743 MBBS and BDS Seats Remain Vacant Across Pakistan Despite Admissions Extension
A total of 743 seats in medical and dental colleges across Pakistan remained unfilled for the 2025–26 academic session, even after an extension in admissions and relaxation in eligibility criteria.
The situation has raised concerns about declining interest in medical and dental education in the country.
National Seat Availability and Vacancies
According to official data, more than 22,300 seats were available across 187 public and private medical and dental colleges nationwide. However, a small but notable number of seats remained vacant.
Out of the total vacant seats, 608 were in Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) programs, while 135 were in MBBS programs, showing a relatively higher gap in dental admissions.
Provincial Breakdown
Punjab recorded the highest number of vacant seats with 381, followed by Sindh with 295, Islamabad with 50, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 17.
Faculty Shortage Concerns
The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC) has also highlighted a shortage of teaching staff in medical institutions. Official figures indicate a shortfall of thousands of faculty members, raising concerns about academic capacity and training quality.
Authorities have suggested a temporary pause on the establishment of new medical and dental colleges, as well as expansion of existing programs, until staffing and infrastructure challenges are addressed.
Reasons Behind Vacancies
Education experts attribute the unfilled seats to multiple factors, including high tuition fees, limited affordability, and changing student preferences regarding medical careers.
Concerns over education quality and long-term job prospects have also contributed to reduced demand in some institutions.
