Nagaland Institute of Medical Sciences & Research (NIMSR), popularly known as Kohima Medical College, stands as a historic milestone in the story of Nagaland — the first medical college ever established in a state that had waited over 60 years since achieving statehood in 1963 to have its own NMC-recognized institution for medical education. The journey to NIMSR was long and marked by persistent advocacy, administrative delays, and eventual triumph: the Central government gave its nod in February 2014, sanctioned ₹189 crore for construction, and the foundation stone was laid by then Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio in 2014. Construction was delayed due to land issues and other challenges, but on 25 April 2023, the National Medical Commission (NMC) formally issued the Letter of Permission for 100 MBBS seats — and on 1 September 2023, NIMSR welcomed its inaugural batch of MBBS students with an induction ceremony, marking the dawn of a new era in Nagaland's healthcare and education landscape. NIMSR is located at Phriebagei (Phriebagie), Kohima, Nagaland — 797001. The institute operates from two strategically linked campuses: the administrative, academic buildings, hostels, and staff quarters are at Phriebagei, offering a serene, green, hill-station environment ideal for focused learning; while the Naga Hospital Authority of Nagaland (NHAN) — the affiliated teaching hospital — is situated in the heart of Kohima, providing students with real-world clinical exposure in a government hospital setting. The Naga Hospital is a multi-specialty government referral hospital and serves as the primary clinical training ground for MBBS students. Kohima itself — the capital of Nagaland, perched at an altitude of approximately 1,500 metres in the Eastern Himalayas foothills — offers a uniquely beautiful and culturally rich environment for medical education, known for its cool climate, scenic landscapes, and the historical significance of the Battle of Kohima (1944), which turned the tide of World War II in Southeast Asia. NIMSR is affiliated to Nagaland University, Kohima, and funded under a 90% Central Government — 10% Nagaland State Government arrangement, reflecting the national priority given to NE India's healthcare education infrastructure. The institution follows the NMC Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) framework. The inaugural batch (AY 2023-24) comprised 85 state quota students from Nagaland and 6 All India Quota seat holders — a total of 91 students in the first year (against the 100 sanctioned seats, the shortfall reflecting the initial state quota seat-filling challenges). The total MBBS fee for the entire 5.5-year course is approximately ₹7,62,750 (total cumulative; annual approximately ₹1,38,682). This is a government nominal fee, making NIMSR among the most affordable medical colleges in the Northeast. NIMSR's establishment addresses a profound healthcare crisis in Nagaland: the state has historically had one of India's lowest doctor-to-population ratios, with most Nagaland residents seeking specialized healthcare in Dimapur, Guwahati, or even Kolkata and beyond. By training doctors who are connected to Nagaland's tribal communities, local languages, cultural health practices, and disease burden — including endemic infections, malnutrition, non-communicable disease burden in tribal populations, and mental health needs — NIMSR represents not just a medical college but a public health intervention of lasting significance for the state. The NIMSR motto, 'Knowledge, Wisdom, Humanity,' reflects the institution's vision to produce not only clinically competent but ethically grounded and community-focused physicians.