Dozens of aspiring doctoral candidates who sat for the PhD entrance examination at the University of Karachi’s International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS) on Sunday now face a crucial wait, with officials announcing a strict timeline for results, interviews, and the final merit list for the 2025 second intake.
The two-hour assessment, held from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, saw numerous applicants competing for admission to the prestigious doctoral programmes. The examination was administered at the L.E.J. National Science Information Centre, situated within the ICCBS premises.
An ICCBS spokesperson confirmed that rigorous security protocols were implemented under the specific directives of the centre’s director, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Raza Shah. Access to the examination area was restricted to prevent entry by any unauthorised individuals.
According to the official, the results of the entrance test will be published online on the official websites of both the ICCBS and the University of Karachi on January 5, 2026. Emphasising the institution”s policy, he reiterated that all admissions would be awarded solely on merit.
Candidates who pass the written test will proceed to interviews scheduled for January 7, with the final merit list slated for display on January 16, 2026.
Successful applicants will be offered admission to doctoral programmes at the Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research (PCMD) and the H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, both of which operate under the umbrella of the University of Karachi.
To facilitate the attendees, a shuttle bus service was also arranged on the director’s instructions, transporting candidates from the Maskan Gate and the Campus Gate to the ICCBS examination venue.