Fees — the biggest single difference
Public medical colleges are heavily subsidised: annual tuition is typically in the tens of thousands to low lakhs of rupees, so a full MBBS often costs less than a single year at a private college. Private MBBS tuition commonly runs into the millions of rupees per year (PMDC has periodically notified fee caps — check the current notification), putting the 5-year total at a multiple of the public-sector cost.
Because fee schedules change and vary by college, treat any specific number you read — including here — as a starting point, and confirm against the college's current prospectus and PMDC's latest fee notification before committing.
Merit — what each route requires
- Government (open merit): ≈93.5%–94.9% aggregate closed the Punjab public list in 2025-26; provincial pools closed lower (≈89–92%).
- Private: open merit commonly closes in the 80s, with tier-1 privates (AKU is its own separate test and tier) higher.
- Both: a PMDC-passing MDCAT (55% MBBS / 50% BDS) is mandatory regardless of route.
Recognition — the check that protects your career
- Confirm the college appears on PMDC's current list of recognised institutions with an approved intake for your admission year.
- Check the college's recognised seat count — admissions beyond the approved intake create license problems later.
- For foreign practice plans, verify the college is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS) with ECFMG/plab eligibility notes.
- Be cautious of any college that markets 'guaranteed admission' before MDCAT results — recognised colleges cannot bypass merit rules.
Outcomes — what actually matters after graduation
House job placement, FCPS/MRCP/USMLE performance and research exposure drive your career far more than the public/private label. Government colleges offer bigger attached hospitals and patient volume; strong private colleges counter with smaller batches and structured mentorship. If you hold a government-range aggregate, take the public seat — the financial case is overwhelming. If not, a recognised private college with a real teaching hospital is a legitimate path walked by thousands of successful doctors.