Archive · 31 Jan 2026
Vaishno Devi students start new medical colleges
There was a medical college in Katra, Jammu, called Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence.
It admitted 50 students from J&K based on their NEET scores.
But soon, there were protests because most of the students were not Hindu, and the college is funded by donations to the Vaishno Devi shrine.
The protests continued, and the National Medical Commission (NMC) decided to stop the college from running its MBBS course for the next session.
So, the students were moved to other medical colleges in Jammu and Kashmir.
They are now worried about catching up with their studies but are getting help from teachers and peers.
They are happy that they can still pursue their dream of becoming doctors.
50 students admitted to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence were redistributed to 7 different medical colleges in Jammu and Kashmir.
Protests erupted over the admission of mostly non-Hindu students to the institute funded by Vaishno Devi shrine donations.
The NMC withdrew the institute's permission to run the MBBS course for the 2025-26 session due to infrastructure deficiencies.
Students expressed relief that they could continue their studies without losing an academic year.
Students are concerned about catching up with the course but are receiving support through supplementary classes and peers.
- Who
- 50 students from J&K admitted to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence
- What
- Students redistributed to 7 different medical colleges after the institute's permission was withdrawn
- When
- Admission deadline was Thursday, classes started Friday after winter vacations
- Where
- GMCs in Anantnag, Baramulla, Handwara (Kashmir); Udhampur, Kathua, Rajouri, Doda (Jammu)
- Why
- Protests over mostly non-Hindus admitted, NMC withdrew permission due to infrastructure deficiencies
- Number of Students
- 50
- New Colleges
- 7 (GMCs in Jammu and Kashmir)
- Admission Deadline
- Thursday
- Protest Issue
- Mostly non-Hindus admitted
- NMC Action
- Withdrew permission for 2025-26 session
- Student Concerns
- Catching up on lost time
- Student Support
- Supplementary classes and peer support
- Protest Locations
- Jammu