NMC Revokes Permission for Mata Vaishno Devi Medical College Amidst Admission Controversy JAMMU – The National Medical Commission (NMC) h...
NMC Revokes Permission for Mata Vaishno Devi Medical College Amidst Admission Controversy
JAMMU – The National Medical Commission (NMC) has revoked the Letter of Permission for the newly established Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME) for the 2025-26 academic year. The decision, officially cited as a response to "serious lapses in minimum standards," comes in the wake of a major political and religious uproar regarding the demographic composition of the college's first batch of MBBS students.
The Admission Controversy
The controversy erupted after the college completed counseling for its inaugural 50 MBBS seats. According to official records, the intake was heavily skewed, with 42 Muslim students and only eight Hindu students securing admission.
Officials maintained that the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence is not a minority institution and that the process strictly adhered to National Medical Commission guidelines based on the NEET merit list. Sources indicated that after the eight Hindu students were admitted, no other Hindu candidates opted for the college, resulting in the remaining seats being filled by Muslim candidates based on merit.
However, the admissions triggered intense backlash in Jammu. Several social, political, and trade bodies formed the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangarsh Samiti, demanding a rollback of the admissions. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) joined the agitation, submitting a memorandum to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha—who chairs the Shrine Board running the college—seeking to rescind the admissions. Hindu groups argued that only Hindu students should be admitted to the institution.
Political Reactions
The revocation of permission has drawn varied responses from the political spectrum, highlighting the polarization surrounding the issue.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had earlier urged the Centre to close the institution, citing concerns for student safety due to the communal politicization of the campus.
"We don't need this college. It's not worth being a medical college. Shut down this college and we will arrange education for these students in other colleges," Abdullah said, noting that students no longer felt safe.
Conversely, the BJP welcomed the NMC's decision, framing it as a victory for educational standards rather than a political maneuver.
"Quality over quantity. NMC has revoked permission for 50 MBBS seats at SMVDIME due to failure to meet essential standards. It reaffirms commitment to quality," stated BJP MLA R S Pathania.
Impact on Students and J&K Healthcare
The NMC’s order explicitly mentions that permission was withdrawn due to non-compliance with minimum standards. To protect the academic future of the enrolled students, the commission has directed that they be adjusted into other medical colleges across Jammu and Kashmir through supernumerary seats.
With the closure of SMVDIME, the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has effectively lost a medical college, bringing the total count down to 12. Aside from one private institution, all remaining medical colleges in the region are government-run.
