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Government SAARC route
Bangladesh SAARC QuotaMBBS & BDS Admission
Country-wise government seats, GPA equalisation, merit preparation, application route, document requirements, tuition rules and the official list of government medical and dental institutions.
224
Total foreign seats
125
SAARC seats
112
SAARC MBBS
13
SAARC BDS
Government admission route
What is the Bangladesh SAARC quota?
A country-wise foreign-student route for MBBS and BDS admission in Bangladesh government medical and dental institutions.
Seats are allocated separately to participating SAARC countries. Applications move through the applicant’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs or another designated authority, then through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh and DGME.
This government-seat route is separate from foreign admission to private medical colleges in Bangladesh.
Published allocation
Country-wise SAARC Government Seat Matrix
Seat allocation published in the DGME foreign-student circular for Session 2025–26.
| Country | MBBS | BDS | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | 22 | 2 | 24 |
| Pakistan | 21 | 2 | 23 |
| Nepal | 19 | 3 | 22 |
| Sri Lanka | 13 | 2 | 15 |
| Bhutan | 28 | 2 | 30 |
| Maldives | 6 | 1 | 7 |
| Afghanistan | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| Total | 112 | 13 | 125 |
India allocation
22
MBBS
2
BDS
24
Total
Non-SAARC allocation shown for comparison
| Category | MBBS | BDS |
|---|---|---|
| Myanmar | 5 | 2 |
| Palestine | 18 | 3 |
| All other countries | 49 | 22 |
| Total | 72 | 27 |
Academic eligibility
Eligibility Criteria for SAARC Applicants
Core academic conditions shown in Annex C, with the session-specific passing-year rules preserved as source information.
Science background
Class 10/O-Level and Class 12/A-Level equivalent examinations must be completed with a science background.
Passing-year window
For 2025–26: Class 10/O-Level not before 2022; Class 12/A-Level passed in 2024 or 2025.
Maximum study gap
Class 12/A-Level equivalent must be completed within three years of Class 10/O-Level equivalent.
Combined GPA
Minimum aggregated GPA: 8.50 out of 10.
Individual GPA
A GPA below 4.00 out of 5 in either qualifying examination is not considered.
Biology requirement
Minimum Grade Point in Biology: 3.50.
Passing-year limits and application dates are annual. Students must verify the newest DGME circular before applying.
Marks equalisation
How Foreign-Student GPA Is Calculated
Class 10 / O-Level
Only the five subjects with the highest obtained marks are considered.
Sum of grade points in top five subjects ÷ 5
Class 12 / A-Level
Only Biology, Chemistry and Physics are considered.
(Biology GP + Chemistry GP + Physics GP) ÷ 3
Combined result
The calculated Class 10 and Class 12 GPAs are added together.
Class 10 GPA + Class 12 PCB GPA
| Marks obtained | Bangladesh grade | Equivalent GP | O/A-Level equivalent grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80–100 | A+ | 5.00 | A |
| 70–79 | A | 4.00 | B |
| 60–69 | A− | 3.50 | C |
| 50–59 | B | 3.00 | D |
| 40–49 | C | 2.00 | E |
| 33–39 | D | 1.00 | F |
| 0–32 | F | 0.00 | F |
Biology must reach at least Grade Point 3.50. Under the official conversion table, this begins from the 60–69% marks band.
Open SAARC GPA CalculatorMerit preparation
How the SAARC Merit List Is Prepared
- 1
Combined GPA of Class 10/O-Level and Class 12/A-Level
- 2
Higher Biology Grade Point
- 3
Higher Chemistry Grade Point
- 4
Higher Physics Grade Point
- 5
Higher combined obtained marks in Biology, Chemistry and Physics
- 6
Older applicant according to date of birth
Meeting the minimum eligibility requirement does not guarantee a seat or a preferred institution.
Application route
Government-to-Government Application Process
- 1
Prepare the application
Complete the prescribed foreign-student application form and arrange the academic, passport and supporting documents.
- 2
Submit through the home country
Submit the application to the applicant’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs or another designated responsible authority.
- 3
Home-country verification
The responsible authority verifies the documents against the DGME eligibility criteria and prepares an eligible-candidate list.
