NMC Revokes MBBS Course Approval for SMVDIME Amid Infrastructure Concerns

The National Medical Commission has revoked the approval for the MBBS program at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute due to critical infrastructure shortcomings. This decision follows complaints regarding the lack of qualified faculty and clinical resources. Amidst the controversy surrounding the admission of 46 Muslim students, Jammu and Kashmir's Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has called for their reassignment to other medical colleges. The situation has sparked political debates about communal reservations and the influence of politics in education. As the NMC seeks to address these issues, the future of the students remains uncertain.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 7, 2026, 12:34 IST

NMC Takes Action Against SMVDIME

Late Tuesday night, the National Medical Commission (NMC) rescinded the Letter of Permission (LoP) for the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME) to conduct the MBBS program for the academic year 2025-26. This decision was made due to significant deficiencies in the institution's infrastructure, including a lack of qualified faculty and clinical resources.

According to NMC guidelines, students who were set to enroll in the MBBS program for the 2025-26 academic year will be accommodated in other government institutions within the Union Territory, as additional seats become available.

Background of the Approval

The NMC had previously granted the college permission to operate the MBBS course and admit 50 students last September, following a thorough inspection by a team of experts. Of the 50 students admitted, 46 were selected based on their merit in the NEET exam. However, the approval was revoked after an unannounced inspection by an NMC team last week, prompted by multiple complaints regarding the lack of essential infrastructure for running the medical program.

Controversy Surrounding Student Admissions

The admission of 46 Muslim students in the first batch of the MBBS program at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Medical College has sparked controversy. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has urged the BJP government to reallocate these students to other medical colleges and to close the newly established medical college to resolve the dispute. Local residents and various Hindu organizations are demanding reservations for Hindu candidates, as the college's construction and operation were largely funded by donations from Hindu devotees of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Temple.

Political Reactions

Omar Abdullah accused the BJP of engaging in communal politics concerning education, sports, and dietary habits. Responding to media inquiries after reviewing various public works projects, he stated, "The students passed their exams through hard work and earned their seats. No one did them a favor. If you don't want them there, then accommodate them elsewhere." He expressed doubt that students would wish to study in such a politically charged environment, urging the central government and the Ministry of Health to facilitate their admission to other colleges. "If I were a parent of these students, I would not send them there. We do not want them to study in a place with so much politics involved," he added.