What Is the NUST Paying Cadet Scheme?
The NUST Paying Cadet Scheme is a reserved seat scheme for students from Pakistan Army background. It is for the wards of serving, retired, or shaheed army personnel.
If a student's father has served or is serving in the Pakistan Army, the student may be eligible to apply through the Paying Cadet Scheme, depending on the latest rules and available seats.
These are separate reserved seats in selected military colleges of NUST — not the same as normal open merit seats. However, this does not mean every army background student gets automatic admission. You must still perform well in NET and meet the required merit.
Key point: Paying Cadets sign a surety bond for voluntary military service of 3 years after graduation. If you choose not to serve, you must pay Rs. 500,000. For CAE Risalpur, this service condition was terminated in 2016.
Who Can Apply?
The Paying Cadet Scheme is for students whose father or mother is serving, retired, or shaheed from Pakistan Army, Navy, Air Force, or affiliated defense services (MES, PAD, etc.).
Academic requirement: FSc (Pre-Engineering) or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Minimum 60% aggregate marks each in Matric and FSc separately. Must be unmarried.
Priority Order
Not all army background students have the same priority. Categories and merit both determine your chances:
Shaheed Families
Zero FeeHighest priority. Shaheed family students also have zero tuition fees.
Serving Army Personnel
Children of serving officers, JCOs, and soldiers. War wounded get additional priority.
Retired Army Personnel
Children of retired army persons. Retirement must not exceed 25 years on closing date.
Category matters, but marks also matter a lot. A student from a retired background with 85% aggregate may get preference over a serving background student with 80% — depending on available seats and rules.
How to Apply — Step by Step
Take the NET
Register and appear for the NUST Entry Test. You must also apply for admission in minimum two engineering disciplines in NUST on open merit.
Get the PC Form
Obtain the Paying Cadet form from GHQ Gate No. 3, your Station HQ, or through the OAS system in your father's unit. Ask the unit clerk if needed.
Fill the Form Carefully
Fill without overwriting or cutting. Include student details, army service details, category, and program preferences. Use a fresh form if any errors.
Attach Required Documents
Attach all attested photocopies as mentioned on the form. Missing documents = form rejected.
Submit to GHQ
Send to AG's Branch, W&R Dte (WR-4), GHQ Rawalpindi via Pakistan Post mail. Do NOT use private courier — it is not received at GHQ.
Submit FSc Result Later
Forward an attested copy of your FSc marks sheet to GHQ within 7 days of result announcement, otherwise your case won't be processed.
Critical: Applications through private courier or email are not accepted. Only Pakistan Post mail or direct submission at GHQ Gate No. 3. Keep a copy of your form and postal receipt.
Required Documents
Available Campuses for Paying Cadets
PC seats are only available at selected military colleges, not at every NUST campus:
College of E&ME (EME)
Military College of Signals (MCS)
Military College of Engineering (MCE)
Are PC seats available at NUST H-12?
No. Paying Cadet seats are linked with military colleges only (EME, MCS, MCE). They are not available at NUST main campus H-12 Islamabad. Computer Science at H-12 is also not considered an engineering subject for PC purposes.
Seat Distribution
Seats are distributed at a ratio of 60% serving and 40% retired. Shaheed family students are almost always selected. 16 seats are reserved for female candidates.
PC/ASC Seats by College
| College | Elec | Mech | Telecom | CSE | Civil | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EME | 19 | 20 | — | — | — | 85 |
| MCS | — | — | 23 | 26 | — | 49 |
| MCE | — | — | — | — | 33 | 33 |
| Total | 167 | |||||
Female seats: 16 seats reserved (8 serving, 8 retired) — Electrical Engg (4), Computer Engg (4), Telecom Engg (4), Computer Software Engg (4).
PC vs ASC vs Open Merit
Paying Cadet (PC)
Selected against reserved army seats. Fee system may differ from normal semester fee — typically half the fee is refunded. Shaheed families have zero tuition fees. Selected by GHQ.
Additional Selected Cadet (ASC)
Additional selected cadets who may pay full semester fee first, then receive partial reimbursement later through army channels if eligible.
Open Merit (Army Background)
Admitted through normal open merit, but because of army background, may still be eligible for fee subsidy or reimbursement through official army channels.
