50 years of healing: AIIMS graduates step into a healthier India

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, celebrated its 50th Annual Convocation today, awarding degrees to 326 graduates, including 50 Ph.D. scholars, 95 DM/MCh specialists, 69 MDs, 15 MSs, 4 MDSs, 45 MSc, 30 MSc (Nursing), and 18 M.Biotech students. Seven doctors were honoured with Lifetime Achievement Awards for their exceptional contributions to AIIMS.

Union Health Minister Shri J.P. Nadda highlighted a decade of remarkable growth in India’s medical education and healthcare infrastructure. He said that while there was only one AIIMS at the end of the last century, there are now 23 AIIMS institutions across India, reflecting the government’s strong commitment to expanding quality healthcare nationwide.

Shri Nadda also shared that India now has 819 medical colleges, with undergraduate (UG) seats rising from 51,000 to 1.29 lakh, and postgraduate (PG) seats from 31,000 to 78,000. An additional 75,000 medical seats are expected to be added in the next five years. “From one to twenty-three: AIIMS expansion truly reflects India’s healthcare commitment,” he said.

The Health Minister highlighted India’s health achievements: the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) has declined from 130 to 88, the infant mortality rate (IMR) from 39 to 27, while the under-five mortality rate (U5MR) and neonatal mortality rate (NMR) have fallen by 42% and 39%, surpassing global averages. Tuberculosis (TB) incidence in India has dropped by 17.7%, more than twice the global rate.

Shri Nadda urged the graduates to uphold the prestigious legacy of AIIMS and actively contribute to medical education, research, and patient care. “Serve with empathy, maintain the highest ethical standards, and embrace innovation to meet the evolving healthcare needs of our nation,” he said.

Prof. V.K. Paul, Member, NITI Aayog, emphasized the societal responsibility of medical graduates to give back to their communities. He encouraged them to consider careers in academics to guide and inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals, stating that knowledge, compassion, and lifelong learning are essential for building a ‘Viksit Bharat’.

The convocation celebrated both achievement and aspiration, reinforcing AIIMS’ role as a global leader in medical education, research, and healthcare delivery.