BDS Admission 2026: Eligibility, Dates & How to Apply

BDS Admission 2026: Eligibility, Dates and How to Apply in Pakistan

BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) admission 2026 starts from your MDCAT result. You need at least 50% in MDCAT (90 of 180), more than 60% in FSc Pre-Medical or equivalent, and the right domicile for the province you apply in. In Punjab, UHS announced MDCAT 2026 results on 24 September, and 40,457 candidates qualified for BDS. But official BDS application dates for 2026–27 have not been announced by UHS at the time of writing, so treat any specific date you see as a guess until the authority publishes it. NUMS runs a separate test and merit list for military-administered colleges.

BDS full form: Bachelor of Dental Surgery, the undergraduate degree for dentists. New to the degree? See what BDS is.

BDS admission 2026: where things stand

MDCAT is national, but admission is run by regional authorities. Apply in the one that matches your domicile.

Who is eligible for BDS?

Under PM&DC's 2025 admission regulations, you need:

• More than 60% in HSSC or equivalent (FSc Pre-Medical, A-Levels with IBCC equivalence).

• Biology and Chemistry, plus Physics or Mathematics. UHS's earlier guides list Physics, so read your authority's prospectus.

• At least 50% in MDCAT, which is 90 of 180 marks (MBBS needs 55%).

• Domicile of the province where you apply. UHS requires a Punjab domicile for public seats, and KMU requires KP or merged-district domicile.

KMU's last cycle accepted MDCAT 2023, 2024 and 2025 results, so scores appear to stay valid for three years. Overseas Pakistanis and foreign nationals can use alternatives such as SAT-II or UCAT under the regulations, with 50% in each required subject. See the full BDS eligibility criteria.

How to apply for BDS admission

1. Qualify. Check your MDCAT 2026 result on our results page. You need 50% or more.

2. Wait for the prospectus. Your authority publishes the eligibility rules, merit formula, fee and deadline. Read it in full.

3. Register and apply online. UHS runs separate online portals for MBBS and BDS. Last cycle it charged a non-refundable processing fee of Rs. 2,000, paid by challan, with the receipt uploaded. Fees can change, so confirm this year's amount.

4. Upload documents. Expect SSC and HSSC marks, MDCAT score, CNIC or B-Form, photograph and domicile.

5. Fill your college preferences. Each province runs one central form. You rank colleges, and the authority places you on the highest preference your aggregate qualifies for.

6. Watch the merit lists. They come in rounds, with upgradation lists as seats move.

7. Pay the fee and report. Do both within the stated window, or you lose the seat.

Apply separately for BDS. UHS also issues separate merit lists for public and private BDS.

How merit is calculated

For public colleges under KMU, and for NUMS, the aggregate weights are:

• 10% Matric (SSC)

• 40% FSc (HSSC)

• 50% MDCAT

Illustration: Matric 90%, FSc 85%, MDCAT 150/180 (83.33%). Aggregate = (0.10 × 90) + (0.40 × 85) + (0.50 × 83.33) = 9 + 34 + 41.67 = 84.67%. Other authorities and seat categories can differ, so use the formula in your prospectus.

NUMS BDS admission 2026

NUMS admits to its constituent, affiliated and armed-forces-administered medical and dental colleges through its own entry test, not the PMDC MDCAT. NUMS MDCAT 2026 was held on 13 September 2026, after the original 23 August date. Only this test counts for MBBS/BDS session 2026–27 at those colleges, and it does not carry over to next year. NUMS uses the same 50/40/10 aggregate. If you sat both tests, you can pursue both routes. Watch numspak.edu.pk for merit lists and admission notices.

BDS admission dates 2026: what we know

Nothing official yet for Punjab's 2026–27 BDS applications. For context, the 2025–26 UHS session began on 7 November 2025, and deadlines were later extended. That suggests the Punjab window may open in the coming weeks, but it is a pattern, not an announcement. Don't rely on a date until UHS posts it.

One more thing before you apply: BDS duration

PMDC withdrew its five-year BDS notification in mid-September and started a review, and reports of what the final structure will be conflict. KP's admission policy for 2025–26 described BDS as a four-year course. Check the duration in your prospectus and on pmdc.pk before you pay.

FAQ

What is the BDS full form?
Bachelor of Dental Surgery.

What is the eligibility for BDS in Pakistan?
More than 60% in FSc Pre-Medical or equivalent (with Biology, Chemistry, and Physics or Maths) and at least 50% in MDCAT.

When is BDS admission 2026 starting?
No official 2026–27 dates had been announced by UHS at the time of writing. Last year's UHS session began in November, but check the official UHS site for this year's schedule.

How much MDCAT do I need for BDS?
At least 50%, which is 90 out of 180 marks.

How is BDS merit calculated?
For KMU public colleges and NUMS: 10% Matric, 40% FSc and 50% MDCAT.

Do I need MDCAT for NUMS colleges?
You need the NUMS entry test, not the PMDC MDCAT, for NUMS constituent, affiliated and military-administered colleges.

Can I apply for BDS and MBBS?
Yes, but you apply separately for each. Punjab runs separate MBBS and BDS portals.