Meghalaya is set to welcome its newest medical institution, Shillong Medical College (SMC), which will commence its first academic session in the last week of September 2025. The development comes after the National Medical Commission (NMC) granted approval and issued a Letter of Permission (LOP) for the college.

Health Minister Dr. M. Ampareen Lyngdoh described it as a historic moment for the state. 

“This is a joyful day for the health department and the government of Meghalaya. The NMC has granted permission for Shillong Medical College to function from the 2025-26 academic session with an intake capacity of 50 students,” she said.

Dr. Lyngdoh added that admissions will follow the national NEET schedule, with the second round of MBBS counselling starting on September 26. With SMC’s addition, Meghalaya’s total MBBS seats now stand at 144 — 50 at SMC and 94 under the state quota in institutions such as NEIGRIHMS and RIIMS.

Highlighting the college’s significance, Dr. Lyngdoh said it would help address the acute shortage of doctors in government health facilities. Shillong Medical College will operate as a brownfield project, utilizing Shillong Civil Hospital and Ganesh Das Hospital as its teaching hospitals. Plans are also underway to introduce specialization courses in the future, offering career advancement opportunities for doctors in government service.

On faculty recruitment, the minister noted that all 25 assistant professor positions have been filled, though some senior positions remain vacant. “At present, 8 of the required 16 professors, 17 of 20 associate professors, 21 of 23 senior residents, and 12 of 15 tutors are in place. We are working to strengthen the remaining gaps. Competitive salaries and facilities are key to attracting faculty, and we are grateful to the officers and the intervention of the chief minister for ensuring essential teaching staff are available for the first session,” she said.