Syed Muhammad YaseenÂ
Islamabad –The National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) has announced the postponement of the Medical and Dental Colleges Admission Test (MDCAT) 2025, which was earlier scheduled for September 14. The new exam date has now been set for September 28, 2025.
According to NUMS officials, the decision was taken due to the devastating monsoon rains and flash floods that have disrupted life across Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, and Balochistan. The ongoing downpours have damaged infrastructure, submerged roads, and displaced thousands of families, making it difficult for candidates to safely reach exam centers.
Weather Situation
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has reported above-normal rainfall this monsoon season, with several cities experiencing urban flooding. Low-lying areas of Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Peshawar have been particularly affected, while southern Punjab and parts of Sindh are facing riverine floods. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has confirmed that rescue and relief operations are underway in the worst-hit districts.
Concerns Over PMDC MDCAT
With NUMS revising its schedule, attention has now turned to the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), which is set to conduct the nationwide MDCAT 2025 on October 5. While PMDC has so far maintained that the exam will be held as planned, the worsening flood situation has led to speculation: Could the PMDC MDCAT also be delayed?
Education experts note that this would not be the first time MDCAT faced disruption. In 2022, for instance, the exam was postponed due to unprecedented flooding across the country, and in 2020, it was rescheduled multiple times amid the COVID-19 pandemic. These precedents show that PMDC has, in the past, adjusted its plans in response to national emergencies.
Upcoming Meeting on Weightage and Exam Schedule
Sources within the medical education sector have confirmed that a high-level meeting will soon be held to review the FSc and MDCAT weightage formula for admissions this year. The same meeting is also expected to discuss the possibility of delaying the PMDC MDCAT, depending on the evolving flood situation and accessibility issues across various provinces.
Official Position
At present, PMDC has not signaled any official change in its exam schedule and continues preparations for the October 5 test. However, the final decision may hinge on the outcome of the upcoming meeting and the weather conditions in the weeks ahead.
Students are strongly advised to keep checking official announcements from NUMS and PMDC for authentic information and avoid relying on unverified social media claims.
