MBBS students at the Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence in Katra are facing an abrupt end to their medical education journey, barely three months after classes began. The National Medical Commission (NMC) withdrew the college's Letter of Permission on Tuesday, January 7, 2026, citing deficiencies in infrastructure and facilities, effectively halting the institution's operations. The decision has left around 50 first-year students in distress, as they grapple with uncertainty about their future and the sudden disruption to what they describe as a promising start to their careers.

Students have expressed deep disappointment and heartbreak over the closure, calling the move reckless and poorly timed. Aleena, one of the affected students, questioned how a college with state-of-the-art facilities could be deemed inadequate so quickly. "It's beyond our comprehension. A notice is suddenly issued that your college is closing. The facilities here are above and beyond. How can they say that the college lacks infrastructure?" she said. Many students highlighted the modern infrastructure, dedicated faculty, and the sense of community they had quickly built, making the loss feel deeply personal.

The college, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2016 as a flagship project, received NMC approval to start the MBBS program in September 2025. However, the decision to revoke recognition followed weeks of protests and polarization in Jammu, particularly over the admission of 42 Muslim students under the reservation policy. Right-wing groups and some political leaders celebrated the NMC's action, with senior BJP leader Sunil Sharma describing it as a "historic decision." Celebrations included sweets and music outside the campus, contrasting sharply with the anguish inside.

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Students insist that the college environment was free from religious or regional divides, focused solely on academics and professional growth. Ashiya, a student from Srinagar, emphasized the unique facilities and camaraderie they fear they may never find elsewhere. "Wherever we go, we will not find such teachers or such memories. Our families are worried. We never felt in college what was happening outside," she said. While the government has assured seamless relocation to other medical colleges in the Union Territory or elsewhere, students remain anxious about securing comparable opportunities and completing their disrupted academic year without further delay.

The episode has sparked broader concerns about the intersection of politics, regional tensions, and education in Jammu and Kashmir. For the young aspirants, whose dreams of becoming doctors were tied to this new institution, the closure serves as a painful reminder of how external controversies can abruptly derail personal and professional aspirations. As they prepare to transition to new colleges, the students hope for a smooth process that allows them to continue their studies without losing valuable time.

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