As of 19 September 2026, the main PM&DC MDCAT 2026 is scheduled for 20 September 2026. The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council had originally announced an earlier date but later rescheduled the examination. PM&DC’s website was still showing the 20 September date immediately before the exam.
After MDCAT results are available, students normally move into the admission phase handled by the relevant admitting university or institution. Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Islamabad and the NUMS system do not all use one common application portal.
Here is the current picture:
| Admission item | 2026 status |
|---|---|
| PM&DC MDCAT 2026 | Scheduled for 20 September 2026 |
| NUMS MDCAT 2026 | Held on 13 September 2026 |
| AKU MBBS applications | Closed |
| Main 2026-27 merit lists | Mostly still ahead |
| One nationwide MBBS/BDS last date | No |
| Standard public-sector merit formula | MDCAT 50%, HSSC 40%, SSC 10% |
The most useful approach is therefore to first identify which admission system applies to you, then follow its official portal and dates.
MBBS and BDS Admission 2026 Current Status
The regular MDCAT 2026 regulated by PM&DC is scheduled for Sunday, 20 September 2026. PM&DC was still publishing examination arrangements in September, including updates on 18 September.
This is important because students searching for an MBBS BDS admission 2026 Pakistan merit list may find old or unrelated merit lists online. A list published during early 2026 may belong to the 2025-26 admission session, not the new 2026-27 cycle.
The 2026-27 merit-list process for many institutions comes after MDCAT results and the respective admission application period.
NUMS follows a separate route for its constituent, affiliated and Armed Forces-administered medical and dental colleges. NUMS MDCAT 2026 was held on 13 September 2026. Its registration began on 18 May 2026, regular registration closed on 22 June, and late registration was extended to 19 August.
So, before searching for a merit list or application form, confirm whether you are applying through the regular provincial admission system, NUMS, Aga Khan University or another institution-specific process.
Who Is Eligible for MBBS and BDS Admission in Pakistan?
Under the PM&DC Admissions Regulations 2025, a student seeking admission to an undergraduate medical or dental college in Pakistan generally needs to meet three basic requirements:
- Pass the required MDCAT examination.
- Hold an HSSC or equivalent 12th-grade qualification recognized in Pakistan with at least 60% marks, unless PM&DC officially sets a higher requirement.
- Have studied Biology and Chemistry, along with either Physics or Mathematics as the relevant third subject.
Students with foreign qualifications may also need equivalence from the relevant Pakistani authority before their academic marks can be used for admission.
Keep in mind that being eligible to apply does not mean you will receive admission. Medical and dental seats are awarded on merit and other applicable admission categories.
Can I Do BDS Without MDCAT?
For the normal Pakistani admission route, you generally cannot take admission in BDS without qualifying the required MDCAT.
PM&DC’s current admission regulations make passing MDCAT part of the mandatory eligibility criteria for undergraduate medical and dental admission.
There are, however, specific exceptions for certain predefined foreign-student seats and seats reserved for overseas Pakistanis. PM&DC regulations allow qualifying alternative international tests in the circumstances described in the regulations.
This means the simple answer for a Pakistani student applying through the normal local merit system is:
Yes, MDCAT is required for BDS.
Do not rely on an agent or college representative who tells you that a normal local BDS seat can simply be taken without meeting PM&DC admission requirements. Check the current rules and recognition status before paying any fee.
MDCAT Passing Marks for MBBS and BDS
PM&DC’s published MDCAT curriculum has used separate qualifying levels for medical and dental admission:
- MBBS: 55%
- BDS: 50%
The published MDCAT framework also describes the test as a 180-MCQ paper with no negative marking.
Students should still check the latest 2026 examination and admission notices when results are announced because PM&DC can issue session-specific directions.
For example, in April 2026, PM&DC allowed a one-time reduction for vacant seats in the 2025-26 admission session after eligible students under the existing criteria had been exhausted. That special decision concerned the older 2025-26 process and should not automatically be treated as the normal qualifying rule for 2026-27 admissions.
That distinction matters when reading old admission news.
MBBS BDS Merit Formula 2026
For the standard public-sector admission merit, PM&DC states the following weighting:
| Academic component | Weight in merit |
|---|---|
| MDCAT | 50% |
| FSc/HSSC or equivalent | 40% |
| Matric/SSC or equivalent | 10% |
Here is a simple hypothetical example.
Suppose a student has:
- 80% in Matric
- 85% in FSc
- 75% in MDCAT
The weighted score would be calculated from all three parts according to the 10%, 40% and 50% formula.
Your final aggregate is then compared with other applicants for the relevant seat category and college preferences.
A high MDCAT score is important because it carries half of the standard merit weight.
