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PMDC Approves 1,400 New Seats: What It Means for MDCAT Merit

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PMDC Approves 1,400 New Seats: What It Means for MDCAT Merit

In brief

The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC) has approved 1,400 seats in public sector medical and dental colleges in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Islamabad Capital Territory, a council spokesperson told APP. The council also said the impression that private colleges have been given more seats than public colleges is incorrect, and that the same standards apply to both. More public seats can help candidates near the cut-off, but closing merit depends on more than seat numbers.

Source: Associated Press of Pakistan (APP),

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What was announced?

According to the council spokesperson, as reported by APP on 30 September 2026, PM&DC has approved 1,400 seats in public sector medical and dental colleges "in view of the national need to increase opportunities for meritorious students."

The spokesperson said the initiative aims to make medical education easier to reach for students from underprivileged regions, and to help deserving students study in Pakistan rather than seeking medical education abroad.

The council also said that the recognition of medical and dental colleges is granted "strictly in accordance with the applicable legal and regulatory framework and prescribed standards."

Where are the new seats?

The 1,400 seats are in public sector medical and dental colleges in four regions:

  • Punjab
  • Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
  • Balochistan
  • Islamabad Capital Territory

The council's statement does not give a breakdown by province, by college, or between MBBS and BDS. How the seats are filled will depend on the admitting bodies' admission policies.

Private colleges: what did PMDC clarify?

The spokesperson said the impression that private sector medical colleges have been permitted more seats than public sector colleges is incorrect.

He added that the council applies the same regulatory standards to medical and dental institutions whether they are public or private. These standards, he said, are intended to ensure quality education, adequate academic and clinical facilities, and patient safety.

For a candidate, the practical point is that the 1,400 seats are in public sector colleges, which are the places most candidates compete hardest for.

What does this mean for your merit?

Nobody can give you a closing merit for the next admission round yet, and we are not going to estimate one. Closing merit is the result of several things at once, and the number of seats is only one of them:

  • How many candidates apply for the same places.
  • How difficult that year's MDCAT is, which moves every candidate's score.
  • Each province's admission policy, which sets how the aggregate is calculated and how seats are allocated.
  • The number of seats, which is what this decision changes.

What can be said in general terms: when the number of public seats rises and everything else stays the same, competition eases at the margin. Candidates whose aggregates sit just below a typical cut-off may have a somewhat better chance. It does not lower the bar for everyone, and admission is still decided on merit, which your preparation decides.

What should MDCAT 2027 aspirants do now?

If you are sitting MDCAT in 2027, prepare as though the competition will be as strong as ever. That is the only plan that works whichever way the seat numbers go.

  1. Start from past papers

    Past papers show you what the exam actually asks and how it asks it. Work through the MDCAT past papers before you decide what to revise.

  2. Practise by subject, every day

    The MDCAT hub links every subject and chapter, with a written explanation on every answer. Short daily sessions beat occasional long ones.

  3. Sit a full paper under time

    Download the free MDCAT preparation book PDF, a full model paper with an answer key, and sit it in one go to test your pacing.

  4. Follow a plan you can keep

    A realistic schedule matters more than an ambitious one. The MDCAT study plan guide shows how to build one that survives a bad week.

  5. Keep an eye on admission notices

    Seat allocations, admission policies and deadlines are announced by PM&DC and the admitting universities. Check their notices as the admission season approaches.

Common questions

Short answers to what students are asking about this. Everything in the TestUstad question bank is free to practise.

Are these 1,400 seats confirmed?

Yes. A PM&DC spokesperson said the council has approved 1,400 seats in public sector medical and dental colleges, as reported by APP on 30 September 2026.

Where are the new seats?

In public sector medical and dental colleges in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Islamabad Capital Territory. The council's statement does not give a breakdown by province or by college.

Do private colleges get extra seats?

The 1,400 seats are in public sector colleges. PM&DC said the impression that private medical colleges have been permitted more seats than public colleges is incorrect, and that it applies the same regulatory standards to public and private institutions.

Will MDCAT merit drop?

Nobody can say yet. More public seats generally ease competition at the margin, so candidates just below a typical cut-off may have a better chance, but closing merit also depends on how many students apply, how difficult the MDCAT is and each province's admission policy. TestUstad does not predict closing merit.

How should I prepare for MDCAT 2027?

As though the competition will be as strong as ever. Work through past papers, practise MCQs by subject, sit full papers under time and follow a study plan you can keep. The MDCAT question bank on TestUstad is free to practise, with a written explanation on every answer.

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