'From 500 in 2018 to 1,525 in 2025': MBBS seats witness significant rise in Jammu Kashmir

October 15, 2025 by News Desk

Jammu Kashmir has seen a significant rise in MBBS seats over the past seven years, with the total intake increasing from 500 in 2018 to 1,525 in 2025.

In 2018, most of the 500 seats were limited to the two government medical colleges—SKIMS Medical College Srinagar and ASCOMS Jammu. Since then, several new colleges, including GMC Anantnag and GMC Baramulla, have started admitting students, with the National Medical Commission (NMC) approving 100 seats each at the new colleges in 2019.

The expansion has continued steadily. In the 2024-25 academic year, J&K had approximately 1,185 government MBBS seats, with ASCOMS Jammu adding another 100 seats from the private sector. In September 2025, NMC approved 190 additional seats across five GMCs—GMC Baramulla, Doda, and Kathua received 50 seats each, while GMC Srinagar and Jammu were granted 20 seats each.

The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME) Katra also received approval for 50 new seats. With private institutions now totaling 150 seats, the overall number has reached 1,525 MBBS seats.

Despite this progress, the approvals fell short of what J&K authorities had requested earlier this year.

The Health and Medical Education Department had sought 50 additional seats in each of the nine medical colleges, but only 190 were approved due to ongoing infrastructure and faculty shortages..

Officials, however, note that several medical colleges still face challenges in meeting NMC norms, leaving J&K’s healthcare workforce goals only partially achieved despite the surge in MBBS seats.