ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Syed Mustafa Kamal on Tuesday urged provincial authorities and universities to ensure a free, fair and transparent Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) scheduled for October 26, 2025.

Addressing a press conference at the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC) headquarters, the minister said 140,129 candidates have registered for the exam, competing for 22,000 MBBS and BDS seats in public and private institutions across the country. The test will be conducted simultaneously at 32 venues, including one international centre in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Kamal said the PM&DC had achieved a major milestone by developing a uniform national syllabus and an item bank of over 6,000 standardized questions in consultation with vice-chancellors and stakeholders nationwide. “The item bank ensures consistency, merit and transparency,” he noted.

The minister warned that any paper leak or irregularity would be the sole responsibility of the respective provincial university. “Half of the examination funds have already been released. The remaining 50% will only be paid after successful and transparent conduct of the test,” he added.

Kamal urged media outlets to help raise public awareness about the test procedures and lauded the PM&DC leadership for establishing a robust examination framework.

According to PM&DC, the MDCAT score will carry 50% weightage in admissions and will remain valid for three years. The exam will be organized by designated public sector universities in each province under PM&DC’s policy framework.

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Strict instructions have been issued to ensure security and transparency, including jammers to block electronic devices, walk-through gates, security personnel deployment, and separate waiting areas for parents.

The PM&DC will oversee candidate registration, policy enforcement, and result validation, ensuring nationwide uniformity and merit-based admissions.