SMIMS has 50 medical seats dedicated for Sikkimese students.

An official at the Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences (SMIMS) announced on Saturday that the National Medical Commission (NMC) has granted 50 new medical seats for Sikkimese students.

Students from Sikkim who score the highest on the National Eligibility Cumulation Entrance Test (NEET) would be given free seats, and the state government will cover all course costs, he added.

The number of reserved seats under the state quota now stands at 80. Previously, 30 spots were allocated for local students, but they had to pay for the five-year programme.

Welcoming the decision, Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang called it a “big achievement” and said that the approval letter has been received and an MoU signed between the Sikkim government and SMIMS in this regard.

He said that the state government was trying for this allotment for some years now and the new development will benefit students from financially weaker background.

“Earlier, parents and guardians had to pay around ₹16-17 lakh annually, which amounted to around ₹1 crore by the time their wards completed the MBBS course. Many of the deserving candidates had to drop out due to the high fees. But now, the state government will sponsor the education of the 50 selected students,” he said.

Admission to the 50 seats will begin from this semester.