Update (10 November 2026): The Specialized Healthcare & Medical Education (SHC&ME) Department, Government of the Punjab, has invited applications for the 2nd Fellowship (erstwhile Level-IV) super-specialty and vertical programs for the January 2027 intake. The last date to apply is 30 November 2026 (Monday) till 5:00 PM.
The Level-IV induction is for doctors who have already completed FCPS, MS or MD (Level-III) and now want residency training in a super-specialty in Punjab. Applications are submitted online on the Punjab Health Foundation (PHF) portal, and selection is made on a 25-mark merit score.
January 2027 Level-IV induction: how to apply
- Apply online at level4.phf.gop.pk till 5:00 PM (PST) on 30 November 2026.
- The processing fee is Rs 3,000 and is non-refundable. Pay it only on the voucher generated from the portal, and deposit it in the bank well before the deadline to avoid technical problems.
- Seat details, terms and conditions, the Policy and Procedure Manual and the required forms (undertaking/affidavit, conduct certificate and affidavit for CMH/Armed Forces candidates) can be downloaded from the portal.
- Applications for horizontal Level-III programs (FCPS/MS/MD) are not accepted under this 2nd Fellowship induction.
- Helpline: 0304-1111972 (9:00 AM to 5:00 PM) or [email protected].
Official advertisement for the January 2027 intake (PDF)
Eligibility for 2nd Fellowship (Level-IV)
- Age less than 45 years on the last date of submission of application.
- Level-III qualification (FCPS/MS/MD) recognized by PM&DC.
- Permanent practising licence from PM&DC.
- At least one research article published in a PM&DC and/or HEC recognized journal.
- Conduct certificate from the degree awarding or PG training institution, signed by the head of institution, stating that no disciplinary action was taken during Level-III training and that the candidate had no involvement in political activity of any kind. An undertaking/affidavit to this effect is also submitted with the application.
Level-IV selection criteria (25 marks)
The current criteria were notified on 4 May 2026 (No. SO(ME-II)7-1/2024(L-IV)(Policy)) for the July 2026 induction onwards, so they apply to the January 2027 intake. Compared with the November 2025 criteria, research now carries 12 marks instead of 10, and post-fellowship experience carries 3 marks instead of 5.
| Component | Marks |
|---|---|
| Publications in HEC and/or PM&DC recognized journals | 6 |
| Publications in impact factor journals | 6 |
| Post-fellowship experience | 3 |
| Interview (minimum 5 to pass) | 10 |
| Total | 25 |
Marks per publication by authorship
| Author position | HEC/PM&DC original article | HEC/PM&DC case report | Impact factor original article | Impact factor case report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st author | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| 2nd author | 1.5 | 0.75 | 1 | 0.75 |
| 3rd author | 1 | 0.5 | 0.75 | 0.5 |
| 4th author | 0.5 | 0.25 | 0.5 | 0.25 |
| 5th to 6th author | 0.25 | 0 | 0.25 | 0 |
Credit is given only if the journal was recognized at the time the article was published, and only if the article or case report was published before the last date of application. The notification says journals will be checked against the HEC Journal Recognition System (HJRS) and the latest JCR impact factor list. However, HJRS is now obsolete: HEC stopped using it after 30 September 2024 and now categorises journals (W, X and Y) by their Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed and other indexing under its Journals and Publications Policy. Check the current status of your journal in our PMDC, CPSP and HEC approved journals list and our guide on which journals actually count in Pakistan.
Post-fellowship experience: experience after FCPS/MS/MD in a Punjab Government or PM&DC recognized institution earns 3 marks for 2 complete years, 2 marks for 1 complete year or more, 1 mark for 6 months to 1 year and 0.5 marks for 3 to 6 months. Experience certificates signed by the head of institution or medical superintendent must be uploaded on the portal, and only experience up to the last date of application counts, so request these certificates early.
Interview: the interview is mandatory and carries 10 marks. Candidates scoring less than 5 are not considered further. Interviews are taken by a committee notified by the SHC&ME Department.
Equal marks: preference goes first to regular Punjab Government employees serving in the host institution, then regular Punjab Government employees in other institutions, then contract/adhoc Punjab Government employees, and last to private sector candidates. Within the same category, the candidate senior in age is preferred.
Official selection criteria notification of 4 May 2026 (PDF). For the earlier versions, see the November 2025 criteria and the July 2025 Level-IV criteria. Level-IV induction takes place twice a year, in January and July. Rules for Level-III residents under the Central Induction Policy are explained in our PPM 2024 guide.
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