Archive · 22 Jan 2026
J&K Medical College Permission Withdrawn, Student Admissions in Limbo
A medical college in Jammu and Kashmir, called SMVDIME, had its permission to operate taken away because it didn't meet the required standards.
This affects 50 students who were admitted there.
The organization that conducts exams for medical admissions, BOPEE, said it can't do a new round of admissions for these students.
The government will now have to find a way to place these students in other colleges.
Some people are protesting because most of the students are Muslim, and they want the seats to be reserved for Hindu students.
The government has said it will make sure the students' education is not affected.
National Medical Commission withdrew permission for SMVDIME due to infrastructural deficiencies and faculty shortages.
BOPEE cannot conduct fresh counselling for 2025-26 admissions as it does not have the mandate to go beyond the schedule issued by the Medical Counselling Committee.
Government to allocate supernumerary seats for 50 affected students in other institutions.
Protests demand reservation of seats for Hindu students at SMVDIME, citing the institute's establishment through donations to the Vaishno Devi shrine.
Government assures accommodation of students in other institutions to ensure their education is not affected.
- Who
- 50 MBBS students of SMVDIME, Jammu and Kashmir Board of Professional Entrance Examinations (BOPEE), National Medical Commission, Jammu and Kashmir Government, Hindutva groups
- What
- Withdrawal of permission for SMVDIME and uncertainty over student admissions
- When
- Permission withdrawn on January 6, BOPEE's clarification on January 21
- Where
- Jammu and Kashmir, India
- Why
- Non-compliance with minimum standards by SMVDIME, and demands for reservation of seats for Hindu students
Protesters
Government and NMC
Religious Composition of Students
Protesters
Demand preference for Hindu students as the institute was set up through donations to the Vaishno Devi shrine.
Government and NMC
College is not classified as a minority institution, so religion cannot be considered for admissions.
- Institution
- Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME)
- Students Affected
- 50 MBBS students
- Withdrawn Permission
- National Medical Commission's Medical Assessment and Rating Board
- Reason for Withdrawal
- Infrastructural deficiencies and faculty shortages
- BOPEE's Stance
- Cannot conduct fresh counselling for 2025-26
- Government's Role
- Allocation of supernumerary seats to be made at government level
- Student Composition
- 42 Muslims, 7 Hindus, 1 Sikh
Sources
Fate of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Medical College students in limbo as fresh counselling ruled out
Twist in Vaishno Devi medical college case, state board tells govt: Adjusting students not our mandate, do it yourself
J&K: Can’t hold fresh counselling for Vaishno Devi College MBBS students, says entrance exam board
After twist, the U-turn: Vaishno Devi MBBS students will be admitted to 7 medical colleges in Jammu, Kashmir
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence Students in Limbo as Fresh MBBS Counselling Ruled Out
