All India level counselling likely, if LoP is granted
Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, Mar 12: The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME) at Kakryal near Katra is learnt to have approached the National Medical Commission (NMC) seeking fresh approval to restart its MBBS programme, notwithstanding the regulator had recently withdrew its permission to run the course amid a controversy over admissions and alleged deficiencies in the institution.
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Official sources told the Excelsior that the institute has online submitted a new application to the NMC requesting a fresh Letter of Permission (LoP) to admit a batch of 50 MBBS students for the 2026-27 academic session.
The college management has also deposited the required inspection and processing fee and almost completed other formalities required for a fresh assessment by the regulator, sources added.
The SMVD Institute of Medical Excellence, established under the aegis of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, had earlier been granted permission by the NMC in September 2025 to start its first MBBS course with 50 seats. However, soon after the beginning of first session, the NMC’s Medical Assessment and Rating Board withdrew the Letter of Permission in January this year, citing serious deficiencies in infrastructure, faculty strength and clinical material during its surprise inspection conducted on January 2, 2026.
The development had come in the backdrop of protests by a number of organisations in Jammu, particularly the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangarsh Samiti, over the composition of the first MBBS batch at the institute. Of the 50 students admitted through the NEET-based counselling process for these payment seats, a majority were non-Hindu students from Kashmir, which triggered protests in Jammu by some groups demanding cancellation of the admission list.
Following the withdrawal of recognition, the admitted students were accommodated in various Government run medical colleges across Jammu and Kashmir through the creation of supernumerary seats so that their studies would not be disrupted.
Sources said that the institute is now preparing for a fresh inspection by the NMC, which is likely to be conducted in the month of June-July and if approval is granted again, the college will be able to restart the MBBS programme and admit a new batch of students from the 2026-27 academic session.
Though not confirmed, sources hint that once the approval is granted again to restart the MBBS programme at SMVDIME, the fresh admissions will be conducted through Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) at the all India level.
Last time, the counselling was conducted by J&K Board of Professional Entrance Examination (JKBOPEE) at the state level.
The move for all India level counselling is being seen as an attempt by the institution to avoid repeat of the controversy that had surrounded the college since its inaugural admission cycle last year.
However, sources ruled out any move for seeking minority status to the institute as the same is not possible since Hindus are not officially recognized as a minority in Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory.
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