The National Dental Commission has included four northeastern states — Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh — among the states selected for representation in its newly constituted regulatory structure. The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare selected 19 part-time members through a draw of lots on November 3, 2026, marking an important development in the country’s dental education and regulatory framework.
The appointments, which will be for a two-year tenure, include representatives from State and Union Territory governments and State Dental Councils. The selection gives the Northeast a presence in the national body responsible for overseeing dental education, professional standards and related regulatory matters.
Four Northeast States Secure Representation
According to the Union Health Ministry, the four northeastern states have been selected across two different categories of representation.
Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh have secured representation in the category of State and Union Territory government members. Nagaland and Meghalaya, meanwhile, have been selected in the category representing State Dental Councils.
The appointments reflect the regional distribution of representation within the commission. They also provide the four states an opportunity to participate in discussions and decisions concerning dental education, institutional standards and professional regulation.
The selected representatives from the Northeast are:
- Mizoram: Brig. Dr. Anil Kohli
- Arunachal Pradesh: Dr. Tage Tamo
- Nagaland: Dr. H. Hotokhu Chisi
- Meghalaya: Dr. Kyrpang Passah
Their selection forms part of a wider exercise involving states and Union Territories from different parts of the country.
Health Ministry Selects 19 Members
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare selected a total of 19 part-time members for the National Dental Commission and its three autonomous boards.
The selection process took place through a draw of lots in accordance with the National Dental Commission Act, 2023, and the rules framed under it. Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava participated in the process, while Additional Secretary Dr. Vinod Kotwal and other ministry officials were also present.
Of the 19 selected members, 10 will represent State and Union Territory governments, while nine will represent State Dental Councils.
The 10 government representatives have been selected from Sikkim, Jharkhand, Kerala, Uttarakhand, Mizoram, Rajasthan, Arunachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.
The nine State Dental Council representatives have been selected from Nagaland, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Karnataka, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Puducherry.
All selected members will serve a two-year term.
Three Autonomous Boards Also Get Representation
Alongside the selection of the 19 part-time members, the ministry also selected the second part-time member for each of the National Dental Commission’s three autonomous boards.
These selections were made from among the nine representatives of State Dental Councils under Section 17(5) of the National Dental Commission Act, 2023.
The three selected representatives are:
- Under-Graduate and Post-Graduate Dental Education Board: Dr. Rajesh Reddy from Telangana.
- Dental Assessment and Rating Board: Dr. Shiva Sharan K from Karnataka.
- Ethics and Dental Registration Board: Dr. Chandresh Kumar Shukla from Madhya Pradesh.
These boards are responsible for specialised areas of dental regulation, including educational standards, institutional assessment and professional ethics.
The arrangement creates a structured system in which different regulatory responsibilities are handled by dedicated bodies under the broader commission.
National Dental Commission Replaces Dental Council of India
The latest appointments are part of a wider reform in India’s dental education system. The Centre constituted the National Dental Commission on March 19, 2026, replacing the earlier Dental Council of India (DCI).
The new framework was introduced to improve the quality of dental education, strengthen accountability and establish a more transparent regulatory system. It also seeks to align dental education in India with international standards while improving access to affordable oral healthcare.
The National Dental Commission Act, 2023, provides the legal foundation for the new regulatory structure. The commission operates alongside three autonomous boards dealing with dental education, assessment and professional ethics.
The shift marks a significant change from the previous regulatory arrangement and is intended to improve oversight of dental institutions and professional practices across the country.
What the Selection Means for the Northeast
The inclusion of Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh provides the northeastern region with representation in the country’s evolving dental regulatory framework.
Although the appointments do not automatically guarantee new dental colleges, additional seats or immediate changes in healthcare facilities, they create opportunities for the selected representatives to contribute to national-level discussions on dental education and regulation.
The participation of representatives from the region could also help bring attention to the requirements and challenges faced by northeastern states, particularly in areas such as access to dental services, infrastructure development, professional training and institutional quality.
For a region where improving access to specialised healthcare remains an important development priority, representation in national regulatory institutions carries significance.
The two-year appointments will allow the selected members to participate in the commission’s work during an important phase of its establishment. As the National Dental Commission continues implementing the new framework, the involvement of representatives from Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh will add a northeastern perspective to discussions shaping India’s dental education and professional standards.