The National Medical Commission (NMC) has stopped the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence in Jammu and Kashmir from offering its MBBS course. This decision comes after the college failed to meet the essential standards required for medical education. The Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) , a part of the NMC, officially withdrew the permission for the college in the Reasi district .
The MARB announced its decision on Monday . This means the college cannot admit new students for the current academic year, even though some admissions had already begun. The NMC's action shows its commitment to ensuring all medical colleges across India maintain high quality in training future doctors, which is vital for public health.
Reason for Withdrawal: College Did Not Meet Standards
The permission was withdrawn after a detailed, surprise inspection. This inspection was carried out under the rules of the National Medical Commission Act, 2019 . Inspectors found several serious problems at the institute, showing it was not ready to provide proper medical training.
Key issues found during the inspection included:
- Poor Infrastructure: The college lacked required buildings, laboratories, and teaching spaces.
- Lack of Qualified Faculty: There were not enough experienced doctors and professors to teach MBBS students.
- Insufficient Clinical Material: Students did not have enough patients or practical cases to learn from in the hospital, which is crucial for medical training.
- Missing Hospital Facilities: Other important facilities for academic learning and hospital services were absent or below standard.
The board stated that the institute failed to meet minimum standards. These standards ensure students receive good quality medical education and enough practical experience before becoming doctors.
Future of Students: Transfer to Other Colleges
The NMC is working to protect students already admitted to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence . To ensure their studies are not wasted, the MARB has issued clear instructions:
- All enrolled students will be moved to other recognised medical colleges within Jammu and Kashmir .
- These students will get admission as supernumerary seats . This means they will be added to the new colleges as extra students, without affecting existing seat numbers.
The Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory administration will arrange this transfer. Their role is to ensure every affected student is moved smoothly and can continue their MBBS course without any delay or academic loss. This safeguards students' careers despite the college's failure.
Financial Action Against the Institute
Besides withdrawing permission, the MARB will take financial steps. When medical colleges receive initial permission, they usually provide a performance bank guarantee . This is an assurance that the college will meet all conditions.
Since the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence did not maintain required standards, the NMC will now use this bank guarantee. This action warns all medical colleges that they must continuously comply with NMC rules and standards. The institute had received conditional approval, meaning it had to meet certain requirements over time. The recent inspection found these conditions were not met, leading to this severe action.
This decision highlights the importance of maintaining high educational standards in medical institutions to produce competent healthcare professionals for the nation.
