KARACHI: Applications for Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) programmes at 11 private dental colleges across Sindh will open on November 10, following the announcement of the centralised admission schedule by Jinnah Sindh Medical University (JSMU) for the 2026–27 academic session.
The university has set November 24, 2026, as the last date for submitting applications, giving aspiring dental students a two-week window to apply for admission to participating private dental institutions in Karachi, Hyderabad and Mirpurkhas.
According to an admission advertisement published by JSMU on Sunday, November 8, the university has been authorised to serve as the admitting university for all private medical and dental universities and colleges across Sindh under a Health Department, Government of Sindh order dated May 25, 2026 (No. SO(ME) 1-1-AP/2026-27).
The centralised admission arrangement covers both MBBS and BDS programmes, with candidates required to submit their applications online through the JSMU website and indicate their preferred institutions in order of choice.
11 private dental colleges included in BDS admissions
The advertisement lists 11 private dental institutions participating in the admission process for the 2026–27 academic session:
- Altamash Institute of Dental Medicine, Karachi
- Baqai Medical University, Karachi
- Bhitai Dental and Medical College, Mirpurkhas
- Fatima Jinnah Dental College, Karachi
- Hamdard College of Dentistry, Karachi
- Isra Dental College, Hyderabad
- Jinnah Medical and Dental College, Karachi
- Liaquat College of Medicine and Dentistry, Karachi
- Muhammad Dental College, Mirpurkhas
- Sir Syed College of Medical Sciences for Girls, Karachi
- Ziauddin Dental College, Ziauddin University, Karachi
Candidates seeking admission to these institutions will apply through the centralised process administered by JSMU rather than submitting separate centralised admission applications to each participating college.
BDS eligibility and MDCAT passing requirement
Under the announced criteria, candidates must have passed the Intermediate/Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC) Pre-Medical examination, or an equivalent qualification, including A-levels or Grade 12, with at least 60% marks.
For BDS admission, applicants must also have passed the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) conducted in 2024, 2025 or 2026, with a minimum passing score of 50%.
The advertisement specifies a separate minimum MDCAT requirement of 55% for MBBS applicants, while the minimum HSSC or equivalent qualification requirement remains 60% for both programmes.
JSMU has further stated that any subsequent policy changes or additional directives issued by the concerned government or regulatory authority will become applicable immediately.
Application dates, processing fee and how to apply
JSMU has announced the following schedule and application requirements for the 2026–27 admission cycle:
- Applications open: November 10, 2026
- Last date to apply: November 24, 2026
- Application processing fee: Rs5,000
- Fee payment: Voucher deposit at any branch of Habib Bank Limited (HBL)
- Online application portal: www.jsmu.edu.pk
Candidates must complete the online application form and submit it electronically along with all required documents and the processing-fee voucher.
The Rs5,000 processing fee must be deposited through a voucher at any HBL branch. Details of the online application procedure are available on the JSMU website.
Prospectuses will be available on the respective universities' and colleges' websites, allowing applicants to review institution-specific admission information, programme details and fee structures before selecting their preferred colleges.
Separate applications for MBBS and BDS
Candidates interested in applying for both MBBS and BDS programmes at the same institution, where both programmes are offered, must submit separate application forms for each programme.
The advertisement also directs aspiring candidates to list their preferred private medical or dental colleges in order of choice or preference. Applicants should therefore carefully consider their institutional preferences when completing the online application.
JSMU has cautioned that incomplete applications and those submitted after the November 24 deadline will not be accepted. The advertisement also states that no personal contacts will be entertained in connection with the admission process.
MBBS admissions also open at 14 private medical colleges
Alongside BDS admissions, JSMU is inviting applications for MBBS programmes at 14 private medical universities and colleges across Sindh for the same 2026–27 academic session.
The participating institutions listed in the advertisement are:
- Al-Tibri Medical College, Karachi
- Baqai Medical University, Karachi
- Hamdard College of Medicine, Karachi
- Indus Medical College, Tando Muhammad Khan
- Isra University, Hyderabad
- Jinnah Medical and Dental College, Karachi
- Liaquat College of Medicine and Dentistry, Karachi
- Liaquat National Medical College, Stadium Road, Karachi
- Muhammad Medical College, Mirpurkhas
- Sir Syed College of Medical Sciences for Girls, Karachi
- Suleman Roshan Medical College, Tando Adam
- United Medical and Dental College, Karachi
- Ziauddin Medical College, Ziauddin University, Karachi
- Ziauddin Medical College, Ziauddin University, Sukkur
MBBS applicants must meet the same minimum HSSC/equivalent qualification requirement of 60% marks, while the MDCAT passing requirement is 55%. The application opening date, closing date, online submission procedure and Rs5,000 processing fee are the same as those announced for BDS admissions.
JSMU's coordination with private institutions
The admission announcement follows a high-level coordination meeting held by JSMU on November 6 with representatives of private medical and dental colleges across Sindh.
The meeting was chaired by Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Amjad Siraj Memon and organised by the university's Office of Admissions under Director Admissions Dr Fatima. Director Affiliation Dr Rahat Naz also attended.
The discussions focused on establishing a centralised, transparent and uniform admission framework, with particular emphasis on merit-based selection and coordination among participating institutions.
Professor Dr Amjad Siraj Memon emphasised the importance of merit and transparency and appreciated Dr Fatima for organising the meeting and coordinating with private institutions.
The university had subsequently announced that application forms would be made available through its website, while individual colleges would publish their prospectuses and approved fee structures on their respective websites.
Contact details for admission queries
Candidates seeking clarification about the application process can contact JSMU through the following channels:
- Email: admissions@jsmu.edu.pk
- Telephone: 021-99205185
- Extensions: 1058 and 1052
- Website: www.jsmu.edu.pk
With applications opening on November 10 and closing on November 24, prospective dental students should review the participating colleges, check their eligibility, arrange the processing fee and complete their online applications well before the deadline.
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