**Executive Summary**
On May 12, 2026, Vice President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan addressed the 51st Convocation of AIIMS New Delhi, celebrating the institution’s rise to global prominence and its role as a primary engine of medical innovation. He highlighted AIIMS' ascent to 105th in the QS World Rankings and its consistent top position in the NIRF medical category from 2018 to 2025. The address emphasized the "One Nation, One Health" vision and called on graduates to prioritize empathy and integrity alongside professional excellence.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Institutional Performance and Rankings**
* AIIMS has climbed 40 places in the QS World Rankings in two years, currently ranking 105th globally.
* The institute has retained the number one position in the NIRF medical category consecutively from 2018 to 2025.
* AIIMS is recognized for combining high-level medical excellence with affordability for the common people.
**Innovation and Global Collaboration**
* The institute successfully conducted a remote robotic ultrasound in Antarctica, demonstrating that geography is no longer a barrier to clinical excellence.
* International collaborations are expanding, notably through the Indo-French Centre for AI in Health.
* AIIMS has transitioned from following international benchmarks to establishing new global standards in healthcare and education.
**Faculty Excellence and Recognition**
* Faculty achievements include 2 Padma Vibhushan, 15 Padma Bhushan, and 51 Padma Shri awards.
* 57 faculty members are listed among Stanford University’s top 2% of scientists globally.
**National Healthcare Strategy**
* The "One Nation, One Health" vision is driving a more integrated and equitable healthcare system.
* There is a significant expansion of AIIMS institutions and medical/nursing colleges across India to reach underserved regions.
**The Role of Technology and Human Touch**
* While AI-driven technologies are acknowledged for transforming medicine, the Vice President asserted that artificial intelligence cannot replace the moral weight of a doctor’s physical presence.
* Graduates are urged to uphold the "humanity" of the profession in an increasingly technological field.
**Impact Analysis**
**AIIMS Graduates and Young Healthcare Professionals**
**Impact**
They are entering the medical field during a defining moment shaped by the "One Nation, One Health" vision, where they are expected to meet high standards of public trust and professional skill.
**Action Required**
Graduates must lead with empathy, integrity, and humility, ensuring their work reflects a commitment to the larger good rather than just personal success.
**AIIMS Faculty and Researchers**
**Impact**
Recognized as global leaders in medical science and education, they are credited with maintaining academic standards despite massive patient scales.
**Action Required**
They must continue to drive innovation and maintain the institute's trajectory toward becoming the world’s number one medical institution.
**Underserved Regions and the General Public**
**Impact**
Increased access to high-quality, affordable healthcare through the national expansion of AIIMS-branded institutions and new medical colleges.
**Action Required**
No direct action specified, but the population is positioned as the primary beneficiary of the Ministry of Health's infrastructure efforts.
**Ministry of Health and Family Welfare**
**Impact**
Commended for the strategic expansion of medical infrastructure and the efficient management of healthcare delivery across the country.
**Action Required**
Continue the efforts toward establishing more medical and nursing colleges to further improve access to medical education and care.
Key Entities Referenced
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi: India's premier medical institution recognized for medical innovation, healthcare excellence, and setting international benchmarks in patient care.
One Nation, One Health: A strategic national vision aimed at creating an integrated, equitable, and future-ready healthcare system in India.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare: The primary government ministry responsible for the expansion of AIIMS institutions and medical colleges to improve healthcare access.
Indo-French Centre for AI in Health: An international collaborative initiative focused on the integration of artificial intelligence within the medical sector.
National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF): The official national ranking system in which AIIMS New Delhi has consistently maintained the top position in the medical category.
Vice President's Secretariat
Vice President addresses 51st Convocation
Ceremony of AIIMS New Delhi
“AIIMS is no longer just chasing international benchmarks; it
is establishing them” - Vice President
“No AI can replace a doctor’s presence at a patient’s
bedside”: Vice President
Vice President praises AIIMS for combining medical
excellence with affordability
Vice President calls upon AIIMS graduates to lead healthcare
with empathy and integrity
Posted On: 12 MAY 2026 6:18PM by PIB Delhi
The Vice President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan today addressed the 51st Convocation Ceremony
of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
Vice President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan graced the 51st Convocation of All India
Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi today.
The Vice President observed that from pandemic resilience to rural healthcare
outreach, the “AIIMS brand” has become… pic.twitter.com/7HKTBXjroR
— Vice-President of India (@VPIndia) May 12, 2026
Highlighting the contribution of AIIMS in healthcare delivery, the Vice President noted that the institute
has emerged as the nation’s primary engine of medical innovation and healthcare excellence, setting the
highest standards of patient care and modern medicine while continuing to remain remarkably affordable
for the common people. He observed that from pandemic resilience to rural healthcare outreach, the
“AIIMS brand” has become synonymous with trust and integrity across India and the South-East Asian
region.
The Vice President appreciated Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare and President of AIIMS,
Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, along with the Director and faculty members of AIIMS for efficiently managing
the massive scale of patients without compromising academic standards. He said AIIMS has, for decades,cultivated scholars who combine medical excellence with ethics and empathy, with its alumni occupying
leading positions in reputed institutions across the world.
Referring to AIIMS’ achievement of conducting a remote robotic ultrasound in Antarctica earlier this year,
the Vice President remarked that the feat demonstrated that geography is no longer a barrier to Indian
clinical excellence. He also highlighted the institute’s expanding international collaborations, including the
Indo-French Centre for AI in Health.
The Vice President stated that AIIMS is now establishing global benchmarks in healthcare and medical
education. Referring to the QS World Rankings, he noted that AIIMS has climbed 40 places in just two
years to reach 105th globally. He expressed confidence that the institute would soon enter the top 100 and
one day emerge as the world’s number one institution. He further noted that AIIMS has retained the top
position in the NIRF medical category consecutively from 2018 to 2025.
Commending the faculty and researchers of the institute, the Vice President said that the excellence of
AIIMS is reflected in the numerous Padma Awards conferred upon its faculty members over the years. He
informed that the distinguished list includes 2 Padma Vibhushan, 15 Padma Bhushan, and 51 Padma Shri
awardees, while 57 faculty members feature among Stanford University’s top 2% scientists globally.
Highlighting the expansion of AIIMS institutions across the country under the leadership of Prime
Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Vice President said that this expansion has significantly strengthened
healthcare delivery in underserved regions. He also appreciated the efforts of the Ministry of Health
towards establishing more medical and nursing colleges across the country to improve access to medical
education.
Addressing the graduating students, the Vice President said that they 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 healthcare system. He urged the young doctors, scientists, and
healthcare professionals to advance compassion, innovation, and public trust in healthcare.
The Vice President observed that while AI-driven technologies are transforming medicine and several
other sectors, no artificial intelligence can replace the moral weight of a doctor’s presence at a patient’s
bedside. He urged the graduates to always uphold empathy, integrity, and humanity in their profession.
Congratulating the graduating students, the Vice President said that the white coat they wear carries
expectations far beyond personal success. He urged them to serve society with humility, excellence, and
empathy, and to ensure that their work reflects both professional skill and commitment to the larger good.
Among those present on the occasion were Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare and President,
AIIMS New Delhi, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda; Director, AIIMS New Delhi, Prof. Nikhil Tandon; Dean of
the Institute, Prof. Radhika Tandon; Registrar of the Institute, Prof. Girija Prasad Rath; faculty members,
healthcare professionals, students, and distinguished guests.
*****
PR/ASM/VMJ
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