In a significant policy shift just days before the national medical entrance exam, Federal Minister for National Health Services, Syed Mustafa Kamal, has declared that universities will bear the full and sole responsibility for any paper leaks, mismanagement, or procedural failures during the upcoming Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT-2025).
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, the minister emphasized the government’s commitment to a transparent and fair examination process for the 140,129 registered candidates. These aspirants are competing for 22,000 MBBS and BDS seats in the test scheduled for October 26 at 32 venues, including an international center in Riyadh.
Kamal highlighted a major milestone for the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PM and DC): the development of a uniform national syllabus and a standardized question bank of over 6,000 items, formulated with input from academic stakeholders. ‘Universities have prepared their test papers from the national item bank to their full satisfaction,’ he said, adding that any subsequent leak or procedural deviation would make the concerned institution solely accountable.
To enforce this new accountability framework, a stern financial penalty has been established. The minister confirmed that 50% of the operational funds have been released to the universities, but the remaining half will be withheld in the event of any irregularities or misconduct. ‘The decision aims to ensure transparency, regional facilitation, and efficient management,’ Kamal stated.
While each university will function as the exam authority within its jurisdiction, the PM and DC clarified it retains exclusive control over candidate registration, policy oversight, and result validation to ensure national uniformity and merit. The examining bodies must adhere strictly to the Council’s prescribed syllabus and security protocols.
The MDCAT score, which will hold a minimum 50% weightage in admissions, will be valid nationwide for three years. Academic institutions have been instructed to conduct pre-hoc and post-hoc analyses to confirm no out-of-syllabus or incorrect questions appear in the test.
PM and DC has directed all participating universities to make comprehensive arrangements, including the installation of mobile jammers, deployment of trained security personnel, and ensuring the secure development, printing, and transfer of confidential question papers.
“Transparency and fairness in MDCAT-2025 are non-negotiable,” the minister concluded, reaffirming that anyone responsible for a lapse would be held fully answerable.