PMDC Extends Medical and Dental College Admissions Deadline Until March 31st, 2026

PMDC Extends Medical and Dental College Admissions Deadline Until March 31st, 2026

The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC) has officially extended the admission deadline for all public and private sector medical and dental colleges for the academic session 2025-26 . The last date for completing the admission process is now March 31st, 2026 .

The announcement was made through an official notification issued on February 19, detailing the decisions made by the council in its 128th meeting held on February 10th, 2026. This marks the second major regulatory update from the PMDC this year regarding admissions to MBBS and BDS programs .

Official Notification Details

According to the circular, which has been disseminated to all Vice Chancellors of admitting universities, Principals, and Deans of PM&DC recognized medical and dental institutions, the extension applies nationwide. The document states that the council resolved to extend the timelines for admissions to ensure that all eligible candidates have a fair opportunity to secure their seats.

Crucially, the PMDC has mandated that all admissions carried out under this extended timeline must be conducted strictly in accordance with the PM&DC Admissions Regulations, 2025 , alongside any subsequent decisions taken by the council during recent sessions. This directive ensures that while the deadline has moved, the transparency and merit-based criteria outlined in the 2025 regulations remain firmly in place.

No Further Extensions Beyond March 31

In a firm warning to both students and administrative bodies, the council has explicitly clarified that no further extension will be granted beyond March 31st, 2026 . Educational institutions have been urged to finalize their merit lists and complete the enrollment of candidates well before the cut-off date to avoid any last-minute complications or regulatory action.

This "final extension" clause is intended to streamline the academic calendar and ensure that the teaching semester commences uniformly across all provinces.

Implications for Medical and Dental Aspirants

The extension of the admission deadline comes as a welcome development for students who may have faced delays due to the centralized admission process, document verification issues, or the recent convergence of multiple entry tests.

For the academic session 2025-26, the PMDC has been keen on enforcing its 2025 regulations, which emphasize:

• Centralized Admissions: Strict adherence to centralized merit calculation.

• Transparency: Open display of merit lists to prevent malpractices.

• Qualifying Exams: Recognition of only the MDCAT (Medical and Dental College Admission Test) and its provincial equivalents as the sole entry test for admissions.

By extending the date, the council aims to accommodate students from remote areas and those whose results from affiliated boards were delayed, allowing them to participate in the subsequent merit lists.

Instructions for College Administrators

The notification, which has been circulated to relevant departments within the council for strict implementation, places a significant onus on college administrations. Vice Chancellors and Deans have been instructed to:

1. Recalibrate Schedules: Adjust their institutional calendars to align with the new March 31 deadline.

2. Ensure Compliance: Verify that all enrolled students meet the eligibility criteria set by the PM&DC Admissions Regulations 2025.

3. Report Data: Submit the final list of admitted students to the PMDC headquarters within one week of the deadline closing.

Background and Context

The PMDC has been actively restructuring the admission framework to align with international standards and to curb the proliferation of illegal or fraudulent admissions. The extension is viewed by educational analysts as a pragmatic step to prevent the waste of seats, particularly in private medical colleges, which often struggle to fill their allocated slots within the initial deadline.

Students who have been wait-listed or are awaiting the results of appeals regarding their eligibility are advised to stay in close contact with their respective colleges and monitor the official PMDC website for further updates.

With the clock now ticking toward the final deadline of March 31, 2026 , all stakeholders from federal regulators to individual applicants are expected to expedite the remaining processes to ensure a smooth start to the medical and dental academic year.