The Secretary of the Ministry of Health selected part‑time members of the National Dental Commission and its autonomous boards through a lottery.

The Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Mrs. Punya Salila Srivastava, selected the part‑time members of the National Dental Commission (NDC) and its autonomous boards through a draw of lots in accordance with the procedure prescribed under clause 12 of the National Dental Commission Act, 2023. In this selection process, eligible candidates from various dental institutions, research centres and private practice were first shortlisted, after which the final selection was made by lot draw. The selected part‑time members will be appointed for a term up to 2027 and will serve in an advisory capacity for the development of dental education, research, regulatory policies and public health.

The National Dental Commission, which was established in 2024, is the principal regulatory body for overseeing dental education, licensing, practice standards and patient safety. The Act has divided the Commission into several autonomous boards, such as the Dental Education Board, the Dental Research and Innovation Board, and the Dental Public Health Board. The participation of part‑time experts has been made mandatory to enhance the effectiveness of these boards, enabling the inclusion of diverse expertise from various fields.

The government has presented this lot‑draw process as a symbol of transparency and fairness, thereby eliminating any possibility of bias or external pressure in the selection. This mixed group of experts, which combines academic, clinical and administrative experience, will play a crucial role in elevating dental standards to international levels and in improving the reach and quality of dental health services in the country. This step also reflects the government’s commitment to comprehensive reform of national health policy and to strengthening confidence in health services.