SRINAGAR: The National Medical Commission (NMC) has withdrawn the Letter of Permission (LoP) granted to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME) in J&K’s Reasi district to start an MBBS course, citing serious lapses, amid a growing controversy over student admissions. The decision comes after the row over the admission of Muslim students escalated, with the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangarsh Samiti (SMVDSS) and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah calling for closure of the medical college. All 50 students will be shifted to other recognised medical colleges in Jammu and Kashmir. Selection for admission to the institute was done through NEET, and out of the 50 students admitted, 42 were Muslims and one was a Sikh. The SMVDSS, BJP and other Hindu groups opposed the admission of Muslims in the medical college, saying the Vaishno medical college is being run on offerings from Hindus and only Hindu students should be admitted to the medical institute.

Source: Indian Express January 07, 2026 11:01 UTC