The Three Pathways — Side by Side
Army Medical College offers admission through three distinct categories. The table below compares them across every dimension that matters: eligibility, seats, fees, closing merit, and post-graduation obligation.
| Category | 🎖️ Medical Cadets (MC) | 💳 Paying Cadets (PC) | 👨⚕️ NUMS Open Merit (Civilians) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who Can Apply? | Male only Pakistani citizens, unmarried, age 17–21[reference:9] |
Male/Female Children of serving or retired army personnel[reference:10][reference:11] |
Male/Female Open to all civilians, age 17–25[reference:12] |
| Academic Requirement | FSc Pre-Medical 70% minimum[reference:13] (65% for Balochistan, Tharparkar, etc.)[reference:14] |
FSc Pre-Medical or equivalent, minimum 60%[reference:15] | FSc Pre-Medical or equivalent, minimum 60%[reference:16] (Competitive: 65%+ recommended)[reference:17] |
| Selection Process | GHQ selection after clearing ISSB + NUMS test[reference:18][reference:19] | NUMS test + separate merit list for PC quota[reference:20] | NUMS entry test only — standard merit list[reference:21] |
| Total Seats (Approx.) | 170 across AMC and affiliated CMH colleges[reference:22] | Varies — reserved quota within total AMC seats[reference:23] | ~40–50 open merit seats[reference:24][reference:25] |
| Annual Fee | Free Fully funded by Pakistan Army[reference:26][reference:27] |
~PKR 1,000,000 Subsidized for army families[reference:28] |
~PKR 2,200,000 Standard civilian fee (with hostel)[reference:29] |
| Stipend / Benefits | PKR 50,000–55,000/month + Free hostel, uniform, mess[reference:30][reference:31] |
No stipend[reference:32] | No stipend |
| Closing Merit (Approx.) | Varies — GHQ selection + NUMS score[reference:33] | Typically 83%+ aggregate[reference:34] Lower than open merit[reference:35] |
~95.20% aggregate[reference:36][reference:37] |
| Service Bond | 13 years compulsory service in Pakistan Army[reference:38][reference:39] | 3 years (optional — based on willingness)[reference:40][reference:41] | None — no military obligation[reference:42] |
| Post-Graduation | Commissioned as Captain Doctor in Pakistan Army[reference:43][reference:44] | Graduate as civilian doctor; may serve 3 years if bond signed[reference:45] | Graduate as civilian doctor — free to pursue any career path |
The most misunderstood distinction: Paying Cadets are not civilians. This category is exclusively for children of serving or retired army personnel[reference:46]. Civilians cannot apply through this route — they must use the NUMS Open Merit pathway[reference:47]. The confusion arises because both Paying Cadets and Open Merit students take the NUMS test, but they are evaluated on separate merit lists.[reference:48]
Medical Cadets (MC) — The Fully Funded Military Route
Medical Cadets are male students who join AMC through the Pakistan Army's Medical Cadet Course. This is a Regular Commission in the Pakistan Army — the selection process is identical to the PMA Long Course, including preliminary tests, physical tests, medical exams, and ISSB interview.[reference:49]
- Fully funded: Zero tuition fees, free hostel, free mess, free uniform, and a monthly stipend of PKR 50,000–55,000.[reference:50][reference:51]
- Eligibility: Male, Pakistani citizen, unmarried, age 17–21, FSc Pre-Medical with minimum 70% marks.[reference:52]
- Selection: Preliminary tests + physical tests + initial medical + ISSB interview + NUMS test = final selection.[reference:53]
- Service bond: 13 years compulsory service in the Pakistan Army after graduation.[reference:54][reference:55]
- Post-graduation: Commissioned as Captain Doctor in the Army Medical Corps after 6 months of training at PMA Kakul.[reference:56]
Critical: Medical Cadets cannot opt out of the 13-year service bond. This is a legally binding commitment. Candidates who are "Not Recommended" twice by ISSB or declared medically unfit are ineligible.[reference:57]
Paying Cadets (PC) — The Army Families Route
Paying Cadets are exclusively for children of serving or retired army personnel[reference:58][reference:59]. This is not a civilian pathway — it's a quota reserved for army families.[reference:60]
