Private Medical Colleges Ask PMDC to Reduce MDCAT Passing Marks to Fill Vacancies

Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University (SMBBMU) in Larkana has formally requested the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) to reconsider the current admission criteria for MBBS and BDS programmes for the 2025–26 academic session. The university’s administration has highlighted that a significant number of seats in private medical and dental colleges remain vacant because applicants are unable to meet the existing eligibility thresholds.

In a letter sent last month, SMBBMU’s registrar informed the PMDC that around 350 MBBS seats remained unfilled as candidates failed to qualify under the current requirements. The letter also noted that private institutions have submitted multiple representations, expressing concern that even repeated admission rounds have not been sufficient to fill the vacant seats.

The registrar reminded the PMDC that the eligibility criteria were relaxed by five percentage points in the previous academic year to address a similar issue, which helped improve admissions and reduce seat wastage. Currently, PMDC requires candidates to score at least 55% for MBBS and 50% for BDS admissions.

However, the letter argued that the current session has seen an even smaller pool of eligible candidates compared to last year, while the number of unfilled seats has increased. SMBBMU has therefore proposed a broader relaxation of the minimum marks requirement, suggesting that the threshold be reduced by 10 percentage points, bringing it to 45% for MBBS and 40% for BDS.

The registrar stated that the proposed change would help ensure better utilization of available seats, maintain smooth academic operations, and protect the interests of both institutions and prospective students, while still upholding acceptable academic standards. The request also emphasized Sindh’s broader healthcare needs, warning that continued seat wastage could impact the future supply of medical professionals in the province.

Copies of the communication were shared with key provincial and institutional stakeholders, including the Sindh health secretary, the vice chancellor of Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences (LUMHS) Jamshoro, and the chairperson of Sindh’s Supervising and Steering Committee. SMBBMU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr. Nusrat Shah confirmed that the letter had been sent, noting that the university is still awaiting a response from the PMDC.