what students need to know

MDCAT exams for MBBS and BDS admissions for the 2026 academic session have been revised. The Express PK Press Club spoke to Dr Fatima Abid, Director of Admissions at Jinnah Sindh Medical University, who outlined the key details of the changes.

She said candidates must now secure at least 65 per cent marks in FSc (pre-medicine) or equivalent qualification to be eligible for the test, up from the previous requirement of 60 per cent.

Candidates must also hold matriculation, intermediate and domicile certificates from the same province where they intend to appear for MDCAT. According to Dr Abid, “the measure aims to reduce logistical and administrative challenges while ensuring fairness in seat allocation and monitoring.”

The updated MDCAT syllabus includes five subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English and Logical Reasoning, comprising 180 multiple choice questions with no negative marking.

Dr Abid added that the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has directed that all examination papers be prepared within a uniform national framework, with a centralized question bank being developed to ensure transparency and fairness.

In light of the national situation, MDCAT exams have been postponed from October 5 to 26, 2025 in several centers. Dr Abid confirmed that biometric attendance and identity verification systems are already in place at universities and examination venues.

Responding to public concerns over past paper leaks, Dr Abid acknowledged the anxiety of students and parents in Sindh, but noted that it is encouraging to see the PMDC implementing stronger safeguards, including digital encryption and secure paper distribution, to prevent future breaches.

• Digital encryption and secure, monitored delivery of question paper to test centers with sealed printing and distribution protocols in place, monitored by PMDC observers.
• Any violation of the Examination Code by any center or official will result in immediate suspension and legal action under section 25 of the PMDC Examinations Regulations.
• Surveillance cameras and biometric verification in test centers.
• an audit procedure and post-review to increase public confidence.

On the issue of temporary licenses, Dr Abid noted that although several universities in Sindh are on the approved list (including DUHS, JSMU, LUMHS and Isra University), many graduates have reported delays in receiving their provisional licenses. She urged the PMDC to clarify whether the delays stem from pending inspection reports or delays in procedures, stressing that timely issuance is vital for home placements in public hospitals.

Dr Abid said: “The 2025 PMDC reforms demonstrate efforts to ensure merit-based admissions nationwide and strengthen academic standards for future healthcare professionals.” However, she warned that the new 65 percent eligibility criterion could temporarily reduce the number of eligible candidates in Sindh’s rural districts, where education opportunities remain limited.

Allocation of MBBS Seats in Government Medical Colleges in Sindh

Sindh government-run medical colleges collectively offer 2,450 MBBS seats. There are 12 medical faculties, seven dental faculties and six public medical universities in the province.

The distribution of MBBS seats is as follows:

• Dow Medical College – 350 places

• Dow International Medical College – 150 places

• Jinnah Sindh Medical University – 350 seats

• Liaquat Medical University, Jamshoro – 350 seats

• CMK – 250 places

• Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Chandka Medical College, Larkana – 250 seats

• People’s Women’s Medical College, Nawabshah – 250 seats

• Khairpur Medical College – 100 seats

• Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Lyari Medical College – 100 seats

• Ghulam Muhammad Mahar Medical College, Sukkur – 100 seats

• Gambat Medical College – 100 places

• Bilal Medical College for Boys – 100 seats

Challenges persist

The MDCAT exams conducted by public sector universities in 2023 and 2024 have been affected by reports of paper leaks, raising concerns over transparency. On the other hand, the 2019 and 2020 exams, held under the aegis of the Pakistan Medical Council (PMC), were conducted without any such problems.

After the 18th constitutional amendment, responsibility for MDCAT was transferred to provincial public sector universities, with a different institution administering the test each year.

However, since Sindh’s public universities took charge, repeated reports of leaked documents have emerged. In comparison, this year’s MDCAT, conducted by the National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) under the aegis of the Federal Ministry of Defence, concluded without any reported violations.