The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has taken a significant decision for aspiring medical students by lowering the minimum merit criteria for admissions in private medical and dental colleges for the academic year 2025–26.
According to an official notification, the minimum merit for MBBS admissions has been fixed at 52 percent, while for BDS it has been set at 47 percent. The council described the move as a one-time concession aimed at filling a large number of vacant seats in private institutions.
PMDC has directed colleges to first offer admissions to candidates already included in their existing merit lists. However, if seats remain unfilled, institutions have been allowed to further reduce the MDCAT passing percentage by up to 3 percent to accommodate eligible candidates.
The council emphasized that the concession will apply strictly to vacant seats and that merit, transparency, and strict monitoring will be ensured throughout the admission process. Institutions have also been instructed to adhere to the approved fee structure, warning that no additional or unauthorized charges will be permitted.
The decision comes amid an unusual situation where private medical colleges have failed to fill seats despite the annual fee being capped at Rs1.89 million. Previously, some institutions were charging between Rs2.3 million and Rs2.5 million or more.
Officials noted that even after the fee reduction, many students and parents remain reluctant due to additional expenses such as hostel accommodation and transport, making private medical education unaffordable for much of the middle class.
While competition for limited seats in public medical colleges remains intense, the continued vacancy of expensive private seats highlights structural challenges in the country’s medical education system.
PMDC has also urged private institutions to consider further fee reductions to improve accessibility. The deadline for admissions has been set for April 15, 2026, with authorities warning of action in case of violations.
Experts view the decision as temporary relief for private colleges but say it underscores deeper issues surrounding affordability and access to medical education in Pakistan.