The PMDC Mandate: Original Documents Only
Let's be absolutely clear about the rule: PMDC and all provincial testing authorities require original identification documents for entry into the MDCAT exam hall. Photocopies, mobile phone images, or digital versions are strictly not acceptable[reference:0][reference:1].
According to official guidelines, candidates must bring:
- A printed copy of the MDCAT roll number slip/admit card[reference:2].
- Original CNIC/NICOP/Passport (for candidates 18 years of age and above)[reference:3][reference:4].
- Original B-Form/Juvenile Card (JV) issued by NADRA (for candidates under 18 years of age)[reference:5][reference:6].
The rule is enforced strictly: any candidate who fails to produce these original documents will not be permitted to enter the examination hall[reference:7][reference:8].
Do not bring a photocopy of your CNIC or B-Form. Do not bring a picture of it on your phone. Do not bring a scanned printout. None of these will be accepted. The invigilators are trained to reject anything that is not an original, physical document issued by NADRA. If you show up with a photocopy, you will be turned away—regardless of how valid your reason is.
The 11 PM Panic: What to Do Immediately
It's the night before the exam. You've searched everywhere. Your wallet—with your original CNIC—is gone. Here is your step-by-step emergency protocol:
- Stay calm. Panic will not help. You have options, but you need to act quickly and methodically.
- File a police report (FIR) immediately. This is your first and most critical step. Go to the nearest police station and file a First Information Report (FIR) for the loss of your CNIC. The police report serves as official documentation that your identity document has been lost or stolen[reference:9]. This is non-negotiable. Without an FIR, your emergency documentation package will lack the foundational legal proof required by NADRA and, by extension, the testing authorities.
- Visit the nearest NADRA Registration Center as early as possible. If it's still operational (some centers are open 24/7 or have early morning hours), go immediately. If it's closed, you must be there first thing in the morning—before the exam center opens.
- Apply for a CNIC reprint/replacement. At the NADRA center, request a reprint or replacement of your lost CNIC. NADRA will issue you an original token slip—an official receipt confirming that you have applied for a fresh CNIC[reference:10].
- Obtain the token slip in original, physical form. Do not accept a digital copy or a screenshot. You need the physical, original token slip issued by NADRA with the official stamp and details.
- Prepare your secondary photo ID. Gather any other government-issued photo identification you have. The most commonly accepted are your Matriculation certificate (with photograph) or your Intermediate/FSc certificate (with photograph)[reference:11][reference:12].
- Prepare an affidavit (if possible). If you have time, draft and get an affidavit notarized by an Oath Commissioner, stating the loss of your CNIC and your identity. While not strictly required by PMDC, it adds legal weight to your documentation package.
In some cases, NADRA may not require an FIR for a CNIC reprint[reference:13]. However, for the purpose of MDCAT entry, having a police report (FIR) is strongly recommended. It provides an additional layer of official documentation that can be presented to the invigilators or the center superintendent if they challenge your emergency documents. Some testing authorities have historically been more flexible when a police report is presented alongside the NADRA token slip.
The NADRA Token Slip: Your Lifeline
PMDC guidelines explicitly provide for this exact scenario. According to the official MDCAT instructions: "In the situation of Loss of CNIC/B-Form, kindly deliver the Original NADRA Token Slip for evidence that you've applied for the new CNIC"[reference:14][reference:15].
The NADRA token slip is an official receipt issued by NADRA when you apply for a reprint or replacement of your CNIC. It contains your name, CNIC number, date of application, and a unique tracking number. This document serves as proof that you are in the process of obtaining a new CNIC and that your identity has been verified by NADRA.
However, the token slip alone is not sufficient. PMDC guidelines also require that you present a government-issued photo ID alongside the token slip[reference:16]. This is where your Matriculation or Intermediate certificate comes in.
Required Emergency Documents
- Original NADRA Token Slip (issued when applying for CNIC reprint)
- Police Report (FIR) for the lost CNIC
- Government-issued photo ID (Matriculation/Intermediate certificate with photo)
- Printed MDCAT Roll Number Slip
- Affidavit of Loss (recommended, notarized by Oath Commissioner)
What Will NOT Work
- Photocopy of your lost CNIC
- Digital photo of your CNIC on your phone
- Scanned printout of your CNIC
- Expired CNIC (even if original)
- Driver's license (not accepted for MDCAT)
The Affidavit of Loss: Strengthening Your Case
While PMDC guidelines do not explicitly require an affidavit, having one can significantly strengthen your case if the invigilators or center superintendent challenge your emergency documentation package.
