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NMC Withdraws Recognition Of Vaishno Devi Medical College Amid Admission Controversy
NMC Withdraws Recognition Of Vaishno Devi Medical College Amid Admission Controversy
Amid growing controversy over its first round of admissions, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has withdrawn recognition granted to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence in Jammu and Kashmir, citing serious deficiencies in infrastructure and faculty.
The NMC has revoked the Letter of Permission (LoP) given to the medical college at Reasi to run an MBBS programme with 50 seats for the academic year 2025–26.
All students currently enrolled in the MBBS course will be transferred to other recognised medical colleges in the Union Territory and accommodated against supernumerary seats, as per existing norms.
Admission Data Triggers Political Row
The college came under intense political scrutiny after admission data showed that 42 of the 50 students in its inaugural MBBS batch were Muslims, while one student was a Sikh. Only eight Hindu students from Jammu secured admission.
The admissions led to protests by several groups in Jammu, despite the process being carried out through the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) merit list.
In a letter explaining the decision, the NMC said the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) had invited applications for setting up new medical colleges for the 2025–26 academic year through public notices dated December 5 and December 19, 2024.
“Pursuant to the said notices, the NMC received an application for the establishment of a new medical college, namely Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence, along with several other applications. After following the due process, including scrutiny of documents and physical inspection by expert assessors, the MARB granted a LoP to the said college. Accordingly, admissions were made by the institution," the letter stated.
Complaints Lead To Surprise Inspection
According to the commission, several complaints were received soon after admissions were completed.
“However, over the past two weeks, the NMC has received multiple complaints containing serious allegations against the institution, inter alia, regarding inadequate infrastructure, insufficient clinical material, shortage of qualified full-time teaching faculty and inadequate number of resident doctors," it noted.
The MARB then conducted a surprise physical inspection of the campus.
“The MARB decided to conduct a surprise physical inspection to verify the veracity of the complaints. The assessment report submitted by the team established that the complaints were true and substantiated. The deficiencies observed were gross and substantial in nature," the NMC said.
Students To Be Shifted To Other Colleges
The medical regulator said steps would be taken to ensure students are not adversely affected.
“To safeguard the interests of the students already admitted for the academic year 2025–26, the state/UT authorities have been authorised to accommodate such students in other medical institutions within the union territory, as supernumerary seats, in accordance with applicable norms," the commission added.
BJP Welcomes Decision
The BJP welcomed the move, describing it as a step to uphold standards in medical education.
“Quality Over Quantity: NMC has revoked permission for 50 MBBS seats at SMVDIME due to a failure to meet essential standards. It reaffirms commitment to quality. Every affected student will be seamlessly transferred to a Supernumerary Seat in other UT Colleges," BJP MLA RS Pathania said.
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Earlier, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had expressed concern over the safety of students amid the politicisation of the issue and had urged the Centre to shut the college.
“We don't need this college; it's not worth being a medical college. Shut down this institution, and we will arrange education for these students in other colleges," Abdullah said.
Over the last two months, BJP leaders, right-wing organisations and local trade bodies in Jammu had opposed the admission list and demanded an immediate rollback.
The groups argued that since the institution is run by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, it should primarily cater to Hindu students.
The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangarsh Samiti, an umbrella body of around 60 organisations, initially sought to scrap the merit list. When that was found to be legally untenable, the focus shifted to demanding closure of the college.
The BJP also submitted a memorandum to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who is the chairman of the Shrine Board, urging him to cancel the admissions.
Admission Process Followed NEET Norms
Official sources said the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence is not a minority institution and that admissions were conducted strictly in line with National Medical Commission guidelines.
The selection was based on the NEET merit list, with 85 percent of the seats reserved for domicile candidates.
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Jammu and Kashmir currently has 13 medical colleges. The Vaishno Devi Medical College admitted its first MBBS batch this year.
Source: News18
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