Pakistan’s UHS Enforces 90% Attendance Rule for Medical Exams

Key Takeaways:

• UHS to directly monitor attendance in medical and dental colleges using biometric records.
• Students require 90% attendance to appear in PM&DC exams.
• New examination regulations mandate minimum marks in theory and practical components.
• Reduction in annual exams from over 700 to approximately 250 under revised policies.
• Faculty performance to be evaluated across affiliated institutions.

UHS Implements Stricter Attendance and Examination Policies for Medical and Dental Colleges

The University of Health Sciences (UHS) has introduced significant changes to academic policies governing medical and dental education across Pakistan. These measures, as reported by thenews.com.pk, aim to ensure higher accountability among students and institutions while aligning academic standards with professional requirements.

Mandatory 90% Attendance for Exam Eligibility

One of the most notable updates is the enforcement of a strict attendance policy for students enrolled in medical and dental programs. According to the notification issued by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC), students must maintain at least 90% attendance to be eligible for university professional examinations. This decision was finalized during a joint meeting of the UHS Academic Council and Boards of Studies, chaired by UHS Vice Chancellor Prof Ahsan Waheed Rathore.

To enforce this rule, all affiliated colleges will now submit biometric attendance records to UHS on a monthly basis. The move reflects an effort to ensure that students are consistently present in academic and clinical settings, which are crucial for their professional development.

Revised Examination Regulations Introduced

In addition to attendance requirements, new examination regulations have been approved for students admitted in the 2024-25 session. Under these rules, MBBS and BDS students must secure a minimum of 60% marks separately in both theory and practical components of each subject. Furthermore, they are required to achieve at least 70% overall marks to pass any subject in professional examinations.

These regulations also include provisions for students following older examination schemes. They will be allowed a maximum of four attempts to pass under the previous system. If unsuccessful, they will need to transition to the revised scheme, ensuring uniformity across undergraduate and postgraduate programs.

The updated policies are expected to streamline the examination process significantly. According to the report, the annual number of exams conducted by UHS will decrease from over 700 to approximately 250, reducing administrative burdens and improving efficiency.

Focus on Faculty Performance and Institutional Standards

The meeting also addressed the need to evaluate faculty performance across affiliated colleges. UHS plans to assess whether institutions are implementing effective measures to enhance teaching competencies. This initiative aims to maintain high educational standards and ensure that faculty members are equipped to deliver quality instruction.

Moreover, the academic calendars for the MBBS and BDS programs were finalized during the session. The MBBS first-year classes will begin on April 3, while BDS classes are scheduled to start on April 15. First-year professional exams for MBBS students will be held in the first week of February 2026, with BDS exams following in March 2026.

Expansion of Programs and Infrastructure

Several additional initiatives were discussed to support student development and institutional growth. Private nursing colleges have been granted permission to complete admissions by the end of March, aligning with public-sector timelines. Vacant seats may be filled using candidates from the waiting list, and classes for the first semester in both public and private nursing colleges will commence after Eid-ul-Fitr holidays.

To evaluate the effectiveness of the modular MBBS curriculum, UHS will collect feedback on the “PERLs” module, which focuses on professionalism, ethics, research, and leadership skills. Additionally, all affiliated institutions have been directed to establish skills labs to train students in life-saving techniques. Competency assessments will be conducted for all final-year students to ensure they meet practical skill requirements.

Sports, Research, and Community-Based Initiatives

UHS Vice Chancellor Prof Ahsan Waheed Rathore highlighted several upcoming projects aimed at fostering holistic development among students. A Directorate of Sports will be established to organize inter-collegiate sports competitions for medical and dental colleges later this year.

In collaboration with Shiraz University, Iran, UHS will introduce a research writing course for undergraduate students, encouraging them to engage in scientific inquiry. Furthermore, the ‘Pyari Beti’ project, initially launched by UHS, will be extended to affiliated colleges. This initiative seeks to support female students through community-based services, promoting inclusivity and empowerment.