Health Desk
ISLAMABAD — A total of 743 MBBS and BDS seats remained vacant across Pakistan during the 2025–26 academic session, despite an extension in the admission schedule and a reduction in minimum eligibility criteria by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC). The trend has sparked concerns over declining demand for medical and dental education in the country.
Official data shows that Pakistan offered more than 22,300 seats across 187 public and private medical and dental colleges, yet hundreds of positions remained unfilled after the completion of admissions. Of the vacant seats, 608 were in BDS programs while 135 remained vacant in MBBS programs.
Vacancies Reported Across Multiple Provinces
Admission statistics indicate that the highest number of unfilled seats was recorded in Punjab, followed by Sindh. Reports show that Punjab accounted for 381 vacant seats, while Sindh had 295 vacancies. Islamabad recorded 50 vacant seats, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reported 17 unfilled seats.
Merit Relaxation Fails to Improve Enrollment
In an effort to increase enrollment, PMDC reduced the minimum admission criteria and extended the admission process by approximately 45 days. However, the measures failed to attract enough applicants to fill all available seats, particularly in dental colleges.
The development marks a significant shift for a profession that has traditionally been among the most sought-after career paths in Pakistan. Education analysts say the growing number of vacant seats reflects changing perceptions among students and families regarding the cost and long-term prospects of medical education.
Growing Concerns for Medical Education Sector
Experts have linked the decline in admissions to several factors, including rising tuition fees in private institutions, increasing competition for postgraduate training opportunities, concerns over employment prospects, and a growing trend of students seeking education abroad.
The latest figures have renewed debate about the sustainability of medical education in Pakistan and the need for reforms aimed at improving affordability, training opportunities, and career pathways for future healthcare professionals.
