Private medical colleges in Punjab are facing renewed scrutiny over unfilled MBBS seats, raising concerns about admissions, fee structures and the growing number of vacant places in the private medical education sector.
The issue has previously drawn attention after hundreds of MBBS seats remained vacant across private medical colleges despite multiple selection lists. For the 2025–26 session, 426 seats were reported vacant across 33 private medical colleges in Punjab, while some students also cancelled their admissions after initially joining.
The situation has prompted questions about the affordability of private medical education and whether high tuition costs are contributing to difficulties in filling available seats. Private colleges have also sought additional time in the past to complete admissions against vacant seats.
The University of Health Sciences (UHS) Lahore manages the admission process and selection lists for private medical institutions in Punjab, including the filling of vacant MBBS seats.
The continued presence of vacant seats has increased attention on how private medical colleges are managing admissions and fees, while prospective medical students and their families remain concerned about the financial burden of studying medicine.
