Complete Guide to Eligibility, Timelines, and How to Apply
Become a Captain Doctor: Join Pakistan Army as a General Duty Medical Officer (GDMO)
Persons having done MBBS (or in the final year of MBBS) can join the Pakistan Army Medical Corps as a General Duty Medical Officer (GDMO) through the Short Service Regular Commission (SSRC). Here are the the two pathways to that:-
- The "M-Cadet" Pathway (During 4th / Final Year)
- The "GDMO / SSRC" Pathway (After Graduation & House Job).
Pathway to Joining as Capt Doctor in Pakistan Army
Eligibility, Timelines, and How to Apply
Civilian medical students currently studying in their 4th year or final year of MBBS can join the Pakistan Army Medical Corps as an M-Cadet. Unlike the FSc Medical Cadet Course (MC Course) , this program is designed for ongoing MBBS students. The selected candidates will receive financial sponsorship before commissioning as Captains. Here are the details:-
- Frequency: Once a year.
- Registration Window: Typically June - July.
- Financial Benefit: The Army pays a monthly stipend/tuition sponsorship for your remaining MBBS education.
- Training Induction: Upon graduation, M-Cadets directly undergo basic military training at PMA Kakul before their house job.
1. Education & Professional Qualifications
- Must be a regular student of 4th Year or Final Year (5th Year) of MBBS.
- The public or private medical college must be fully recognized by the PM&DC.
- Age Limit: 20 to 26 years old at the time of induction.
- Gender: Male candidates only (Female doctors can join post-MBBS via GDMO).
- Marital Status: Only Unmarried candidates can apply.
- Nationality: Citizens of Pakistan, including AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan domiciles.
- Height (Male): Minimum 5' - 4" (162.5 cm).
- Weight & Vision: As per Army standard Body Mass Index (BMI) and Medical Corps criteria.
- Results of previous professional exams of MBBS
- Intelligence / Personality Test at AS&RCs
- Interview by GHQ Sel Bds
Candidates must pass the following physical efficiency tests at the AS&RC:
- 1.6 Km Run:9 mins - 3 mks.
- Push-ups: 10 repetitions in 2 minutes - 2 mks
- Sit-ups: 10 repetitions in 2 minutes - 2 mks
- Chin-ups: 2 repetitions in 2 minutes 2 mks
Passing all events as per above table are mandatory for each candidate. A candidate failing in any 1 x event will be considered as Physical Test (PT) failure.
- Candidates shortlisted after registration and preliminary tests at AS&RCs, will receive notice for interviews by the GHQ Selection Board through call up letters.
- Medical Fitness of candidates who are selected in the final interview shall be carried out at nearest CMHs.
- Final selection will be made at GHQ on the basis of candidate's overall performance.
Original documents along with two sets of attested photocopies must be presented:
- Original Matric/O-Level certificate along with detailed marks sheet (DMC).
- Original FSc/A-Level certificate along with detailed marks sheet (DMC).
- Official verified DMCs of all completed professional MBBS professional examinations.
- Valid institutional certificate/Letter from the Dean/Principal confirming the candidate is a regular student of 4th or Final year.
- Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) or Smart Card.
- Father’s CNIC photocopy.
- 3x Attested passport-sized photographs (Front and Back).
1. Study And Stipend
► 'M' Cadet, students will continue /complete their graduation in their present Medical Colleges.
► On the successful completion of his Medical education and basic military training, 'M' Cadets will be commissioned in the Army Medical Corps as Captain.
► Selected 'M' Cadets will be entitled to receive Rs 18,583/ (as on 2026) as monthly stipend during cadetship through mil hospitals with which they will be attached for administration.
► After getting commission in Army Medical Corps as Captain, 'M' Cadets will also be entitled to receive lump sum amount not exceeding Rs 222,996/- per annum as re-reimbursement of MBBS study expenditures occurred on their Medical education prior to joining the scheme.
2. Basic Military Training (BMT); 22 weeks BMT at Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) Kakul
3. Bond; Finally selected candidates will be required to sign a bond to serve the Army for a minimum period of 6 years, after qualification of MBBS/ grant of commission in Army Medical Corps.
You cannot apply if you have been:
- Twice rejected by Inter Service Selection Board (ISSB) for Post Graduate Entry.
- Twice rejected by Inter Service Selection Board (ISSB) for Intermediate/ Graduate (Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) Long Course/ Graduate/ Equivalent) and once rejected by Inter Service Selection Board (ISSB) or General Headquarters (GHQ)/ Naval Headquarters (NHQ)/ Air Headquarters (AHQ) based selection boards.
- Once rejected by Inter Service Selection Board (ISSB) for Intermediate/ Graduate (Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) Long Course/ Graduate/ Equivalent) and twice rejected by Inter Service Selection Board (ISSB) or General Headquarters (GHQ)/ Naval Headquarters (NHQ)/ Air Headquarters (AHQ) based selection boards.
- Twice Not Recommended for 'M' Cadet by GHQ / AHQ / NHQ Selection Boards.
