J&K Resolves Fate of 50 Derecognised MBBS Students with Special Counselling

In a significant relief for 50 MBBS students left in limbo after the National Medical Commission (NMC) derecognised Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME) in Katra, the Jammu and Kashmir Board of Professional Entrance Examinations (JKBOPEE) has announced physical counselling to accommodate them in government medical colleges across the Union Territory. The decision, notified on January 21, 2026, comes after an initial BOPEE communication on the same day stating it was constrained from conducting fresh counselling for the 2025–26 session.

J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah welcomed the development on X, stating the government had resolved the allocation issue and that students could now proceed with their studies. The 50 supernumerary seats will be distributed strictly on NEET-UG merit and candidate preferences among the seven newly established government medical colleges in J&K. Counselling will be held at BOPEE offices in Jammu and Srinagar, with provisions for authorised family members to attend in case of unavoidable absence.

The NMC withdrew the Letter of Permission (LoP) for SMVDIME’s 50-seat MBBS course mid-session due to major deficiencies in infrastructure and compliance. The regulator directed that the affected students be shifted as supernumerary candidates to other government institutions in the UT. The derecognition followed prolonged controversy over the admission of 42 Muslim and one Sikh student in the inaugural batch, sparking protests by Hindu groups who claimed the shrine board-run college—funded by Hindu devotee offerings—should restrict admissions to Hindus.

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The agitation, led by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangarsh Samiti (SMVDSS) comprising around 60 groups, initially demanded cancellation of non-Hindu admissions and later pushed for the college’s closure. After NMC’s action, CM Omar Abdullah assured adjustment of the students in nearby government colleges, a promise now fulfilled through BOPEE’s U-turn.

Peoples Conference leader Sajad Gani Lone criticised the conflicting notifications from the same department on the same day, calling it “two interpretations of law.” With counselling scheduled, the uncertainty that had gripped the 50 students since the mid-session derecognition is expected to end, allowing them to continue their medical education without further delay.

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