The All India Institute of Medical Sciences held its 51st Annual Convocation at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, where 523 students received degrees across medical, nursing, super-specialty, doctoral, and allied health sciences programmes. The ceremony brought together graduating students, faculty members, and families in a celebration of academic achievement and service to healthcare.

Vice President of India C. P. Radhakrishnan attended the event as the Chief Guest and conferred degrees on the graduating class. Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda was present as the Guest of Honour and President of AIIMS New Delhi.

Addressing the students, the Vice President described AIIMS New Delhi as one of the country’s most respected institutions that has shaped medical innovation and patient care for nearly seven decades. He said the institution is now playing a leading role globally in the future of medicine and urged graduates to carry forward the values of compassion, innovation, and public trust.

Speaking about the growing use of artificial intelligence in healthcare, he said that while technology is transforming medicine, no machine can replace the human connection between a doctor and a patient.

Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda highlighted the rapid expansion of India’s healthcare and medical education system. He said that from having only one AIIMS institution for decades after 1956, the country today has 23 AIIMS campuses, including 16 established in recent years.

He also noted that the number of medical colleges in India has increased from around 390 a decade ago to 825 today. According to him, medical seats across the country have grown to nearly 1.25 lakh, and the government plans to add another 75,000 undergraduate and postgraduate seats in the coming years.

Nadda said AIIMS New Delhi has an important responsibility in mentoring newer institutions and maintaining the standards associated with the AIIMS name across the country.

The convocation ceremony began with the recital of the Charak Oath, reaffirming the commitment of graduating medical professionals to ethical medical practice and selfless service.

Degrees awarded during the convocation included Ph.D., D.M., M.Ch., M.D., M.S., M.D.S., and MBBS qualifications across several disciplines and specialties. Students from nursing and allied health sciences programmes also received degrees in courses including B.Sc. Nursing, Dental Hygiene, Operation Theatre Technology, and Optometry.

The institute also honoured five distinguished former faculty members with Lifetime Achievement Awards for their contributions to medical science, research, education, and patient care. The awardees included T. P. Singh, Shashi Wadhwa, S. C. Tiwari, R. C. Deka, and V. S. Mehta.

AIIMS Director Nikhil Tandon said the institution continues to strengthen its global standing in healthcare, academics, and biomedical research. He noted that AIIMS New Delhi has been ranked among the world’s leading hospitals and continues to hold the top position among medical colleges in India.

He also highlighted AIIMS’ growing role in artificial intelligence-based healthcare solutions, including AI-assisted screening tools for diabetic retinopathy and oral cancer, as well as AI-supported radiology systems.

Dr. Tandon said AIIMS graduates today are serving in every state and Union Territory of India, carrying forward the institution’s values of excellence, integrity, and service to society.