OCT 25: Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Shri J.P. Nadda addressed the 50th Convocation of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, today, celebrating the institution’s decades-long contribution to healthcare, education, and research.
Congratulating the 326 graduates, Shri Nadda commended AIIMS for setting global standards in medical training and patient care. He urged the young doctors to uphold ethical values, compassion, and innovation in their professional journey.
Highlighting India’s remarkable growth in medical infrastructure, the Minister noted that the country’s medical colleges have more than doubled—from 387 in 2014 to 819 in 2025. Undergraduate seats have increased from 51,000 to 1.29 lakh, and postgraduate seats from 31,000 to 78,000. Over the next five years, another 75,000 seats are expected to be added.
Shri Nadda emphasized India’s success in improving health indicators, citing a drop in the Maternal Mortality Ratio from 130 to 88 and the Infant Mortality Rate from 39 to 27. He further highlighted a 17.7% reduction in tuberculosis incidence—over twice the global rate of decline.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to accessible healthcare, he noted that India now has 23 AIIMS institutions, compared to just one two decades ago.
Prof. V.K. Paul, Member, NITI Aayog, also addressed the gathering, urging graduates to contribute to academics and research to build a “Viksit Bharat” rooted in knowledge, compassion, and continuous learning.
Seven distinguished doctors were honoured with Lifetime Achievement Awards for their exemplary service at AIIMS.