- Twice screened out by ISSB.
- Candidates dismissed/ removed/ debarred from Govt Services including Armed Force.
- Convicted in a Court of Law for any heinous offense (to be ascertained by the competent military authority).
- Permanently declared UNFIT by Appeal Medical Board (PUF by AMB).
- Declared medically unfit due to Hepatitis B/C (AMB cannot be requested).
- Withdrawn from any bonded Armed Forces college/ institution on disciplinary grounds.
- Withdrawn/ discharged/ resigned or purchase of commission from any Armed Force Officers Academy/ Training Institution on any ground.
- Tempering of academic certificates/ forgery/ concealment to get undue advantage will render to applicant permanently ineligible for all types of commission in Armed Force.
Candidates must register online via the official recruitment portal, when the course is opened there and notified in newspapers.
Alternatively, you can visit your nearest Army Selection and Recruitment Centre (AS&RC) once the official advertisement drops in national newspapers.
Pathway to Joining as Capt Doctor in Pakistan Army through SSRC
- Frequency: once a year.
- Registration Window: Typically December and January.
- Initial Testing: Conducted between January and February.
- Training Induction: Selected Captains undergo 22 weeks of military training at PMA Kakul or AMC Centre, Abbottabad.
1. Education & Professional Qualifications
- Must hold a valid MBBS degree recognized by the PM&DC.
- Must have completed the mandatory 1-year House Job.
- Age Limit: Up to 28 years.
- Gender: Both Male and Female doctors are eligible.
- Marital Status: Both Married and Unmarried candidates can apply.
- Nationality: Citizens of Pakistan, including AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan domiciles. (Dual nationals must surrender secondary citizenship upon final selection).
- Height (Male): Minimum 5' - 4" (162.5 cm)
- Height (Female): Minimum 5' - 0" (152.4 cm)
- Weight & Vision: As per Army standard Body Mass Index (BMI) and Medical Corps criteria.
The physical efficiency standards are evaluated by gender:
- Male Candidates: Physical standards are exactly the same as mentioned in Part 1 for M-Cadets (1.6 Km Run, Push-ups, Sit-ups, Chin-ups, and Ditch Crossing).
- Female Candidates: 1.6 Km Run/Walk to be completed within 14 minutes. (Female candidates are traditionally exempted from the physical core tests like push-ups, chin-ups, and ditch crossing).
Original documents along with two sets of attested photocopies must be presented:
- Original Matric/O-Level and FSc/A-Level certificates with detailed marks sheets.
- Official MBBS Degree and detailed profile transcript certificates of all professional examinations.
- Valid, updated registration certificate from the Pakistan Medical & Dental Council (PM&DC).
- Official House Job Completion Certificate issued by an accredited hospital.
- Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC).
- 3x Attested passport-sized photographs (Front and Back).
same as for M-Cadets mentioned above.
When the registration portal opens, candidates must register online via the official recruitment portal:
Alternatively, you can visit your nearest Army Selection and Recruitment Centre (AS&RC) once the official advertisement drops in national newspapers.
Got questions about the initial intelligence test, academic test, or GHQ interview process? Drop your queries below and let's discuss!
Frequently Asked Questions - M Cadet and MBBS Candidates
Can women apply for the M-Cadet course during final year MBBS?
No. Historically and under current regulations, the M-Cadet course is strictly open to male candidates only. Female doctors who wish to join the Pakistan Army Medical Corps must wait until they complete their graduation and mandatory 1-year house job to apply via the GDMO (SSRC) entry route.
What is Merit Criteria for GDMO in Army?
The merit criteria for selection of Captains in Army Medical Corps (AMC) is not a publicly disclosed. The main elements of it, however, can be the performance in MBBS, interview and initial test. item
What happens if an M-Cadet fails a professional MBBS exam?
If an M-Cadet fails a professional exam, the military may suspend their monthly stipend and sponsorship benefits. The candidate is usually given a specific time frame to clear the supply exam. Continued academic failure can lead to withdrawal from the program and financial recovery of spent funds.
Can I do my post-MBBS house job at a civilian hospital if I am selected as an M-Cadet?
No. Upon graduation, all M-Cadets are directly assigned to a military hospital, typically a Combined Military Hospital (CMH), to complete their mandatory 1-year house job under military supervision.
Is it possible to switch civilian medical colleges after being selected as an M-Cadet?
No. The Army sponsors your education based on your enrollment details at your current PM&DC-recognized public or private medical college. You cannot transfer colleges once your M-Cadet contract and bond are signed.
Can I apply if house job completion certificate is delayed?
No. You must possess your valid PM&DC registration and a completed 1-year house job certificate at the time of final document verification. The Army does not accept hope certificates or incomplete internship records for SSRC entries.
Do GDMO Captains choose their city of posting?
No. Postings are completely determined by the General Headquarters (GHQ) based on operational requirements and institutional needs. You must be prepared to serve in any military hospital, field unit, or remote area across Pakistan.