ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) and Pakistan Association of Private Medical and Dental Institutions (PAMI) have reached an agreement to fix the fees of private medical and dental colleges.

While Rs1.8 million will be the annual tuition fee, the cap allows a maximum annual increase of 5 per cent for the session 2025-26 with future adjustments linked to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

The maximum profit permissible to colleges will be 20pc of the revenue. No private medical or dental institution will be permitted to charge tuition fee in excess of the capped amount. Any fee charged beyond the cap without approval will be subject to regulatory action.

The agreement, available with Dawn, has been made following detailed deliberations by a committee chaired by the deputy prime minister, which fixed/capped the tuition fee for private medical and dental institutions at Rs1.8 million.

Rs1.8m annual tuition fee cap allows a maximum increase of 5pc for 2025-26 with future adjustments linked to CPI

“After reviewing the consultative fee rationalisation process undertaken by PMDC including examination of audited financial accounts, cost-per-student data, stakeholder participation, and legal vetting, the DPM Committee reaffirmed the capping of annual tuition fees for MBBS and BDS programs at Rs 1.8 million, exclusive of ancillary charges i.e. examination fee, university fee, hostel fee, transportation charges in addition to it any charges levied on the colleges like examination fee, university/PMDC Registration fee etc. The cap allows a maximum annual increase of 5pc, for the session 2025-26 with future adjustments linked to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), as notified by PMDC. The maximum profit permissible to the colleges will be 20pc of revenue. No private medical or dental institution is permitted to charge tuition fee in excess of the capped amount of PKR 1.8 million per annum. Any fee charged beyond this cap without approval is unauthorized and subject to regulatory action,” the agreement stated.

“Institutions may apply to PMDC for conditional fee enhancement beyond Rs 1.8 million and up to a maximum of Rs 2.5 million, based on audited financial accounts only, no bank statements/tax returns are required for this purpose at all. The fee decided for session 2025-2026 of the individual colleges on the basis of audited accounts shall be applicable for session 2024-2025. However, if any dispute arises out of it will be settled in this fee committee which includes the three members from PAMI and committee decision will be considered as final verdict,” it stated.

“In light of the reaffirmation of the tuition fee cap and the regulatory framework governing conditional enhancement, PAMI has agreed to withdraw its petition pending before the Islamabad High Court. PMDC shall continue to enforce the tuition fee cap and ensure strict compliance across all private medical and dental institutions as per the Act. Both PMDC and PAMI reiterated their commitment to protecting students and the public interest through firm regulation of tuition fee, while ensuring transparency, accountability and quality in medical and dental education,” the agreement stated.

Published in Dawn, February 4th, 2026