The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) announced on May 14, 2025, a one-time 5% relaxation in merit criteria for MBBS and BDS admissions to fill vacant seats across Pakistan, following a request from Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences (LUMHS) in Jamshoro, Sindh.
As reported by The Express Tribune, Pakistan, the decision, which applies only for the 2024-25 academic session, addresses unfilled seats without setting a precedent for future Medical and Dental College Admission Tests (MDCAT), ensuring access to medical education while maintaining standards.
After deliberation, the PMDC approved the concession, setting minimum admission marks at 50% for MBBS and 45% for BDS programs, down from 55% to 50%, respectively. This applies to private medical colleges, with 116 MBBS and 338 BDS seats vacant in Sindh, and 26 MBBS and 100 BDS seats unfilled in Punjab. The PMDC directed institutions to complete admissions within the specified timeframe, prompting students to welcome the opportunity, though some questioned potential impacts on quality.
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LUMHS’s request highlighted seat vacancies, particularly in Sindh, prompting the PMDC to act in the public interest. The relaxation addresses a shortage of medical professionals while leveraging Pakistan’s educational capacity, aligning with broader healthcare goals. The move, with some praising increased access and others expressing concerns about academic standards, though the PMDC emphasised the temporary nature of the concession to maintain rigour.
Medical colleges must adhere to the revised criteria, with the PMDC ensuring compliance to meet deadlines. As highlighted in Business Recorder, the initiative could benefit hundreds of aspiring doctors, particularly from underrepresented regions. However, the one-time nature, clarified to avoid future precedent, balances accessibility with quality assurance.
