Private medical colleges urge PMDC to lower MDCAT passing marks to fill vacant seats

KARACHI: The administration of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University (SMBBMU), Larkana, has formally requested the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) to reconsider the admission criteria for MBBS and BDS programs for the 2025–26 academic session. The university raised concerns over a large number of vacant seats in private medical institutions due to applicants failing to meet the current eligibility requirements.

According to sources, SMBBMU’s registrar sent a letter to the PMDC last month, highlighting that around 350 MBBS seats remain unfilled due to candidates not qualifying under the existing criteria. The university has also received numerous complaints from private medical and dental colleges, expressing frustration over the inability to fill these vacant spots despite multiple rounds of admissions.

In the letter, the registrar reminded the PMDC that a similar issue had occurred the previous year when the passing requirement for MBBS and BDS admissions was reduced by five percentage points. This adjustment had helped fill seats and prevent wastage.

Currently, the PMDC mandates that candidates must achieve at least 55% marks for MBBS and 50% for BDS admissions. However, the SMBBMU registrar pointed out that the pool of eligible candidates has shrunk this year compared to last, leading to an even greater number of unfilled seats.

To address the situation, SMBBMU has proposed a more significant reduction in the minimum marks requirement. The university suggested lowering the eligibility threshold by 10%, bringing the requirements down to 45% for MBBS and 40% for BDS. The registrar emphasized that this adjustment would improve seat utilization, ensure the continuation of academic activities, and protect the interests of both the institutions and prospective students while still maintaining acceptable academic standards.

Additionally, the letter made a connection between the proposal and the broader healthcare needs of Sindh, suggesting that unused seats could hinder the supply of future medical professionals in the region.

Copies of the letter were forwarded to relevant provincial and institutional stakeholders, including the Sindh health secretary, the vice chancellor of Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences (LUMHS), Jamshoro, and the chairperson of the Supervising and Steering Committee in the province.

SMBBMU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr. Nusrat Shah confirmed that the letter had been sent, adding that the university has yet to receive a response from the PMDC.