The Sindh High Court ordered a fresh Medical and Dental Colleges Admission Test (MDCAT) to conducted within four weeks. This decision came after a committee investigation revealed serious breaches in the exam process, with nearly 75% of the questions leaked just hours before the test on September 22.
Justice Salahuddin Panhwar and Justice Amjad Ali Sahito, the two judges overseeing the case, made it clear that the retake should happen simultaneously across the province, managed by IBA Karachi and IBA Sukkur. Importantly, students won’t need to pay any additional fees, as the Sindh government will cover all expenses related to this retake.
The court’s ruling followed petitions from various candidates who argued for the annulment of the September MDCAT, asserting that the integrity of the exam compromised. The investigation, which included input from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), identified Dr. Sajid Mehmood Alvi and Dr. Vinod Kumar as key suspects in the paper leak. They reportedly shared the exam questions in several WhatsApp groups just a day before the test.
The inquiry also highlighted systemic issues, revealing that over 42 staff members involved in the handling of the exam materials, which significantly undermined security. The court emphasized that the entire examination process was flawed, leading to a consensus that a retake was necessary to uphold fairness in admissions.
Moving forward, the new MDCAT will adhere to guidelines set by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) and will draw from the syllabus taught in Sindh’s educational institutions. Moreover, the PMDC instructed to amend laws regarding test validation to ensure equal treatment for candidates from both public and private universities.
As this situation unfolds, vigilance committees will deployed to oversee the retake process, and the FIA’s inquiry into the paper leak will continue, with expectations to hold accountable those responsible for this scandal.
 to conducted within four weeks. This decision came after a committee investigation revealed serious breaches in the exam process, with nearly 75% of the questions leaked just hours before the test on September 22.){kind=link}