PMA demands transparency in MDCAT 2026, calls for audit of private medical colleges

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has demanded complete transparency and foolproof security for the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) 2026, scheduled for Sept. 20, while calling for an independent forensic audit of private medical and dental colleges across the country.

The association said entrance examinations such as MDCAT remain necessary for assessing students seeking admission to medical and dental colleges, but stressed that the examination must be conducted through a transparent, secure and merit-based process.

The demand comes amid concerns over the credibility of previous MDCAT examinations. The PMA said earlier tests conducted under different testing bodies had faced controversies, administrative problems and allegations of paper leaks.

It urged authorities to take all necessary measures to ensure that MDCAT 2026 is conducted without compromise on security or merit, allowing students to compete on a level playing field and helping maintain public confidence in the admission process.

PMA links MDCAT reform to school education

While calling for greater transparency in the immediate admission process, the PMA said long-term reform of medical admissions should begin with strengthening primary and secondary education.

The association argued that a strong school education system should adequately prepare students for higher education, including demanding professional programmes such as medicine and dentistry.

According to the PMA, bringing primary and secondary education in Pakistan up to international standards could eventually reduce the country's reliance on centralized, high-stakes entrance examinations.

The association's position places the MDCAT debate within a broader discussion about the quality of education students receive before reaching the medical college admission stage.

Private medical colleges face calls for independent audit

Alongside its concerns about MDCAT, the PMA raised what it described as serious concerns over the commercialization of medical education in Pakistan.

The association alleged that some private medical colleges operate with inadequate staffing, inefficient faculty structures and part-time teachers while seeking increases in the number of seats.

It also raised concerns about the quality of instruction at some institutions, alleging that non-specialized or inadequately qualified individuals have been involved in teaching undergraduate medical students.

The PMA argued that such concerns warrant independent scrutiny of private medical and dental colleges, particularly when institutions seek to expand their student intake.

Audit to examine faculty, clinical facilities and infrastructure

The PMA called for an immediate and independent forensic audit of private medical and dental colleges across Pakistan.

The proposed review, according to the association, should examine faculty qualifications, clinical facilities and physical infrastructure, alongside compliance with minimum accreditation and educational standards.

The association also called for strict legal and regulatory action against institutions found to be operating below the required standards.

The PMA warned that shortcomings in the education and training of medical graduates could have consequences extending beyond individual institutions. It said poorly trained graduates could pose risks to public safety and result in the loss of valuable national resources invested in medical education.

The demand for an audit therefore goes beyond checking the number of available seats. It focuses on whether institutions have the qualified faculty, clinical exposure, infrastructure and educational capacity necessary to train students adequately.

PMA seeks stronger public-sector medical education

The association also called on the government to strengthen public-sector medical universities, increase funding and expand the number of medical seats available to talented students from low- and middle-income families.

The PMA said high tuition fees and other financial barriers have made private medical education inaccessible to many deserving students.

It argued that expanding and strengthening public-sector institutions could provide more affordable opportunities for students while supporting merit-based access to medical education.

According to the association, greater investment in public-sector medical universities would also help address disparities in access and reduce the pressure on students and families to pursue expensive private-sector medical education.

MDCAT transparency and college quality at the center of PMA demands

The PMA's statement brings the immediate question of how students are selected together with the broader issue of where and how they are trained after admission.

For MDCAT 2026, the association is seeking complete transparency and foolproof security ahead of the Sept. 20 examination, citing controversies and allegations surrounding previous tests.

At the institutional level, it wants an independent forensic audit of private medical and dental colleges, with particular attention to faculty qualifications, clinical facilities, physical infrastructure and compliance with educational and accreditation standards.

At the policy level, the PMA is calling for stronger primary and secondary education, greater investment in public-sector medical universities and expanded affordable opportunities for talented students.

The association said these measures are necessary to protect merit, improve the quality of medical education and ensure that future doctors and dentists receive adequate training before entering professional practice.

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