KMU Requests PMDC to Review MBBS and BDS Seat Allocations in KP

What Was Announced

Khyber Medical University (KMU) has approached the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) regarding changes in the allocation of MBBS and BDS seats in public-sector medical and dental colleges across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa [1]. According to an official letter from KMU’s additional director of admissions, the total number of MBBS seats has increased from 1,435 in the previous year to 1,450 for the 2026–27 academic session [1].

However, KMU expressed concern over how these seats are distributed. The university noted that Bacha Khan Medical College (BKMC) in Mardan, Saidu Medical College (SMC) in Swat, and Gomal Medical College (GMC) in Dera Ismail Khan have collectively received 120 additional MBBS seats [1]. Conversely, other public-sector colleges have seen a combined reduction of 105 seats [1]. The institutions facing these reported reductions include:

• Khyber Medical College, Peshawar
• Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad
• Bannu Medical College, Bannu
• Nowshera Medical College, Nowshera
• Gajju Khan Medical College, Swabi
• KMU Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS)

KMU also raised concerns regarding Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) seat reductions [1]. Reported changes include:

• Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar: reduced from 100 to 80 seats
• Ayub Dental Section, Abbottabad: reduced from 55 to 25 seats
• Bacha Khan Dental Section, Mardan: reduced from 55 to 25 seats
• KMU Institute of Medical Sciences, Kohat: lost nine BDS seats

KMU has urged the PMDC to maintain last year’s seat quotas to safeguard students and ensure the admission process continues smoothly [1]. A meeting involving KMU, the PMDC, and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Department is expected to take place this Thursday to discuss these allocations and quotas [1].

Separately, the PMDC has introduced the Medical and Dental (Admissions, Curriculum and Conduct) Policy and Regulations 2026 [2]. This policy applies to all PMDC-recognised undergraduate programmes and accredited teaching hospitals [2]. Under these regulations, admissions are divided into three categories: open merit, self-finance and expatriate seats (15 per cent), and foreign student seats (10 per cent) [2].

Key deadlines under the new PMDC policy include:

• Public medical colleges: Merit lists by December 15; admissions completed by December 31; special-category admissions by January 10 [2].
• Private medical colleges: Admissions completed by January 31 [2].
• Public dental colleges: Merit lists by February 10; admissions completed by February 15; special-category admissions by February 28 [2].
• Private dental colleges: Admissions completed by February 28 [2].