JAMMU, Sept 8: Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME) in Kakryal, Reasi district, has been sanctioned 50 MBBS seats, paving the way for admissions to its first batch in the 2025-26 academic session.
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Owned by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB), the new Medical College started functioning in November last year from the administrative block of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University. With the approval of seats, the Institute is set to formally begin imparting medical education this session.
Announcing the development, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Health Minister J P Nadda for the sanction. “This decision fulfils the resolve of the Shrine Board to provide world-class medical education in Jammu and Kashmir while also meeting the objective of improving healthcare access and producing highly skilled professionals in underserved areas,” he said.
The Shrine Board had, in its 71st meeting on August 19, 2023, approved the establishment of a 50-seat Medical College at Kakryal with a roadmap for upgradation to a 100-seat institution in the future. “Our aim is to create more opportunities for MBBS aspirants within the Union Territory. The consistent increase in MBBS seats in recent years will ensure better access to specialized care and strengthen the healthcare system,” Sinha added.
Executive Director of SMVDIME, Dr Yaspaul Sharma, said counselling for admissions has begun and the academic session is set to start soon.
The SMVDIME Medical College is affiliated with Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University. Its associated teaching hospital will be the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital at Kakryal, where students will undergo practical training in around 26 specialties. Officials said the Medical College will be developed with full infrastructure and facilities in the coming months.
