Jammu: Bringing good news to medical aspirants, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) has launched a new medical college with 50 MBBS seats in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district.

The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence-Medical College recently started operating from the administrative block of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Kakryal, following a traditional ‘hawan’ ceremony, according to a spokesperson of the board. 

With an initial intake of 50 MBBS students per year, expandable to 100 seats, the medical college aims to become a center of excellence in healthcare education and practice.

The institute began its functions on the university campus based on directives from a board meeting chaired by Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha on April 3. "This interim arrangement marks the beginning of SMVDIME-Medical College’s academic journey, establishing a foundation for a fully equipped, modern medical college campus in the future," the spokesperson said.

During this initial phase, the college will implement its academic programs and student services by leveraging the high-quality infrastructure of SMVDU. The administrative block offers ample space for lecture halls, laboratories, and administrative offices, enabling a seamless start to the academic year while the final infrastructure is under development.

Anshul Garg, Chief Executive Officer of SMVDSB, warmly welcomed the newly appointed faculty and provided an inspiring overview of the hospital's journey since its inauguration in 2016 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Garg highlighted the hospital’s significant milestones and emphasized its dedication to delivering high-quality healthcare in the region.

He affirmed the board’s commitment not only to healthcare excellence but also to making world-class medical services accessible to all. Additionally, Garg outlined the board’s core values and encouraged the new faculty to uphold these principles in their daily work.

The medical college will offer its Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) program from SMVDU's administrative block, welcoming its first batch of students in the academic session 2025-26. This strategic decision enables the timely launch of academic activities while the construction of a dedicated campus progresses, reflecting the shrine board’s dedication to expanding healthcare access and medical education in the region.