Vaishno Devi medical college scrapped, students dispersed across seven GMCs

The first batch of students admitted to the now-scrapped Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence in Katra has begun classes in seven different Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) across Jammu and Kashmir, bringing an uneasy end to weeks of uncertainty over their academic future.

Of the 50 students originally admitted, 22 have been accommodated in GMCs in Anantnag, Baramulla and Handwara in Kashmir, while the remaining 28 have been placed in GMCs in Udhampur, Kathua, Rajouri and Doda in the Jammu region, following counselling conducted by the J&K Board of Professional Entrance Examination (JKBOPEE).

Except for GMC Anantnag, which has admitted eight students, all other colleges have taken in seven students each. All students from Kashmir have been accommodated either within the Valley or in GMCs located in districts with a significant Muslim population.

The last date for joining the newly allotted colleges was January 29. With winter vacations ending on Friday, students in both Jammu and Kashmir regions have now started attending classes.

Relief after weeks of anxiety

All that remains of what was meant to be the inaugural batch of the Vaishno Devi medical college is a WhatsApp group created during the early days of admission. What began as celebratory messages over securing a medical seat soon gave way to anxiety as protests erupted in Jammu over the composition of the student intake.

Students say recent conversations on the group have largely reflected relief—that the deadlock did not drag on indefinitely and that they have not lost an academic year. At the same time, concerns remain about catching up on coursework after weeks of disruption.

Many students have chosen not to speak publicly, citing apprehension over continued attention following protests that highlighted the fact that a majority of those admitted to the college were non-Hindus.

‘We feared losing the year’

Mutahir Ayoub of Anantnag, now studying at GMC Rajouri, said he returned home from Katra “in utter confusion” after the uncertainty set in. “My family was worried, but we kept faith in the assurances that we would be accommodated within J&K,” he said, referring to statements made by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the National Medical Commission (NMC).

Ayoub said his main concern was falling behind in anatomy. “The faculty here has offered supplementary classes and other students have been supportive. That has helped,” he added.

Mohammad Ilham, who joined GMC Anantnag on January 30, said the past two weeks were tense for his family. “There is relief now that my academic year is intact and that I am closer to home,” he said.

Another student, who did not wish to be identified, said the batch had hoped the protests would not affect their academic session. “We believed any concerns would be addressed later. Now, we are just grateful to be able to continue our studies,” the student said.

How the college lost approval

The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence received approval in September last year and admitted 50 students from Jammu and Kashmir based on NEET scores through JKBOPEE counselling.

Soon after the admission list was made public, protests broke out in Jammu over the fact that 44 of the selected students were non-Hindus. Right-wing Hindu organisations objected, arguing that the institute was funded by donations to the Vaishno Devi shrine.

However, the institute is neither a minority institution nor a Central institute eligible for national quota admissions, leaving no provision for altering the admission list.

Despite the protests, academic activity at the college continued uninterrupted until early this month, when the NMC withdrew its Letter of Permission to run the MBBS course for the 2025–26 academic session, citing serious deficiencies in infrastructure.

Students and faculty have questioned the move, noting that the NMC had granted approval following an inspection only months earlier.

For the students, redistribution across GMCs has ensured academic continuity—but the abrupt closure of their college has left lingering questions, even as classes resume elsewhere.