KARACHI: The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has expressed strong concern over the recent decision by the Pakistan Medical & Dental Council (PM&DC) to lower the MDCAT passing criteria to 52% for MBBS and 47% for BDS, terming the move “short-sighted” and warning of serious implications for medical education standards in the country.
In a statement issued following PM&DC’s notification dated April 8, 2026, PMA Secretary General Dr. Abdul Ghafoor Shoro said the decision attempts to address the issue of vacant seats without tackling the underlying cause, which he identified as the high cost of medical education. He maintained that seats are not vacant due to a shortage of capable candidates but because many students cannot afford the expensive fee structures of private medical colleges.
The association criticized what it described as a growing trend of prioritizing financial interests over academic standards, cautioning that lowering the merit threshold to fill seats could undermine the quality of future medical professionals. It noted that such a policy raises questions about fairness, particularly for students in previous years who met higher merit criteria but were unable to secure admission.
Dr. Shoro said that accepting a reduced passing percentage could set a precedent that weakens merit-based admissions in the long term, potentially affecting the credibility of medical education. He emphasized that medicine, being a life-and-death profession, requires rigorous academic standards and should not be treated at par with general degree programs in terms of entry criteria.
The PMA further highlighted that high tuition fees continue to exclude talented students from underprivileged backgrounds, forcing many to abandon their aspirations despite strong academic performance, while seats may be filled by those with financial means.
Calling for immediate action, the association urged PM&DC to withdraw the notification and instead introduce reforms aimed at improving access to medical education, including scholarships and regulation of tuition fees. It also warned that continued erosion of standards could negatively impact the international recognition of Pakistani medical degrees.
Reaffirming its commitment to quality education, the PMA stated that safeguarding merit and maintaining high professional standards is essential for the future of healthcare in Pakistan.
