Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan on Tuesday said that All India Institute of Medical Sciences is no longer merely chasing international benchmarks in healthcare and medical education, but is now establishing them globally.
Addressing the 51st Convocation Ceremony of AIIMS New Delhi at Bharat Mandapam, the Vice President said the institute has emerged as India’s primary engine of medical innovation and healthcare excellence while continuing to offer affordable treatment to common people. He said the “AIIMS brand” has become synonymous with trust and integrity across India and the South-East Asian region, citing its role in pandemic resilience and rural healthcare outreach.
Praising Union Health Minister J.P Nadda, AIIMS Director Prof. Nikhil Tandon and the faculty members, VP Radhakrishnan said the institute has efficiently handled massive patient loads without compromising academic standards. He added that AIIMS alumni continue to occupy leading positions in reputed medical institutions across the world.
Highlighting the institute’s technological advancements, the Vice President referred to AIIMS conducting a remote robotic ultrasound in Antarctica earlier this year, saying the achievement showed geography was no longer a barrier to Indian clinical excellence. He also pointed to the institute’s growing international collaborations, including the Indo-French Centre for AI in Health.
Pointing to the global rankings, VP Radhakrishnan said AIIMS has climbed 40 places in the QS World Rankings over the last two years to secure the 105th position globally. Expressing confidence that the institute would soon enter the top 100, he noted that AIIMS has also retained the top rank in the NIRF medical category from 2018 to 2025.
The VP said the institute’s excellence is reflected in the number of Padma Awards won by its faculty members, including two Padma Vibhushan, 15 Padma Bhushan and 51 Padma Shri awardees. He added that 57 AIIMS faculty members feature among Stanford University’s top 2 per cent scientists globally.
Highlighting the expansion of AIIMS institutions under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said the move has significantly strengthened healthcare delivery in underserved regions. The VP also appreciated the Health Ministry’s efforts to establish more medical and nursing colleges across the country.
Addressing graduating students, the Vice President said they are entering the profession at a defining moment for Indian healthcare, driven by the vision of “One Nation, One Health”. He urged young doctors and healthcare professionals to lead with compassion, innovation and public trust.
Stressing the importance of human values in medicine, VP Radhakrishnan said that while artificial intelligence is transforming healthcare, “no AI can replace a doctor’s presence at a patient’s bedside”. He urged graduates to uphold empathy, integrity and humanity throughout their careers.
