Shocking NRE Step-1 Results for Pakistani Medical Graduates
Official data from the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) reveals a troubling trend. Astonishingly, none of the Pakistani medical graduates NRE candidates from eight specific countries passed the National Registration Examination (NRE) Step-1 in December 2025. This disturbing 0% pass rate emerged from Barbados, Cuba, Cyprus, the Dominican Republic, Georgia, the Philippines, Saint Lucia, and Sudan. Consequently, this outcome signals significant underlying issues within various overseas medical education programs.
Furthermore, these stark results contribute to a broader national concern. Across the entire cohort, only about one in five candidates successfully cleared the examination. Out of 7,176 aspirants who attempted the NRE Step-1, a mere 1,473 qualified. Conversely, a staggering 5,703 individuals unfortunately failed. Therefore, the overall national pass rate stands at a dismal 20.8 percent. This powerfully underscores both the exam’s rigorous nature and potential deficiencies in medical training received abroad.
Unpacking Systemic Failures in Overseas Medical Degrees
Regulatory officials are deeply concerned by the complete failure of candidates from the aforementioned eight countries. They attribute this more to systemic academic shortcomings rather than isolated instances of individual underperformance. Evidently, this alarming statistic demands a thorough re-evaluation of accreditation and recognition processes for medical degrees obtained from these regions. This situation directly impacts many Pakistani medical graduates NRE aspirations.
A closer look at results by country of study offers further crucial insights. Kyrgyzstan, which sent the largest number of candidates, saw only 951 passes from 4,256 examinees. This translates to a success rate of approximately 22 percent. China, another popular destination for Pakistani students, reported 333 passes out of 2,154 candidates, achieving a pass rate of about 15.5 percent. Additionally, other Central Asian nations also showed weak outcomes. Kazakhstan recorded 54 passes from 174 candidates, Uzbekistan 35 from 116, and Tajikistan only 30 from 91. Russia, notably, had just two successful candidates out of 16.
Diverse Outcomes: Where Pakistani Graduates Find Success
Performance varied significantly among other regional countries. For example, Afghanistan recorded 18 passes out of 106 candidates. Ukraine and Malaysia each experienced very limited success, with only two and one successful candidate, respectively. While some countries with minimal candidate numbers exhibited higher pass rates, officials cautioned against drawing broad conclusions. Limited participation, fundamentally, might not represent overall academic quality.
In stark contrast, several countries demonstrated comparatively better results. Bangladesh, for instance, recorded 10 passes out of 11 candidates. Iran similarly reported 20 passes from 39 examinees. Furthermore, nations like Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates each reported a remarkable 100 percent pass rate. However, these impressive figures were based on very small candidate pools, typically ranging from one to three individuals from each country.
Urgent Reforms and Guidance for Future Medical Students
The alarming failure rates, especially the complete lack of success from eight distinct nations, highlight a critical need. The PMDC and other relevant authorities must urgently review and potentially revise the criteria for recognizing foreign medical degrees. This situation demands a deeper investigation into the curriculum, teaching methodologies, and quality assurance processes of medical institutions in countries where Pakistani medical graduates NRE consistently underperform.
Consequently, these results serve as a vital wake-up call for prospective medical students considering overseas education. They must thoroughly research the quality and accreditation of foreign institutions. For the PMDC, this presents a significant opportunity. They can implement stricter guidelines and establish robust support mechanisms. This ensures that all medical graduates, regardless of their degree origin, meet the rigorous standards necessary for practicing medicine in Pakistan.
