CM Omar says SMVD Medical College impasse resolved; 50 students to be put in GMCs

Ziraat Times News Desk

Srinagar: In a major relief to the aspiring doctors of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME), Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced on Thursday that the government has successfully resolved the college allocation crisis. The 50 candidates, whose academic futures were hanging in the balance, will now be accommodated in various Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) across the Union Territory.

The development follows weeks of uncertainty after the National Medical Commission (NMC) withdrew the Letter of Permission (LoP) for the maiden batch of SMVDIME, citing infrastructure and staff deficiencies. Taking to social media platform X, the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) stated:

“The Government has resolved the college allocation issue for selected MBBS candidates of SMVD College. With BOPEE now issuing the counselling schedule, the selected candidates can move ahead with their studies.”

The Chief Minister had earlier reiterated that the government would not allow the education of these merit-based students to suffer due to regulatory or administrative setbacks.

BOPEE announces counselling schedule

Following the government’s intervention, the J&K Board of Professional Entrance Examinations (BOPEE) issued a fresh notification (No. 015-BOPEE of 2026) for the physical round of counselling.

• Date of Counselling: January 24, 2026

• Time: 10:00 AM onwards

• Venues: BOPEE Offices in Jammu and Srinagar

• Method: Allocation based on NEET-UG merit and student preference.

Seat matrix for Supernumerary Seats

The government has created 50 supernumerary seats across seven newly established Government Medical Colleges to ensure the original intake of the UT remains unaffected. The distribution of seats is as follows:

Background of the crisis

The issue began on January 6, 2026, when the NMC scrapped the MBBS seats at the SMVDIME in Kakryal, Katra. The decision sparked widespread concern among the 50 students who had already secured admission based on their NEET scores. While the NMC cited technical non-compliance, the institution had also been at the center of a political row regarding the religious composition of the inaugural batch.

Candidates are advised to report physically with all original documents. Those unable to attend may authorize a blood relative to participate on their behalf as per the prescribed format.