NMC rejects Vaishno Devi Medical College's request to put 100 percent MBBS seats under AIQ

New Delhi: The National Medical Commission (NMC) has rejected the proposal received from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME), Katra, seeking to place 100 percent of its MBBS seats under the All India Quota (AIQ) to be filled through the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC).

Confirming this, an NMC official said that the reason for the Apex Medical Commission's decision not to approve the request was that it would go against the policy, and such decisions need to be consulted with States and Stakeholders, TOI has reported.

"This is not just about SMVDIME. Any change will have to be worked out with all states and stakeholders on board," added the official.

The institute's request to NMC comes amid the ongoing controversy concerning the MBBS admission process at Katra-based Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Institute of Medical Excellence. Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that in the Jammu region, protests were launched against the revelation that 90% of the students admitted to the medical college are Muslim students belonging to Kashmir.

Also Read: Protests erupt over MBBS admissions at Vaishno Devi Medical College

After the J&K Board of Professional Entrance Examinations (JKBOPEE) released a list of 50 candidates for the Vaishnodevi Institute of Medical Excellence, it came to light that among these 50 candidates, 42 hail from the Kashmir region, while eight students hail from Jammu. Already 36 candidates from Kashmir and three candidates from Jammu have taken admission.

BJP Udhampur MLA has supported the protests, backed by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal. They have reasoned that Vaishno Devi Medical College is an institute set up with the donations offered to the Vaishno Devi shrine, and therefore, 'it should not be dominated by the members of the Muslim community'. They have also demanded reservations of the seats at the medical college for Hindus.

The protestors have been demanding to scrap the admission list for the first batch of students. They have also demanded reservations of the seats at the medical college for Hindus. However, since Vaishnodevi Medical College is not classified as a minority institution, it is not possible to reserve these seats for Hindus under the current rules. Under the existing rules, 85% of MBBS seats are reserved for the State quota and 15% for the All-India Quota.

According to the latest media report by The Times of India, amid all this, the institute had requested that NMC allocate 100% of its seats under the All India Quota, which NMC turned down. While the proposal may be placed before the board for further deliberation if required, it has been declined for now.

"As of now, 100% of candidates are from the state," an official confirmed, while further adding that the college was seeking all-India quota allocation to widen the pool for the intake of students.

Also Read: Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence gets approval for 50 MBBS seats