Tamil Nadu MBBS/BDS Counselling 2025 – Round 5 Update

Overview

The Tamil Nadu Health Department has released a series of important updates regarding MBBS and BDS admissions for the 2025–26 academic session. These include the opening of online counselling web portals for the general Government/Management quota, as well as the 7.5% Government School Quota (GQ7.5%) especially meant for students from government schools. Alongside the counseling links, the department has also published the updated tentative vacancy positions related to BDS courses w.e.f. 12 December 2025. These lists of vacancies give candidates a fair idea about the number of remaining seats in both Government Dental Colleges and Self-Financing Dental Colleges for both the regular and 7.5% quota categories. The Tentative Special Stray Vacancy Round- Round 5 counselling schedule has also been issued by the Health Department, which is going to be the last opportunity for the eligible BDS aspirants to get admission in this session. Schedules have been provided separately for Government Quota seats, Management Quota seats, and the exclusive 7.5% reservation category. Further, Notification 48 announces an Additional Stray Round for BDS, which, in other words, means no seat is left vacant before the closure of the admission process. Put together, these updates take students through the final lap of BDS admission processes, ensuring seat availability, category quotas, and deadlines in the final round.

Important Points in Tabulated Form

Revised Timeline of Anticipated Counselling Activities

The following timelines represent the usual pattern of Tamil Nadu MBBS/BDS admission rounds for the 2025–2026 session, updated on and before 12 December 2025:

• Notification of Vacancy List (General + 7.5%): 12 December 2025
• Link activation of online counselling: After publishing vacancy
• Special Stray Vacancy Round (Round 5) – BDS: Schedule released
• Round 5 for 7.5% Govt School Quota: Separate schedule published
• Additional Stray Round Notification (48): Issued for final seat filling
• Web Option Entry: Immediately after the portal opens.
• Editing Window: Available until the counselling deadline
• Seat Allotment: 24–48 hours after freezing of options
• Allotment Order Download: Available on the counselling portal
• Reporting to Institutes: As per the official schedule
• Final Joining Deadline: Usually 2–4 days from the date of allotment

Candidates must always verify updates on the official Tamil Nadu medical selection website.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates who meet the following eligibility criteria will be eligible for participation in MBBS/BDS counselling rounds, 2025–2026 including special and stray round(s).

• He/She should be qualified in NEET UG 2025 with the required percentile.
• Should be the domicile of Tamil Nadu or should fall into specific categories permitted under state rules.
• Must be registered under the MBBS/BDS Tamil Nadu counseling portal.
• Must have completed the verification of original certificates, online/offline, whichever way it is notified.
• Should apply under the right quota:
  • Government Quota
  • Government Quota (7.5% Reservation for Govt School Students)
  • Management Quota
• Candidates who apply for 7.5% reservation must have to satisfy the eligibility criteria of Govt School.
• They have to follow all the parameters put forth by the Selection Committee and the Directorate of Medical Education.

Admission Procedure for MBBS/ BDS Tamil Nadu Counselling 2025–2026

1. Check Notifications and Vacancy Lists

On the other hand, the candidate needs to go through official notifications that comprise:

• 7.5% Govt School Quota - Vacancy position
• General BDS - list of vacancies
• Round 5 Special Stray round schedule
• Additional notification about Stray Round

2. Online Counselling Portal

Click the "Online Counselling" link corresponding to your Quota - Government Quota 7.5%, Government Quota, and Management Quota

3. Web Options

• College of preference (Dental - Government or Self-Financing)
• Prioritize options carefully, as the game does not upgrade between stray rounds.

4. Lock Choices

It can be set so that once locked, editing is not allowed except during the correction window.

5. Distribution of Seats

The allotment is based on the:

• Rank in NEET
• Reservation quota including 7.5%
• Category
• Availability of seats
• Order of preferences

6. Download Allotment Order

Candidates have to download the allotment letter from the portal with immediate effect.

7. Report to the College

Students need to have with them:

• Original certificates
• Allotment order
• Fee Payment Receipts
• Photo ID-any government-issued proof of identity

8. Completion of Admission formalities

The final payment, submission, and verification of documents shall be made within the stipulated period.

Important Instructions

• The reservation of 7.5% shall be applicable only to such students who have studied in Government Schools of Tamil Nadu for Classes 6 to 12.
• Round 5 Special Stray Vacancy is usually the last big round before the Additional Stray Round.
• For Management Quota seats, different fee structures are followed.
• The seats allotted will be automatically canceled in case of failure to report on or before the reporting date.
• Moreover, candidates are not allowed to withdraw the allotment after the stray round allotments.
• Web options come into play at a very critical stage—a time when a lot of care is needed based on the lists of vacancies.
• Additional Stray Round - Round 48, in most cases, is the last and final opportunity for an admission.

Summary of BDS Vacancy Categories

FAQs

Conclusion

The Tamil Nadu MBBS/BDS 2025–2026 counselling has reached the final stages with the 5th Round Special Stray Vacancy and Additional Stray Round. The vacancy lists released for both categories, including the general category and the 7.5% Government School Quota, therefore, bring a certain clarity to the students regarding their admission prospects. Candidates will have to scrutinize the vacancy position, adhere to the schedules, do wise web option entry, and fulfill reporting with regard to seating. To get the latest updates in this regard, students are advised to check the official website of Tamil Nadu medical counselling regularly.