PMDC Retains 60% Marks Requirement for MBBS, BDS Admissions
The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council has clarified that students must secure at least 60 percent marks in FSc Pre-Medical or an equivalent qualification to be eligible for MBBS and BDS admission, dismissing reports that the requirement had been relaxed.
In a clarification issued on Friday, the council said it had taken notice of reports circulating on digital media suggesting the minimum academic eligibility had been eased. The 60 percent marks threshold, it stressed, remains mandatory for admission to both public and private medical and dental colleges across the country.
The council added that candidates must also fulfil all other applicable regulatory requirements. Meeting the minimum marks alone does not guarantee a seat, since admissions are decided on aggregate merit.
What the 60 percent marks rule means for applicants
Under PMDC admission regulations, the intermediate-level qualification forms the academic floor for medical education. Students need at least 60 percent marks in FSc Pre-Medical (or an equivalent such as A-levels with an IBCC equivalence certificate) before they can even enter the merit race.
The final merit is calculated on a fixed weightage: 50 percent for the MDCAT, 40 percent for FSc (Pre-Medical), and 10 percent for Matriculation. Candidates also need at least 55 percent marks in the MDCAT for MBBS and 50 percent for BDS.
The council’s message to students and parents is blunt: verify every admission-related announcement through official PMDC channels rather than relying on social media posts or unverified online reports.
Fierce competition for limited seats
The clarification lands in the middle of an intensely competitive admission season. The PMDC held the nationwide MDCAT on September 20, 2026, with provincial bodies managing operations — the University of Health Sciences handled Punjab, where 37,708 candidates qualified for MBBS, a qualifying rate of 79.43 percent.
But qualifying is only the first hurdle. In Punjab alone, just 14,714 candidates scored 150 or more marks, and 8,454 reached 160 or above — the scores that actually decide who gets into a public medical college. Thousands of qualified candidates will still miss out. Students weighing their options should also check the HEC’s list of recognised and unrecognised institutions before committing to any college.
Feature Pakistan has followed the testing cycle through the year, including this year’s MDCAT arrangements. With private college fees running into millions of rupees, the 60 percent marks rule is often the first filter that decides a student’s options.
Why the rumour mattered
False reports of relaxed criteria spread quickly because they offer hope to students sitting just below the cutoff. Every year, candidates with 55 to 59 percent marks in FSc search for any pathway into medical colleges. The PMDC’s firm denial closes that door clearly: the bar has not moved, and colleges admitting students below it would be violating the regulations.
For families planning applications, the practical takeaway is to treat the 60 percent marks requirement as non-negotiable, focus on maximising the MDCAT score — which carries half the merit weight — and double-check every claim about criteria changes against the council’s official notifications.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum marks requirement for MBBS admission in Pakistan?
Candidates must secure at least 60 percent marks in FSc Pre-Medical or an equivalent qualification, plus at least 55 percent in the MDCAT for MBBS (50 percent for BDS).
Has the PMDC relaxed the 60 percent marks rule?
No. The PMDC clarified on October 23, 2026, that the requirement has not been relaxed and remains mandatory for public and private medical and dental colleges.
Does 60 percent in FSc guarantee MBBS admission?
No. It is only the minimum eligibility. Admissions are decided on aggregate merit (MDCAT 50%, FSc 40%, Matric 10%), and competition for public college seats is intense.
Where should students verify admission criteria?
Through official PMDC notifications and the council’s own channels — not social media posts or unverified websites, the council has advised.
