The National Medical Commission (NMC) has withdrawn its letter of permission for the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME) in Katra, Jammu and Kashmir. The decision followed a surprise inspection on January 2, 2024 , where the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) of the NMC cited a failure to meet “minimum standards.” This move has left students and faculty facing significant uncertainty.
The NMC’s order, issued Tuesday evening, directs that all students admitted for the 2025-26 academic year will be accommodated in other medical institutions across Jammu and Kashmir. They will occupy supernumerary seats, managed by the UT administration.
Political Pressure Claims
Faculty and students allege local political pressure, not academic deficiencies, fueled the NMC’s decision. This withdrawal follows weeks of protests by the Sangharsh Samiti, a group of right-wing organizations. The Samiti demanded the cancellation of admissions for 42 Muslim students from Kashmir, seven Hindu students , and one Sikh candidate .
All affected students qualified through the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET). The protesting group lobbied for the college to scrap the current merit-based list. They sought to reserve all seats exclusively for Hindu students.
College’s Defense and Concerns
Despite the NMC’s claims, faculty members defend the institution. Speaking anonymously, a senior faculty member stated, “We got the permission after a lot of hard work and investment. We have the best infrastructure and faculty, and whatever is required to run a medical college was in place.” Faculty members believe the NMC’s findings can be contested.
Faculty members questioned the “unusual haste” of the NMC’s decision. Standard administrative protocols involve a show-cause notice, a formal response, and a potential hearing with the Union health ministry before such drastic measures. These steps were reportedly bypassed.
The decision impacts approximately 150 people who left jobs in government and private sectors to join the institution. Their future employment is now uncertain. “Everyone knows what led to the inspection and the subsequent decision, especially in view of the unrest created in the Jammu region,” a faculty member added.
Student Distress and Future Options
Students expressed distress over the permission withdrawal. Bilquis, a student from Budgam, said, “We secured admission through a competitive exam, and the NMC’s decision has come as a shock.” She confirmed no discrimination based on religion occurred on campus.
Mahit Srivastava, a student from Udhampur, called the decision “very unfortunate.” He highlighted the college’s strong facilities and potential. Students emphasized they gained admission solely on merit. “The facilities were outstanding, which nobody can question. We did not face any trouble inside the campus despite the protests outside,” another student stated.
The college is exploring alternatives to restart admissions. One option involves the chief minister issuing a no-objection certificate (NOC). This would allow admissions through central counseling, open to students nationwide based purely on merit. Another option is to seek deemed university status. The college already runs three of the five required faculties: medicine, nursing, and social sciences (Gurukul). It needs two more, such as allied health sciences and public health specialization. This process could take about a year.
Faculty remain hopeful that the shrine board, which governs the institute, will resolve the situation. They aim to safeguard both staff and the institution’s future. The college’s infrastructure and facilities are considered superior to many in Jammu and Kashmir, and some faculty noted they compare favorably to institutions across India and abroad.