The students also demand the cancellation of attendance conditions and inclusion in decision-making committees.
Medical students have warned of a nationwide protest if their demands, including reducing passing scores on medical and dental university admission tests from 65% to 50%, are not met within 10 days.
On the other hand, the Medical and Dental Council of Pakistan has clarified that there will be no more delay in the medical entrance examination.
Students staged a protest outside the PMDC headquarters in Islamabad on Wednesday, expressing their concerns over the recent policy changes related to MDCAT. Protesters outlined three key demands and warned a nationwide demonstration would ensue if their concerns remained unaddressed.
The protest was organized by a group of students, whose leader told reporters at a press conference that the students exercised their constitutional right to peaceful protest and raised their concerns with relevant PMDC officials.
“We had three main demands,” said the student representative. “First, the increase in MDCAT pass percentage from 50% to 65% should be reversed. Second, the attendance requirement increased from 78% to 85% should be brought back to its previous level. Third, student representatives should be included in decision-making committees regarding student affairs.”
Learn more: MDCAT 2026: Higher eligibility criteria, revised exam structure
He added that although discussions were held with PMDC officials, no agreement was reached. “During the demonstration, the police charged the students with batons and confiscated some of our property. Although some detained students were released, our property is still in custody,” he said.
The student representative announced a 10-day deadline for the PMDC to issue an official notification responding to their demands. “If no action is taken within ten days, we will extend our protest to the entire country,” he warned.
Meanwhile, the Medical and Dental Council of Pakistan has issued a statement clarifying its position. The council said a small group of students had repeatedly attempted to delay the MDCAT exam, including by filing a petition in the High Court, which was dismissed.
“All necessary arrangements for MDCAT 2025 have been made,” the PMDC said. “Exam rooms have been booked in all provinces and provincial authorities have finalized preparations to ensure the smooth conduct of the exam.”
The statement added that printing of question papers and issuance of admit cards were underway. To facilitate the application of candidates, the registration portal was opened twice and the exam date was extended once to accommodate flood-affected students.
The PMDC further said that the court had rejected another plea seeking further postponement of the examination. “Candidates have been given sufficient time to prepare and more than 140,000 students have already registered,” the statement said, stressing that no further delay in holding the MDCAT was possible.
