80% biometric attendance now mandatory for PG dental students, says Health Ministry
The National Dental Commission has mandated 80% biometric attendance for PG dental students to appear in exams and warned institutions of accountability. The rule reinforces a 2026 NDC directive based on grievance findings over low attendance in several states.
The National Dental Commission (NDC) has directed all dental colleges and universities across the country to ensure that postgraduate (PG) dental students maintain at least 80 per cent biometric attendance to become eligible for university examinations.
The commission has also warned institutions that they will be held responsible if students with inadequate biometric attendance are allowed to appear for examinations.
It further stated, “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%, and the institution shall be held responsible for such non-compliance with the statutory directions issued by the National Dental Commission.”
Click here to read the full notice.
EARLIER NDC DIRECTIVE
The directive builds on an earlier order issued on January 19, 2026, when the then Dental Council of India (DCI) had instructed institutions to implement the minimum biometric attendance requirement.
The earlier circular was based on recommendations of the DCI’s Grievance Sub-Committee, which examined complaints regarding inadequate attendance of postgraduate dental students in colleges across Rajasthan, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
The NDC’s notice further clarified that institutions failing to enforce the attendance rule may face responsibility for violating the commission’s statutory directions.
The National Dental Commission (NDC) has directed all dental colleges and universities across the country to ensure that postgraduate (PG) dental students maintain at least 80 per cent biometric attendance to become eligible for university examinations.
The commission has also warned institutions that they will be held responsible if students with inadequate biometric attendance are allowed to appear for examinations.
It further stated, “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%, and the institution shall be held responsible for such non-compliance with the statutory directions issued by the National Dental Commission.”
Click here to read the full notice.
EARLIER NDC DIRECTIVE
The directive builds on an earlier order issued on January 19, 2026, when the then Dental Council of India (DCI) had instructed institutions to implement the minimum biometric attendance requirement.
The earlier circular was based on recommendations of the DCI’s Grievance Sub-Committee, which examined complaints regarding inadequate attendance of postgraduate dental students in colleges across Rajasthan, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
The NDC’s notice further clarified that institutions failing to enforce the attendance rule may face responsibility for violating the commission’s statutory directions.