- Eligibility: Male and female, children of serving or retired army personnel[reference:61]. Must have applied for open merit seats in their province of domicile.[reference:62]
- Selection: Based on NUMS test performance, evaluated on a separate merit list for Paying Cadets.[reference:63]
- Fee: Approximately PKR 1,000,000 per year — subsidized compared to civilian fees.[reference:64]
- Service bond: A 3-year service bond is optional — candidates are asked for their willingness. If they agree, they sign the bond; otherwise, they graduate as regular students.[reference:65]
- Closing merit: Typically lower than open merit — around 83%+ aggregate.[reference:66]
NUMS Open Merit (Civilians) — The Standard Route
This is the pathway for all civilians — both male and female — who do not have an army background.[reference:67]
- Eligibility: Open to all Pakistani citizens (including AJK and GB), male and female, age 17–25[reference:68]. FSc Pre-Medical or equivalent with minimum 60% marks.[reference:69]
- Selection: Purely based on NUMS entry test performance.[reference:70]
- Fee: Approximately PKR 2.2 million per year with hostel charges.[reference:71]
- Service bond: None — no military obligation whatsoever.[reference:72]
- Closing merit: Extremely competitive — typically around 95.20% aggregate.[reference:73]
- Seats: Approximately 40–50 open merit seats for civilians.[reference:74]
One test, three merit lists: All three categories take the same NUMS entry test[reference:75]. However, they are evaluated on separate merit lists[reference:76]. Medical Cadets are selected through GHQ after ISSB[reference:77], Paying Cadets are evaluated on a separate PC merit list[reference:78], and Open Merit candidates compete on the standard civilian merit list.[reference:79]
What About Girls?
Girls cannot join as Medical Cadets — that pathway is exclusively for males[reference:80]. However, girls can apply through both the Paying Cadet (if they have an army background) and NUMS Open Merit (civilian) pathways.[reference:81]
Foreign / Overseas Students
Foreign and overseas Pakistani students can also apply to AMC through a separate category. They must take the NUMS test (or SAT Subject Tests in lieu, as per NUMS policy)[reference:82]. Fees are in USD — approximately USD 13,200 per year.[reference:83] There is no military service obligation.
Calculate Your NUMS Aggregate
Use our aggregate calculator with the NUMS formula — 10% Matric + 40% FSc + 50% NUMS test. See exactly where you stand against AMC's open merit and Paying Cadet closing merits.
Calculate Your Aggregate →Frequently Asked Questions
Medical Cadets are male students selected through GHQ after clearing ISSB — they receive fully funded education, a monthly stipend, and must serve a 13-year bond in the Pakistan Army[reference:84]. Paying Cadets are children of serving/retired army personnel who pay subsidized fees (~PKR 1M/year)[reference:85] and may sign a 3-year service bond (optional)[reference:86].
Yes — civilians can apply through the NUMS Open Merit (Cadet) route[reference:87]. Both males and females are eligible[reference:88]. There is no military service obligation[reference:89], and fees are approximately PKR 2.2 million per year[reference:90].
The NUMS open merit closing aggregate for AMC MBBS is typically around 95% or higher. In 2023, the open merit closing aggregate was approximately 95.20%[reference:91].
Paying Cadets may be asked to sign a 3-year service bond with the Pakistan Army, but this is not always compulsory — some sources indicate it is optional and based on willingness[reference:92]. Medical Cadets, however, have a mandatory 13-year service bond[reference:93].
No — the Medical Cadet pathway is exclusively for males[reference:94]. Girls can join AMC through the Paying Cadet (if they have an army background) or NUMS Open Merit (civilian) routes[reference:95].
Approximately 40–50 open merit seats are available for civilians at AMC[reference:96][reference:97]. Medical Cadets have approximately 170 seats across AMC and affiliated CMH colleges[reference:98].