The National Medical Commission (NMC) has immediately revoked its recognition of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence in Jammu and Kashmir. The NMC withdrew permission for the college to run its MBBS program. This decision follows serious non-compliance with required minimum standards, according to a PTI report.
The NMC’s Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) issued the withdrawal order on Tuesday. The MARB directed Jammu and Kashmir authorities to transfer all students admitted for the academic year 2025-26 . These students will move to other medical colleges within the union territory, placed in supernumerary seats.
Application and Initial Complaints
In 2024 , the medical institute applied to establish a new medical college. It sought an intake of 50 MBBS seats for the academic year 2025-26 . The NMC issued a letter of permission. However, the commission then received multiple complaints against the college. These complaints cited inadequate infrastructure, insufficient clinical material, and a lack of qualified full-time teaching faculty and resident doctors.
Complaints also highlighted inadequate inpatient and outpatient loads. Poor bed-occupancy statistics were another key concern. Under Section 28(7) of the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, the MARB can conduct surprise evaluations without prior notice. Acting on this power, a team of assessors conducted an inspection at the college on January 2, 2026 , as per the report.
Inspection Findings: Extensive Deficiencies
The inspection report revealed extensive deficiencies across several parameters. These included significant shortages in faculty strength, clinical material, and infrastructure, the PTI report stated. The college failed to meet the minimum standard requirements specified in the UGMSR-2024 for establishing and running a medical college.
Faculty and Clinical Shortages
Assessors found critical deficiencies in staffing and patient services:
- Teaching Faculty: A 39-per cent deficiency against prescribed requirements.
- Tutors, Demonstrators, Senior Residents: A 65-per cent deficiency.
- OPD Attendance: Only 182 patients at 1 PM, against a required 400 .
- Bed Occupancy: Averaged 45 per cent , significantly below the required 80 per cent .
- Intensive Care Units (ICUs): Reported only about 50 per cent average bed occupancy.
- Deliveries: Approximately 25 per month, indicating low clinical exposure.
Infrastructure Issues
The inspection report also highlighted several infrastructure-related problems:
- Laboratories: No student practical laboratories were established in some departments.
- Lecture Theatres: Did not conform to minimum standard requirements.
- Library: Only 744 books against a requirement of 1,500 .
- Journals: Just two journals available against the 15 required.
- Specialized Centres: Absence of an ART centre and facilities for managing MDR-TB.
- Wards: Gross infrastructure deficiencies in some departments, including a lack of separate male and female wards.
NMC’s Decision and Consequences
The MARB concluded that the institution failed to meet critical standards. Therefore, the letter of permission has been withdrawn with immediate effect. This decision underscores significant financial and regulatory consequences for the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence due to its non-compliance.
Students affected by this decision, those admitted for the 2025-26 academic year, will be transferred to other institutions. This action ensures their medical education continues uninterrupted, while upholding national medical education standards.