil down to what you truly want, what your capacity is in terms of money, and what your long-term goals are. 
• If you are interested in oral healthcare, look for expediting your entry into the workforce, and prefer to study in India, then BDS in India would be the ideal course for you. 
• If being a doctor anywhere in the world is your dream, if licensing exams are hurdles to be taken in your mud path, then if you have resources, MBBS abroad is your pathway to an international medical career. Both avenues have their ups and downs, but it's about choosing which suits you most rightly.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the decision between pursuing BDS or MBBS should be driven by individual understanding and passion for the difference between the two nations. Students must note that a BDS course is a good option as the annual course is less and chances of admission is high. On the other hand, an MBBS course can be considered as it confirms high stability and income. 

FAQs

Q.1 Can I switch from BDS to MBBS?

Yes, there is a bridge course that switches BDS to MBBS.

Q.2 Can I do both MBBS and BDS?

Yes, you can study MBBS doing BDS.

Q.3 Which is better in MBBS and MDS?

An MDS is a postgraduate degree in Dental surgery that serves specialisation in a particular branch of dental science. However, MBBS is a UG course in medicine and surgery.

Q.4 Who is responsible for regulating BDS and MBBS education in India?

The Medical Council of India is the core authority that controls MBBS education. As well as, the BDS curriculum is regulated by the Dental Council of India.

Q.5 Is MBBS harder than BDS?

MBBS and BDS are equivalent in terms of the level of difficulty. MBBS is a common abbreviation for Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery. 

Q.6 Is BDS a better career option for the future?

The Bachelor of Dental surgery or BDS is one of the most promising career options in the medical domain after class 12th.

Q.7 Can a BDS student pursue MS studies after finishing the graduate degree course?

No. a BDS graduate is not allowed to pursue a master’s in surgery course.

Q.8 Is NEET applicable for both BDS and MBBS?

Yes, NEET 2022 is the exclusive entrance test to offer admission to MBBS and BDS seats in all the medical colleges in India.

Q.9  Is MBBS enough to become a doctor?

Yes, an MBBS degree is sufficient enough for becoming a recognised doctor or opening their private clinic.

Q.10 What is the salary of a BDS in India?

The salary range of an BDS in India is between INR 3.2 lakhs to INR 4.1 lakhs.