The National Medical Commission (NMC), the regulatory body for medical education in India has withdrawn the Letter of Permission (LoP) for the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME) in Reasi district, Jammu & Kashmir, effectively revoking recognition for its MBBS programme with 50 seats for the 2025–26 academic year.
The withdrawal order was issued on January 6, 2026 and confirmed publicly on January 7, 2026, with immediate effect, halting further academic activity related to undergraduate admissions at the institution.
The revocation came after a surprise inspection by NMC’s Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) that cited multiple violations of minimum standards mandated under the NMC Act, 2019.
It was based on serious deficiencies in meeting minimum regulatory standards required for running an undergraduate medical course, including infrastructure, enough number of residents (faculty strength), clinical material, and patient load metrics.
According to inspection reports:
The college had shortfalls in qualified full-time faculty and resident doctors against mandated norms.
Clinical material and patient load were significantly below prescribed thresholds (e.g., outpatient and inpatient statistics).
Essential infrastructure components such as functional laboratories and lecture theatres were found to be inadequate or missing.
Notably, investigative reports have pointed out that the college had received permission barely four months earlier, raising questions about the due process followed during the initial approval.
Under the NMC Act, 2019, MARB possesses the authority to conduct unannounced evaluations and withdraw permissions if an institution fails to comply with regulatory norms.
All 50 students admitted through NEET for the inaugural MBBS batch will not lose their seats.
The Jammu and Kashmir government, along with the NMC, has assured that all affected students will be accommodated as supernumerary seats in other recognised government medical colleges within the Union Territory.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah publicly stated that no student will be academically disadvantaged due to administrative or regulatory failures, and the government will bear responsibility for seamless relocation.
This assurance was reiterated by both state officials and central authorities following student protests and public concern.
The institution’s recognition issues emerged amid widespread protests over the religious composition of its first batch of students, where 42 of the 50 admitted students were from Muslim community.
This triggered sustained demonstrations by local groups, including the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangarsh Samiti (SMVDSS) and others, which argued that the college, funded and operated under the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, through donations from the shrine, should prioritise local and Hindu candidates.
These protests included protests, rallies and political statements that contributed to heightened scrutiny of the college’s admissions and operations over recent months.
Political reactions were divided along party lines:
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) officials welcomed the NMC decision.
The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangarsh Samiti (SMVDSS) described the withdrawal as a victory following sustained agitation and thanked national leadership of BJP and administrators for addressing their concerns.
Opposition parties, including the Congress and the National Conference (NC), criticised the decision. NC leaders called the withdrawal a setback for the Jammu region’s development, arguing that the medical college’s closure, particularly on grounds framed by political or communal tensions would negatively impact educational access. Congress officials also urged explanation from the BJP, suggesting that the college’s closure was politically motivated rather than focused exclusively on regulatory compliance.
Recognition by the NMC is mandatory for any medical college offering MBBS programmes. It ensures compliance with standards related to faculty strength, infrastructure, clinical exposure, and hospital facilities.
Without recognition, degrees issued are invalid for medical registration and practice in India, making regulatory oversight critical for protecting student careers and public health.
MARB’s authority to inspect institutions unannounced and withdraw LoP is a mechanism designed to uphold consistent minimum educational norms across medical colleges nationwide.
MBBS admissions at SMVDIME stand suspended for the 2025–26 academic year
Relocation of students is underway under government supervision
Any future recognition will depend on full compliance, fresh inspection, and NMC approval
As of January 8, 2026, the institution remains in regulatory limbo, with its long-term future dependent on corrective measures and policy decisions.
(Rh/TL/MSM)
