In a significant regulatory move, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has revoked the permission granted to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME) in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district to run an MBBS course. The decision, announced on January 6, 2026, comes months after a conditional approval was granted, culminating a process marked by inspections, complaints, and public unrest.
The Path to Approval and Subsequent Scrutiny
SMVDIME had applied to establish a new medical college with 50 MBBS seats for the 2025-26 academic year following NMC public notices in December 2024. After processing the application, the NMC's Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) issued a Letter of Permission (LoP) on September 8, 2025. This approval was not unconditional; it came with strict mandates to maintain minimum standards in infrastructure, faculty, and clinical material, and allowed for surprise inspections.
However, the regulator soon received multiple complaints alleging serious shortcomings at the college. Acting on these, a team of assessors conducted a surprise inspection on January 2, 2026, under the powers of the NMC Act, 2019.
Critical Deficiencies Uncovered by Inspection
The inspection report painted a grim picture of non-compliance. Key findings included:
- A severe 39% shortfall in teaching faculty and a 65% deficiency in tutors, demonstrators, and senior residents.
- Clinical services were far below par: OPD attendance was 182 against a required 400, and bed occupancy was at 45% against the mandated 80%.
- Only about 25 deliveries per month, termed "grossly deficient," and ICUs with around 50% occupancy.
- Inadequate infrastructure: Only 2 functional operation theatres against 5 required, missing labs, a library with half the required books, and lack of separate male/female wards in some departments.
Citing these as statutory offences under the 2023 regulations, the MARB, with the NMC chairperson's approval, decided to withdraw the LoP with immediate effect and invoke the college's performance bank guarantee.
Student Safety and Political Fallout
To protect the academic future of enrolled students, the MARB ordered that all 50 students admitted for 2025-26 be accommodated as supernumerary seats in other medical institutions in Jammu and Kashmir. This ensures no student loses an MBBS seat due to the withdrawal.
Parallel to the regulatory action, the college became embroiled in controversy. The composition of the first batch—42 Muslim students, 7 Hindu, and 1 Sikh admitted through NEET—sparked protests. The BJP-supported Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti demanded the expulsion of non-Hindu candidates or the college's closure.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah defended the merit-based admissions, stating, "Those children worked hard to get their seats." He suggested closing the college if the political atmosphere made it unsafe for students. Security was heightened around the Civil Secretariat in response to protest calls.
Regulatory Action Stands, Future Uncertain
Despite the political noise, the NMC's decision remains firmly rooted in documented regulatory failures. The episode highlights the convergence of strict regulatory enforcement, institutional unpreparedness, and local identity politics, with students caught in the middle. The future of SMVDIME now hinges on its ability to rectify the massive deficiencies and seek fresh approval from the regulator.
