PMDC Approves 475 More MBBS Seats for Punjab’s Public Colleges

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The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council has approved 475 additional MBBS seats at government medical colleges in Punjab, providing aspiring doctors with more opportunities in the upcoming admission cycle.

The decision increases the number of MBBS seats in Punjab’s public-sector medical colleges from 3,476 to 3,951. Following the approval, the combined number of seats in government medical and dental colleges across the province has risen to 4,241.

The expanded intake is expected to be included in the 2026–27 academic session, subject to the final admission schedule and college-wise distribution announced by the relevant provincial authorities.

Punjab Gets 475 Additional MBBS Seats

The approval follows a formal request submitted by the Punjab government to PMDC on August 21, 2025. The provincial government had asked the council to approve 475 additional seats in public medical colleges to expand access to medical education.

The proposal remained under consideration for several months. In April 2026, reports indicated that it had received in-principle approval during a PMDC meeting. However, formal permission and an official notification had not been issued at that stage.

The Punjab Health Department subsequently sent reminder letters to PMDC, asking the regulatory body to complete the approval process before the new admission session began.

On June 10, the department again requested an urgent decision, stating that delays could affect preparations for the 2026–27 admissions. The provincial government had already prepared its admission policy and proposed seat distribution for the upcoming session.

What the Increase Means for MBBS Applicants

The approval is significant for students preparing to apply to public medical colleges in Punjab. An additional 475 seats means that more candidates will have an opportunity to secure admission during the next application cycle.

However, the increase does not mean that competition for MBBS admission will become easy. Thousands of students compete for a limited number of places every year, and admission will continue to depend on merit, academic results, MDCAT performance, quotas and other applicable rules.

Applicants should also avoid assuming that additional seats will automatically lead to a major reduction in closing merit. The final merit position will depend on the overall performance and number of candidates applying during the 2026–27 session.

Additional Seats Expected in Upcoming Admissions

According to the Punjab Health Department’s earlier communication, MDCAT 2026 was scheduled for August 12, 2026, while the MBBS and BDS admission process was expected to begin shortly afterward. The department had requested early approval so the new seats could be included without delaying admissions.

With PMDC’s approval now secured, public medical colleges across Punjab are expected to admit students according to the revised capacity.

Students should wait for the official prospectus and college-wise seat distribution before estimating their chances or submitting their final college preferences. Application dates, merit formulas, eligibility requirements and quota details should also be confirmed through official admission portals rather than unofficial social media posts.

PMDC’s official list includes public medical colleges in Lahore, Multan, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Bahawalpur, Sialkot, Sargodha, Gujranwala and several other cities across Punjab.

A Major Expansion of Medical Education in Punjab

The addition of 475 MBBS seats represents a notable expansion of public medical education in Punjab. It may allow more qualified students to study medicine within the province rather than turning to private institutions, repeating the admission cycle or pursuing medical education abroad.

The expansion will also require colleges to maintain sufficient teaching staff, laboratories, hospital facilities, clinical training opportunities and student accommodation. Increasing capacity should therefore be supported by measures that protect the quality of medical education.

For students entering the 2026–27 admission cycle, the decision is a positive development. Candidates should continue preparing for MDCAT, monitor official announcements and review the final college-wise seat allocation once it is formally released.