The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has officially fixed a fee cap as the maximum annual tuition fee for private medical and dental colleges for the 2025–26 session.
The fee cap was fixed as 1.89 million which marks a 5% increase from last year’s Rs. 1.8 million limit, aligning with the new framework issued under the PMDC Act 2022.
According to the official notification, the revised fee limit will remain in place for the upcoming academic year, while future increases from 2026–27 onward will be linked to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
The adjustment was proposed by the Medical Education Committee formed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to address concerns over affordability in private medical education across the country.
All private colleges have been instructed to publicly display their approved fee structures at least three months before admissions begin, in compliance with Section 20(7) of the PMDC Act.
The PMDC has issued a strict warning to institutions against overcharging students or displaying unapproved fee lists. Non-compliance will result in disciplinary action, including suspension of accreditation and student admissions.
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Any violations may also trigger further legal proceedings under Section 33 of the Act, reinforcing the government’s effort to maintain transparency and accountability in the education sector.
The issue of rising tuition fees has been under scrutiny since last year when parents voiced concerns over sharp increases in private college charges. The Senate Standing Committee on Health also took notice of the matter.
PML-N Senator Irfan Siddiqui repeatedly raised the issue in the Senate, prompting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to intervene and direct an official review through a committee led by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar.
Following the review, PMDC capped tuition fees at Rs. 1.8 million for the 2024–25 session – a ceiling that has now been adjusted upward by 5% for the upcoming academic year.
Officials maintain that this revision balances institutional needs with student affordability, ensuring that medical and dental education remains accessible without compromising on quality standards.
