Bhubaneswar: The National Medical Commission (NMC) has withdrawn permission for Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME), Reasi, to admit 50 MBBS students for the 2025–26 academic session, citing serious deficiencies flagged during an inspection conducted in January 2026.
According to official sources, the inspection found significant shortfalls in key areas, including inadequate faculty strength, insufficient laboratory and library facilities, low patient inflow, and a shortage of functional hospital beds. Based on these findings, the NMC concluded that the institute did not meet the mandatory standards required for undergraduate medical education.
The decision comes against the backdrop of protests that have been ongoing since November 2025. Several Hindu groups had raised objections after 42 of the top NEET-qualified candidates allotted seats at the shrine-funded medical college were reportedly from Muslim-majority Kashmir. While the admissions were carried out strictly on the basis of national merit rankings under existing rules, the issue triggered demonstrations and political controversy in parts of Jammu.
Reacting to the NMC decision, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah assured that the affected students would not suffer due to administrative lapses. He stated that the government would work with authorities to accommodate the displaced students through supernumerary seats in other medical colleges, ensuring their academic careers are not disrupted.
BJP leaders, however, maintained that the NMC’s action was based solely on quality and compliance concerns, arguing that regulatory standards in medical education cannot be compromised. At the same time, critics and civil society voices alleged that the episode reflected deeper biases, pointing to the disproportionate focus on the students’ regional and religious backgrounds despite merit-based selection.
The episode has reignited debate over transparency in medical education regulation, the intersection of politics and admissions, and the need to insulate regulatory decisions from communal narratives. Meanwhile, the future course for SMVDIME will depend on its ability to address the deficiencies and secure fresh approval from the NMC.
-OdishaAge