How to Apply Online for MBBS BDS Admission 2026
There is no single MBBS BDS admission 2026 Pakistan online apply button for every medical and dental college.
The exact process depends on your province, institution and admission system.
In most cases, the process looks like this:
- Complete the required MDCAT or relevant admission test.
- Wait for the official result.
- Identify the admitting university responsible for your desired colleges.
- Open the official admission portal when applications begin.
- Create your applicant account.
- Enter your Matric, FSc/HSSC and MDCAT information.
- Upload the required documents.
- Select MBBS, BDS or both where the system allows separate applications.
- Enter your college preferences carefully.
- Pay the prescribed application or processing fee.
- Submit the form before the official closing date.
- Check provisional and final merit lists after applications close.
PM&DC’s admission information also makes an important point: medical and dental applications are treated separately. A student who has not applied for a particular program cannot simply be admitted to that program later.
So, if you want to be considered for both MBBS and BDS, read the admission instructions carefully instead of assuming one application automatically covers both.
Which Authority Handles MBBS and BDS Admissions?
The relevant system depends on where and what you want to study.
| Region or admission system | Main admission/test authority |
|---|---|
| Punjab | University of Health Sciences and relevant notified system |
| Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | Khyber Medical University |
| Balochistan | Bolan University of Medical and Health Sciences |
| Islamabad/ICT and specified regions | SZABMU under the applicable system |
| NUMS colleges | National University of Medical Sciences |
| Aga Khan University | AKU’s own admission process |
PM&DC remains the national regulator, but that does not mean students submit every medical-college admission form directly to PM&DC.
The actual admitting university publishes the application schedule, merit lists and college allocation information for the institutions under its system.
What Is the Last Date for MBBS BDS Admission 2026 in Pakistan?
There is no one nationwide last date for MBBS and BDS admissions in Pakistan.
This is one of the biggest sources of confusion in search results.
A student might see one university’s deadline and assume it applies to every medical college. It does not.
There can be separate dates for:
- MDCAT registration
- MDCAT examination
- university application
- MBBS application
- BDS application
- private-college admission
- public-college admission
- document submission
- merit-list publication
- fee deposit
PM&DC’s FAQ states that, under its admission framework for public colleges, medical-college merit lists are to be made public by 15 December, while general-seat medical admissions are to be completed by 31 December. Public dental-college merit lists have a later timeline, extending into February under the stated framework.
These are regulatory timeline points, not a substitute for the actual application deadline announced by your admitting university.
Always check the current university notice before applying.
Aga Khan University MBBS Admission Last Date 2026
Aga Khan University has already closed applications for its 2026-27 MBBS admission cycle.
According to AKU’s official MBBS admission page, the application deadline was:
13 May 2026
AKU now states that admissions for the 2026-27 cycle are closed.
This is a useful example of why students should not wait for the national MDCAT period before checking every university.
Some institutions operate their own admission calendar much earlier in the year.
If you plan to apply to AKU in a future cycle, begin checking its official admission page several months before the expected deadline.
NUMS MBBS and BDS Admission 2026
Students applying to NUMS-affiliated and specified Armed Forces-administered medical and dental colleges follow the NUMS admission-test system.
For 2026:
- registration opened: 18 May 2026
- regular registration deadline: 22 June 2026
- late-registration deadline: 19 August 2026
- NUMS MDCAT: 13 September 2026
NUMS states that its subject test is mandatory for admission to the medical and dental colleges listed under that admission route.
Students should therefore not confuse NUMS MDCAT with the regular MDCAT process used for other institutions.
Which Medical or Dental University Admissions Are Open in Islamabad in 2026?
There is no single Islamabad-wide opening date.
Different universities and colleges publish their own schedules.
For example, Shifa College of Dentistry opened its BDS 2026-27 online applications for local and foreign-category seats on 1 July 2026. The local-category application deadline was 24 August 2026.
Shifa’s published schedule lists its entrance-test Part A for 27 September 2026, with the PM&DC MDCAT result to be submitted after its announcement.
This means a person searching in September should not assume that an institution is still accepting applications merely because its entrance test has not yet been held.
The application deadline may already have passed.
The better method is to identify the university first, then check its current admission page.
MBBS BDS Merit List 2026 Pakistan
There is no single national MBBS BDS merit list for every medical and dental college in Pakistan.
Merit lists are issued through the relevant admitting authority or university.
Depending on the system, you may see:
- provisional merit list
- final merit list
- college-wise selection list
- first selection list
- second selection list
- upgradation list
- quota/category list
- waiting list
- final vacant-seat list
When checking a merit list, always look at the session, not only the publication date.
For example, a list uploaded in January or February 2026 may belong to admissions for the 2025-26 academic session.
That does not make it the merit list for the new 2026-27 intake.
