The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has announced a 33% hike in entrance test fees for MBBS and BDS programs.

The fee for appearing in the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) has been increased from Rs6,000 to Rs8,000.

More than 200,000 candidates from across the country are expected to appear for MDCAT this year. With the increased fees, the PMDC is expected to earn over Rs 1.6 billion from the registrations. The registration fee for international students appearing for MDCAT will be Rs.40,000.

The registration process for MDCAT begins today and the test is scheduled to be held on September 22 across Pakistan, including locations in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

The fee hike has drawn mixed reactions from students and parents, with some expressing concern over the financial burden it places on aspiring medical and dental students. Despite the increase, PMDC officials say the fee adjustment is necessary to cover the rising cost of administering the test and ensure its quality and integrity.