Punjab authorities have finalised security arrangements for the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT), which will be held on September 20 across 15 cities in the province, with more than 49,000 candidates appearing at 31 examination centres.
The strategy was approved during a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Punjab Zahid Akhtar Zaman at the Civil Secretariat on Wednesday.
All examination centres will be monitored around the clock through the Punjab Safe Cities Authority CCTV network, while the National Database and Registration Authority will conduct real-time biometric verification of candidates at exam halls to prevent impersonation.
Section 144 will remain in force around all test centres to maintain security. The chief secretary directed divisional commissioners to ensure walk-through gates and scanners are installed, power supply remains uninterrupted, and fully equipped medical camps are deployed to handle emergencies.
He also instructed officials to set up shaded waiting areas with cold drinking water for parents accompanying candidates.
Organised by the University of Health Sciences, the test will be conducted in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Multan, Gujranwala, Bahawalnagar, Mianwali, Layyah, Sargodha, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rahim Yar Khan, Sahiwal, Sialkot, and Gujrat.
The meeting was attended by the Secretary for Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education, the Secretary for School Education, the Additional IG Operations, and the managing director of the Punjab Safe Cities Authority, along with other senior officials. All divisional commissioners joined via video link.
