Dr NTRUHS BDS Free Exit: Leave Phase II Seat by 10 AM, Lose Future CQ Eligibility

Dr. NTR University of Health Sciences has allowed BDS Competent Authority Quota candidates who reported or joined in Phase II to request Free Exit until 10 AM on October 17, 2026. Candidates must submit their Free Exit request to the Principal of the concerned dental college. The university has warned candidates to take an informed decision because using Free Exit means they will not be eligible for any further phase of BDS counselling under Competent Authority Quota for 2026–27.  The same notice, however, says such candidates can still participate in Management Quota Phase II of Dr. NTRUHS. 

AP BDS Free Exit 2026: Important Dates

Who Can Use the AP BDS Free Exit Facility?

The October 15 notice permits reported/joined Phase II candidates under BDS Competent Authority Quota to exit the reported seat on or before 10 AM on October 17.  The notification is framed in continuation of the university’s earlier Free Exit instructions and also refers to Phase I/II reported or joined seats. Candidates should confirm their exact counselling status with the college before submitting the request.

Where Should the Free Exit Request Be Submitted?

The request must be submitted to the Principal of the concerned dental college.

The university notice includes a prescribed application proforma requiring information such as:

• candidate name;
• registration ID;
• NEET UG 2026 rank;
• NEET UG roll number;
• contact details;
• college details;
• reason for Free Exit;
• candidate and parent/guardian signatures. 

Candidates should use the official format rather than submitting an informal request unless specifically permitted by the college.

What Happens to the Phase II Seat After Free Exit?

The candidate gives up all claim to the Phase II joined BDS seat. The Free Exit application itself states that the candidate understands they will have no claim on the Phase II joined seat after availing the facility.  Candidates should therefore not treat Free Exit as a temporary hold or seat-preservation option.

Can Free Exit Candidates Participate in CQ Phase III?

No.

The university clearly states that candidates who avail Free Exit will not be eligible for further rounds/phases of counselling under Competent Authority Quota for 2026–27. This is the most important consequence of the decision. Candidates considering a possible better CQ seat in Phase III should therefore understand that using Free Exit closes that path.

Can Free Exit Candidates Participate in Management Quota Phase II?

Yes, according to the October 15 notice. Dr. NTRUHS specifically states that Free Exit candidates can participate in MQ Phase II of the university. 

This only means they remain eligible to participate under that process. It does not guarantee:

• a Management Quota seat;
• eligibility for every MQ category;
• a preferred college;
• allotment.

Candidates must separately satisfy the applicable Management Quota rules.

Will Original Certificates Be Returned?

Yes.

The notice directs Principals accepting Free Exit requests to return the candidate’s original certificates immediately.  Candidates should obtain proper acknowledgement while collecting original records.

Will the Fees Be Refunded?

The notice instructs Principals to return the entire tuition fee and other fees, if any, to candidates availing the Free Exit facility. 

Candidates should retain documentation of:

• Free Exit request;
• acknowledgement;
• certificate return;
• fee refund/payment reversal.

The notice does not provide a separate online refund timeline.

What Is the 11:30 AM Deadline?

The 11:30 AM deadline on October 17 applies to colleges, not to candidates submitting their request.

1. Principals must freeze the latest data by 11:30 AM after processing Free Exit requests.
2. Candidates themselves must act earlier, by 10 AM.

What Happens After 11:30 AM?

The notice says that after the prescribed period, no candidate will be permitted to withdraw from a Phase I/II joined seat under this Free Exit window.  Candidates who continue in their seat after the Free Exit period become subject to the Phase III counselling framework.

What If a Candidate Does Not Use Free Exit?

Phase I/II reported candidates who do not opt for Free Exit remain eligible to exercise web options for Phase III according to the applicable Phase III procedure. 

This is the key contrast:

• Free Exit → no further CQ rounds
• Keep reported/joined seat → Phase III options may remain available under the notified procedure

Candidates should assess this difference carefully before submitting the exit form.

What About Candidates Who Did Not Join Their Allotted Seat?

The notice says candidates who did not report at the Phase I/II allotted college may exercise Phase III web options for other colleges, except the college they did not join. This is a separate situation from a candidate who joined and is actively using the Free Exit facility.

What Happens to Seats Vacated Through Free Exit?

The university states that candidates who resign from the reported/joined Phase I/II seat before the cutoff will be treated as not reported/not joined, and the resulting vacant seats will be filled in Phase III counselling as per rules. 

Public Holidays Count as Working Days

The official notification specifically notes that all public holidays will be treated as working days for this process. Candidates should not delay action because October 17 or any relevant period is treated as a holiday locally.

What Should Candidates Do Before Requesting Free Exit?

Before submitting the request, candidates should confirm:

• current allotment/reporting status;
• whether they want to retain access to later CQ rounds;
• whether Management Quota is genuinely part of their plan;
• return of original certificates;
• fee-refund process at the college;
• acknowledgement of the exit request.

The decision should be based on the candidate’s individual admission situation, not merely on the fact that Free Exit is available.

Official sources

1. Official AP BDS CQ Free Exit notice
2. Dr. NTRUHS admissions notifications