The caretaker Sindh government has announced a retake of the Medical and Dental Colleges Admission Test (MDCAT) 2023. This decision comes in the wake of a widespread cheating scandal that marred the previous examination.
The MDCAT, initially conducted on September 10, 2023, was embroiled in controversy as numerous candidates raised concerns over rampant cheating during the entrance exam.
Some students even appealed to the authorities for a re-examination to ensure transparency in the admission process.
The Peshawar High Court (PHC) subsequently ordered the re-conduct of the MDCAT 2023 examinations within six weeks across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The court’s verdict stated that the test should be retaken within a six-week timeframe to facilitate timely admissions into medical institutions.
The high court also directed Khyber Medical University (KMU) to conduct a fair and transparent test in accordance with codal formalities. The provincial government has been tasked with providing security through the District Administration and police.
During the previous hearing, a joint investigation team (JIT) submitted an initial report revealing that an organized group, involving top officials, was behind the illegal act of cheating. FIRs were registered against 219 suspects.
Last month, several candidates were arrested on charges of cheating during the MDCAT 2023. Police and local administration recovered Bluetooth devices from the students during the test.
Caretaker Chief Minister Maqbool Baqar announced that the MDCAT retake would be held by Dow University of Health Sciences. However, the exact date for the test is yet to be announced.
This decision by the Sindh government aims to restore faith in the examination process and ensure that future medical professionals are selected based on merit and integrity.
