Amid Deficiencies and Admission ControversyJammu, January 7, 2026 – The National Medical Commission (NMC) has withdrawn the Letter of Permission (LoP) granted to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME) in Kakryal, Reasi district, Jammu and Kashmir, effectively revoking its approval to run an MBBS course with 50 seats for the 2025-26 academic year.The decision, announced on January 6, 2026, comes after a surprise inspection on January 2 revealed significant non-compliance with the minimum standards prescribed under the NMC’s 2023 regulations. Key deficiencies included a 39% shortfall in teaching faculty, inadequate clinical material and patient load, substandard infrastructure such as lecture theatres not meeting requirements, a severely understocked library (only 744 books instead of the required 1,500 and just 2 journals against 15), lack of essential facilities like an ART centre and MDR-TB ward, and only two functional operation theatres out of the mandated five.The NMC’s Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) stated that these lapses constituted a “direct breach” of standards, leading to the immediate withdrawal of the LoP originally issued on September 8, 2025. The college’s performance bank guarantee will also be forfeited.To protect the interests of students already admitted, the NMC has directed that they be transferred to supernumerary seats in other recognised medical colleges within the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, ensuring no disruption to their studies.The revocation follows months of controversy surrounding the college’s inaugural admissions. Out of the 50 seats, a majority (reportedly 42-46) went to students from the Muslim community, primarily from the Kashmir Valley, sparking protests from Hindu organisations, BJP leaders, and local groups in Jammu. The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangarsh Samiti, an umbrella body of around 60 social and right-wing organisations, led demonstrations demanding the scrapping of the merit list and prioritisation for Hindu students, arguing that the institution is funded largely by offerings from devotees at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine.The college, managed by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and affiliated with Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, uses the attached Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital for clinical training. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had earlier defended the admissions, stating that merit, not religion, should be the sole criterion.BJP leaders, including MLA R.S. Pathania, welcomed the NMC’s decision, emphasising it as a commitment to “quality over quantity.” Protesting groups have hailed the move as addressing their concerns indirectly, though the NMC has clarified that the action was based solely on regulatory violations identified during inspection.
The JKUT convenore Retd Col Sukhvir Singh Mankotia welcomed the move & hailed it as the victory of Sanatan Dharma. He also appreciated the efforts of Union Health Minister in this regard. The SMVDIME, established to enhance healthcare in underserved areas, had begun operations in late 2024. The future of the MBBS programme now depends on the institution addressing the highlighted shortcomings for potential re-application in subsequent years.
