Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal has ordered an inquiry into complaints regarding the transparency and fairness of the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) 2026 conducted in Sindh.
The Ministry of National Health Services has directed the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) to conduct a detailed review of the examination and its results after concerns were raised by students, members of the public and public representatives.
The inquiry comes amid questions over unusual patterns in the Sindh MDCAT results, particularly the performance of candidates from Karachi. The examination was conducted on September 20, while the results were announced on September 28 by Sukkur IBA Testing Services.
Health Ministry Orders Detailed Investigation
According to the Ministry of Health, PMDC has been instructed to conduct a centre-wise analysis of the MDCAT results.
The review will examine the number of candidates appearing at each examination centre, their marks and percentages, overall pass rates and the distribution of high scores. Investigators will also look for unusual or significant differences between individual examination centres.
The ministry has directed authorities to determine whether any irregularity, technical problem, administrative failure or other factor may have affected the integrity or outcome of the examination.
PMDC has also been asked to obtain and examine relevant examination records and data before preparing its findings.
Attendance and Examination Records to Be Reviewed
The inquiry will not be limited to the published results.
Officials have been directed to examine attendance sheets, seating plans, examination-centre records and the data used to compile the final results. Invigilation arrangements and available electronic or digital records will also be reviewed.
The investigation will further examine complaints involving possible examination irregularities, unauthorised assistance, impersonation, question-paper leakage, technical failures and administrative negligence.
The ministry has said that relevant reports and records concerning the conduct of the examination and preparation of results should also be obtained as part of the inquiry.
Karachi Results Raise Questions
The controversy intensified after the publication of the Sindh MDCAT 2026 results.
According to reports, no candidate from Karachi Division appeared among the top 20 students in Sindh. This attracted attention because Karachi candidates had secured the top three positions in the province in the 2025 MDCAT results.
The difference between the two years led to questions on social media and among some public representatives. However, the unusual distribution of results by itself does not establish that malpractice or wrongdoing occurred.
The purpose of the newly ordered inquiry is to examine the underlying examination records and determine whether there were any identifiable irregularities or procedural issues.
Senate Committee Had Also Called for a Probe
The federal health ministry’s decision follows earlier concerns raised by the Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services.
The committee had called for an investigation into what it described as anomalies in the Sindh MDCAT results. Concerns included the absence of Karachi candidates from the top 20 and questions about the distribution of results across different areas.
The committee also called for examination arrangements and the merit lists to be reviewed rather than drawing conclusions from the results alone.
PMDC’s Role Also Under Discussion
The inquiry also comes against the backdrop of questions about the responsibilities of PMDC and the institutions involved in conducting the MDCAT.
Earlier, a PMDC spokesperson said universities are legally responsible for ensuring transparency and integrity during the examination, while the council itself does not directly conduct the test.
The MDCAT 2026 was conducted across different locations under arrangements involving provincial authorities and the relevant testing institutions. The federal health ministry has nevertheless directed PMDC to examine the complaints and related examination records.
Report Expected Within 15 Days
Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has directed PMDC to complete the inquiry and submit its report to the Ministry of National Health Services within 15 days.
The report is expected to determine whether any irregularities, malpractice, technical failures or administrative shortcomings materially affected the examination or its results.
If the investigation finds that any issue compromised the integrity of the examination, the authorities will be expected to determine responsibility and take action according to the applicable rules and law.
What the Inquiry Could Clarify
The investigation could provide greater clarity on several questions surrounding the Sindh MDCAT results, including differences in scores and pass rates between examination centres and the absence of Karachi candidates from the province’s top 20.
It may also establish whether complaints concerning examination procedures, invigilation, technical issues or possible malpractice have any evidentiary basis.
For now, allegations of malpractice or result manipulation remain unproven. The unusual result pattern has prompted an official investigation, but conclusions about the reasons behind it should only be drawn after the inquiry examines the relevant records and evidence.
The health ministry’s decision places the MDCAT 2026 results under formal scrutiny and gives PMDC 15 days to report its findings.
Also read: UHS MDCAT 2026 Answer Key Released
