MDCAT 2025 held successfully across Pakistan under PMDC supervision

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), in collaboration with its designated universities, successfully conducted the Medical and Dental Colleges Admission Test (MDCAT) 2025 across Pakistan on Sunday, October 26, under tight security, biometric verification, and stringent transparency protocols to ensure fair competition among aspiring doctors and dentists.

This year’s nationwide examination was conducted with airtight logistical controls following PMDC’s directives for sealed paper delivery, biometric attendance verification, and long-term record preservation. The Council instructed all universities to publish the official answer key immediately after the test, with a three-day rechecking window for candidates. Final results are expected within a week.

Nationwide turnout and provincial details

Authorities reported that more than 140,000 candidates registered for MDCAT 2025, competing for approximately 22,000 medical and dental seats.

Punjab

The University of Health Sciences (UHS) administered the MDCAT across 27 centers in 12 cities. A total of 50,461 candidates appeared — 36,702 females and 13,759 males — with Lahore hosting the largest number (11,906). Section 144 was enforced around venues, and mobile devices were strictly banned. Senior provincial officials and vice chancellors personally monitored the arrangements.

Sindh

The Sukkur IBA Testing Service conducted the exam at nine centers in Sindh and one in Islamabad for Sindh-based candidates, where 32,531 students appeared. A three-tier vigilance system involving Sukkur IBA, the Health Department, and district administrations ensured transparency and discipline.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP):

Under the supervision of Khyber Medical University (KMU), the test was held in eight districts across 43 centers, where 39,986 candidates appeared. Security agencies including the police, FIA, IB, and Special Branch provided robust oversight. KMU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Zia-ul-Haq announced that the MDCAT may be computerized from 2026 to further enhance fairness.

Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, AJK & Riyadh:

The Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University (SZABMU) conducted the MDCAT for 6,229 candidates, including 194 students in Riyadh at the overseas center. NADRA’s biometric verification system was used across all centers to eliminate impersonation and malpractice.

Balochistan:

In Quetta, over 6,000 students appeared under the supervision of the nominated provincial university, with local authorities ensuring smooth and transparent proceedings.

Security, transparency and facilitation measures

PMDC and all participating universities enforced multi-layered security and facilitation protocols. Examination papers were delivered under police escort, while electronic jammers, walk-through gates, and body searches were implemented to prevent cheating.
Strict entry cut-off times, waiting areas for parents, and carbon-copy bubble sheets were introduced to make the evaluation process more transparent.

NADRA e-facilitation counters provided biometric verification, and a centralized command and control system monitored all centers in real time.

PMDC confirmed that answer sheets will be preserved for at least one year to ensure accountability and transparency.

Senior government officials — including provincial chief secretaries, health secretaries, and vice chancellors — visited examination centers and expressed satisfaction with the arrangements. Parents and candidates across the provinces praised the discipline, transparency, and organization witnessed this year.

What’s next

PMDC sources said the official answer key will be uploaded shortly, with results to be announced within a week.

Admissions to medical and dental colleges will be managed by provincial authorities, and must be completed by February 28, 2026, as per PMDC’s admission schedule.

The successful conduct of MDCAT 2025 underscores Pakistan’s continuing progress toward a merit-based, transparent, and accountable medical and dental education system — ensuring that future doctors and dentists are selected purely on merit.