National Dental Commission constituted with three boards; Dental Council of India dissolved
The Government constituted the National Dental Commission (NDC) and three autonomous boards by notifications of 19 March 2026, replacing the Dental Council of India; Dr Sanjay Tewari is the Chairperson and the Dentists Act, 1948 stands repealed.
Summary
The National Dental Commission (NDC) came into being on 19 March 2026, when the Government issued notifications constituting it along with three autonomous boards and replacing the elected Dental Council of India (DCI). The boards are the Undergraduate and Postgraduate Dental Education Board, the Dental Assessment and Rating Board, and the Ethics and Dental Registration Board. Dr Sanjay Tewari is the NDC Chairperson, Dr Chandrashekhar Janakiram heads the education board and Lt Gen (Retd) Nanda Kishore Sahoo the assessment board. With the NDC Act in force from 19 March 2026, the Dentists Act, 1948 stands repealed and the DCI is dissolved; the NDC will frame regulations, rate dental institutions and frame fee guidelines for private dental colleges.
Key facts
- In force
- 19 March 2026
- Replaces
- Dental Council of India (dissolved); Dentists Act, 1948 repealed
- Chairperson
- Dr Sanjay Tewari
- Boards
- UG & PG Dental Education Board; Dental Assessment and Rating Board; Ethics and Dental Registration Board
- Board heads
- Dr Chandrashekhar Janakiram (Education); Lt Gen (Retd) Nanda Kishore Sahoo (Assessment & Rating)
- Secretary
- Arindam Modak
- Functions
- Regulations, institution rating, fee guidelines for private colleges, research
Practice MCQs 4 questions
The National Dental Commission, which came into effect on 19 March 2026, replaced:
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Correct answer: D — Dental Council of India
The NDC and its three autonomous boards replace the Dental Council of India, which is dissolved from 19 March 2026.
Who was appointed Chairperson of the National Dental Commission in March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Dr Sanjay Tewari
Dr Sanjay Tewari is the Chairperson of the NDC; Dr Janakiram heads the education board and Lt Gen (Retd) Sahoo the assessment board.
Who heads the Dental Assessment and Rating Board under the National Dental Commission?
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Correct answer: B — Lt Gen (Retd) Nanda Kishore Sahoo
Lt Gen (Retd) Nanda Kishore Sahoo is President of the Dental Assessment and Rating Board; Dr Himanshu Aeran is its Whole Time Member.
Consider the following about the National Dental Commission (NDC): 1. With the NDC Act in force from 19 March 2026, the Dentists Act, 1948 stands repealed. 2. The NDC has four autonomous boards, including a separate Dental Research Board. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: the NDC has three autonomous boards – UG & PG Dental Education, Dental Assessment and Rating, and Ethics and Dental Registration.