Syed Muhammad Yaseen
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Medical & Dental Council (PMDC) has approved the enhancement of student intake capacity in recognized public sector medical colleges across the country, bringing fresh hope to students who have been concerned about a sharp reduction in medical college seats.
The decision follows growing concerns after the number of available seats was initially reduced to 121, creating uncertainty among aspiring medical students. Later, an official stated that around 376 seats had been allocated, raising expectations that the number of available seats would be significantly increased.
Senator Mirza Muhammad Afridi shared the latest PMDC notification with students, highlighting the Council’s decision to allow regulated enhancement of seats in eligible public sector medical colleges.
According to the PMDC notification dated July 27, 2026, the Council approved the enhancement of student intake capacity at its meeting held on July 14, 2026. The Council said the move aims to expand access to quality medical education for deserving and meritorious students and help strengthen Pakistan’s healthcare workforce.
The PMDC has made it clear that seat enhancement will only be allowed in recognized public sector medical colleges that meet the required regulatory and accreditation standards. Institutions seeking an increase in intake will be assessed under the PMDC Assessment of Undergraduate Medical and Dental Institutions Regulations, 2025, along with applicable accreditation requirements.
The Council has also directed medical colleges to address deficiencies identified during PM&DC inspections by December 31, 2026. Re-inspections and verification of corrective measures will continue to ensure that institutions meet the required standards.
PM&DC further clarified that the increase in seats is a regulated enhancement based on institutional assessment and should not be considered a relaxation or waiver of the Council’s minimum standards.
The notification also states that where a public sector medical college receives an enhanced intake capacity in line with PM&DC standards, the relevant provincial or regional government may earmark an appropriate quota for students under the HEC Scholarship Programme for students of erstwhile FATA and Balochistan, in coordination with the Higher Education Commission.
The issue of medical college seats had been actively raised by several student representatives and stakeholders. Student leader Rahat Veer, MNA Mubarak Zeb and the PKNAP Chairman also worked on the seat allocation issue and efforts to secure additional opportunities for aspiring medical students.
Meanwhile, Students Nexus By SMY, an online educational and career counselling platform, also advocated for students’ rights and consistently highlighted concerns surrounding medical college admissions, seat allocations and access to medical education.
The latest PMDC decision is being welcomed as an important development for medical aspirants. The reported movement from an initial 121 seats to nearly 376 allocated seats, coupled with the Council’s approval for regulated seat enhancement, could significantly improve admission opportunities for students.
However, the final number of seats available to students will depend on institutional assessments, PMDC approval, provincial or regional allocation policies and the official admission process.
