Jammu, Oct 15: Jammu and Kashmir’s medical education sector has seen a remarkable increase in MBBS intake, tripling from 500 seats in 2018 to 1,525 in 2025, though infrastructure and faculty shortages continue to limit full expansion.
In 2018, the UT had only two government medical colleges—GMC Jammu and GMC Srinagar—alongside SKIMS Medical College and the private ASCOMS Jammu. The first major boost came in 2019, when the National Medical Commission (NMC) approved 100 seats each for GMC Anantnag and GMC Baramulla.
Over the next few years, additional seats under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) quota and the opening of new government colleges steadily increased intake. By 2024–25, the UT had around 1,185 MBBS seats, including 100 in ASCOMS.
In September 2025, NMC sanctioned another 190 seats across GMC Baramulla, Doda, Kathua, Jammu, and Srinagar, raising the government tally to 1,375 seats. Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME), Katra, received 50 seats, taking the private total to 150.
Officials noted that the approvals were below the 450-seat proposal sought by the Health and Medical Education Department, citing pending infrastructure upgrades and faculty shortages as the main constraints, though they remain hopeful of meeting NMC norms in the coming years.
(Agencies)
