JCAT: Punjab Introduces Centralized Medical PG Entrance Exam

The Government of Punjab’s Specialized Healthcare & Medical Education Department (SHC&MED) has announced a new centralized admission test (JCAT) for admission into postgraduate (PG) medical programs in the province.

The JCAT will replace the common MS/MD/MDS entrance exam and will be offered in nine specialties:

JCAT-Medicine and Allied
JCAT-Surgery and Allied
JCAT-Obstetrics & Gynecology
JCAT-Anesthesiology
JCAT-Ophthalmology
JCAT-Diagnostic Radiology
JCAT-Psychiatry
JCAT-Oto-Rhino-Laryngology (ENT)
JCAT-Dentistry

The SHC&MED says the change is being made to improve the quality of medical education in Punjab and to gain international recognition for the province’s university programs.

The first JCAT is expected to be held in October 2024. The passing score for the exam will be 75%.

The new JCAT will be mandatory for students seeking admission to postgraduate medical programs in Punjab starting in January 2025. The common MS/MD/MDS entrance exam will not be valid after July 2024.

The JCAT will also eventually be used for admission to postgraduate programs in basic sciences such as physiology, pathology, and community medicine.

The announcement of the new JCAT has been welcomed by some medical educators in Punjab, who say it will improve the quality of postgraduate medical education in the province. However, others have expressed concerns about the short implementation timeline and the potential impact on students who have been preparing for the common MS/MD/MDS entrance exam.