Srinagar, Apr 15: Even as MBBS seat capacity in Jammu & Kashmir’s Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) has expanded significantly over the past four years, the absence of a matching increase in faculty and infrastructure has raised serious concerns over the quality of medical education and compliance with National Medical Commission (NMC) norms.
The number of MBBS seats in the Union Territory has increased by 1,676—from 1,085 seats in government medical colleges—yet faculty strength and facilities have not kept pace with this expansion.
GMCs across J&K are grappling with substantial shortages in teaching and support staff. With the NMC tightening regulatory standards, these gaps could have serious implications, including risks to accreditation and future seat approvals. The extent of these shortages was recently highlighted in the J&K Assembly.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee, in its 172nd report, has lauded the overall increase in MBBS and MD seats across the country. However, it has emphasised the need for uniformity in faculty–student and patient–student ratios across medical institutions to ensure quality and consistency in medical education.
“This will further strengthen the quality and consistency of medical education in the country,” the Committee noted, adding that such uniformity would promote equitable clinical exposure, adequate academic mentorship, and consistent training opportunities.
As per NMC norms, faculty strength must correspond to student intake. For instance, a 150-seat medical college requires over 200 teaching faculty members and residents combined, along with department-wise staffing benchmarks.
However, an analysis of official data reveals wide gaps between sanctioned and actual staff strength across GMCs in J&K.
At GMC Srinagar, nearly 1,300 posts remain vacant, including 193 Assistant Professors. Despite an increase in MBBS and MD seats, the large number of unfilled teaching positions raises concerns about the quality of medical training.
GMC Jammu faces 366 vacancies among doctors, including 84 Assistant Professors.
At GMC Anantnag, 222 posts are vacant, including 63 Assistant Professors, while GMC Baramulla has 258 vacancies out of 482 sanctioned posts, including 65 faculty positions.
At SKIMS Soura, 250 faculty positions are vacant, and SKIMS Bemina has 132 vacancies.
GMC Rajouri is also facing a significant staff crunch, with 309 vacancies out of 804 sanctioned posts. This includes 62 faculty posts and 36 registrar/tutor positions.
The situation at GMC Udhampur is equally concerning, with 183 out of 242 posts lying vacant, including 39 Assistant Professors.
At GMC Handwara, around 600 posts are vacant, including 83 Assistant Professors.
With the Parliamentary panel pushing for uniform standards and the NMC intensifying inspections, the medical education system in J&K is under increasing pressure. Experts believe that expedited recruitment of faculty and strengthening of infrastructure are essential to ensure quality medical education and sustain the recent expansion in seat capacity.
