In a major setback to medical education in Jammu and Kashmir, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has officially withdrawn the Letter of Permission (LoP) for the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME) in Kakryal, Reasi. This move comes after a surprise inspection in early January 2026, which uncovered serious deficiencies in faculty, infrastructure, and clinical facilities. As a result, the 50 MBBS students admitted to the 2025–26 batch will be shifted to other Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) in Jammu and Kashmir to continue their medical education.
Key Highlights
- Official Order: NMC withdraws permission for 50 MBBS seats for the 2025–26 session.
- Student Fate: The 50 students already admitted will be shifted to other GMCs in J&K as supernumerary (extra) seats.
- Official Reason: 39% faculty shortage, 65% resident shortage, and poor bed occupancy (45%).
- Tension: Protests erupted over the admission of Muslim students (42 out of 50 in the first batch).
- CM’s Reaction: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has criticized the decision, emphasizing the need to protect students’ futures.
Main News Report
Permission Revoked After Surprise Inspection
The Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) of the NMC issued the order after a surprise inspection conducted on January 2, 2026. The inspection team found discrepancies that violated the Minimum Standard Requirements (MSR) for a medical college.
The NMC’s official letter, which has been accessed by Kitto News, highlighted the following key deficiencies:
- Faculty Shortage: A 39% deficiency in teaching faculty and a 65% shortage of tutors and demonstrators.
- Clinical Load: OPD attendance was recorded at 182 (against the required 400), and hospital bed occupancy was only 45% (with a required minimum of 80%).
- Infrastructure Issues: The absence of an ART centre and facilities for managing MDR-TB were also noted.
The Controversy: Merit vs. Demographics
The NMC’s withdrawal of permission has been overshadowed by a political storm. For weeks, protests led by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti and other local groups had been erupting over the admission of 42 Muslim students out of the 50 in the first batch. The protests were based on allegations that the admissions process did not adequately account for a “reserved” status for Hindu students.
Protesters argued that because the college is funded by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (using Hindu devotees’ donations), it should prioritize Hindu students in the admissions process.
However, the J&K administration defended the process, stating that admissions were conducted strictly based on NEET-UG merit (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) and religion had no role in the selection process.
What Happens to the Students?
The biggest concern is the future of the 50 students admitted to SMVDIME. According to the NMC order, these students will not lose their MBBS seats.
Relocation Plan:
To ensure that the students experience no academic loss, the NMC has instructed the J&K Health & Medical Education Department to shift all 50 students to other recognized GMCs in J&K, including:
- GMC Jammu
- GMC Kathua
- GMC Srinagar
These students will be adjusted as supernumerary (extra) seats, ensuring that the regular intake of each GMC is not affected.
Official Statements
Medical Assessment & Rating Board (NMC) Order:
“The deficiencies observed were gross and substantial in nature. Continuation of the institution under such circumstances would have seriously jeopardized the quality of medical education.”
Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister, J&K:
“If you don’t want them there, adjust them somewhere else. Give our children another medical college and close this one. We wouldn’t want them to study where there is so much politics.”
FAQs
A1: The NMC cited “gross deficiencies”, including a 39% faculty shortage and low patient volume, following a surprise inspection on Jan 2, 2026.
A2: The NMC has ordered that all 50 admitted students be shifted to other Government Medical Colleges in J&K under supernumerary (extra) seats.
A3: Currently, permission for the 2025–26 batch has been withdrawn. The college must rectify deficiencies and reapply for future sessions.
Transparency Note
This report was researched using the official NMC Withdrawal Order dated Jan 6, 2026, and statements from the J&K Chief Minister as reported by PTI.
