Most KP students apply only for seats inside Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Few know that KMU's admission policy also lists MBBS seats for KP students in Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) and at Nishtar Medical College, Multan, plus extra seats in AJK colleges for students from the Merged Districts.
The opposite also happens: KP's public colleges keep seats for students from AJK, Gilgit-Baltistan and Illegally Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK). Every year students see these seats in the seat table, assume they can apply for them, and are disappointed. This guide sorts out which seats are for whom, how many there are, and where each one is applied for, using KMU's latest admission policy for public sector medical and dental colleges.
The short answer: KMU's policy lists 12 open merit MBBS seats for KP candidates in AJK (4 each at Mirpur, Muzaffarabad and Rawalakot) and 1 at Nishtar Medical College, Multan. Merged Districts candidates have another 6 MBBS seats in the same three AJK colleges. In the other direction, KP colleges hold 34 seats for AJK and 7 for Gilgit-Baltistan candidates, who apply through their own authorities, not through KMU's open merit, plus 4 over-and-above seats for IIOJK candidates.
Seats for KP students in AJK colleges and Nishtar, Multan
KMU's policy has a separate table headed: "SEATS FOR KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA CANDIDATES IN AZAD JAMMU & KASHMIR MEDICAL COLLEGES & NISHTAR MEDICAL COLLEGE, MULTAN (OPEN MERIT SEATS)". All of these are MBBS seats.
| College | City | Seats for KP candidates |
|---|---|---|
| Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Medical College | Mirpur, AJK | 4 |
| Azad Jammu & Kashmir Medical College | Muzaffarabad, AJK | 4 |
| Poonch Medical College | Rawalakot, AJK | 4 |
| Nishtar Medical College | Multan, Punjab | 1 |
| Total | 3 in AJK, 1 in Punjab | 13 |
The policy adds: "These seats are subject to any changes made by the Government of Punjab and Government of Azad Jammu & Kashmir." The colleges belong to those governments, so the number can change from one year to the next.
Who is eligible
The policy calls these "open merit seats", and open merit seats are for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa domicile holders. The rule for KP provincial seats, which names the Nishtar seat directly, reads:
"The candidates seeking admission against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Seats (Open Merit/ General Self-finance reserved Seats, reciprocal seat in Nishtar Medical College, Multan) his/her father must be Bonafide national of Pakistan with a valid domicile of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and if father is not alive then the mother valid domicile of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will be considered."
You also need everything every KMU applicant needs: at least 60% in FSc or an equivalent with Biology, Chemistry and Physics or Mathematics, and an MDCAT pass of at least 55% for MBBS. If you are not sure whether you qualify, read MDCAT passing marks and work out your merit with the aggregate calculator.
How the Nishtar reciprocal seat is filled
The Nishtar seat is KP's reciprocal seat, and the policy is clear about how it is filled:
"Nomination against this seat will be made by the KMU-AC from amongst the candidates of the open merit list on merit cum choice. Moreover, the candidates once selected and accepted offer of admission against reciprocal seat shall also have the right to be upgraded in his/her order of preferences."
In plain words: the KMU Admission Committee (KMU-AC) offers it to a candidate on KP's open merit list, on merit and choice, and accepting it doesn't stop you being upgraded to a college you preferred in a later merit list. The policy lists the "Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Reciprocal seat at NMC (Multan)" among the seats KMU-AC fills at the placement interviews.
In KP's own seat table, Khyber Medical College also has one seat marked "Reciprocal for N.M.C (Multan)". As the word reciprocal suggests, it is the KP side of the same exchange; the policy doesn't describe how that KMC seat is filled.
How the 12 AJK seats are filled
Here we want to be honest, because the policy is thin on detail. What it does say:
- The seats are listed as open merit seats for KP candidates.
- Under the admission procedure, "AJK seats/Nishtar Medical College, Multan" are among the categories whose candidates "will be recommended by the respective nominating departments according to the criteria as specified in the admission policy."
The policy does not give a separate form, merit rule or interview step for the AJK seats. So do three things: apply on KMU's portal for open merit in the normal way, watch KMU's admission notices and merit lists for the AJK seats, and if the form doesn't show them as an option, ask KMU's admission office before the closing date. Don't pay anyone who claims to arrange these seats; every seat in KMU's process is given on merit.
The fee at an AJK college or Nishtar
KMU's fee schedule covers only the public colleges of KP. A student who joins an AJK college or Nishtar pays that college's fee, so check it with the college. For KP colleges, see our KMU fee structure guide.
Merged Districts seats in AJK colleges
Students with a Merged Districts (former FATA) domicile have reserved seats across Pakistan, including 6 MBBS seats in AJK. Each seat belongs to one district:
| AJK college | Seats | Districts |
|---|---|---|
| Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Medical College, Mirpur | 2 | South Waziristan 1, North Waziristan 1 |
| AJK Medical College, Muzaffarabad | 2 | Khyber 1, Orakzai 1 |
| Poonch Medical College, Rawalakot | 2 | Kurram 1, Ex-FRs 1 |
There are no Merged Districts seats in AJK for Bajaur or Mohmand. Candidates for any Merged Districts seat, in KP or elsewhere in Pakistan, apply on KMU's online form and submit a photocopy of the form and documents to the Home & Tribal Affairs Department, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Peshawar, which verifies the domicile. The final selection is notified by the Home & Tribal Affairs Department. Our guide to Merged Districts MBBS and BDS seats covers all 333 of them.
AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan seats inside KP colleges
KP's seat table also lists "Federal Seats" for students from AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan. These are not for KP students, even though they are in KP colleges.
| College | AJK | Gilgit-Baltistan |
|---|---|---|
| Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad (AMC) | 22 | 6 |
| Saidu Medical College, Swat (SMC) | 5 | 0 |
| Gomal Medical College, D.I. Khan (GMC) | 5 | 0 |
| Khyber Medical College, Peshawar (KMC) | 1 | 1 |
| Ayub Dental Section, Abbottabad (ADS), BDS | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 34 | 7 |
That is 33 MBBS and 1 BDS seat for AJK, and 7 MBBS seats for Gilgit-Baltistan.
How AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan candidates apply
"The candidates seeking admission from AJK & Gilgit Baltistan (Northern Areas) against the seats reserved in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Medical/ Dental Colleges should apply to Secretary Nomination board Muzaffarabad and Director of Education Gilgit Baltistan (Northern Areas) respectively."
- AJK candidates apply to the Secretary, Nomination Board, Muzaffarabad.
- Gilgit-Baltistan candidates apply to the Director of Education, Gilgit-Baltistan.
- Selected candidates "must report to the principal of the concerned Medical/Dental Colleges of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa before the closing date of admission."
- They pay the normal fee, the same as open merit, because "Federal Reserved Seats for AJK/Gilgit Baltistan (Northern Areas)" are on the policy's normal fee list.
These seats survive because the Supreme Court's Attiya Inayat judgment, which struck down most quotas, kept reservations for students domiciled in AJK and in Gilgit-Baltistan, as KMU's policy notes. Candidates sent by nominating agencies such as AJK after the admission closing date can be admitted with PM&DC's prior approval.
IIOJK seats: 4 over and above
KMU's policy has 4 seats for candidates from Illegally Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir: 2 at Khyber Medical College and 2 at Ayub Medical College. They are over and above the 1,580 seats sanctioned by PM&DC, so they don't reduce any other category. Candidates are recommended by their nominating department, not through KMU's open merit list.
Which seats can you apply for?
| Your domicile | Seats in this guide you can try | Where you apply |
|---|---|---|
| Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (you and your father) | 12 AJK seats and the Nishtar seat for KP candidates | KMU portal, cas.kmu.edu.pk |
| Merged Districts | 6 Merged Districts seats in AJK colleges | KMU portal, plus a copy to the Home & Tribal Affairs Department, Peshawar |
| Azad Jammu & Kashmir | 34 AJK seats in KP colleges | Secretary, Nomination Board, Muzaffarabad |
| Gilgit-Baltistan | 7 Gilgit-Baltistan seats in KP colleges | Director of Education, Gilgit-Baltistan |
| IIOJK | 4 over-and-above seats at KMC and AMC | Through the nominating department |
For the full picture of every reserved category in KP, including backward areas, minorities and disabled candidates, read KMU reserved and quota seats explained. Students from other provinces applying to Punjab can also see our guide to UHS quota seats for other provinces.
Frequently asked questions
Can KP students get MBBS admission in AJK medical colleges through KMU?
Yes. KMU's latest policy lists 12 open merit MBBS seats for KP candidates in AJK: 4 at Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Medical College, Mirpur, 4 at AJK Medical College, Muzaffarabad and 4 at Poonch Medical College, Rawalakot. They are subject to changes by the AJK government.
How many seats do KP students have at Nishtar Medical College, Multan?
One. It is KP's reciprocal seat, and KMU's admission committee offers it to a candidate from KP's open merit list on merit-cum-choice. Accepting it doesn't stop you being upgraded to a college you preferred.
Do I need a separate application for the AJK seats?
The policy doesn't describe a separate form for them. Apply for open merit on KMU's portal, follow KMU's notices and merit lists, and confirm with KMU's admission office before the closing date if the seats are not shown as an option.
Can a KP student apply for the AJK seats at Ayub Medical College?
No. The 34 AJK seats and 7 Gilgit-Baltistan seats in KP colleges are reserved for candidates of those regions, who apply through the Secretary, Nomination Board, Muzaffarabad or the Director of Education, Gilgit-Baltistan.
What fee do AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan students pay in KP colleges?
The normal fee, the same as KP open merit students: Rs 87,000 to Rs 102,000 in the first year under KMU's latest fee schedule.
Are there Merged Districts seats in AJK?
Yes, 6 MBBS seats: Mirpur (South and North Waziristan, 1 each), Muzaffarabad (Khyber and Orakzai, 1 each) and Rawalakot (Kurram and Ex-FRs, 1 each). Merged Districts candidates apply through KMU and the Home & Tribal Affairs Department.
Are the IIOJK seats part of KP's 1,580 seats?
No. The 4 IIOJK seats at KMC and AMC are over and above the seats sanctioned by PM&DC, so they don't take a seat from any other category.
Whichever seats you go for, your aggregate decides the outcome. Check last year's cut-offs on our KMU closing merit page, see which colleges are realistic with the college predictor, and if you are still preparing for MDCAT, build your score with ePrepare.
Source: Khyber Medical University, Admission Policy for Public Sector Medical and Dental Colleges of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the latest available policy (seats for KP candidates in AJK and Nishtar Medical College, Merged Districts seats in AJK, college-wise seat distribution, federal reserved seats, reciprocal seats, over-and-above seats and admission procedure). Seat numbers can change; always check the latest policy and notices on cas.kmu.edu.pk and kmu.edu.pk.
