The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has delayed the implementation of its new policy for MPhil and PhD admissions by one year, according to reports aired by 24NewsHD TV channel on Tuesday.
The decision means universities and students will continue following the existing admission process for the next academic sessions. The new policy was originally expected to be introduced earlier, but the HEC has now extended the timeline to allow institutions more time to prepare.
According to officials, the Higher Education Commission has postponed its plan to make the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and the Higher Education Aptitude Test (HAT) mandatory for admission into MPhil and PhD programs.
The HEC stated that the revised admission policy will now come into effect from Fall 2027. Until then, universities across Pakistan will continue operating under the current admission requirements for postgraduate programs.
Officials said the delay was made to help universities improve their preparation for the new system. Educational institutions will now have additional time to update their admission procedures, testing methods, and academic structures before the policy becomes fully operational.
The Higher Education Commission has also issued an official notification regarding the delay. The notification confirmed that the mandatory testing requirement for MPhil and PhD admissions has been postponed for one year.
The proposed policy has remained an important topic among students, teachers, and universities in recent months. Many academic institutions were already reviewing their internal systems to align with the upcoming changes announced by the commission.
Under the planned system, students seeking admission into MPhil and PhD programs would be required to pass standardized tests such as GRE or HAT. The purpose of these tests is to evaluate the academic aptitude and research capabilities of applicants before admission into higher studies.
Some education experts believe the delay may benefit universities that still need time to develop testing arrangements and faculty training. Others say students will now have more time to prepare for the future requirements.
Higher education institutions in Pakistan regularly coordinate with the HEC regarding policy reforms, academic standards, and admission regulations. The commission plays a central role in overseeing quality standards in universities and degree-awarding institutions across the country.
The latest decision is expected to provide temporary relief to many students who were concerned about the immediate implementation of mandatory testing rules for postgraduate admissions.
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Universities are now expected to continue consultations and preparations ahead of the Fall 2027 rollout of the revised admission framework.
