The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has allowed universities to reduce the passing percentage of the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) by up to three percent to fill vacant seats in MBBS and BDS programs for the 2025–26 academic session.
According to an official notification, the decision was made following recommendations from parliamentary health committees to address unfilled seats in medical and dental colleges.
Under the new arrangement, universities may lower the MDCAT passing threshold to 52 percent for MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) and 47 percent for BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) if seats remain vacant after considering all eligible candidates under the existing criteria.
The PMDC said admissions already completed under the Admission Regulations 2025 will remain valid and properly regulated.
Universities have been directed to prioritize students already in the eligible pool before applying the reduced passing criteria, particularly when filling seats in private medical and dental colleges.
The council emphasized that the measure is a one-time concession meant only to fill vacant seats for the 2025–26 academic session while maintaining transparency and merit in the admission process.
The PMDC also encouraged private institutions to consider reducing tuition fees from the currently capped structure to improve affordability and expand access to medical education for deserving students.
The deadline for admissions has been set for April 15, 2026, and provincial health departments, along with admitting universities, have been instructed to ensure full compliance with the guidelines.
Some education experts have criticized the decision, warning that lowering the MDCAT passing percentage could affect the quality of medical education and the international reputation of Pakistani doctors.
However, the PMDC spokesperson said all recommendations are carefully reviewed, and final decisions are made only after approval by the council.
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