ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination has ordered a detailed inquiry into complaints regarding transparency and fair play in the 2026 MDCAT examination conducted in Sindh.
The ministry has directed the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) to examine the complaints and submit a report within 15 days. The direction was issued through an official letter dated October 2, 2026, addressed to PMDC President Rizwan Taj by Muhammad Ishaq, Section Officer Admin V of the ministry.
According to the letter, the competent authority has taken a serious view of concerns raised through media reports, complaints appearing on social media and issues highlighted by public representatives about the conduct of the examination in Sindh.
The ministry has asked for a thorough inquiry to ensure transparency and fair play. The inquiry will include a centre-wise analysis of the examination results, covering candidate numbers, marks and percentages, pass rates, distribution of high scores and any unusual or significant variations in results.
The authorities have also been directed to secure and examine all relevant examination records and data, including attendance sheets, seating plans, examination centre records, result data and invigilation arrangements. Electronic and digital records will also be examined where legally possible.
The letter further directs that all complaints and allegations of malpractice or unfair advantage be examined. These include claims of procedure violations, unauthorised assistance, impersonation, leakage, technical failures and administrative lapses.
The ministry has made it clear that the inquiry should not rely only on complaints. The authorities have been asked to check available evidence and examine the matter under applicable law and rules before reaching any conclusion.
Another part of the investigation will be to obtain reports and records about how the examination was conducted and how the results were compiled. This will allow the authorities to compare the examination process with the final results and identify any irregularities.
The ministry has also ordered that responsibility be fixed if any irregularity, malpractice, technical failure or other issue is found to have materially affected the integrity or result of the examination.
The letter states that the inquiry has been ordered to examine the allegations and determine whether any problem actually occurred. It does not establish that malpractice or unfair conduct took place.
The communication was sent to the PMDC president in Islamabad. Copies were also sent for information to Adeel Raza, Principal Staff Officer to the Federal Minister for Health; Muhammad Shahid Ali Karim, PSO to the Federal Secretary Health; Dr Syed Rehan Asghar Naqvi, Registrar PMDC; and Raja Sajid Khudada, Assistant Private Secretary to the Additional Secretary of the ministry.
The ministry has asked that necessary action be taken in accordance with the listed points and that the inquiry report be furnished within 15 days.
The investigation may cover examination centres, candidate records, marks, high-scoring patterns, attendance, seating arrangements, supervision, result compilation and any evidence linked to complaints of unfair assistance or other possible violations.
The inquiry comes as MDCAT results remain important for students seeking admission to medical and dental colleges. The ministry has emphasised checking the examination process and results through records and evidence before deciding whether any irregularity took place.
The five-point inquiry framework ordered by the ministry is aimed at determining whether the examination was conducted properly, whether results were compiled correctly and whether any incident affected the fairness or integrity of the MDCAT examination in Sindh.