- 4
Forwarding to Bangladesh
The verified applications are sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh.
- 5
DGME processing
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh forwards the admission documents to the Directorate General of Medical Education.
- 6
Selection and admission
Selection and institution placement depend on country allocation, academic merit, preferences, available seats and the admission committee’s decision.
Source-session dates
Official 2025–26 Application Timeline
11 Nov–22 Dec 2025
Application submission to the home-country responsible authority
By 8 Jan 2026
Documents sent to the Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs
By 15 Jan 2026
Documents forwarded to DGME
22 Feb–14 Mar 2026
Government institution admission period
These dates belong only to the 2025–26 circular and must not be reused as deadlines for another academic session.
Checklist
Documents Required
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Valid passport
- Class 10/O-Level certificate and marksheet
- Class 12/A-Level certificate and marksheet
- Subject-wise marks used for GPA equalisation
- Biology, Chemistry and Physics marks
- Birth-registration or national-identification details
- Applicant contact details
- Parent or legal-guardian information
- Supporting documents required by the responsible authority
Authentication
Attestation and Originals
Attestation by the Ministry of Education of the applicant’s country
Attestation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the applicant’s country
Authentication by the concerned Bangladesh Embassy or Mission
Submission of attested documents to the Bangladesh mission for visa processing
Submission of originals to the allotted institution at final admission
Official application form
Information Required from the Applicant
Personal and identity information
- Full name and country of origin
- Father’s and mother’s names
- Present and permanent address
- Phone number and email
- Nationality and passport number
- Date of birth
- National ID or birth-registration number
- Emergency-contact details
- Legal-guardian information
- Preferred course: MBBS or BDS
Academic and equalisation information
- Class 10/O-Level calculated GPA
- Class 10/O-Level passing year
- Class 12/A-Level calculated GPA
- Class 12/A-Level passing year
- Biology Grade Point
- Combined GPA out of 10
- Subject-wise marks and individual grade points
- English reading, writing, speaking and listening proficiency
The application form provides space to list up to ten government medical colleges, Dhaka Dental College or government dental units in order of preference.
Annex B
Government Medical Colleges Listed in the Circular
Institution names, college codes and establishment years follow the uploaded DGME circular.
| Code | Government medical college | Established |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka | 1948 |
| 12 | Chattogram Medical College, Chattogram | 1957 |
| 13 | Rajshahi Medical College, Rajshahi | 1958 |
| 14 | Mymensingh Medical College, Mymensingh | 1962 |
| 15 | M.A.G. Osmani Medical College, Sylhet | 1966 |
| 16 | Sher-E-Bangla Medical College, Barishal | 1968 |
| 17 | Rangpur Medical College, Rangpur | 1972 |
| 18 | Sir Salimullah Medical College, Dhaka | 1972 |
| 19 | Cumilla Medical College, Cumilla | 1992 |
| 20 | Dinajpur Medical College, Dinajpur | 1992 |
| 21 | Faridpur Medical College, Faridpur | 1992 |
| 22 | Khulna Medical College, Khulna | 1992 |
| 23 | Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College, Bogura | 1992 |
| 24 | Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College, Dhaka | 2005 |
| 25 | Cox’s Bazar Medical College, Cox’s Bazar | 2008 |
| 26 | Noakhali Medical College, Noakhali | 2008 |
| 27 | Pabna Medical College, Pabna | 2008 |
| 28 | Jashore Medical College, Jashore | 2010 |
| 29 | Gopalganj Medical College, Gopalganj | 2011 |
| 30 | Kushtia Medical College, Kushtia | 2011 |
| 31 | Sathkhira Medical College, Sathkhira | 2011 |
| 32 | Shaheed Syed Nazrul Islam Medical College, Kishoreganj | 2011 |
| 33 | Shaheed Taj Uddin Ahmad Medical College, Gazipur | 2013 |
| 34 | Jamalpur Medical College, Jamalpur | 2014 |
| 35 | Manikganj Medical College, Manikganj | 2014 |
| 36 | Patuakhali Medical College, Patuakhali | 2014 |
| 37 | Rangamati Medical College, Rangamati | 2014 |
