AP NEET MDS Counselling 2026 Round 1 Schedule for CQ Seats: Registration Dates, Fees and How to Apply

Andhra Pradesh has officially opened the door for AP NEET MDS Counselling 2026 Round 1 for Competent Authority Quota (CQ) seats. Dr. NTR University of Health Sciences (NTRUHS), Vijayawada, released the detailed notification on 17 August 2026, inviting eligible dental graduates to register online at drntr.uhsap.in. This marks the beginning of state-level admissions into MDS degree and diploma programmes for the academic year 2026–27 across government and private non-minority dental colleges in Andhra Pradesh.

If you have appeared for NEET MDS 2026 and hold a valid BDS qualification with completed internship, this guide explains the Round 1 schedule, registration steps, fees, eligibility, documents, and what happens after you apply. While 50% of seats are filled through central counselling by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), the remaining state quota—including CQ seats in AP dental colleges—is handled by NTRUHS. Understanding this split early helps you plan both AIQ and state options without missing deadlines.

What Is AP NEET MDS Counselling 2026?

AP NEET MDS counselling is the state admission process through which qualified candidates secure postgraduate dental seats in Andhra Pradesh. Unlike undergraduate medical admissions linked to NEET UG, MDS admissions are based exclusively on NEET PG-level dental scores—specifically the NEET MDS examination conducted by the National Board of Examinations (NBE).

For the 2026–27 session, NTRUHS is conducting counselling for:

• Government dental colleges in Andhra Pradesh (including institutions in NTR district and other regions)
• Category-A (Convenor/CQ) seats—50% of intake—in private unaided non-minority dental colleges affiliated to the university

These CQ seats are distinct from Management Quota (MQ) seats, which follow a separate notification and fee structure. Round 1, also called Phase-I counselling, covers registration, document verification, merit list publication, web options (choice filling), seat allotment, and college reporting.

AP NEET MDS Counselling 2026 Round 1 Schedule for CQ Seats

The university published the Round 1 registration schedule on 17 August 2026. Candidates must treat every date as tentative until confirmed on the official portal, as NTRUHS reserves the right to revise timelines.

Official Round 1 Registration Timeline

After the registration window closes, NTRUHS typically publishes the provisional final merit list, seat matrix, and web options notification—similar to previous academic cycles. Based on the 2025–26 pattern, expect merit list and choice-filling dates to be announced within days of registration closure. Monitor the admissions section daily so you do not miss the short web-options window, which often lasts only 48–72 hours.

Upcoming Round 1 Events (After Registration)

Although exact dates for later Round 1 steps will be notified separately, candidates should prepare for the following sequence:

1. Publication of provisional final merit list
2. Release of college-wise and course-wise seat matrix
3. Web options (choice filling and locking) for Phase-I
4. Provisional seat allotment result
5. Payment of university fee and download of allotment order
6. Reporting to allotted dental college with original documents

Eligibility Criteria for AP NEET MDS CQ Admissions 2026–27

Before registering, confirm that you meet every condition listed in the official prospectus. Incomplete or incorrect applications may lead to rejection during verification.

NEET MDS 2026 Qualifying Scores

Candidates must secure the minimum cut-off in NEET MDS 2026 (maximum marks: 960):

• General category: 50th percentile — cut-off score 308
• General PwBD: 45th percentile — cut-off score 289
• SC/ST/BC/OBC (including PwBD): 40th percentile — cut-off score 271

Academic and Internship Requirements

• BDS degree from a recognised dental college
• Compulsory rotatory internship completed on or before 31 May 2026
• Valid temporary or permanent registration with the State Dental Council
• Eligibility certificate or equivalent, if applicable

Local and Non-Local Status (Domicile Rules)

Andhra Pradesh follows strict domicile norms under G.O.P. No. 646 (1979) and recent government orders. Candidates from other states are not eligible for CQ seats unless they satisfy local or non-local status as defined by AP regulations. Key points include:

• 15% of unreserved seats in medical/dental colleges are reserved exclusively for local candidates from Andhra and Rayalaseema regions
• In non-statewide institutions, 85% of seats are reserved for local AP candidates; 15% are unreserved for local/non-local candidates
• Only caste certificates issued by competent authorities of Andhra Pradesh are accepted; certificates from other states may lead to treatment as General category

Registration Fee and Payment Structure

Understanding the fee components before applying prevents payment errors and unnecessary late fees.

Registration and Processing Fee (Without Late Fee)

Late Fee Window (23–24 August 2026)

An additional late fee of ₹20,000 applies during the extended registration period. For example, OC/BC candidates within AP would pay ₹27,000 in total. All registration and processing fees—including late fees—are non-refundable.

University Fee After Seat Allotment

Allotted candidates must pay a non-refundable university fee of ₹25,600 through the online payment gateway to download the provisional allotment order. Tuition fees are separate and governed by AP government orders; for reference, the 2025–26 CQ tuition was approximately ₹3,41,550 for clinical courses and ₹3,07,395 for para-clinical courses.

How to Register for AP NEET MDS Counselling 2026 Round 1

Registration is entirely online. Follow the university user manual alongside these steps for a smooth application.

Step-by-Step Registration Process

1. Visit the official portal: Open drntr.uhsap.in and navigate to MDS CQ Admissions 2026–27.
2. Download the prospectus and user manual: Read eligibility, reservation rules, and document specifications before filling the form.
3. Create login credentials: Register using your NEET MDS 2026 roll number, application number, and personal details.
4. Fill the application form: Enter academic details, internship information, category, local area status, and contact information accurately.
5. Upload scanned documents: Upload clear PDFs/JPEGs of all required certificates within prescribed size limits.
6. Pay the registration fee: Complete payment via debit card, credit card, or net banking.
7. Submit and print: Submit the application, download the confirmation page, and retain it for counselling.

