Islamabad: The National Assembly Standing Committee on National Health Services Regulations and Coordination has reaffirmed its stance against lowering the passing marks for the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) 2026. The committee also addressed private medical college fee structures and called for reforms in the pharmacy sector.

According to National Assembly of Pakistan, the committee convened under the leadership of Dr. Mahesh Kumar Mallani, MNA, to assess preparations for MDCAT 2026 and other critical issues in medical education. The MDCAT is scheduled for 16 August 2026, and transparency measures include expanding the question bank to 8,000 questions and providing provinces with three question papers to choose from. Admission criteria will weigh 10% Matriculation marks, 40% Intermediate marks, and 50% MDCAT score.

The committee discussed capping private medical college tuition fees between Rs. 1.8 million and Rs. 2.5 million, emphasizing the need for justifications and third-party audits of actual costs. Meetings with Vice Chancellors after 20 July 2026 aim to enhance admission transparency. Currently, 188 medical colleges are registered with the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), with private colleges producing 22,000 graduates annually.

The PMDC clarified that proposed salary and allowance increases for its leadership are not finalized. The committee urged medical colleges to fill approved seats and maintain quality standards. Dissatisfied with the Pharmacy Council of Pakistan’s briefing, the committee called for revised rules to address modern challenges, with a draft expected by October 2026. High-ranking health officials attended the meeting, reflecting the importance of these discussions.