Once 2026-27 admission applications close, Pakword can update this page with direct information on the relevant new merit lists as they are officially published.
MBBS BDS Admission 2026 Fee Structure in Pakistan
There is no single MBBS or BDS fee that applies to every college in Pakistan.
The amount depends heavily on:
- public or private sector
- medical or dental program
- individual institution
- hostel choice
- security deposit
- examination charges
- university charges
- transport and other services
PM&DC issued a tuition-fee notification on 11 March 2026 covering approved fee caps for individual private medical and dental institutions. The notification lists institution-specific caps rather than one universal amount for all colleges.
That means students should be careful with articles claiming that the “2026 MBBS fee in Pakistan” is one fixed national number.
Before paying, check three things:
- Is the college currently recognized by PM&DC?
- What tuition fee has been officially published for that institution?
- What additional charges are listed separately from tuition?
Ask for a complete written fee schedule, especially if you are applying to a private medical or dental college.
Documents Usually Needed for MBBS/BDS Admission
The exact document list varies, but students commonly need items such as:
- CNIC or B-Form
- parent or guardian CNIC where required
- recent photographs
- Matric/SSC certificate or result
- FSc/HSSC certificate or result
- MDCAT result
- domicile where applicable
- IBCC equivalence for relevant foreign qualifications
- paid application challan or payment proof
- category or quota documents where applicable
Some universities can request additional forms or verified documents.
Do not prepare your application by following a random checklist alone. Open the actual prospectus or admission instructions for your university and match every required item before submitting.
Is BDS Better Than MBBS in Pakistan?
Neither degree is automatically “better” for every student.
MBBS focuses on medicine and leads toward clinical practice across medical disciplines, while BDS focuses on dentistry and oral healthcare.
Your choice should depend on what kind of work you actually want to do.
| MBBS | BDS |
|---|---|
| Focuses on medicine and general clinical care | Focuses on dentistry and oral health |
| Wider range of medical specialties | Dental and oral-health specialties |
| Different postgraduate pathways | Dentistry-specific postgraduate pathways |
| Work commonly includes hospitals and clinics | Work commonly includes dental clinics and hospitals |
Do not choose BDS simply because you believe its merit will always be lower, and do not choose MBBS only because people around you consider it more prestigious.
Look at the profession, training route, cost, competition and type of patient care before deciding.
How to Avoid Fake Admission Information
Medical admission season creates a lot of copied and outdated information online.
A page may still rank in Google even after its deadline has passed.
Before acting on an admission update:
- check the date of the notice
- check the admission session
- confirm the official university domain
- verify the college’s PM&DC recognition
- do not send fees to personal bank accounts because of a WhatsApp message
- do not assume Pakword or another information website is the admission authority
Pay special attention to websites whose names look similar to official organizations.
For regulatory information, use the genuine Pakistan Medical and Dental Council website and the official admission website of the relevant university.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for MBBS admission before the MDCAT result?
It depends on the university. Some institutions open applications or conduct parts of their admission process before the national MDCAT result, while others open the main application process later. Follow the timeline of the specific institution you want to join.
Is MDCAT compulsory for BDS in Pakistan?
For the normal local admission route, yes. PM&DC’s admission regulations require MDCAT for undergraduate medical and dental admission, subject to specific exceptions for defined foreign or overseas categories.
What is the MBBS merit formula in Pakistan?
The standard public-sector formula published by PM&DC gives 50% weight to MDCAT, 40% to FSc/HSSC or equivalent and 10% to Matric/SSC or equivalent.
What was the Aga Khan University MBBS last date in 2026?
AKU says the last date for applications to its 2026-27 MBBS cycle was 13 May 2026. Applications for that cycle are now closed.
Is the MBBS BDS merit list 2026 available?
There is no one national merit list. As of 19 September 2026, the regular PM&DC MDCAT is scheduled for 20 September, so many major 2026-27 admission and merit-list processes are still ahead.
Can I apply for both MBBS and BDS?
Yes, where the admission system permits it, but follow the application instructions carefully. PM&DC’s admission information says applicants must apply separately for medical and dental programs; admission cannot be given to a program for which the student did not apply.
What to Do Next
If you are applying for MBBS BDS admission 2026 in Pakistan, do not start by searching for one universal application link.
First decide which colleges you want to apply to. Then identify the relevant admitting university or admission system.
For most students, the immediate priority on 19 September 2026 is the regular MDCAT scheduled for 20 September 2026. NUMS candidates have already completed the NUMS MDCAT held on 13 September.
After the result, watch the official admission authority for:
- application opening date
- last date
- fee
- college preference submission
- provisional merit list
- final merit or selection lists
Most importantly, check the admission session and exact date whenever you read an update. In medical admissions, an old merit list or deadline can look current simply because it was published during 2026.