2 min read
Private medical and dental colleges have urged the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) to review the MDCAT eligibility criteria for the 2025–26 academic session, citing a large number of unfilled seats across institutions.
The request was made by the administration of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University (SMBBMU), Larkana, whose registrar formally wrote to the PMDC last month, highlighting the growing issue of vacant MBBS and BDS seats due to strict admission thresholds.
According to the letter, nearly 350 MBBS seats have remained vacant after candidates failed to qualify under the existing PMDC criteria. The university said it has received multiple representations from private medical and dental colleges, noting that repeated admission rounds have failed to attract enough eligible students.
The registrar recalled that during the previous academic year, the PMDC had reduced the passing marks by five percentage points, a move that helped improve admissions and prevent seat wastage.
Currently, the PMDC requires 55% marks for MBBS and 50% for BDS admissions. However, SMBBMU argued that the current session has seen a smaller pool of eligible candidates compared to last year, while the number of vacant seats has increased.
To address the issue, the university proposed a 10% reduction in the minimum eligibility requirement, suggesting that the threshold be lowered to 45% for MBBS and 40% for BDS. The registrar said the move would ensure better utilization of seats, maintain academic continuity, and support institutions without compromising acceptable academic standards.
The letter also linked the matter to Sindh’s healthcare needs, warning that continued seat wastage could impact the future supply of medical professionals. Copies of the request were shared with relevant provincial and institutional authorities.
Confirming the development, SMBBMU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr. Nusrat Shah said the letter had been sent, adding that the university is still awaiting a response from the PMDC.
