You cannot take Sindh MDCAT if your domicile is Punjab. Here's the absolute rule.

Here's the question that haunts every pre-med student: "Can I take the MDCAT in a different province because I heard the paper is easier there?" Or: "Can a student from KPK apply to a public college in Lahore?"

The answer is a hard no. And PMDC has made it crystal clear.

The Legal Tie: Domicile = Admitting University

PMDC's policy is not a suggestion — it's a legally binding requirement. Here's how it works:

• Admission to a public medical or dental college is strictly tied to provincial domicile. A student desirous of applying to a public medical or dental college must sit for the Admission Test conducted by the Admitting University of the province/territory of which the student holds a domicile[reference:3].
• Each province has a designated Admitting University: In Punjab, it's the University of Health Sciences (UHS), Lahore[reference:4]. In Sindh, the exam is managed by Sukkur IBA University[reference:5]. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, it's Khyber Medical University (KMU), Peshawar[reference:6].
• You cannot choose your Admitting University. It is determined by your domicile[reference:7]. Candidates having domicile of Punjab shall appear in the MDCAT of Punjab[reference:8].
• The MDCAT result of one province is valid for the entire country and shall be valid for a period of three years[reference:9]. However, each province gives preference to students having domicile of their respective province[reference:10].

The 2026 Rule Changes: What's New

PMDC has introduced significant changes for the 2026 admissions cycle:

• Minimum FSc marks raised to 65% — up from the previous 60%[reference:11][reference:12]
• Provincial documentation requirement: Applicants must now present matriculation, intermediate, and domicile certificates from the same province where they intend to appear for the MDCAT[reference:13][reference:14]
• No cross-provincial exam attempts: A domicile holder of one province will not be able to take the MDCAT exam in another province[reference:15]
• MDCAT 2026 is scheduled for August 16, 2026, at 10:00 AM PST[reference:16]

Dr. Fatima Abid, Director of Admissions at Jinnah Sindh Medical University, confirmed that this action will "ease the administrative coordination contact and help to decrease the inter-provincial seat conflicts"[reference:17]. It will also "increase equity in regional seat allocation and surveillance whereby opportunities are even among local candidates"[reference:18].

The Exception: Private Medical Colleges

There is one situation where cross-provincial applications are allowed — and encouraged. For admission to private sector medical and dental colleges, candidates having domicile of any district of Pakistan can apply[reference:19][reference:20].

This means:

• A Punjab domicile holder can apply to a private medical college in Sindh or KPK
• A Sindh domicile holder can apply to a private medical college in Punjab
• However, local domicile holders will get preference in the merit list
• You still need to take MDCAT in your own domicile province — the private college will accept your score regardless of where you took it

Why the Rule Exists — The "Easier Paper" Myth

PMDC's decision to restrict candidates to their province of domicile was driven by a specific problem: perceptions of uneven difficulty across provinces.

According to a Dawn report, a PMDC official said: "We're frequently criticised for discrepancies in test difficulty across provinces. Sometimes, MDCAT in one province is perceived as easier than in others, giving an unfair advantage. So we've decided that candidates must take the test in their province of domicile"[reference:23].

PMDC has also introduced advanced security measures to ensure fairness: biometric attendance and digital ID verification systems at all centers[reference:26], advanced digital encryption and sealed question paper delivery[reference:27], and surveillance cameras and post-exam audit procedures[reference:28]. Any violations will result in immediate suspension and legal action under Section 25 of the PMDC Examination Regulations[reference:29].

The Consequences: What Happens If You Try

If you attempt to take MDCAT outside your domicile province:

• Your application will be rejected. PMDC has made it clear that candidates will only be allowed to appear in MDCAT in their province/region of domicile[reference:30].
• You will not be considered for admission. Even if you somehow manage to take the exam, your score will not be accepted for public college admission in that province.
• Your registration fee is non-refundable. PMDC has confirmed that the registration fee is non-refundable and non-transferable[reference:31].
• You waste a year. You'll have to wait for the next MDCAT cycle and apply properly in your domicile province.

What This Means for Different Students

Frequently Asked Questions