MDCAT 2026: higher eligibility criteria, revised exam structure

MDCAT exams for MBBS and BDS admissions for the 2026 academic session have been revised. The Express Tribune spoke with 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-Medical) or an equivalent qualification to be eligible for the test, up from the previous 60 per cent requirement.

Candidates must also hold matriculation, intermediate, and domicile certificates from the same province where they intend to appear for the 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 exam papers be prepared under a uniform national framework, with a centralised question bank being developed to ensure transparency and fairness.

In light of the national situation, MDCAT exams have been rescheduled to take place from October 5 to 26, 2025, across multiple centres. Dr Abid confirmed that biometric attendance and ID verification systems are already in place at universities and test venues.

Addressing public concerns over past paper leaks, Dr Abid acknowledged the anxiety among students and parents across 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 secured and monitored question paper delivery to Test centers with Sealed printing and distribution protocols in place, monitored by PMDC observers.
• Any violation of the examination code by a centre or official will result in immediate suspension and legal action under Section 25 of the PMDC Examination Regulations.
• Surveillance cameras and biometric verification at test centres.
• an audit procedure, and a post-exam review to increase public confidence.

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

Dr Abid said, "The 2025 PMDC reforms demonstrate efforts to ensure merit-based admissions nationwide and to strengthen academic standards for future medical professionals". However, she cautioned that the new 65 per cent eligibility criterion could temporarily reduce the number of qualifying candidates in rural districts of Sindh, where educational opportunities remain limited.

MBBS seat allocation in Sindh's Public Medical Colleges

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

The distribution of MBBS seats is as follows:

• Dow Medical College – 350 seats

• Dow International Medical College – 150 seats

• Jinnah Sindh Medical University – 350 seats

• Liaquat Medical University, Jamshoro – 350 seats

• KMC – 250 seats

• 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 seats

• Bilal Medical College for Boys – 100 seats

Challenges persist

MDCAT exams conducted by public sector universities in 2023 and 2024 were affected by reports of paper leaks, raising concerns about transparency. In contrast, the 2019 and 2020 exams, held under the Pakistan Medical Council (PMC), proceeded without such issues.

After the 18th Constitutional Amendment, responsibility for the 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 paper leaks have emerged. In comparison, this year’s MDCAT, conducted by the National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) under the federal Ministry of Defence, concluded without any reported breaches.