At the recently established Government Medical Colleges (GMC) in Handwara, Kashmir, and Udhampur, Jammu division, a crucial step toward establishing academic activity has been made with the completion of the procedure of allocating seats for students who are planning to pursue MBBS degrees.

The announcement was made by authorities of the Board of Professional Entrance Examinations (BOPEE), who revealed that the first classes of the two newly established medical colleges will each consist of 85 students.

Firdous Giri, Secretary of BOPEE, stated Excelsior that the admissions process was finished and that students were getting ready to start their academic careers at the newly constructed medical colleges.

Dr. Mrityunjay Gupta, the principal of GMC Udhampur, gave Excelsior insight into the allocation procedure and described the development made in this area. "79 students have already secured their admissions so far out of the total seats allotted for GMC Udhampur," he said. Following counseling sessions, it is anticipated that the remaining pupils will be admitted.

Dr. Gupta emphasized that although present activities were being conducted in temporary buildings, tremendous progress had been achieved to guarantee the best possible learning environment. In order to provide students with a better educational experience, he stated, "laboratory facilities have been prepared, and the lecture halls will also be made accessible to them shortly."

The administration of GMC Handwara and GMC Udhampur both stated that they would start lessons on September 1 in accordance with the National Medical Commission's (NMC) directives. Authorities also gave the kids their word that they would continue to have access to all essential preparations, including instructional resources and facilities.

The Director of Coordination for New GMCs, Dr. Yashpal Sharma, mentioned that classes will start on September 1 and that counseling would last until September 30. Over 80 seats have been filled in both institutions after two rounds of counseling, he said. "A total of 100 seats were granted authorization for each GMC," he added.

Further information was provided, including the third round of counseling's scheduled dates of September 7–18 and September 21–25. Officials have stated that any open positions will be addressed during these rounds, bringing the counseling process to a close by the end of September.

He continued by saying that both colleges have faculty in place, and classes will be held in temporary facilities. We have secured a private room in Handwara where courses will be held. Both locations are still under construction, but we hope to have the buildings finished by the time the current batch enters its second year.

It is notable that the Health & Medical Education (H&ME) Department has already sent faculty to both medical colleges in accordance with the selection committee's recommendations in terms of staffing. Additionally, a sizeable allocation of more than Rs 300 crore has been set aside for construction purposes under the centrally funded scheme, adding to the development of the medical colleges.