Islamabad, Dec 8, 2025: In a major policy shift, the Inter-Board Coordination Commission (IBCC) has decided to eliminate the long-standing restriction between arts and science streams for intermediate admissions.
The decision allows students who have completed their matriculation in arts to now enroll in pre-medical, pre-engineering, and ICS (Intermediate Computer Science) programs.
This move was made at the IBCC’s 183rd meeting in Karachi and is expected to provide students with more flexibility in choosing their academic paths.
Sources confirmed that the policy change addresses the limitations that prevented many talented students from pursuing their desired fields due to their background at the matric level such as unavailability of science teachers.
The forum also introduced changes for O/A level students. Those who have passed two major science subjects will now be given equivalence in the science group instead of the humanities group, allowing them to pursue more technical fields.
Additionally, the meeting discussed the possibility of eliminating the arts and science divisions at the matric level, replacing them with a standardized Secondary School Certificate (SSC) that offers flexible elective choices. However, a final decision on this change will be made after further discussion.
Dr. Ghulam Ali Mallah, IBCC Executive Director, confirmed both decisions. He explained that the policy change aims to correct historical injustices, such as students in remote areas who were unable to study science due to resource shortages.
“Now, all fields will be open for everyone. If students have the potential, they can pursue pre-engineering or pre-medical studies, regardless of their matric background,” he said.
The new policy will be implemented in the upcoming admission session. IBCC has already started issuing equivalence certificates to O/A level students who passed two major science subjects.–Dawn