The main point: admission category and fee subsidy are related but not always the same thing.
Fee Subsidy Details
One of the most important benefits for army background students is the fee subsidy. In many cases, a portion of the semester fee may be returned through GHQ or the relevant army channel.
Key fee details:
Don't rely on online info alone. Confirm fee details from the latest PC form, GHQ instructions, your father's unit office, Station HQ, or NUST finance office.
Ineligibility Conditions
You are ineligible for PC scheme if any of the following apply:
Already selected on NUST open merit in any engineering discipline this year
Previously nominated as PC/ASC (unless cancelled by GHQ for open merit)
Selected as Technical Cadet
Failed to qualify UET entry test of your domicile province
Released/withdrawn from any Defence Forces institution on disciplinary grounds
Applied for only one discipline in NUST (minimum two required)
Declared medically unfit as per NUST requirements
Father weeded out from service on disciplinary grounds
Father has not rendered pensionable service / not drawing pension
Father's retirement exceeds 25 years on the closing date
Adopted/dependent children or other relatives (not direct wards)
Selected for any defence forces institution as a regular cadet
Diploma holders
Is Merit Still Important?
Yes, absolutely. Some students think army quota means easy admission. This is not true. Paying Cadet seats are limited and many army background students apply.
Approximate NET scores needed (based on past data):
*Based on past results. Current year may differ.
The merit formula is the same: NET (75%) + FSc (15%) + Matric (10%). PC and Army reserved seats are allocated by W&R Dte based on NET merit.
How to Improve Your Chances
Score high in NET — don't depend only on the quota. A strong NET score is your biggest advantage.
Prepare Maths and Physics strongly. For engineering programs, these are decisive subjects.
Submit the PC form on time. Many students lose their chance by missing the deadline.
Attach correct and complete documents. Wrong or missing documents can get your form rejected.
Keep proof of submission — a copy of your form and postal receipt.
Select program preferences wisely. Choices once given cannot be changed. Don't list a program you're not serious about.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NUST Paying Cadet Scheme?
A reserved seat scheme for students from Pakistan Army background — wards of serving, retired, or shaheed army personnel. Seats are at military colleges like EME, MCS, and MCE.
What is the PC form and where to get it?
The Paying Cadet form is the application form for PC seats. Get it from GHQ Gate No. 3, your Station HQ, or through the OAS system in your father's unit.
Where is the PC form submitted?
To AG's Branch, W&R Dte (WR-4), GHQ Rawalpindi — via Pakistan Post mail or direct submission at GHQ Gate No. 3. Private courier is NOT accepted.
Are PC seats available in NUST H-12?
No. PC seats are only at selected military colleges — EME, MCS, and MCE. They are not available at the NUST main campus H-12.
What is the difference between PC and ASC?
PC (Paying Cadet) students are selected by GHQ against reserved seats with subsidized fees. ASC (Additional Selected Cadet) students may pay full fee first and receive partial reimbursement later.
Do shaheed family students pay fees?
No. Shaheed family students have zero tuition fees and get the highest priority for PC seats.
Do open merit students from army background get fee subsidy?
They may be eligible for subsidy depending on official rules and documentation. Confirm from the latest army channel.
Is there a service bond for Paying Cadets?
Yes, a surety bond for 3 years of voluntary military service. If you choose not to serve, you pay Rs. 500,000. For CAE Risalpur, this condition was terminated in 2016.
How many marks do I need for PC admission?
Based on past data: ~110+ NET for serving background (below 9,000 merit), ~120+ NET for retired background (below 7,000 merit). Current year may differ.
Is merit important for PC admission?
Very important. Seats are limited and selection depends on NET marks, aggregate, category priority, and available seats.
Official Paying Cadet (PC) Form
Paying Cadet (PC) Application Form
Download the official 5-page GHQ Paying Cadet (PC) admission application form for FSc Pre-Engineering and Pre-Medical background students applying to EME, MCS, and MCE military campuses.
The NUST Paying Cadet Scheme is a valuable opportunity for army background students — but it requires good marks, correct documents, timely submission, and proper NET preparation. Prepare well, submit on time, verify everything from official sources, and don't depend on rumors.