| 38 | Shaheed M Monsur Ali Medical College, Sirajganj | 2014 |
| 39 | Tangail Medical College, Tangail | 2014 |
| 40 | Mugda Medical College, Dhaka | 2015 |
| 41 | Hobibanj Medical College, Hobiganj | 2017 |
| 42 | Chandpur Medical College, Chandpur | 2018 |
| 43 | Magura Medical College, Magura | 2018 |
| 44 | Naogaon Medical College, Naogaon | 2018 |
| 45 | Netrokona Medical College, Netrokona | 2018 |
| 46 | Nilphamari Medical College, Nilphamari | 2018 |
| 47 | Sunamganj Medical College, Sunamganj | 2020 |
Government BDS institutions
Dental College and Medical College Dental Units
| Code | Dental institution | Established |
|---|---|---|
| 71 | Dhaka Dental College, Dhaka | 1960 |
| 72 | Rajshahi Medical College Dental Unit, Rajshahi | 1989 |
| 73 | Chattogram Medical College Dental Unit, Chattogram | 1990 |
| 74 | M.A.G. Osmani Medical College Dental Unit, Sylhet | 2012 |
| 75 | Mymensingh Medical College Dental Unit, Mymensingh | 2012 |
| 76 | Rangpur Medical College Dental Unit, Rangpur | 2012 |
| 77 | Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Dental Unit, Dhaka | 2012 |
| 78 | Sher-E-Bangla Medical College Dental Unit, Barishal | 2012 |
| 79 | Sir Salimullah Medical College Dental Unit, Dhaka | 2012 |
Tuition rule
SAARC students pay the Bangladeshi student rate
In government medical and dental institutions, students from SAARC countries pay tuition and other fees at the rate charged to a Bangladeshi student.
This is best described as local-rate government tuition, not a guarantee that every cost is completely free.
Additional conditions
- Non-SAARC students pay an additional US$5,000 per year over the tuition charged to Bangladeshi students.
- Additional charges may apply when a student does not pass examinations within the required time.
- Students must follow the rules of the college, hostel and hospital authorities.
- The applicable BM&DC national admission policy for the academic session applies.
- The decision of the admission committee is final in admission-related matters.
False documents can cancel admission
Fabricated documents, fictitious information or an irregular admission procedure can lead to immediate cancellation and legal consequences, including cancellation after admission.
Official circular
Source and Verification
- Issuing authority
- Directorate General of Medical Education, Bangladesh
- Circular number
- 59.14.0000.103.33.001.25.1127
- Circular date
- 10 November 2025
- Academic session
- 2025–2026
FAQ
Bangladesh SAARC Quota Questions
Is the SAARC quota for private medical colleges?
No. The circular covers foreign-student admission to government medical colleges, Dhaka Dental College and government medical-college dental units.
How many SAARC seats are shown in the circular?
The 2025–26 circular allocates 125 SAARC seats: 112 MBBS and 13 BDS seats.
How many seats are allocated to India?
India is allocated 22 MBBS and 2 BDS seats in the 2025–26 country-wise seat matrix.
Can a SAARC applicant use a non-SAARC seat?
No. The circular states that no SAARC-country student will be admitted against seats reserved for non-SAARC candidates.
What is the minimum combined GPA?
The minimum aggregated GPA is 8.50 out of 10, with at least GPA 4.00 out of 5 in each qualifying examination.
What is the Biology requirement?
The minimum required Grade Point in Biology at Class 12/A-Level equivalent is 3.50.
Which Class 10 subjects are considered?
The five subjects with the highest obtained marks are used to calculate the Class 10/O-Level equivalent GPA.
Which Class 12 subjects are considered?
Only Biology, Chemistry and Physics are considered for the Class 12/A-Level equivalent GPA.
How many institutions can a candidate select?
The official application form provides space for up to ten government medical or dental institutions in order of preference.
What tuition applies to SAARC students?
SAARC students admitted to government institutions pay tuition and other fees at the rate charged to a Bangladeshi student. Additional charges may apply when examinations are not passed within the required time.
Continue planning
Check your SAARC government-route GPA before preparing documents
Use the calculator for marks equalisation, then return to the main Bangladesh page to compare colleges, fees, FMGE references and admission support.