An Affidavit of Loss is a sworn legal statement, typically drafted on stamp paper and notarized by an Oath Commissioner, declaring that you have lost your CNIC and providing details of the loss[reference:17]. It includes:
- Your full name and CNIC number
- Date and circumstances of the loss
- Police report (FIR) number and date
- Your declaration that the lost CNIC has not been found
- Your signature and the Oath Commissioner's stamp and signature
If you have time—even if it's late at night—try to get this affidavit prepared and notarized. Some Oath Commissioners operate late hours or early mornings. This document can be the difference between being allowed entry and being turned away.
NADRA centers typically open at 8:00 AM. MDCAT centers open for entry at 8:00 AM and are sealed at 9:00 AM[reference:18]. You have a maximum of one hour—from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM—to obtain your NADRA token slip and arrive at the exam center. This is an extremely tight window. If you can, visit the NADRA center the night before (if it's open 24/7) or be at the NADRA center before 8:00 AM. Every minute counts.
Secondary Photo ID: Matriculation/Intermediate Certificate
PMDC guidelines explicitly mention that in case of a lost CNIC, you must bring a government-issued photo ID alongside the NADRA token slip[reference:19]. The most commonly accepted documents are:
- Matriculation (SSC) Certificate with photograph
- Intermediate (HSSC/FSc) Certificate with photograph
These documents serve as secondary proof of identity. The photograph on these certificates helps the invigilators verify that you are the same person who registered for the exam. Make sure the name on your Matriculation/Intermediate certificate matches the name on your MDCAT registration exactly. Any discrepancy—even a single letter difference—can cause problems.
If you have a valid Pakistani passport, that is also accepted as a primary identification document[reference:20][reference:21]. A passport can serve as a direct replacement for a CNIC, provided it is original and valid. However, if you don't have a passport, the Matriculation/Intermediate certificate + NADRA token slip combination is your best bet.
The Emergency Protocol: Step-by-Step Action Plan
Here is your complete, actionable emergency protocol, organized by timeline:
| Time | Action | Critical Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 11 PM (Night Before) | File a police report (FIR) at the nearest police station | Get the FIR number and a copy of the report. This is your legal proof of loss. |
| 11:30 PM (Night Before) | Draft and notarize an Affidavit of Loss (if possible) | Find an Oath Commissioner. Get the affidavit on stamp paper. |
| 6:00 AM (Test Day) | Wake up and prepare all documents | Organize: FIR copy, affidavit, Matric/Inter certificate, printed roll number slip. |
| 7:30 AM | Reach NADRA Registration Center before it opens | Be first in line. Apply for CNIC reprint. Get the original token slip. |
| 8:15 AM | Arrive at the MDCAT test center | Go directly to the center superintendent or invigilator in charge. |
| 8:15 - 8:45 AM | Present your emergency documentation package | Explain the situation calmly. Present: FIR, NADRA token slip, Affidavit, Matric/Inter certificate, and printed roll number slip. |
| 9:00 AM | Center is sealed. No entry after this time | You must be inside by 9:00 AM[reference:22]. |
The center superintendent has the final say on whether you are allowed entry. Be respectful, calm, and prepared to explain your situation clearly. Bring multiple copies of all your documents—you may need to leave some with the superintendent while you take the exam. Do not argue or become aggressive. A calm, well-documented presentation is far more likely to succeed.
Know Your Admission Chances First
Before you panic about entry, make sure your aggregate score is even competitive. Use our production-grade calculator to see where you stand against real historical closing merits—so you know if this exam is worth the emergency sprint.
Open Aggregate Calculator →Frequently Asked Questions (Emergency Protocol Archive)
No. PMDC and all provincial testing authorities explicitly state that photocopies are not acceptable[reference:23]. Only original identification documents are valid for entry. Candidates who bring photocopies will be turned away at the gate.
You must bring: (1) A printed copy of your MDCAT roll number slip/admit card, and (2) Your original CNIC (if 18 or above) or original B-Form/Juvenile Card (if under 18). Photocopies, mobile phone images, or digital versions are strictly not acceptable[reference:24].
A NADRA token slip is an official receipt issued by NADRA when you apply for a reprint or replacement of your CNIC. PMDC guidelines explicitly state that in case of a lost CNIC/B-Form, you can present the original NADRA token slip as proof that you have applied for a fresh CNIC, along with a government-issued photo ID such as a Matriculation or Intermediate certificate[reference:25][reference:26].
A valid Pakistani passport is accepted as an alternative to CNIC for candidates 18 and above[reference:27]. A driver's license is not listed as an acceptable document for MDCAT entry. Stick to CNIC, NICOP, Passport, B-Form, or Juvenile Card[reference:28].
The same protocol applies. File a police report (FIR) for the lost B-Form. Visit NADRA and obtain an original token slip confirming your application for a replacement B-Form/Juvenile Card. Bring your Matriculation certificate (with photo) as secondary ID. Present all documents to the center superintendent.
No. You need the physical, original token slip issued by NADRA. Digital copies, screenshots, or printouts of the token slip are not acceptable. You must have the original document with the official NADRA stamp.