Published: 18 March 2026PIB / Ministry of Health & Family Welfare / ANIGovernance
National Dental Commission (NDC) Formally Constituted, Replaces Dental Council of India from March 19, 2026
On March 19, 2026, the Government of India formally constituted the National Dental Commission (NDC) along with three autonomous boards, replacing the seven-decade-old Dental Council of India (DCI). The NDC Act came into force on the same date, simultaneously repealing the Dentists Act, 1948 and dissolving the DCI. The notification was issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
The NDC is supported by three specialized boards: (1) Undergraduate and Postgraduate Dental Education Board — which oversees curriculum, standards, and quality of dental education; (2) Dental Assessment and Rating Board — responsible for institutional accreditation and assessments; and (3) Ethics and Dental Registration Board — governing professional conduct and maintaining the national register of dentists. Dr. Sanjay Tewari has been appointed as Chairperson of the NDC and Dr. Mousumi Goswami as Part-Time Member.
The NDC reform aligns with the broader overhaul of medical education governance in India — comparable to the National Medical Commission (NMC) which replaced the Medical Council of India (MCI) in 2020. The new commission aims to increase transparency, reduce corruption in dental college approvals, standardize competency-based education, and align India's dental education with global standards. This is particularly significant for Rajasthan, which has a growing number of private dental colleges and a large rural population with limited oral healthcare access.
0Mains angle
Q: Examine the constitution of the National Dental Commission from 19 March 2026, its three boards' mandate and significance for dental education governance and Rajasthan's oral healthcare needs.
Answer (50 words):
On 19 March 2026 the Government formally constituted the National Dental Commission, repealing the Dentists Act 1948 and dissolving the Dental Council of India. Three autonomous boards govern education, accreditation and ethics under Chairperson Dr. Sanjay Tewari. Mirroring the NMC reform, it strengthens transparency, particularly relevant for Rajasthan's expanding private dental colleges.
6-axis classification
CoverageNationalSubjectNationalExamBasic Computer Instructor · CET Graduation · CET Senior Secondary · EO/RO · LDC · Mahila Supervisor · Patwar · PTI · RAS · REET · RPSC SI · School Lecturer · Senior Computer Instructor · Senior Teacher · UPSC · Vanpal · BothSourcePIB / Ministry of Health & Family Welfare / ANI
Practice MCQ from this story
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Linked questionMedium
Consider the following statements regarding the National Dental Commission (NDC) constituted on March 19, 2026:
1. It replaced the Dental Council of India (DCI) established under the Dentists Act, 1948.
2. It comprises three autonomous boards: Undergraduate and Postgraduate Dental Education Board, Dental Assessment and Rating Board, and Ethics and Dental Registration Board.
3. Dr. Sanjay Tewari was appointed as its first Chairperson.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Explanation · Correct answer DAll three statements are correct. (1) The NDC Act came into force on March 19, 2026, simultaneously repealing the Dentists Act, 1948 and dissolving the DCI. (2) The NDC is supported by exactly three autonomous boards — the Undergraduate and Postgraduate Dental Education Board, Dental Assessment and Rating Board, and Ethics and Dental Registration Board. (3) Dr. Sanjay Tewari was appointed Chairperson and Dr. Mousumi Goswami as Part-Time Member. This reform mirrors the National Medical Commission (NMC) which replaced the Medical Council of India (MCI) in 2020.
Frequently asked questions
What is the National Dental Commission (NDC) and when was it formally constituted?
The National Dental Commission (NDC) was formally constituted on March 19, 2026, replacing the Dental Council of India (DCI). With its establishment, the Dentists Act, 1948 was simultaneously repealed.
What are the three autonomous boards under the National Dental Commission?
The NDC comprises three autonomous boards: the Dental Education Board, the Dental Assessment & Rating Board, and the Ethics & Dental Registration Board. These boards govern dental education, accreditation, and professional ethics respectively.
Who was appointed as the first Chairperson of the National Dental Commission?
Dr. Sanjay Tewari was appointed as the first Chairperson of the National Dental Commission (NDC) when it was constituted on March 19, 2026.
Which existing commission does the NDC model follow and what is its objective?
The NDC mirrors the National Medical Commission (NMC) model. Its objective is to improve transparency, accountability, and quality regulation in dental education across India.
Which Act was repealed with the formation of the NDC and what body did it replace?
The Dentists Act, 1948 was repealed with the formation of the NDC. The NDC replaced the Dental Council of India (DCI), which had governed dental education and practice since 1948.
