NDC mandates 80% biometric attendance for PG dental students to appear in exams

The National Dental Commission (NDC) has instructed all dental colleges and universities across India to ensure that postgraduate dental students maintain a minimum of 80% biometric attendance to be eligible for university examinations.

In a fresh directive, the commission also cautioned institutions against permitting students with attendance below the prescribed threshold to appear for examinations, stating that colleges would be held accountable for any violation of its statutory directions.

“You are hereby directed to ensure that no PG student is allowed to appear in the University/PG examination, if the biometric attendance is less than 80 per cent, and the institution shall be held responsible for such non-compliance with the statutory directions issued by the National Dental Commission.”

The latest order reinforces an earlier directive issued on Jan 19, 2026, when the then Dental Council of India (DCI) had introduced the mandatory minimum biometric attendance requirement for postgraduate dental students.

That decision followed recommendations from the DCI's Grievance Sub-Committee, which examined complaints regarding inadequate attendance among postgraduate dental students at institutions in Rajasthan, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.

Reiterating the requirement, the NDC has asked all dental colleges and universities to strictly implement the attendance norms.

It said institutions that fail to enforce the 80% biometric attendance requirement could face responsibility for non-compliance with the commission's statutory directions.

The commission said the measure is intended to improve student attendance, reinforce academic discipline, and maintain the quality of postgraduate dental education across the country.