Health Desk
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) President Prof. Dr. Rizwan Taj has reviewed preparations for the MDCAT 2026, directing universities and provincial health authorities to ensure a smooth, transparent and secure admission test across Pakistan.
The high-level meeting was held in Islamabad on September 10 and was attended by vice chancellors of universities conducting the Medical and Dental Colleges Admission Test, relevant provincial secretaries, health authorities and senior PMDC officials.
According to the PMDC, 138,158 candidates have registered for MDCAT 2026. The examination is scheduled to be held on September 20, 2026, at 35 cities and towns across Pakistan, along with an international examination centre in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Prof. Dr. Rizwan Taj stressed that the examination must be conducted in a highly transparent, fair and orderly manner, with zero tolerance for any compromise on MDCAT integrity.
The meeting reviewed arrangements related to examination centres, security, medical assistance, emergency response and candidate facilitation. Special attention was also given to ensuring a safe and conducive environment for candidates, including those appearing from Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
The PMDC directed participating universities and provincial authorities to ensure that examination centres have adequate seating, essential facilities, security arrangements and proper facilities for candidates and their accompanying parents or guardians.
PMDC clarifies responsibility for MDCAT conduct
The council clarified that it has established unified regulatory standards for MDCAT papers, while the responsibility for the on-ground administration and conduct of the examination rests with the concerned provincial authorities and universities.
This includes maintaining the security and secrecy of examination papers, ensuring proper examination procedures and implementing all prescribed safeguards at individual centres.
The vice chancellors and representatives of provincial authorities assured the PMDC president that all required arrangements would be completed well before the examination.
Prof. Dr. Rizwan Taj also directed all stakeholders to maintain close coordination and uphold the highest standards of professionalism, efficiency and examination security during MDCAT 2026.
The September 20 examination will be closely watched by thousands of medical and dental college aspirants seeking admission to MBBS and BDS programmes across Pakistan.
