NMC Denies Vaishno Devi Medical College’s Bid for 100% All-India Quota

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has rejected a proposal from the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME) in Katra to place 100% of its MBBS seats under the All-India Quota (AIQ).

SMVDIME requested that all 50 of its MBBS seats be filled through the AIQ by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), rather than following the standard split.

The NMC stated that approving the request would violate existing policy, which reserves 85% of seats for the state quota and 15% for the AIQ. Officials noted that regulations cannot be amended for a single institution and that any such change would require broad consultations with states and stakeholders.

The proposal was made amid controversy and protests by Hindu organizations (including the VHP and Sanatan Dharam Sabha). They raised concerns that 43 out of the first batch of 50 students belonged to a specific community.

Protesting groups argued that since the institute is funded by devotees of the Vaishno Devi shrine, it should serve students from across India rather than being dominated by candidates from a single region or community. College officials confirmed they sought the AIQ status to “widen the pool” of students, as currently, 100% of the candidates are from the state.