**Executive Summary**
The document reports on the 6th Convocation Ceremony of AIIMS Rishikesh held on April 23, 2026, where the Vice-President of India addressed graduating medical professionals. It highlights the institute's academic excellence, India’s resilient COVID-19 response, and the expansion of national healthcare infrastructure. Key outcomes included the conferral of degrees and gold medals, as well as the release of the annual chronicle, ‘RUDRAKSHA’.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Institutional Achievements and Innovation**
* AIIMS Rishikesh released ‘RUDRAKSHA’, an annual chronicle documenting achievements in medical education, research, and patient care.
* The institute has successfully utilized telemedicine and emergency helicopter services to serve remote and hilly terrains in Uttarakhand.
* Innovation in public health was showcased through the use of drones for medicine delivery during the Char Dham Yatra.
* The institute has consistently secured a position among the top medical institutions in the NIRF rankings.
* **National Healthcare Progress and Strategy**
* India has expanded AIIMS institutions nationwide to enhance access to quality tertiary care.
* Public health expenditure now exceeds ₹1.06 lakh crore, resulting in a reduction of out-of-pocket expenditure from 62.5% to 39.4%.
* The "One Health" approach is being emphasized to integrate human, animal, and environmental health through inter-sectoral action.
* The government is focusing on an integrative medicine model that combines traditional and modern systems.
* **Global Leadership and Public Health**
* India successfully administered over 220 crore doses of indigenous COVID-19 vaccines, including booster doses.
* Through the ‘Vaccine Maitri’ initiative, India supplied vaccines to more than 100 countries.
* Significant progress has been noted in tackling major health challenges, including tuberculosis, malaria, and HIV/AIDS.
* **Professional Standards for Graduates**
* Graduates are urged to uphold four key principles: unwavering dedication/ethics, lifelong learning, effective communication, and social responsibility.
* The medical profession is defined as a "public trust" essential for achieving the vision of *Viksit Bharat* by 2047.
**Impact Analysis**
**Graduating Students**
**Impact**
Graduates transition from academic study to professional responsibility, marked by the conferral of degrees and 11 awards for meritorious performance. They are identified as key players in achieving national health goals.
**Action Required**
They must uphold high ethical standards, commit to continuous upskilling, and dedicate themselves to serving in remote and difficult terrains.
**AIIMS Rishikesh**
**Impact**
The institute is recognized as a cornerstone of advanced medical care and a regional healthcare hub that effectively integrates research, innovation, and social responsibility.
**Action Required**
The institute must continue its pioneering role in strengthening healthcare services and maintain its commitment to academic and clinical excellence.
**The General Public**
**Impact**
Citizens benefit from improved accessibility to affordable, reliable healthcare and a significant reduction in personal medical expenses due to increased government spending.
**Action Required**
Residents in remote areas are encouraged to utilize innovative services such as telemedicine, satellite centers, and drone-based delivery for essential medicines.
Key Entities Referenced
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Rishikesh: A premier medical institution in Uttarakhand recognized as a critical healthcare hub for its innovations in telemedicine and emergency drone delivery in difficult terrains.
Vaccine Maitri: India's global vaccine outreach initiative mentioned as a key example of the country's leadership in providing healthcare support to over 100 countries.
Viksit Bharat by 2047: The national vision for a developed India, cited as the strategic framework for the future contributions of graduating medical professionals.
One Health Approach: An integrated strategy highlighted for holistic healthcare that coordinates human, animal, and environmental health sectors.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare: The primary central ministry responsible for the expansion of AIIMS institutions and the management of India's public health infrastructure and expenditure.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Vice-President Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan
Addresses 6th Convocation of AIIMS Rishikesh;
Calls for Ethical, Compassionate and Future-
Ready Healthcare Workforce
Vice-President Highlights India’s Resilient COVID-19
Response, World’s Largest Free Vaccination Drive and Global
Leadership through Vaccine Maitri during 6th Convocation
ceremony of AIIMS Rishikesh
Healthcare is a Public Trust; Serve with Empathy, Integrity
and Commitment to a Healthier India: C.P. Radhakrishnan,
Vice President, Government of India
Integrative Medicine and One Health Approach Drive Holistic
Healthcare; AIIMS Rishikesh Commended for Innovations in
Difficult Terrains: Union Minister of State
Medical Profession is the Highest Form of Service; Uphold
Ethics, Lifelong Learning and Communication for Better
Patient Care: Smt. Anupriya Patel
Vice-President Releases AIIMS Rishikesh Annual Chronicle
‘RUDRAKSHA’, Showcasing Institutional Achievements and
Academic Excellence
Posted On: 23 APR 2026 5:46PM by PIB Delhi
The 6th Convocation Ceremony of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Rishikesh was
held today in the august presence of the Hon’ble Vice-President of India, Shri C. P.
Radhakrishnan, marking a significant milestone in the Institute’s journey of academic excellence
and nation-building in the field of healthcare. The ceremony also witnessed the presence of the
Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Smt. Anupriya Patel, the Hon’ble Chief
Minister of Uttarakhand, Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami, and the Hon’ble Governor of Uttarakhand,
Lt. Gen. Gurmit Singh (Retd.).On this occasion, the Hon’ble Vice-President released the Institute’s annual chronicle,
“RUDRAKSHA”, which encapsulates the key achievements, innovations, and academic
advancements of AIIMS Rishikesh over the past year. The publication reflects the Institute’s
commitment to excellence in medical education, research, and patient care.
