The NRE Step 1 2026 new date is Sunday, 8 November 2026. The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC) has postponed the National Registration Examination (NRE) Step-I, which was set for 11 October 2026, citing “unavoidable circumstances” in a public notice issued on 5 October 2026.
If you registered for the October paper, you do not need to do anything new right now. Note the new date, keep checking the PM&DC website, and use the extra four weeks to prepare.
Key details
| Organisation | Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC) |
|---|---|
| Exam | National Registration Examination (NRE) Step-I |
| Conducted by | National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS), Rawalpindi |
| Old date | 11 October 2026 (Sunday) |
| New date | 8 November 2026 (Sunday) |
| Notice | No. Exam-97/2026, dated 5 October 2026 |
| Registration | Closed (last date with fee was 15 September 2026) |
| Official website | pmdc.pk |
Why the PMDC NRE date 2026 changed
The PM&DC notice says only that the exam has been moved “due to unavoidable circumstances”. No other reason has been given. The notice was sent to NUMS Rawalpindi, which conducts the paper, and to the council’s examination and IT staff, so the new date applies to all registered candidates.
Who has to take the NRE Step-I
The NRE is meant for Pakistani doctors and dentists who earned their medical or dental degree from an institution outside Pakistan. It checks their knowledge and competency against PM&DC standards before they can move ahead with registration and licensing in Pakistan.
NRE Step 1 2026 new date and full schedule
| Step | Date |
|---|---|
| Online registration opened | 27 August 2026 |
| Registration extended till | 15 September 2026 |
| Original exam date | 11 October 2026 |
| Postponement notice | 5 October 2026 |
| New exam date | 8 November 2026 |
| Admit cards and centres | Not announced yet |
What registered candidates should do now
- Note the new date: 8 November 2026, a Sunday.
- Log in to the PM&DC NRE portal at nre.pmdc.pk with the account you used to register and check that your details are correct.
- Visit the Public Announcements section on pmdc.pk regularly. The council has told candidates to keep checking the website for further details, such as admit cards and test centres.
- Do not rely on WhatsApp forwards or unofficial pages for the date or venue. Go by the PM&DC notice.
- If you booked travel or leave for 11 October, rearrange it for the new date.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Mixing up exams: NRE Step-I is a separate exam from MDCAT and NEB. Check that a notice is about the NRE before you act on it.
- Missing updates: new instructions are posted as PDF notices on the PM&DC home page, so check the latest one by date.
- Paying unofficial agents: registration was done only through the PM&DC portal. Nobody can get you a seat or a new registration through a side channel.
Frequently asked questions
What is the new date of NRE Step 1 2026?
The exam will now be held on Sunday, 8 November 2026, instead of 11 October 2026, according to PM&DC notice No. Exam-97/2026.
Can I still register for NRE Step-I?
The registration deadline with the prescribed fee ended on 15 September 2026. The postponement notice does not reopen registration. Check pmdc.pk in case the council announces anything new.
Where will I find my admit card and test centre?
PM&DC has not announced admit card or centre details for the new date yet. Watch the PM&DC website and your NRE portal account.
For more exam schedules and results, see our Results section. Medical graduates may also want to read about PMDC management trainee jobs 2026.
Note: Always confirm details on the official website before you apply or pay any fee. Great Pak Times is not affiliated with any government body.
Source: Pakistan Medical and Dental Council public notice on NRE Step-I. Checked 7 October 2026.