Key Takeaways
- The Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) 2026 is being held across Pakistan.
- Over 138,000 candidates have registered for the exam this year.
- Security measures and air-conditioned halls are in place at all examination centres.
The Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) 2026 is currently being conducted across Pakistan, with thousands of candidates appearing for the test. According to the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), a total of 138,160 candidates have registered for the entrance examination this year.
Punjab had the highest number of registered candidates at 49,199, followed by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa with 38,845, and Sindh with 34,000. Balochistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), and Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) also have a significant number of registered candidates, with 9,923, 2,761, and 1,721, respectively. Islamabad and the international centre in Riyadh have 1,245 and 237 candidates, respectively.
In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the examination is being held at 59 centres across nine cities, with Peshawar having the highest number of candidates at 16,722. Other cities with a significant number of candidates include Mardan (5,459), Swat (4,937), and Lower Dir (2,795).
In Sindh, the MDCAT is being conducted through the Sukkur IBA Testing Service, with more than 34,000 candidates registered across the province. Examination centres have been established in Karachi, Hyderabad, Jamshoro, Larkana, Sukkur, Mirpurkhas, Shaheed Benazirabad, and Islamabad. Two centres have been established in Karachi at NED University and Dow University's Ojha Campus, with around 11,000 candidates expected to appear, including 6,000 at NED University and 4,964 at Dow University's Ojha Campus.
Security measures are in place at all examination centres, with police and Rangers personnel deployed. The MDCAT question papers were transported to examination centres under tight security, with vehicles fitted with CCTV cameras and drivers not informed of their routes. A monitoring room has also been set up to oversee the examination process.
The PMDC stated that the examination is being conducted in a peaceful environment, with arrangements completed at all examination centres. KMU said the examination was being conducted in air-conditioned halls at all 59 centres, ensuring a comfortable environment for the candidates.
In Rawalpindi, Rescue 1122 teams have been deployed at three examination centres to provide emergency cover. The MDCAT is a crucial step for aspiring medical and dental students, and the PMDC is taking all necessary measures to ensure the smooth conduct of the examination.
The MDCAT 2026 is a significant event for the medical and dental community in Pakistan, with thousands of candidates participating. The PMDC is committed to ensuring the transparency and fairness of the examination process.
