Expedite Inspection of Kashmir Medical College and Hospital for inclusion of 150 MBBS seats for 2026-2027: HC Tells NMC

Srinagar: The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on Tuesday directed the National Medical Commission (NMC) to expedite the process of conducting physical inspection of Kashmir Medical College and Hospital and file a compliance report in this regard by October 21, 2026.

Such a direction was issued by the HC bench comprising Justice Mohd Yousuf Wani amid a dispute regarding the NMC permission to the medical college for MBBS admission in 150 seats for the academic session 2026-2027.

During a previous hearing of the case, the HC bench on 05.10.2026 had directed the Apex Medical Commission and the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) to conduct the physical inspection of the college and its attached hospital during the period of week ending on 10th October, 2026, with the active involvement and in presence of the authorized representative of the college and revisit their earlier decision dated 29.09.2026, on the basis of the said inspection report.

Further, the court had also asked the authorities to reconsider their decision dated September 29 in the light of the inspection report, the order of the Second Appellate Authority dated August 24 and the Court's order dated September 16.

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While hearing the matter on 13.10.2026, the HC bench took note of the submission of the authorities seeking a week's time to file a formal compliance report, stating that steps were underway for implementing the Court's earlier order dated 05.10.2026.

Taking note of this submission, the bench ordered, "Since the learned counsel for the respondents 2 & 3 has made a statement at the Bar that the compliance report shall be filed within a week’s time, as such, the respondents 2 & 3 are directed to make every endeavour on their part to make the physical inspection during the early days of this week and file a compliance report by 21st October, 2026, with an advance copy to other side."

The matter has been listed for further hearing on 21.10.2026.

According to a Rising Kashmir report, it has been claimed by the Kashmir Medical College that repeated administrative delays, despite substantial compliance with statutory requirements, cannot be allowed to deprive the institute of its legitimate opportunity to commence admissions or deny 150 aspiring medical students for an entire academic year.

The dispute in this regard arose after the Medical Assessment and Rating Board on June 9, 2026 rejected the college's application on the grounds that its infrastructure remained under development. Challenging this decision, the institute argued that the concerned decision had been taken without conducting any physical inspection or identification of specific deficiencies that could have been addressed in accordance with the applicable statutory framework.

On August 24, 2026, the Second Appellate Authority under the Union Health Ministry remanded the matter to the NMC for reconsideration, noting that the college had substantially complied with statutory requirements, including infrastructure availability and procurement of necessary certificates.

To view the court order, click on the link below:

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/2026/10/14/jk-hc-kashmir-medical-college-479512.pdf

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