A significant number of seats remained unfilled in medical and Dental Colleges across Pakistan during the 2025–26 academic session. The situation has raised concerns among education experts and regulators about declining interest in medical and dental studies.
According to official figures, more than 22,300 seats were available in 187 public and private medical and dental institutions nationwide. However, 743 seats remained vacant despite efforts to increase admissions.
To fill the available seats, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC) extended the admission process and reduced the minimum eligibility criteria. Even after these measures, hundreds of students did not enroll.
Of the total vacant seats, 608 were in Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) programs, while 135 were in Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programs. The higher number of empty BDS seats suggests that Dental Colleges faced a greater decline in student interest compared to medical colleges.
Punjab reported the highest number of vacant seats with 381. Sindh followed with 295 vacant seats. Islamabad recorded 50 unfilled seats, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had 17 vacant positions.
The issue has also sparked fresh debate about the rapid expansion of medical and Dental Colleges in the country. Education authorities have expressed concern that the growing number of institutions may be putting pressure on available academic resources.
PM&DC documents show that Pakistan currently faces a shortage of qualified teaching staff. The country has 22,146 faculty members, while the required number stands at 26,018. This leaves a gap of 3,872 teachers across medical and dental institutions.
In response to these challenges, the council has recommended a moratorium of three to five years on the establishment of new medical and dental colleges. It has also advised against increasing student intake in existing institutions during this period.
Officials believe that further expansion could worsen faculty shortages and affect the quality of education. Maintaining academic standards remains a key concern for regulators.
Experts and education officials have linked the vacant seats to several factors. These include rising tuition fees, concerns about educational quality, and changing views about career opportunities in the healthcare sector.
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The latest admission data highlights growing challenges for medical and Dental Colleges in Pakistan. Authorities are now examining ways to improve educational quality and restore student confidence in professional healthcare education.
