The number of students seeking admission to medical and dental colleges in Punjab has declined for the third consecutive year, indicating a gradual fall in interest among young people in pursuing careers as doctors.
This year, 48,525 candidates from Punjab registered for the Medical and Dental College Admission Test, commonly known as MDCAT.
The figure is 1,936 lower than last year, when 50,461 candidates from the province applied for the entrance examination.
Female students continue to dominate the applicant pool, accounting for more than 74% of this year’s MDCAT candidates.
The continuing decline in registrations has raised questions about changing career preferences, the cost and duration of medical education, and employment prospects for medical graduates.
Despite the decrease, competition for admission to public and private medical and dental colleges is expected to remain intense because of the limited number of available seats.
Reporter: Zahid Chaudhary