LAHORE: The Punjab government has notified its admission policy for MBBS and BDS programmes for the 2026–27 academic session, setting out the eligibility requirements, merit calculation, seat allocations, fee obligations and admission procedures for public and private medical and dental colleges across the province.
The policy, issued by the Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Department on October 14, designates the University of Health Sciences (UHS), Lahore, as the admitting university responsible for conducting centralised admissions to medical and dental institutions in Punjab.
For thousands of students seeking admission to medical and dental colleges, the notification provides the framework for one of the most consequential stages of their academic journey. Alongside merit requirements and available seats, it establishes rules governing college preferences, confirmation of admission, payment deadlines and subsequent movement between institutions.
The accompanying UHS public-sector admission notice sets October 16 to 30, 2026, for MBBS applications, while BDS applications are scheduled from December 15 to 30, 2026.
Merit formula and eligibility requirements
Under the notified policy, admissions will be determined through a weighted merit formula that assigns 50 per cent to the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT), 40 per cent to FSc Pre-Medical or an equivalent higher-secondary qualification, and 10 per cent to Matriculation or an equivalent qualification.
The minimum qualifying MDCAT score has been fixed at 55 per cent for MBBS and 50 per cent for BDS. MDCAT results will remain valid for three years from the date of the examination, subject to the applicable regulatory requirements.
Applicants must also have secured at least 60 per cent marks in their Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC) examination or an equivalent recognised 12th-grade qualification.
Biology and Chemistry are compulsory subjects, alongside either Physics or Mathematics. Candidates holding equivalent qualifications must fulfil the applicable recognition requirements, including obtaining an equivalence certificate from the Inter Boards Coordination Commission (IBCC), where required.
The policy also confirms that no additional merit marks will be awarded for Hafiz-e-Quran status, in accordance with the applicable medical and dental undergraduate education regulations and the relevant judicial decision.
Candidates domiciled in Punjab are required to appear in Punjab's MDCAT for admission under the applicable provincial arrangements.
Private medical and dental colleges allocated 5,500 seats
The notification specifies 4,400 MBBS seats across 33 listed private medical colleges and 1,100 BDS seats across 18 listed private dental colleges, bringing the combined private-sector allocation to 5,500 seats.
The lists include institutions in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Multan, Faisalabad, Sialkot and several other districts.
For public-sector institutions, the policy sets out an indicative allocation of 3,981 seats under the open-merit allocation, 410 quota seats and 123 over-and-above seats. The notification expressly states that the figures are subject to approval by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC).
The allocations reflect the separate admission categories through which eligible candidates may compete, including provincial open merit, reserved categories and specified arrangements for applicants from other regions.
Private-sector colleges may reserve up to 15 per cent of their annual seats for eligible overseas Pakistani or dual-national expatriate candidates. Any unfilled seats in that category are to be transferred to open merit, with the applicable open-merit fees and dues.
The policy also provides that any increase in approved seats or establishment of a new institution after its issuance will be considered for the following academic session rather than automatically included in the current admissions cycle.
UHS announces separate MBBS and BDS admission schedules
The UHS public-sector admission notice sets out distinct application and selection timelines for medical and dental candidates.
For MBBS, online applications open on October 16 at 9am and close on October 30 at 5pm. The provisional merit order is scheduled for November 13, followed by the final merit order on November 16.
The first college-wise selection list is scheduled for November 17, with subsequent selection and upgradation lists planned for November 23 and December 1.
For BDS, online applications begin on December 15 at 9am and close on December 30 at 5pm. The provisional and final merit orders are scheduled for January 6 and January 9, 2027, respectively.
The first dental college selection list is scheduled for January 11, followed by subsequent lists on January 15 and January 21.
According to the notice, MBBS classes are scheduled to commence on February 1, 2027, while BDS classes are scheduled to begin on March 1, 2027.
UHS has cautioned that the admission timetable remains subject to applicable directions from the PMDC and the Punjab government, including changes arising from the number of selection lists issued.
Admission fees and payment requirements
The policy establishes important financial obligations that applicants and their families should understand before submitting their preferences.
UHS will charge a non-refundable Rs2,000 application processing fee for admission through its online system. Candidates seeking both MBBS and BDS admission must submit separate applications.
