The Tamil Nadu Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DME) has released a tentative vacancy position for BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) courses in the 2026-27 academic year under the 7.5% reservation quota as of 30 September 2026. This document lists 25 total BDS seats available across government colleges and self-financing (SF) colleges in Tamil Nadu. The 7.5% reservation refers to seats set aside for a specific category of candidates as per Tamil Nadu's reservation policy. This vacancy position is crucial for NEET UG 2026 counselling because it tells you exactly how many seats are available in each college under this quota, which directly affects your chances of getting a seat and the cutoff scores you may need.
Tamil Nadu has 25 BDS seats available under 7.5% reservation for 2026-27: 5 in government colleges and 20 in self-financing colleges.
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Unlock My College ListWhat is this vacancy position and why does it matter?
A vacancy position is an official list of available seats in medical and dental colleges for a specific admission round. This document shows how many BDS seats are open in Tamil Nadu colleges under the 7.5% reservation quota as of 30 September 2026. The number of seats available directly determines how many candidates can be admitted and influences the cutoff scores — fewer seats mean higher competition and typically higher cutoff marks.
The 7.5% reservation refers to seats reserved for a particular category of candidates under Tamil Nadu's reservation policy. These seats are separate from the general merit seats and other reserved categories. Understanding the exact number of seats available in each college helps you assess your realistic chances during counselling and plan which colleges to prioritise in your choice list.
Government BDS Colleges: 5 seats available
Tamil Nadu has two government dental colleges offering BDS courses. Under the 7.5% reservation quota, a total of 5 seats are available across these colleges. Government colleges are highly competitive because they offer lower fees and are considered prestigious, so cutoff scores for these seats are typically very high.
The two colleges and their seat availability are listed below. If you are eligible for the 7.5% quota and have a strong NEET score, these government college seats should be your priority during counselling, as they offer the best value and reputation.
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- Tamil Nadu Government Dental College & Hospital, Chennai: 3 seats
- Government Dental College and Hospital, Cuddalore: 2 seats
| College Name | Location | 7.5% Quota Seats |
|---|---|---|
| Tamil Nadu Government Dental College & Hospital | Chennai | 3 |
| Government Dental College and Hospital | Cuddalore | 2 |
| TOTAL | 5 |
Self-Financing (SF) BDS Colleges: 20 seats available
Self-financing colleges are private institutions that charge higher fees than government colleges but offer more seats. Tamil Nadu has 10 SF colleges offering BDS courses, with a combined total of 20 seats available under the 7.5% reservation quota. These colleges are spread across different regions of Tamil Nadu, giving you geographic options.
SF college seats are generally easier to secure than government seats because there are more of them and competition is lower. However, fees are significantly higher. If you do not qualify for a government college seat but are eligible for the 7.5% quota, these SF colleges are your next option. The seat distribution varies by college — some have 4 seats, others have 1 or 2 — so check which colleges have the most availability if you want better chances.
- Adhiparasakthi Dental College & Hospital, Melmaruvathur: 1 seat
- Best Dental Science College, Madurai: 4 seats
- K.S.R. Institute of Dental Science & Research, Tiruchengode: 4 seats
- Rajas Dental College & Hospital, Tirunelveli: 4 seats
- Madha Dental College & Hospital, Kundrathur: 1 seat
- Chettinad Dental College & Research Institute, Kancheepuram: 1 seat
- CSI College of Dental Sciences & Research, Madurai: 1 seat
- Tagore Dental College & Hospital, Chennai: 1 seat
- Priyadharshini Dental College & Hospital, Thiruvallur: 2 seats
- Nandha Dental College & Hospital, Erode: 1 seat
| College Name | Location | 7.5% Quota Seats |
|---|---|---|
| Adhiparasakthi Dental College & Hospital | Melmaruvathur | 1 |
| Best Dental Science College | Madurai | 4 |
| K.S.R. Institute of Dental Science & Research | Tiruchengode | 4 |
| Rajas Dental College & Hospital | Tirunelveli | 4 |
| Madha Dental College & Hospital | Kundrathur | 1 |
| Chettinad Dental College & Research Institute | Kancheepuram | 1 |
| CSI College of Dental Sciences & Research | Madurai | 1 |
| Tagore Dental College & Hospital | Chennai | 1 |
| Priyadharshini Dental College & Hospital | Thiruvallur | 2 |
| Nandha Dental College & Hospital | Erode | 1 |
| TOTAL | 20 |
What is the 7.5% reservation quota?
The 7.5% reservation quota is a category of seats set aside by Tamil Nadu under its reservation policy. This is separate from general merit seats and other reserved categories (such as SC, ST, OBC). To be eligible for these seats, you must belong to the specific category for which this 7.5% reservation is designated. The exact eligibility criteria — which community, caste, or group qualifies — is determined by Tamil Nadu's official reservation rules.
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If you are unsure whether you fall under the 7.5% quota, check the official TN MedSelect counselling guidelines or contact the DME directly. It is critical to confirm your eligibility before counselling begins, as applying under the wrong quota can result in your application being rejected or your seat being cancelled.
How does this vacancy position affect your counselling?
