The National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) is one of the most competitive medical entry systems in Pakistan. If you're preparing for the NUMS MDCAT, it's crucial to know how many seats are there in NUMS, how they are distributed across colleges, and what your chances are based on open merit, province, and category.
Whether you're aiming for Army Medical College (AMC), a NUMS-affiliated private medical college, or you're applying from Sindh or Balochistan, this complete guide breaks down everything you need to know about NUMS seat distribution for MBBS and BDS admissions.
Table of Contents
- NUMS Seat Overview (MBBS & BDS 2024–25)
- NUMS MBBS & BDS Seat Distribution (College-Wise)
- Province-Wise NUMS Seat Distribution
- NUMS Open Merit Seats Explained
- NUMS vs UHS & Other Universities
- Admission Strategy Tips
- Conclusion
- FAQs
Here’s a summary of what NUMS offers in terms of total seats for 2024–2025 admissions:
- Total MBBS Seats: ~1,600
- Total BDS Seats: ~350
- Open Merit MBBS Seats: ~900
- Open Merit BDS Seats: ~220
- Foreign/Overseas Quota: ~15% of each college's seats
- Military Reserved Seats: Mostly at AMC & QIMS
All applicants must pass NUMS MDCAT (minimum 55% for MBBS, 50% for BDS).
NUMS affiliates a mix of government-administered and private colleges. The table below presents a college-wise breakdown of MBBS and BDS seats in NUMS affiliated colleges. We distinguish the lone public institution (AMC) from private colleges, and highlight which programs each offers:
Maqsad can help you prepare smarter for NUMS with past papers, personalized quizzes, and expert revision plans.
1. Punjab & Islamabad
- Hosts 7+ NUMS colleges
- Offers ~1,100 MBBS seats and most BDS seats
- Includes AMC, CMH Lahore, HITEC Taxila, FUMC, and more
2. Sindh
- Colleges: BUMDC & KIMS (Karachi)
- ~250 MBBS seats and 50 BDS seats
- No provincial quota – all seats are open merit
3. Balochistan
- QIMS (Quetta)
- 150 MBBS seats
- ~80 seats reserved for Balochistan domicile, including:
- Open merit (local)
- Subsidized
- Reserved for LEAs & Army Cadets
4. KPK
- No NUMS-affiliated college in KPK
- Students compete on open merit seats across Pakistan
What is Open Merit in NUMS?
- Seats available to all Pakistani applicants, regardless of domicile
- Admissions based on NUMS MDCAT + FSc aggregate
Seat Categories:
- Open Merit (Local) – ~900 MBBS, ~220 BDS
- Foreign Quota – ~15% of seats per college
- Army Cadet Quota – Only in AMC/QIMS (not open to civilians)
Example: In AMC Rawalpindi (204 MBBS seats), only 55 are open to civilians (40 local, 15 foreign). The rest are Army-nominated cadets.
It’s helpful to compare NUMS with other major medical admission platforms, such as UHS (University of Health Sciences) in Punjab, to gauge competition. Below is a summary of the key takeaways:
- NUMS offers ~1,600 MBBS seats, mostly in private colleges. Merit closes around 85–90%, with AMC being the exception (~91–92%).
- UHS (Punjab) offers ~2,900 MBBS seats in public colleges but requires a much higher merit — around 92.8% in 2024.
- Sindh’s public colleges (e.g., Dow, JSMU) also require ~90%+ merit, with fewer total seats.
- Other options like AKU are extremely competitive and conduct their own tests.
Related: Best Medical and Dental Colleges in Karachi
Tip: If your aggregate is below 90%, NUMS private colleges may be a more realistic target than UHS public colleges.
To maximize your chance of getting a NUMS seat:
- Target High-Seat Colleges: e.g., CMH Lahore, CMH Multan, HITEC
- Check Provincial Advantage: Balochistan students should prioritize QIMS
- Prepare Effectively: Use structured prep tools like Maqsad’s NUMS-focused quizzes
- Understand Category Fit: If eligible, explore foreign/expatriate options too
- Keep Backup Options: Consider UHS, AKU, or other private institutions if possible
Keep an eye on official NUMS announcements each year. Sometimes seat distributions can change (new colleges might open or seats might increase). For 2025, any new NUMS-affiliated colleges or revised seat allocations will be published in the prospectus or NUMS website. Always refer to the latest info before applying.
In conclusion, NUMS offers a considerable number of MBBS/BDS seats across Pakistan – on par with a large province’s capacity but spread in multiple institutes. Understanding the breakdown (total vs open merit, province-wise, college-wise) allows you to target the right college. With this knowledge and diligent preparation, you can improve your chances of securing a coveted seat in a NUMS medical or dental college. Good luck on your journey to becoming a doctor!
How many seats are there for Army Medical College?
AMC offers 204 MBBS and 54 BDS seats, but only 55 MBBS and 14 BDS are open to civilians.
What is the passing merit for NUMS?
Minimum MDCAT score: 55% for MBBS, 50% for BDS. Final merit cutoffs vary by college.
How many seats are in Jinnah Medical and Dental College?
Jinnah Medical & Dental College is not under NUMS. It follows a separate admission system.
How many seats are there in King Edward Medical College?
King Edward is not affiliated with NUMS; it's under UHS and has ~300 open merit seats for MBBS.
What is open merit?
Open merit means seats are allocated based purely on test and academic performance without quotas.
Does FSC mark matter in NUMS?
Yes. Merit = 50% NUMS MDCAT + 40% FSc + 10% Matric.
How many seats are there in NUMS MBBS?
~1,600 total MBBS seats across 12 colleges (including AMC and private institutions).
NUMS Seats distribution?
Colleges like AMC, CMH Lahore, and HITEC have 100–150 seats each. See full table above.
Open Merit Seats in NUMS?
Roughly 888 MBBS and 221 BDS seats (2024), expected similar for 2025.
How many Seats in NUMS for MBBS 2024?
Approx. 1,604 seats across all categories; ~900 for open merit.
NUMS Seats distribution 2024?
Detailed by college and province in this guide.
Government Medical Colleges under NUMS?
Only AMC is public. Others are private military-affiliated.
NUMS total Seats for MBBS 2024 pdf?
Available in the official NUMS admission prospectus at nums.edu.pk.
NUMS aggregate Calculator?
Use tools like Maqsad’s free NUMS aggregate calculator to check your chances.
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