Kakryal, Jammu and Kashmir, September 8, 2025: The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has expressed gratitude to Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Hon’ble Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Shri J.P. Nadda for sanctioning 50 MBBS seats for the newly established Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME) in Kakryal. This milestone, announced following the Shrine Board’s 71st meeting on August 19, 2023, which granted in-principle approval for a 50-seat medical college with plans for future expansion to 100 seats, marks a significant step toward enhancing medical education and healthcare access in Jammu and Kashmir.
Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha, who chairs the Shrine Board, lauded the decision, stating, “This initiative fulfils our commitment to providing world-class medical education in J&K and ensures greater access to specialized care, particularly in underserved areas.” The sanctioning of MBBS seats aligns with the UT administration’s goal to increase opportunities for medical aspirants, fostering a robust healthcare system by producing highly skilled medical professionals.SMVDIME, set to become a premier medical institution, aims to address the shortage of doctors in J&K while offering state-of-the-art facilities for training future healthcare leaders. The institute’s establishment builds on recent efforts to expand MBBS seats across the Union Territory, reflecting significant strides in improving educational and healthcare infrastructure.
“The addition of 50 MBBS seats at SMVDIME will empower local youth and strengthen J&K’s healthcare ecosystem,” said a Shrine Board official. The long-term vision to upgrade to a 100-seat medical college underscores the commitment to sustainable growth in medical education and service delivery.The move has been widely welcomed by students, educators, and community leaders, who see SMVDIME as a transformative step toward addressing healthcare disparities and promoting financial inclusion through accessible education. With this development, J&K is poised to become a hub for medical excellence, supported by the leadership of PM Modi, Minister Nadda, and LG Sinha.
