Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh have secured representation in the National Dental Commission (NDC) following a selection process conducted by the Union Health Ministry. The ministry selected part-time members through a draw of lots on November 3, 2026. Nagaland and Meghalaya entered through the State Dental Council category. Meanwhile, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh secured places in the State and Union Territory Government category. The appointments will run for two years. The selections strengthen Northeast India’s participation in the national body responsible for regulating dental education and professional standards.
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Centre Selects 19 Part-Time Members
Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava participated in the selection process. The ministry conducted the draw according to the National Dental Commission Act, 2023, and its associated rules.
The selection covered 19 part-time members across two categories. Ten members will represent State and Union Territory Governments. Another nine will represent State Dental Councils.
The ministry also selected the second part-time member for each of the commission’s three autonomous boards.
All appointments carry a two-year tenure. The process follows the statutory mechanism established under the 2023 legislation.
Furthermore, the selection provides different state-level institutions with representation in the national regulatory structure.
Nagaland and Meghalaya Secure Dental Council Representation
Nagaland and Meghalaya secured places among the nine representatives selected from State Dental Councils.
The ministry selected Dr. H. Hotokhu Chisi to represent Nagaland. Meghalaya’s representative is Dr. Kyrpang Passah.
Their selection gives both states a place in the commission through their respective dental council category.
The other selected states and Union Territories in this category include Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Puducherry.
The representatives will serve for two years.
Their participation forms part of the commission’s wider structure for involving state dental councils in national-level regulation.
Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh Join Government Category
Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh secured representation in the separate State and Union Territory Government category.
The ministry selected Brigadier Dr. Anil Kohli to represent Mizoram. It selected Dr. Tage Tamo for Arunachal Pradesh.
Both states feature among the ten representatives chosen through the draw of lots.
The remaining selections came from Sikkim, Jharkhand, Kerala, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.
This category provides a channel for state and Union Territory government representation in the commission.
Sikkim also secured a place in this category through Dr. Kessang Choden Rechung.
Consequently, three Northeastern states have representation in the State/UT Government category or the State Dental Council category? The official list confirms Sikkim, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh in the government category, while Nagaland and Meghalaya appear in the dental council category.
National Dental Commission Has Three Autonomous Boards
The National Dental Commission operates through three autonomous boards, each with specialised responsibilities. Together, these boards oversee dental education, institutional assessment and professional regulation.
The three bodies include the Under-Graduate and Post-Graduate Dental Education Board, the Dental Assessment and Rating Board, and the Ethics and Dental Registration Board. Each board manages a separate area of dental regulation.
The education board oversees undergraduate and postgraduate dental education. Meanwhile, the assessment and rating board evaluates institutions and monitors educational standards.
Additionally, the ethics and registration board handles professional conduct and registration-related matters.
The ministry also selected the second part-time member for each autonomous board. Dr. Rajesh Reddy from Telangana will serve on the Under-Graduate and Post-Graduate Dental Education Board.
Similarly, Dr. Shiva Sharan K from Karnataka will join the Dental Assessment and Rating Board. Dr. Chandresh Kumar Shukla from Madhya Pradesh will serve on the Ethics and Dental Registration Board.
The authorities selected these members from among nine representatives of State Dental Councils.
National Dental Commission Replaces Earlier Regulatory Structure
The National Dental Commission marks a significant change in India’s dental education regulatory framework. The National Dental Commission Act, 2023, provides the legal foundation for this new regulatory body.
Under the new arrangement, the commission replaces the earlier Dental Council of India framework. Moreover, it aims to strengthen dental education, institutional accountability and professional standards.
Its structure includes three autonomous boards covering education, assessment and professional ethics. The new regulatory framework became operational on March 19, 2026.
Furthermore, the commission works to improve educational quality and maintain accountability across dental institutions. It also provides a national framework for professional registration and ethical conduct.
Importantly, state-level representation connects national regulatory decisions with institutions across different regions. This arrangement allows state representatives to contribute to discussions on dental education and professional standards.
Northeast Representation Strengthens Regional Participation
The latest selections bring representation from five Northeastern states into the National Dental Commission’s two selection categories, including Sikkim.
Nagaland and Meghalaya secured representation through their respective State Dental Councils. Meanwhile, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim entered through the State/UT Government category.
As a result, these appointments create an opportunity for regional perspectives to reach the national regulatory body.
Northeastern states have different institutional capacities and healthcare requirements. Therefore, their participation can help highlight regional challenges during discussions on dental education and professional regulation.
However, the announcement does not confirm a separate dental education expansion programme for these states. Neither does it announce new dental colleges, additional seats or special funding for regional institutions.
Instead, the selections concern part-time membership in the National Dental Commission and its autonomous boards. This distinction matters because regulatory representation and infrastructure expansion require separate government decisions.
Two-Year Tenure Follows Statutory Selection Process
The selected part-time members will serve a two-year tenure under the prescribed appointment framework. The authorities conducted the draw of lots according to the National Dental Commission Act, 2023.
Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava participated in the selection process. Additionally, Additional Secretary Dr. Vinod Kotwal and other ministry officials attended the exercise.
These appointments strengthen state and professional council participation within the commission’s structure. During their tenure, members will contribute to the commission’s work according to their designated responsibilities.
Consequently, the arrangement supports coordination between the national regulator and state-level dental institutions. It also provides a formal channel for regional representatives to participate in national regulatory discussions.
Conclusion
Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh have secured representation in the National Dental Commission through the Centre’s latest selection process. Nagaland and Meghalaya entered through the State Dental Council category. Meanwhile, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh secured places through the State/UT Government category. Sikkim also received representation in the government category. These two-year appointments strengthen regional participation in national dental regulation under the National Dental Commission Act, 2023. However, the development does not confirm any new dental college or infrastructure expansion programme.
FAQs
1. Which Northeast states secured National Dental Commission representation?
Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim secured representation across the two selection categories.
2. Who will represent Nagaland in the commission?
Dr. H. Hotokhu Chisi was selected as Nagaland’s representative through the State Dental Council category.
3. Who will represent Meghalaya?
Dr. Kyrpang Passah was selected to represent Meghalaya through its State Dental Council.
4. Who represents Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh?
Brigadier Dr. Anil Kohli represents Mizoram, while Dr. Tage Tamo represents Arunachal Pradesh in the government category.
5. How long will the selected members serve?
The selected part-time members will serve for two years under the prescribed appointment framework.
6. Does this announcement confirm new dental colleges in the Northeast?
No. The announcement concerns representation in the National Dental Commission, not the establishment of new dental colleges.