The Directorate of Medical Education & Research, Punjab governs the medical education and research in Punjab. This directorate was set up in April 1973, to develop medical manpower and to ensure that medical education and teaching hospitals receive adequate attention and proper facilities for research work in the various branches of medicine. This directorate works under the control of the Director, Research and Medical Education, Punjab. The office is at Chandigarh.

Functions:
The functions of the directorate are viz.,

• To conduct undergraduate M.B.B.S., B.D.S., B.A.M.S., and paramedical courses;
  
• To conduct postgraduate courses in the various branches of medicine and dentistry and M.CH. courses in super specialities of paediatric surgery and plastic surgery.
  
• To provide routine and specialised medical facilities;
  
• To engage in the research activities in the field of medicine, dentistry and Indian systems of medicine;
  
• To participate in the various national health programmes.
  
• To recommend the issuance of essentiality certificate to private organisation/ trusts/ societies for opening medical, dentistry and ayurvedic colleges and schools of nursing, para-medical, para-health, pharmacy and radiography.

Admission to MBBS/BDS/BAMS (Ayurvedacharya) course in the State medical/dental/ayurvedic colleges and Dayanand Medical College, Ludhiana are made through an entrance exam (PMT) conducted by one of the State universities.

Admission to MBBS in Chandigarh Medical College, Chandigarh (Total 50 seats) is made through CET conducted by Punjab University, held at Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Chicago USA( for NRI candidates). Details about CET are given below.

Christian Medical College, Ludhiana is regulated by separate rules. Selection is through pre-entrance test conducted by the college.

PMT is open to candidates from Punjab, Central Government nominees and November 1984 riot affected displaced persons are considered exceptions.

Age: 17 year as on December 31 of the year of admission.

Qualification: All Punjab residents who have passed senior secondary (10+2) exam securing at least 50% (for SC/ST 45%) aggregate, marks in PCB and English taken together. Those awaiting the result of qualifying exam may also apply. Medical fitness is also necessary.

Reservation: 15% All India entrance,
25% SC/ST,
5% Backward areas,
2% Border Area,
2% for children/grand children of political sufferers,
2% for children/widows of defence personnel killed/disabled, children of serving/ex-serviceman, and wards of gallantry awardees,
1% for handicapped,
1% for children/widows of Punjab Police, PAP, Punjab Home Guards (Killed/disabled).
2% for November 1984 riot affected displaced persons/terrorist affected,
2% for sports,
2% for State Government nominees (MBBS 6/BDS 1), Wards of medical staff of Guru Gobind Singh Medical College, Faridkot with 5 years service-2 seats.

Selection: Selection is based on merit in competitive entrance exam in Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English. Entrance test is held at Amritsar, Bhatinda, Chandigarh, Faridkot, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana and Patiala. For qualifying the test 50% marks are required (25% in case of SC/ST, 35% for sports, children/grand children of political sufferers, handicapped, 1984 riot affected).
Notification: April.
Last date: May.
Test: May.
Interview: July.