ISLAMABAD/LAHORE: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has finalized all preparations for the transparent and fair conduct of the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) 2025, scheduled to be held nationwide on October 26.
A comprehensive review meeting was held at PMDC headquarters, attended by the Registrar PMDC, head of the examination department, and vice chancellors of public and private medical universities. The session focused on ensuring that every aspect of the examination process is conducted with transparency, security, and candidate convenience.
Strict measures for fairness and security
PMDC directed all universities to complete logistical arrangements at their designated centers and ensure adequate facilities for candidates. Electronic jammers will be installed to block unauthorized devices, and climate-appropriate arrangements will be made inside halls.
To prevent any malpractice, question papers will only be unsealed in the presence of witnesses, and all answer sheets will be securely preserved for at least 12 months after the announcement of results. The official answer key will be uploaded immediately after the examination, while candidates will have three days to request rechecking. Results are scheduled to be declared within one week of the test.
Special instructions have been issued to establish waiting areas for parents near exam centers, and each candidate will receive a bubble sheet with a carbon copy for transparency in marking.
UHS to conduct MDCAT across Punjab under tight security
In Punjab, the University of Health Sciences (UHS) will conduct the MDCAT across 12 cities at 27 centers. Over 50,000 candidates are expected to appear for the test. A high-level meeting chaired by Secretary Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Azmat Mehmood Khan reviewed final arrangements and directed district administrations to ensure strict security, medical aid, and crowd management.
A Command and Control Center has been established at UHS for real-time coordination, while Section 144 will remain enforced around examination venues to prevent unauthorized gatherings. Police and security agencies will conduct two-step checks for all candidates, and mobile phones will be completely banned for both candidates and staff.
NADRA’s e-facilitation counters will verify candidates’ identities to eliminate impersonation risks. Senior health officials, including secretaries, vice chancellors, and college principals, will supervise and monitor the examination process across the province.
Transparent admissions timeline
PMDC clarified that admissions will remain the responsibility of provincial authorities and universities, which must finalize the process by February 28, 2026. The Council reiterated that it will have no role in admissions and that all stages of MDCAT 2025 will be conducted with complete integrity and confidentiality.
The transparent conduct of MDCAT 2025 marks another milestone in PMDC’s commitment to upholding merit-based medical and dental education across Pakistan, ensuring that every aspiring doctor and dentist competes on a level playing field.