Helpline and Support

For regulatory queries, contact 8978780501, 7997710168, 9391805238, or 9391805239 (10:00 AM–6:00 PM). For technical issues, call 9000780707 or 8008250842. Email support is available at ap.uhs.support@aptonline.in and mdsquery23@gmail.com for regulation-related questions.

Documents Required for AP NEET MDS Counselling 2026

Keep originals and self-attested copies ready. Upload quality scans during registration and carry originals during college reporting.

• NEET MDS 2026 scorecard and admit card
• BDS degree certificate or provisional certificate
• BDS study/consolidated marks certificate
• Compulsory rotatory internship completion certificate
• Transfer certificate or migration certificate
• Dental council registration certificate (temporary or permanent)
• Aadhaar card and PAN card
• Category certificate (AP-issued, if applicable)
• Local/non-local status certificate from MRO, if required
• Certificate for candidates migrated from Telangana to AP (if applicable)
• PIO/OCI certificate (for eligible foreign candidates)
• Any prior PG degree certificate, if applicable

Merit List, Seat Matrix, and Choice Filling

After registration closes, NTRUHS prepares the AP NEET MDS merit list based on NEET MDS scores, reservation category, and local area status. Only candidates appearing on the provisional final merit list can participate in Phase-I web options.

Understanding Web Options (Choice Filling)

During choice filling, candidates rank preferred MDS specialisations and colleges. Important rules include:

• There is no limit on the number of course-college combinations you can select
• Arrange choices in genuine order of preference—top choice first
• You must save and lock choices before the deadline; unlocked choices may be auto-locked
• Review the seat matrix carefully before submitting preferences
• Watch the university’s web options tutorial video available on the portal

Meritorious Reserved Candidate (MRC) Concept

AP follows an MRC mechanism to maintain the 50:50 ratio between open and reserved category seats. If a reserved-category candidate is allotted an open-category seat and later slides to a reserved seat in the same round, the vacated open seat is filled by candidates of that reserved category only. Understanding MRC helps you interpret allotment results and plan upgrades in later rounds.

Seat Allotment, Reporting, and Fee Payment

Seat allotment in Round 1 is based on NEET MDS rank, category, local status, choices filled, and seat availability. After allotment:

1. Log in to the counselling portal
2. Pay the university fee of ₹25,600 online
3. Download the provisional allotment order
4. Report to the allotted dental college within the stipulated period
5. Complete document verification and admission formalities at the college

Failure to report within the deadline may result in cancellation of the allotted seat and possible restrictions in subsequent rounds. Always verify reporting dates on the official notification.

AP NEET MDS Counselling Rounds Overview

NTRUHS typically conducts multiple counselling phases for CQ seats:

Phase-I (Round 1)

Open to all eligible registered candidates on the merit list. Allotted candidates who join may opt for upgradation in later rounds but must follow free-exit rules where applicable.

Phase-II (Round 2)

Candidates not allotted seats in Round 1 can participate. Candidates who upgrade in Round 2 forfeit their Round 1 seat. Those who joined Round 1 seats may exercise free exit as per schedule.

Phase-III (Mop-Up Round)

Includes candidates not allotted in earlier rounds, fresh registrants (with fee payment), and candidates willing to upgrade from Round 2 allotments.

Stray Vacancy Round

Conducted for remaining vacant seats. Fresh registration may be required. Candidates who did not report to earlier allotments may be allowed subject to notification conditions. Debarred candidates from previous years are ineligible.

Reservation Policy and Category-Wise Seat Distribution

Andhra Pradesh applies horizontal and vertical reservations as per government orders. Scheduled Caste reservation is further divided among three SC groups: Group I (1%), Group II (6.5%), and Group III (7.5%), totalling 15% within the SC quota. BC, ST, EWS, and PwBD reservations apply as notified in the prospectus.

Women candidates seeking postgraduate dental education benefit from transparent merit-based allotment. While this article focuses on AP MDS admissions, students exploring broader higher education pathways may also research institutions such as ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education, Hyderabad or specialised centres like the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram for allied health and research programmes.

Common Mistakes to Avoid During Round 1

• Missing the registration deadline: Late registration costs an extra ₹20,000 and still may not guarantee merit list inclusion if documents are incomplete.
• Uploading unclear documents: Blurry scans lead to rejection during verification.
• Ignoring local status rules: Out-of-state candidates without valid AP domicile cannot claim CQ seats.
• Not locking web options: Unlocked preferences may be auto-locked incorrectly.
• Paying only registration fee after allotment: University fee of ₹25,600 is mandatory to download allotment orders.
• Skipping prospectus reading: Debarment rules for non-reporting in previous years can disqualify you silently.

AP vs All India NEET MDS Counselling: Key Differences

Eligible candidates may participate in both processes sequentially, but must follow seat retention and exit rules of each authority to avoid penalties.

Conclusion

The release of the AP NEET MDS Counselling 2026 Round 1 schedule for CQ seats is a critical milestone for dental graduates aiming for postgraduate specialisation in Andhra Pradesh. With online registration open from 18 to 22 August 2026 (and a late-fee window on 23–24 August), candidates should act immediately—download the prospectus from drntr.uhsap.in, prepare documents, pay the correct registration fee, and track upcoming merit list and web options notifications.

Success in Round 1 depends on timely registration, accurate information, strategic choice filling, and prompt reporting after allotment. Bookmark the NTRUHS admissions page, save helpline numbers, and cross-check every update against official PDF notifications rather than unofficial social media posts. With careful planning, eligible NEET MDS qualifiers can secure a seat in government or private CQ categories and begin their MDS journey in Andhra Pradesh for the 2026–27 academic year.