In a significant regulatory action, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has revoked the permission granted to a Jammu and Kashmir medical institute to run an MBBS programme. The decision follows a surprise inspection that uncovered serious deficiencies in meeting the mandatory standards required for medical education.
Immediate Cancellation of Permission
The Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) of the NMC issued an order on January 6, which took immediate effect, withdrawing the Letter of Permission (LoP) given to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence. The institute, located in Reasi district, was sanctioned 50 MBBS seats on September 8 last year and had commenced operations in November from the administrative block of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University.
Officials from the commission stated that the institute was found to be non-compliant with several key requirements during the inspection. The major areas of concern included significant shortcomings in infrastructure and faculty strength. This action was prompted by multiple complaints received by the regulatory body, leading to the unannounced assessment.
Students to be Relocated to Other Colleges
To protect the interests of students who were already admitted for the 2025-26 academic year, authorities have been directed to shift them to other recognised medical colleges in Jammu and Kashmir. These students will be accommodated as supernumerary seats, in accordance with established norms, ensuring their medical education is not disrupted.
This move is part of a wider scrutiny facing the institute. Earlier, the NMC had also rejected the college's request to place all its 50 MBBS seats under the All-India Quota for counselling conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC). The commission clarified that the seat-sharing policy cannot be altered for a single institution, indicating prior regulatory concerns.
A Broader Crackdown on Standards
The decisive step by the NMC underscores its intensified focus on enforcing minimum standards in medical education across the country. The withdrawal of permission at this stage, before the academic session begins, highlights a proactive approach to prevent students from enrolling in an institution deemed substandard.
This incident serves as a stern reminder to all medical colleges about the imperative of adhering to the NMC's guidelines on infrastructure, faculty, and other critical resources. The commission's action aims to uphold the quality of medical graduates entering the healthcare system, a priority for the national regulator.
