JAMMU, Jan 22, 2026: In a significant development aimed at safeguarding the academic future of medical students, the Jammu and Kashmir Board of Professional Entrance Examinations (BOPEE) has announced the conduct of a physical round of counselling to accommodate 50 MBBS students of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME), Kakryal, Katra, into various Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
The decision follows a series of communications issued by the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) of the National Medical Commission (NMC) and the Health & Medical Education Department, Civil Secretariat, J&K, highlighting the need for timely academic adjustments in the interest of affected students. Acting on these directions, BOPEE issued Notification No. 015-BOPEE of 2026 dated January 21, 2026, outlining the complete counselling schedule and procedure.
As per the notification, the physical counselling will be conducted on January 24, 2026 (Saturday), starting at 10:00 AM, at the BOPEE offices in Jammu and Srinagar. The counselling is meant exclusively for candidates who were provisionally allotted MBBS seats at SMVDIME Katra during various rounds of counselling held in October, November, and December 2025.
To facilitate this process, the Health & Medical Education Department has created 50 supernumerary MBBS seats across seven newly established Government Medical Colleges in the UT. These include GMC Anantnag (8 seats), Baramulla (7), Doda (7), Handwara (7), Kathua (7), Rajouri (7), and Udhampur (7).
BOPEE has categorically stated that the allocation of these seats will be made strictly on the basis of NEET-UG merit, along with the preferences exercised by candidates during counselling. All candidates are required to appear in person with original documents, including domicile certificates, qualifying examination mark sheets, and proof of fee payment, for verification and scrutiny.
In cases of unavoidable circumstances, candidates may authorize a close blood relative to participate on their behalf, subject to submission of a valid authorization letter and identity documents.
The move is being seen as a crucial step to ensure regulatory compliance, academic continuity, and transparency in the MBBS admission process within Jammu and Kashmir.
