Breaking Update: PMDC MBBS BDS Passing Marks 2025 Set at 50% – Attendance Rule Also Revised
In a major policy reversal, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has once again changed the passing marks and attendance criteria for MBBS and BDS students across Pakistan. The new decision, issued through an official notification, restores the Passing Marks 2025 Set at 50% instead of 65% and reduces the attendance requirement from 85% to 75%. This update comes as a huge relief for thousands of medical and dental students who were struggling with the higher standards introduced earlier in 2025.
The change applies to the academic session 2024–2025 and will be implemented immediately in all recognized medical and dental colleges under PMDC supervision. This move aims to ensure fairness, standardization, and reduced academic pressure on students while maintaining educational quality.
Eligibility Criteria for MBBS & BDS (2025)
| Category | Eligibility Requirements (2025) |
|---|---|
| Academic Session | 2024–25 |
| Programs | MBBS & BDS |
| Minimum Passing Marks (Revised) | 50% in all subjects |
| Attendance Requirement | 75% (restored from 85%) |
| Applicable Institutes | All PMDC-recognized public and private medical and dental colleges |
| Implementation Date | Immediate effect from November 2025 |
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What Are the New PMDC Rules for MBBS & BDS in 2025?
The latest PMDC notification officially cancels the previous directive that had increased passing marks to 65% and attendance to 85%. After strong criticism from students, parents, and education experts, PMDC decided to revert to the old, balanced policy.
Under the new 2025 regulation:
- Students must now score at least 50% in both theory and practical exams to pass.
- Attendance of 75% in each subject is compulsory for appearing in examinations.
- All colleges have been instructed to update their internal systems immediately to reflect these changes.
- The rule applies to both ongoing and upcoming professional examinations for MBBS and BDS students.
Reasons Behind the Policy Reversal
PMDC’s earlier decision to set 65% passing marks sparked widespread protests across medical universities. Many students argued that the higher benchmark was unrealistic given Pakistan’s current academic structure and resource limitations.
The council reviewed these concerns during its latest meeting and concluded that:
- The 65% threshold was inconsistent with international standards where passing marks typically range from 50–60%.
- The 85% attendance requirement was causing undue stress and administrative challenges.
- The council needed to ensure uniformity and equity across all public and private colleges.
Hence, PMDC restored the previous 50% pass mark and 75% attendance system to maintain consistency with global norms and local realities.
How to Check Official Notification of PMDC
Students can verify the latest PMDC notification regarding MBBS and BDS passing marks by visiting the official website:
🔗 www.pmdc.pk
Step-by-step process:
- Open the PMDC website.
- Go to the “Announcements/Notifications” section.
- Click on the circular titled “Revision of Passing Marks and Attendance Requirement – November 2025.”
- Download the PDF and check the new policies for your academic session.
It is advised that students regularly check the site for further updates, as PMDC may release additional clarification letters for specific universities.
Implementation in Medical Universities
All universities affiliated with PMDC, including King Edward Medical University, Dow University of Health Sciences, Fatima Jinnah Medical University, and Khyber Medical University, have been directed to immediately implement the revised rules.
Colleges are also instructed to:
- Amend their academic handbooks for the 2024–25 session.
- Recalculate internal assessment and exam eligibility based on 75% attendance.
- Inform students through official notices and portals.
Benefits of PMDC’s Revised Passing Criteria
| Aspect | Benefit to Students |
|---|---|
| Lower Passing Marks (50%) | Reduces exam stress and allows fair grading across all colleges. |
| Reduced Attendance Requirement (75%) | Offers flexibility for students dealing with health or personal issues. |
| Uniform Policy | Ensures all medical colleges follow the same standard nationwide. |
| Academic Balance | Encourages learning quality over memorization. |
| Better Global Alignment | Matches passing criteria used by many international medical boards. |
Reaction from Students and Faculty
The PMDC’s new decision has received positive feedback from both students and medical professionals.
- Student organizations hailed it as a “victory for fairness.”
- Faculty members noted that the previous 65% policy had resulted in increased failure rates and stress.
- Many universities have already issued circulars confirming the immediate adoption of the new 50% rule.
Experts suggest that such policy consistency helps maintain academic stability and prevents disruption in students’ academic timelines.
PMDC’s Clarification on Future Policies
According to PMDC officials, the council will now focus on improving curriculum quality and assessment methods instead of raising thresholds abruptly. The long-term goal is to align Pakistan’s medical education system with World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) standards without overburdening students.
PMDC also announced the formation of a review committee that will meet quarterly to assess any future changes and address complaints from universities or students.
How Colleges Will Enforce Attendance Rule (75%)
Each medical college will now implement digital attendance tracking systems to ensure accurate monitoring. Students falling below 75% attendance in any subject will be barred from appearing in exams, as per PMDC Act 2022 guidelines.
However, the council clarified that genuine medical or family emergencies may be considered by the college administration upon formal application, ensuring flexibility and compassion.
What This Means for Future MBBS/BDS Students
For students preparing to enter MBBS and BDS programs in 2025, this update simplifies the academic expectations. Admission processes and internal assessments will continue normally, but the grading and eligibility benchmarks are now more achievable.
The change also ensures that Pakistani medical graduates remain globally competitive, as many international councils, including in the UK and Malaysia, use a 50% minimum passing standard for undergraduate medical programs.
Impact on Examination Results 2025
The upcoming professional examinations scheduled for early 2026 will be held under the new system. PMDC has instructed all boards to restructure marking criteria and ensure that results reflect the revised 50% passing requirement. This will likely result in higher pass percentages across medical colleges compared to 2024.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about PMDC MBBS BDS Passing Marks 2025:
1. What is the new passing marks percentage for MBBS and BDS 2025?
PMDC has restored the passing marks to 50% for both MBBS and BDS students in all recognized medical and dental colleges.
2. What is the attendance requirement under the new rules?
Students must maintain 75% attendance in all subjects to be eligible for examinations.
3. When will the new PMDC rules take effect?
The decision takes immediate effect from November 2025 and applies to the 2024–25 academic session.
4. Why did PMDC reverse the 65% decision?
The higher threshold caused stress, poor results, and inconsistency with international norms. After widespread feedback, PMDC restored the old system for balance and fairness.
5. Will these rules apply to ongoing students?
Yes, all current MBBS and BDS students enrolled for the 2024–25 session will follow the updated 50% and 75% rules.
6. Can students with low attendance appeal?
Students with genuine reasons such as medical emergencies may appeal to their college administration, which can forward cases to PMDC for review.
7. How does this affect final exams and grading?
All final and professional examinations will now use 50% as the minimum passing mark for theory and practical components.
8. Is PMDC planning further changes in 2026?
PMDC has indicated that future changes, if any, will focus on curriculum modernization rather than altering the passing or attendance percentages again.
Conclusion – PMDC MBBS BDS Passing Marks 2025 Set at 50%
The PMDC MBBS BDS Passing Marks 2025 update brings long-awaited relief and stability to Pakistan’s medical education landscape. By lowering the passing mark back to 50% and restoring the attendance rule to 75%, the council has listened to student concerns and aligned local standards with global benchmarks.
This decision not only reduces academic pressure but also promotes consistency, fairness, and better learning outcomes. Students are advised to regularly visit the official PMDC website for circulars, and medical institutions are expected to ensure full compliance with the new policy immediately.
