First MBBS Batch Left in Limbo
The medical college registered its first batch through the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) counselling process in October–November 2024. Out of the sanctioned 50 MBBS seats, 42 were secured by Muslim students, most of them from Kashmir.
With the MBBS course now suspended, uncertainty looms large over the academic future of these students. Many have begun migrating from the campus, unsure whether they will be relocated to other colleges or forced to repeat an academic year.
Students Express Shock and Disbelief
Students described the closure as abrupt and difficult to comprehend, especially given the scale of infrastructure available on campus. “We are unable to believe that a college with such facilities has been shut down. It had up-to-the-mark infrastructure in every aspect,” said Aleena, one of the students leaving the campus.
Another student termed the decision “reckless,” arguing that any shortcomings could have been addressed without jeopardising the careers of enrolled students.
Political and Communal Undercurrents
The admission of a large number of Muslim students had earlier triggered protests by some Hindu groups, which formed a Sangharsh Samiti and raised objections over the composition of the student intake. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also took up the issue with Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
Following the suspension of the MBBS course, some protestors publicly welcomed the decision, a move that drew sharp criticism from opposition parties and student organisations.
NMC Cites Infrastructure Gaps
In a surprise inspection conducted in January 2026, the NMC withdrew the approval it had granted just four months earlier. The commission cited inadequacies in faculty strength, availability of clinical material, and certain infrastructure parameters required under its norms.
The withdrawal came despite earlier in-principle approvals and assurances provided by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.
Hospital Infrastructure Under Spotlight
The Shrine Board had earlier informed the NMC that it owned and operated the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April 2016. The hospital has been operational since then and has 417 beds catering to specialty and super-specialty departments.
According to official communication, the hospital houses medical, surgical, and allied specialties along with more than ten super-specialties, staffed by reputed doctors. At present, the institution has around 121 doctors on its rolls.
Expansion Plans Now Uncertain
The Shrine Board had proposed an ambitious expansion plan, including increasing MBBS seats to 100, establishing a nursing college with 60 seats, and constructing hostels to accommodate 500 students and doctors. The medical college campus spans nearly 34 acres.
With the NMC’s withdrawal of approval, the future of these plans remains uncertain.
Political Reactions and Protests
Student wings of the ruling National Conference (NC) staged street protests in Jammu, demanding immediate restoration of the MBBS course. Carrying placards reading “Justice for Jammu & Kashmir” and “Education over politics,” protestors accused certain groups of politicising education.
Former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti described the cancellation as a “dangerous precedent,” warning that it could undermine confidence in educational institutions across the Union Territory.
Impact on Healthcare and Education
Healthcare professionals associated with the hospital noted that its doctors have been guiding and mentoring other medical colleges in the Jammu division, including the Government Medical College in Doda.
Experts warn that shutting down a functional medical college could adversely affect both medical education and healthcare delivery in the region.
