Stay current with MDCAT 2027 news: PMDC policy decisions, new MBBS and BDS seats, registration announcements and merit updates for medical colleges across Pakistan.
Policy details can change. Check the relevant authority’s latest notice before making an admission decision.
Latest coverage
Medical education and entry-test news
Browse dated MDCAT 2027 policy coverage and updates relevant to Pakistani students.
PMDC removes MDCAT requirement for foreign medical studies (October 2026)
In a public notice dated 5 October 2026, PMDC exempted Pakistani students from passing MDCAT before admission to foreign medical and dental institutions, reversing the mandatory rule in place since the 2024-25 session. MDCAT remains required for MBBS and BDS admissions inside Pakistan, and foreign graduates must still meet PMDC recognition and registration requirements to practise in Pakistan — verify your chosen institution's standing before applying.
PMDC Approves 1,400 New Seats in Public Medical Colleges — What It Means for MDCAT 2027 Merit
Good news for MDCAT 2027 aspirants. The Pakistan Medical & Dental Council (PM&DC) has approved 1,400 new seats in public sector medical and dental colleges, according to a council spokesperson quoted by the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) on 30 September 2026. Here is what was announced, where the seats are going, and how it could affect MDCAT 2027 closing merit.
What was announced
PM&DC approved 1,400 seats in public sector medical and dental colleges “in view of the national need to increase opportunities for meritorious students.”
The stated aim: make medical education more accessible for students from underprivileged regions, and help deserving students study medicine in Pakistan rather than seeking medical education abroad.
The council also rejected the impression that private colleges have been given more seats than public colleges, saying the recognition of medical and dental colleges is granted strictly under the applicable legal and regulatory framework, with the same standards applying to both.
Where are the new seats?
The 1,400 seats are in public sector medical and dental colleges in four regions: Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and the Islamabad Capital Territory. The council has not yet given a breakdown by province, by college, or between MBBS and BDS — how the seats are filled will depend on the admitting bodies' admission policies.
What it means for MDCAT 2027 merit
More public seats is good news for candidates near the cut-off — there are now more chances to secure an MBBS or BDS seat on merit.
But closing merit depends on more than seat numbers: the number of applicants, the score distribution, and each province's admission policy all matter. A seat increase does not automatically translate into a big merit drop.
Watch this site's News section and the official PMDC and admitting-university announcements for the province-wise seat distribution.
What you should do
Do not change your study plan based on this news — merit outcomes are uncertain, preparation is not.
Keep practicing with TestTayari's 670+ MDCAT/ECAT MCQs, take the mock tests, and use the aggregate and merit calculators to track where you stand.