For public-sector medical and dental colleges, the annual tuition fee has been fixed at Rs50,000, excluding admissions under overseas and foreign quota arrangements. Other applicable charges may be payable separately.
For private-sector institutions, candidates selected through the central admission process must deposit Rs600,000 in the designated UHS account within three working days of the display of the relevant merit list to secure their offered seat.
Failure to deposit the amount within the prescribed period will result in withdrawal of the admission offer, allowing the seat to be offered to the next eligible candidate according to merit.
The initial deposit will be transferred to the relevant college after completion of the admission process, while the remaining admission fee must be paid directly to the institution.
The policy permits tuition payments to private colleges on a quarterly, six-monthly or annual basis, in accordance with the applicable regulations.
Students admitted against public-sector overseas Pakistani quota seats are required to pay US$10,000 annually on a self-financing basis. Overseas Pakistani applicants selected through ordinary open merit, however, will pay the fees applicable to Pakistani students.
College preferences could determine admission opportunities
One of the policy's most important provisions concerns the selection and ranking of preferred colleges.
Applicants seeking admission to public-sector institutions must list the available colleges in order of preference, while candidates applying to private-sector colleges are not restricted in the number of institutions they may select.
Applications may be edited before the submission deadline. However, once the deadline has passed, the number and order of selected colleges cannot be changed.
The policy further states that a college omitted from a candidate's preference list will not be considered for admission or subsequent upgradation.
This makes the preference-selection stage particularly important, as candidates must assess not only their chances of admission but also college location, financial affordability and their willingness to join a particular institution.
The policy provides for multiple merit and selection lists, with vacant seats to be filled through an upgradation process based on merit and candidate preferences.
Private-sector students may choose to surrender their right to subsequent upgradation when joining an institution. Once exercised, that decision is final and cannot be withdrawn or modified at a later stage.
Reserved seats and special admission categories
The admission policy also addresses reserved seats for candidates with disabilities, applicants from under-developed districts, Cholistan residents and candidates from specified regions outside Punjab.
Admissions under disability quotas require applicants to fulfil the mandatory PMDC eligibility criteria and undergo assessment by a medical board constituted by the admitting university.
The board will examine the nature and extent of disability and assess the applicant's ability to undertake essential training and professional responsibilities.
Candidates seeking seats reserved for under-developed districts must satisfy domicile and educational-history requirements. The policy also provides for documentary verification and service-related obligations for successful candidates in the relevant category.
Separate admission arrangements apply to candidates from Islamabad Capital Territory, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Balochistan and the former FATA areas, subject to the notified allocation and applicable nomination or verification procedures.
The policy also outlines arrangements for overseas Pakistani candidates and foreign students admitted through the Pakistan Technical Assistance Programme and other specified schemes.
Applicants seeking admission under these categories must carefully examine the additional documentation and eligibility requirements relevant to their circumstances.
How students can apply
The entire admission process will be administered through the UHS online admissions system, with separate application portals for MBBS and BDS.
Applicants must register with their personal identification and contact information, select the category under which they are eligible, provide their academic qualifications and MDCAT details, and upload the required supporting documents.
Candidates must also rank their preferred institutions, generate the prescribed application fee challan and complete payment within the notified deadline.
The admission notice requires supporting documents, including academic certificates, identity documents, domicile certificates and equivalence documentation where applicable. Candidates applying under special quota categories must provide additional supporting evidence.
UHS has advised candidates to review their applications carefully before final submission. Incomplete applications, missing supporting documents or failure to fulfil the admission requirements may lead to rejection.
What applicants should keep in mind
The notification gives candidates a clearer picture of how admissions will be conducted, but it also places considerable responsibility on applicants to complete each step correctly and on time.
Meeting the minimum MDCAT and academic eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission. Selection will depend on merit, the availability of seats, applicable quotas and the order of college preferences submitted by each candidate.
The admission process will also remain subject to regulatory approvals, verification of credentials and any subsequent directions issued by the competent authorities.
Students and parents should therefore rely on the official UHS prospectus, admission portals and published merit lists for final confirmation of their eligibility, institutional preferences, payment obligations and admission status.
For official admission information and updates, visit www.uhs.edu.pk.
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