On 6th January, the National Medical Commission (NMC) withdrew recognition granted to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME) in Jammu after a surprise inspection found serious violations of minimum standards. As per media reports, the decision takes effect immediately. All MBBS students admitted for the 2025–26 academic year will be relocated to other recognised medical colleges in Jammu and Kashmir as supernumerary seats.
Inspection flags serious lapses
According to officials, the Medical Assessment and Rating Board of the NMC revoked the Letter of Permission after the inspection team identified non compliance with essential requirements, including infrastructure and faculty strength. The institute had been sanctioned 50 MBBS seats in September 2025. It began operations from the administrative block of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University in November. The regulator has directed authorities to ensure that students already admitted are seamlessly accommodated elsewhere to avoid academic disruption.
Political storm over admissions
Notably, the regulatory action has come amid an ongoing political controversy over the college’s first admission list. Out of the 50 students admitted, 42 were Muslims and one was a Sikh. The list triggered protests by several Hindu groups and local trade groups in Jammu. The organisations said that since the college is run by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, it should primarily cater to Hindu students.
BJP welcomes move, Omar Abdullah earlier sought closure
The Bharatiya Janata Party welcomed the NMC decision, calling it a case of quality over quantity. BJP MLA RS Pathania said the withdrawal reaffirmed the regulator’s commitment to standards and assured that affected students would be transferred to other colleges in the Union Territory.
🔬 Quality Over Quantity:
— R. S. Pathania (@pathania_rs) January 6, 2026
NMC has revoked permission for 50 MBBS seats at SMVDIME due to a failure to meet essential standards.
It reaffirms commitment to Quality .
Every affected student will be seamlessly transferred to a Supernumerary Seat in other UT Colleges. @BJP4India
Earlier, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had expressed concerns over student safety amid the politicisation of the campus and urged the Centre to shut down the college and relocate students. The BJP had also submitted a memorandum to Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, the Shrine Board chairman, seeking cancellation of admissions.
Official sources maintain that the institute is not a minority institution and that admissions were carried out strictly as per NEET based norms.
