51st Convocation Ceremony of AIIMS

I touch and salute the holy feet of Bharat Mata- the most powerful and the most merciful. Bharat Mata ki Jai!

On the occasion of the Fifty-first Convocation of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, Dignitaries sharing the dais with me; Hon’ble Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, and Chemicals and Fertilizers, & President, AIIMS, New Delhi, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda Ji; Director, AIIMS, New Delhi, Prof. Nikhil Tandon Ji; Dean of the Institute, Prof. Radhika Tandon Ji; Registrar of the Institute, Prof. Girija Prasad Rath Ji, Honoured guests, faculty members, and my dear Bhaiyon and Behnon.

Sabko Namaskar!

AIIMS New Delhi has been functioning as the nation’s primary engine of medical innovation for the past seventy years, since 1956. It has set the highest standards of patient care, and modern medicine while remaining remarkably affordable. Handling a staggering footfall of nearly 50 lakh out-patients annually, AIIMS has set the standards of patient care with unmatched quality, where even the poor patients receive the best possible medical treatment and care. From the frontlines of pandemic resilience to the quiet victories in rural health outposts, the ‘AIIMS brand’ is known for trust and integrity. By pioneering countless innovations in patient care, its impact resonates in India and also throughout the entire South-East Asian region.

I want to specifically appreciate our Hon’ble Health Minister Shri Nadda ji, the Director and faculty members for managing massive scale of patients without compromising on academic standards. It has, for the past several decades, been cultivating scholars who lead medical, practice with ethics, and heal with empathy. The medical professionals of AIIMS have gone on to achieve top positions in reputed institutions not only within India but across the globe. AIIMS has also played an important role in the training of foreign nationals, expanding our educational footprint globally. By integrating clinical service with a ‘Just Culture’ of safety and a relentless focus on research standards, it has become the architect of excellence. It has set the gold standard for how a modern healthcare academy should be governed.

It is also truly inspiring to witness how AIIMS New Delhi is redefining the frontier of what is possible in modern medicine. I have been informed that AIIMS currently undertakes around 900 projects with funding to the tune of Rs. 300 crores per annum. It is worth appreciating that most of the research done here does not stay confined to the laboratory, but translates directly into policies, programs, and guidelines for the entire country, while also generating numerous patents, copyrights, and trademarks.

I was highly impressed to learn of the accomplishment, the AIIMS team achieved in February this year. By reaching 12,000 kilometres across the globe to perform a remote robotic ultrasound in Antarctica, AIIMS New Delhi effectively declared that geography is no longer a barrier to Indian clinical excellence. This same spirit of borderless innovation is evident in the Institute’s blossoming international partnerships, particularly the Indo-French Centre for AI in Health. AIIMS is no longer just chasing international benchmarks – It is establishing them. The rise of AIIMS in the QS World Rankings—climbing a staggering 40 spots in just two years to reach 105thglobally—confirms that AIIMS is no longer just the pride of India but is an emerging titan of global science.

In the National Institutional Ranking Framework under the medical category, it has also held the top position consecutively for the past eight years, from 2018 to 2025. These accomplishments are a tribute to the dedication and collective efforts of the faculty, students, researchers, healthcare workers, alumni, and staff, whose contributions continue to advance the vision and mission of this Institute. The commitment of the AIIMS faculty is clearly reflected in their having been regularly conferred with the prestigious Padma Awards over the years. This distinguished lineage includes 2 Padma Vibhushan, 15 Padma Bhushan, and 51 Padma Shri awardees. This excellence is equally acknowledged at the global level, with 57 AIIMS faculty members featuring in Stanford University’s top 2% list of scientists.

In the last decade under the dynamic leadership of our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, this symbol of excellence has moved beyond Delhi and closer to under-served regions. This expansion has been a huge step towards providing healthcare delivery across the country. Shri Nadda Ji’s commitment to strengthening medical education, expanding healthcare infrastructure, and promoting research excellence has had a profound impact on premier institutions like All India Institute of Medical Sciences. Under his foresight and vision, AIIMS New Delhi is currently experiencing a period of extraordinary momentum. I also appreciate the efforts of the Ministry of Health to have more Medical colleges and Nursing colleges across the nation, which would go a long way to provide easy availability of medical education throughout India.

To the graduates and postgraduates seated here today, I must say that you all are graduating from an institution that is no longer just keeping pace with the world but is actively setting the tempo for the future of medicine. You all are entering the profession at a defining moment for Indian healthcare, when the vision of “One Nation, One Health” is shaping a more integrated, equitable, and future-ready system. From digital health initiatives to preventive care, the policy reflects India’s commitment to building a more healthier nation. The skills you have mastered here—from AI-driven diagnostics to upholding the highest standards of clinical ethics—are the exact tools needed to transform Indian healthcare. As young doctors, scientists, and healthcare leaders, you all must carry forward this mission by advancing compassion, innovation, and public trust in healthcare for generations to come.

You are all entering a world where AI-driven technology is taking over various sectors including medicine. But no AI can replace the moral weight of your presence at a patient’s bedside. Whether you choose to serve in urban hospitals, rural clinics, research laboratories, or global health organizations, your work will influence people in profound ways. I will urge you all to always remember that the essence of being a doctor should always be to heal, to comfort, and to serve humanity with empathy and integrity.

To the parents and families present here—your sacrifices have made this moment possible. To the faculty and staff of AIIMS, I fully appreciate and praise your dedication that has shaped competent professionals and responsible citizens over the years. And to the graduates – today is not the end of your journey, but the beginning of your true test. The white coat you wear carries expectations far beyond personal success. Go forward with confidence, but also with humility. Serve with excellence, but also with empathy. And wherever you go, let your work reflect your skill as well as your commitment to the larger good. My congratulations and best wishes to each one of you!

• Jai Hind!

• Long Live Mother Bharat!

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