NMC withdraws Mata Vaishno Devi varsity’s MBBS list with 42 Muslim candidates citing 'non-compliance'; BJP welcomes move

The National Medical Commission (NMC) on Tuesday (January 6, 2026) withdrew the MBBS list of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME), which saw 42 Kashmiri Muslim candidates qualifying out of 50 seats last year, citing the varsity’s “non-compliance of minimum standards”. The move has been welcomed by the BJP.

Officials said the NMC’s Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) withdrew the Letter of Permission (LoP) granted to the varsity in Reasi’s Kakryal for running the MBBS course with 50 seats for the academic year 2025-26.

The NMC said the decision takes immediate effect, as it “follows severe findings about non-compliance with minimum standards during a surprise inspection”.

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“To safeguard the interests of the students already admitted for the academic Year 2025–26, the State/UT authorities have been authorised to accommodate such students in other medical institutions within the Union Territory, as supernumerary seats, in accordance with applicable norms,” officials said.