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MDCAT Passing Marks Unchanged: Panel Backs Current Criteria
11 Jul
Summary
- MDCAT 2026 is scheduled for August 16, 2026, with over 135,000 registered.
- Admissions weigh 10% matriculation, 40% intermediate, and 50% MDCAT scores.
- Private medical college tuition fees capped between Rs1.8 million and Rs2.5 million.
The National Assembly Standing Committee on National Health Services has firmly supported the current passing criteria for the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT). This decision means no reduction in passing marks will occur for MDCAT 2026, which is slated for August 16, 2026. Approximately 135,000 students have registered so far, with more expected before the deadline.
Admissions to medical and dental colleges will continue to be based on a weighted score: 10% from matriculation, 40% from intermediate exams, and 50% from the MDCAT. The committee also deliberated on the fee structure for private medical colleges, establishing an annual tuition fee cap between Rs1.8 million and Rs2.5 million. Furthermore, private institutions must justify their fee structures, with a third-party audit planned to ascertain actual costs.
The committee was informed that 188 medical colleges are registered, including 60 private ones. In discussions about the pharmacy sector, the council was directed to revise the Pharmacy Council Rules, 1967, with a draft expected by October 2026. The committee also raised concerns about vacant seats in medical colleges and emphasized maintaining quality standards.