The vacancy position is published before counselling begins to give candidates a clear picture of how many seats are available in each college and quota. This helps you make informed decisions about which colleges to include in your choice list during counselling. With only 25 BDS seats available under the 7.5% quota across all of Tamil Nadu, competition will be significant if many candidates are eligible for this quota.
Use this information to set realistic expectations. If you are eligible for the 7.5% quota and your NEET score is high, you have a reasonable chance at a government college seat. If your score is moderate, focus on SF colleges with more seats (like Best Dental Science College, K.S.R. Institute, or Rajas Dental College, each with 4 seats). If your score is lower, colleges with 1-2 seats will be harder to secure. During counselling, prioritise colleges strategically based on your score and the number of available seats.
Important: This is a tentative vacancy position
The notice clearly states this is a 'tentative' vacancy position as of 30 September 2026. This means the numbers may change. Seats can increase or decrease due to several reasons: candidates may withdraw after admission, colleges may report additional vacancies, or the DME may adjust numbers based on final admissions data. Do not assume these exact numbers will remain unchanged throughout the entire counselling process.
Always check the official TN MedSelect portal for the latest vacancy updates before each counselling round. If you are called for counselling, verify the current seat availability at that time. Relying on outdated vacancy information could lead to poor choices during seat selection.
What to do next: Prepare for counselling
Now that you know the exact number of BDS seats available under the 7.5% quota, use this information to plan your counselling strategy. First, confirm that you are eligible for the 7.5% quota by checking the official eligibility criteria on the TN MedSelect website or the DME notification. Second, assess your NEET score against expected cutoffs for each college — government colleges will have the highest cutoffs, followed by SF colleges with more seats, then SF colleges with fewer seats.
Create a prioritised list of colleges you would like to join, starting with government colleges (if your score is competitive) and then moving to SF colleges. Consider factors beyond just seat availability: college reputation, location, fees, and infrastructure. Keep checking the TN MedSelect portal for updates on counselling dates, final vacancy positions, and the counselling process itself. When counselling opens, be ready to log in and make your choices quickly, as seats fill fast.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What does 7.5% reservation mean in this notice?
The 7.5% reservation refers to seats set aside by Tamil Nadu for a specific category of candidates under its reservation policy. These seats are separate from general merit seats and other reserved categories. To be eligible, you must belong to the category for which this 7.5% reservation is designated. Check the official TN MedSelect guidelines to confirm your eligibility for this quota.
How many BDS seats are available in total under 7.5% quota?
A total of 25 BDS seats are available under the 7.5% reservation quota for 2026-27: 5 seats in government colleges and 20 seats in self-financing colleges across Tamil Nadu.
Which government college has the most BDS seats under 7.5% quota?
Tamil Nadu Government Dental College & Hospital, Chennai has 3 seats under the 7.5% quota, which is the highest among government colleges. Government Dental College and Hospital, Cuddalore has 2 seats.
Which self-financing college has the most BDS seats under 7.5% quota?
Three SF colleges have the most seats: Best Dental Science College (Madurai), K.S.R. Institute of Dental Science & Research (Tiruchengode), and Rajas Dental College & Hospital (Tirunelveli) each have 4 seats under the 7.5% quota.
Why is this called a 'tentative' vacancy position?
The vacancy position is tentative because the numbers may change before or during counselling. Seats can increase or decrease due to candidate withdrawals, additional vacancies reported by colleges, or adjustments by the DME. Always check the official TN MedSelect portal for the latest vacancy updates before each counselling round.
Can I apply for BDS seats under 7.5% quota if I am not sure about my eligibility?
No. You must confirm your eligibility for the 7.5% quota before applying. Applying under the wrong quota can result in your application being rejected or your seat being cancelled. Check the official TN MedSelect counselling guidelines or contact the DME to verify your eligibility.
Are government college BDS seats easier to get than SF college seats?
No. Government college seats are harder to get because there are fewer of them (only 5 total) and they are highly competitive due to lower fees and better reputation. Cutoff scores for government seats are typically much higher. SF colleges have more seats (20 total), making them relatively easier to secure if your score is moderate.
What should I do with this vacancy information?
Use this information to plan your counselling strategy. Confirm your eligibility for the 7.5% quota, assess your NEET score against expected cutoffs for each college, and create a prioritised list of colleges you would like to join. Keep checking the TN MedSelect portal for updates on counselling dates and final vacancy positions.
Will these seat numbers change before counselling starts?
Possibly. The notice states this is a tentative position as of 30 September 2026. Seats may increase or decrease due to various reasons. Always check the official TN MedSelect portal for the latest vacancy updates before counselling begins and before each counselling round.
Can I choose multiple colleges during counselling?
Yes. During counselling, you will create a choice list of colleges in order of preference. The counselling system will allocate you a seat based on your rank, the colleges you have chosen, and the availability of seats. Prioritise your choices carefully based on your NEET score and the seat availability shown in this notice.
This tentative vacancy position is your roadmap for BDS counselling in Tamil Nadu. Confirm your eligibility for the 7.5% quota immediately, assess your NEET score against the colleges listed, and prepare your choice list. Keep monitoring the TN MedSelect portal (tnmedicalselection.net) for final vacancy updates and counselling schedule announcements. When counselling opens, log in promptly and make your choices strategically — with only 25 seats available, every decision counts.
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