In a significant development for dental education and specialist oral healthcare in Jharkhand, the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (Rims) in Ranchi has secured approval from the central government to introduce Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) programmes across nine specialisations, commencing from the 2026-27 academic session.
First Government Institution in State to Offer Postgraduate Dental Education
With this approval, the Rims Dental Institute will become the first government-run institution in Jharkhand to provide postgraduate dental education. A total of 27 seats have been sanctioned across nine departments, including oral surgery, orthodontics, paediatric dentistry, periodontology, and public health dentistry.
Addressing a Long-Standing Gap
Officials have highlighted that this move is expected to fill a critical void in the state's dental education framework, reducing the dependency of students on institutions outside Jharkhand for advanced studies. Shishir Kumar, the Public Relations Officer of Rims, stated, “Rims currently has 60 BDS seats, while nearly 500 BDS seats are available across Jharkhand. Despite this, no government institution in the state offered MDS courses until now. As a result, students had to migrate to other states for higher education or rely on expensive private colleges. This approval bridges a major gap in the dental education infrastructure of Jharkhand.”
Strengthening Specialist Dental Care
Medical professionals at Rims believe that the introduction of MDS programmes will also enhance specialist dental treatment facilities at the institute, particularly for patients requiring advanced procedures. Hirendra Birua, the medical superintendent, commented, “With the start of MDS courses, specialised treatments such as advanced oral procedures will be expanded at Rims. Students pursuing higher dental education will receive structured clinical training under specialist departments. Meanwhile, those who previously had to leave the state for MDS studies will now find opportunities within Jharkhand itself.”
Approval and Renewal Process
The approval has been granted initially for a period of one academic year. Renewal will be conducted annually, contingent upon compliance with the norms set by the Dental Council of India. This development is poised to improve both specialist training and access to advanced dental care in the state's premier government medical institution.
