MDCAT 2026 centres to get CCTV monitoring across Punjab
The Punjab government has decided to introduce centralized camera surveillance at MDCAT 2026 examination centres to improve security and maintain transparency during the test.
The Punjab Safe Cities Authority has been formally contacted to help monitor the examination centres. A dedicated monitoring unit will also be created for this purpose.
The new system will allow officials to access cameras installed at different examination centres from a central location. Authorities will keep the centres under continuous CCTV surveillance throughout the examination.
MDCAT 2026 to be held across 15 cities
The MDCAT 2026 examination is scheduled for September 20. The test will take place in 15 cities across Punjab, giving thousands of students access to examination centres closer to their areas.
Major cities hosting the test will include Lahore, Rawalpindi, Multan and Faisalabad. Other centres will be established in Bahawalpur, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Gujrat and Dera Ghazi Khan.
Students will also appear for the examination in Sahiwal, Layyah, Bahawalnagar, Mianwali and Rahim Yar Khan.
The large number of examination locations makes centralized monitoring important for the authorities. CCTV surveillance is expected to help officials keep a closer watch on activities at the centres.
It can also allow officials to respond more quickly if a security or administrative issue is reported during the examination.
Camera surveillance aimed at transparency
The decision to use CCTV cameras comes as authorities prepare for a high-stakes examination for students seeking admission to medical and dental colleges.
Central monitoring can help authorities maintain discipline inside examination centres. It may also provide a record of incidents if any complaint or dispute arises during the test.
The dedicated monitoring unit will provide centralized access to cameras installed at the centres. This means officials will be able to monitor multiple locations without depending only on staff posted at individual centres.
However, the exact operational details of the monitoring system, including the number of cameras and officials assigned to monitor them, were not mentioned in the information released.
The arrangement is part of wider security preparations for MDCAT 2026 and is aimed at making the examination process more controlled and transparent.
PMDC issues warning for students going abroad
Separately, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council has issued an important notice for students planning to study medicine or dentistry abroad.
According to the public notice, students seeking enrolment in medical and dental colleges outside Pakistan must obtain at least 50 percent marks in MDCAT or pass an equivalent foreign admission examination.
The requirement applies to students who intend to pursue medical or dental education at overseas institutions.
The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council has advised such students to follow the prescribed eligibility requirements carefully before seeking admission abroad.
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Recognition of foreign qualifications
PMDC said students should comply with the required criteria to avoid problems with the future registration and recognition of their qualifications in Pakistan.
This means students planning to return to Pakistan after completing their education abroad need to pay attention to admission and eligibility requirements before enrolling.
Failure to meet the prescribed conditions could create complications later when students seek registration or recognition of their foreign medical or dental qualifications.
The advice is particularly important for students and families who are considering overseas institutions as an alternative to local medical colleges.
Students are therefore being encouraged to check the relevant requirements before finalizing their admission plans.
