KARACHI:
The Sindh High Court (SHC) has declared that setting admission criteria for medical colleges, including the minimum marks for the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT), is within the purview of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC).
The provincial high court issued this order while dismissing a petition seeking reduction in minimum qualifications for admission to MBBS and BDS programmes.
During the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel argued that the minimum requirement of 55% marks for MBBS and 50% for BDS had led to a large number of vacant posts due to strict criteria.
It was further claimed that the Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University had recommended reducing the minimum marks to 45% for MBBS and 40% for BDS. The PMDC lawyer, however, maintained that the admission policy and merit standards had been established under the authority of the council.
He informed the court that 14,300 candidates in Sindh had obtained the required qualifications, which is significantly higher than the total 4,400 seats available. He added that all seats in public medical colleges were already filled, while 284 seats in private colleges remained vacant due to high fees.
The court said that as per law, the PMDC has the authority to determine the admission policy and standards.
He stressed that medical education is a “sacred profession” and merit cannot be compromised. The Sindh government also opposed any reduction in merit.
The court noted that even the Supreme Court has ruled that merit cannot be reduced simply to fill vacant posts. He added that the solution to vacant positions does not lie in lowering standards but in making it easier for deserving students.
The court noted that as per the Sindh Private Educational Institutions Rules 2005, private institutions must provide free education to at least 10% of the students, a provision which is not being implemented.
It further directed that the PMDC announce the admission policy and schedule in advance every year, and that no changes be made thereafter.
He also advised the Sindh government to formulate a comprehensive policy in consultation with the PMDC to address vacant seats, while private medical colleges were directed to ensure free education for at least 10% of students. The court later dismissed the petition.
