PMDC announces fixed fee for Medical and Dental Colleges

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has set the maximum annual fee for medical and dental colleges for 2025–26 at Rs. 1.89 million — a 5% increase over last year’s upper limit of Rs. 1.8 million.

According to details, promulgated under the PMDC Act 2022, the Rs. The 1.8 million upper limit set for 2024–25 will go up by 5% for 2025–26.

From 2026–27, fees will be changed each year based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate.

The new form was recommended by the Medical Education Committee formed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The notification directs all private medical and dental colleges to advertise their approved fee structure at least three months ahead of admissions opening, according to Section 20(7) of the PMDC Act.

The PMDC has threatened to take disciplinary action against any institution that charges or shows excessive fees above the approved ceiling, e.g., suspension of accreditation, admission of students, or other legal action under Section 33 of the Act.

The issue of excessive tuition fees has persisted since last year, when parents complained of large hikes. The matter was brought to the attention of the Senate Standing Committee on Health after PML-N Senator Irfan Siddiqui raised objections repeatedly.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif later constituted a committee to be headed by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar to review and cut the fees.

Following the review, the PMDC officially placed caps on annual fees at Rs. 1.8 million for the 2024–25 session — a cap which has since been raised by 5% for the following academic year.