The Standing Committee on National Health Services has directed that MDCAT 2026 results remain valid, allowing medical and dental universities to proceed with admissions without further delays.
The decision was made during a committee meeting chaired by Dr. Mahesh Kumar Malani at Parliament House on November 11. Vice chancellors of the universities that conducted the examination informed members that no major irregularities or serious issues affecting the credibility of MDCAT 2026 had been reported. Most complaints concerned question papers and answer keys and had been addressed by the respective universities.
The committee also reviewed findings from a six-member Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC) team that visited the Sukkur IBA examination centre. The team reportedly found no serious irregularity. Based on these briefings, the committee called for the results to stand and urged universities to begin their admission processes without unnecessary delays.
However, the committee directed the Ministry to reduce the validity of MDCAT results from three years to one year, starting from the next academic year. The move is intended to help address vacant seats in medical and dental colleges. The minister agreed to the direction, and the ministry was asked to formally notify all conducting universities.
The committee also stressed that students should be given access to question papers after future examinations to improve transparency and help resolve genuine complaints.
During the meeting, members raised concerns about excessive fees charged by private medical colleges. PM&DC informed the committee that the minimum fee cap was Rs. 1.8 million, while fee increases had been approved for 35 institutions based on audit reports. The enhanced fee reached Rs. 2.1 million at a few institutions with council approval.
The committee sought a complete list of colleges granted fee increases, supporting audit reports and relevant court orders. It also directed PM&DC to identify institutions charging above the approved limits and take action, including imposing maximum penalties where applicable.
Other matters discussed included progress on recommendations following the PIMS Mother and Child Hospital nursery fire, the expansion of Polyclinic Hospital, the operationalisation of the Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority and the draft Pharmacy Council Bill. The committee also decided to invite the Federal Board of Revenue to its next meeting to discuss concerns raised by doctors in private practice.