Addressing the gathering at the 6th Convocation Ceremony of All India Institute of Medical
Sciences Rishikesh today, Hon’ble Vice-President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan highlighted
the significance of the occasion as a moment of transition, reflection, and responsibility for
graduating medical professionals.
Congratulating the graduating students, the Vice-President noted that the convocation marks
the culmination of years of discipline, perseverance, and sacrifice, while also signifying the
beginning of a deeper professional commitment to society and the nation. He urged the
graduates to uphold the highest standards of ethics, compassion, and service in their medical
careers.
Reflecting on India’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Vice-President underscored the
country’s resilience and decisive leadership under the guidance of Hon’ble Prime Minister
Narendra Modi. He highlighted India’s successful implementation of one of the world’s largest
vaccination drives, ensuring free vaccination for over 140 crore citizens, thereby reinforcing the
Government’s commitment to equity and inclusion in healthcare.
The Vice-President also emphasised India’s global role during the pandemic through its vaccine
outreach initiative, Vaccine Maitri, under which vaccines were supplied to more than 100
countries. He noted that India’s efforts reflected the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and
demonstrated leadership rooted in compassion, solidarity, and shared global progress.Highlighting the Government’s focus on strengthening healthcare infrastructure, the Vice-
President stated that the expansion of AIIMS institutions across the country has significantly
enhanced access to quality tertiary care. He remarked that these institutions represent a model
of excellence, integrating clinical care, academic rigor, research, innovation, and social
responsibility.
Referring to the unique geographical challenges of Uttarakhand, the Vice-President
commended AIIMS Rishikesh for emerging as a critical healthcare hub for the region. He noted
that the Institute has gone beyond conventional healthcare delivery by adopting innovative
approaches such as telemedicine services, which have improved accessibility in remote and
hilly areas.
He further appreciated the Institute’s emergency helicopter services, which have significantly
strengthened emergency response capabilities in difficult terrains. The use of drones for
delivery of essential medicines during the Char Dham Yatra was also highlighted as a
noteworthy example of public health innovation, ensuring timely delivery of healthcare services.
The Vice-President also expressed satisfaction over AIIMS Rishikesh consistently securing a
position among the top medical institutions in the country in the NIRF rankings.
Addressing the graduates, he emphasised that healthcare is a public trust and that medical
professionals play a critical role not only in clinical care but also in advancing the broader
national vision of a healthier and more resilient India. He urged them to remain guided by
empathy, integrity, and a spirit of service in their professional journey.
Speaking at the Occasion, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Smt. Anupriya
Patel, congratulated the graduating students for their dedication and commitment to the
medical profession.She emphasised four key principles for young doctors to uphold. First, she stated that the
medical profession is one of the highest forms of service to humanity and requires unwavering
dedication, ethical conduct, and integrity to preserve the trust patients place in doctors.
Second, she highlighted the importance of lifelong learning, noting that with the rapid evolution
of medical science, continuous upskilling is essential for achieving the best patient outcomes.
Third, she stressed that effective communication is central to quality healthcare and plays a
vital role in improving patient outcomes. Fourth, she reminded graduates of their responsibility
towards society, acknowledging the role of parents, teachers, and the nation in shaping their
journey, and emphasising the need to give back through committed service.
Expressing confidence in the graduates, she stated that they would play a key role in advancing
the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047, as envisioned by the Hon’ble Prime Minister.
Highlighting recent progress in the health sector, the Minister noted that India has witnessed
significant advancements in healthcare infrastructure as well as a record expansion in medical
education, aimed at serving over 140 crore citizens with affordable and reliable healthcare
services. She stated that increased public health expenditure—now exceeding ₹1.06 lakh crore
—has contributed to a notable reduction in out-of-pocket expenditure from 62.5% to 39.4%.
She further highlighted the Government’s focus on holistic and integrative healthcare.
Appreciating the efforts of AIIMS Rishikesh, she noted that the Institute has established an
integrative medicine model that combines traditional and modern systems of medicine for
comprehensive patient care. She also emphasised the ‘One Health’ approach, which integrates
human, animal, and environmental health through coordinated inter-sectoral action.Referring to India’s contributions on the global stage, she noted the country’s progress in
tackling major public health challenges such as tuberculosis, malaria, and HIV/AIDS. She also
highlighted India’s successful COVID-19 vaccination drive, during which over 220 crore doses
of indigenously developed vaccines, including booster doses, were administered.
Smt. Anupriya Patel commended AIIMS Rishikesh for its impactful initiatives in a geographically
challenging state like Uttarakhand. She highlighted key services such as telemedicine,
helicopter ambulance services, medical drone deliveries, and the development of a satellite
centre at Udham Singh Nagar, noting that these efforts have significantly enhanced healthcare
access in remote and difficult terrains.
The Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Pushkar Singh Dhami, in his address, described the
occasion as a significant milestone in the lives of the graduating students. He stated that the
day marks the beginning of a new phase, where they step forward to serve humanity through
the medical profession they have chosen.
He urged the young doctors to dedicate themselves to serving people living in remote and
difficult terrains, particularly in a geographically challenging state like Uttarakhand, where
access to healthcare remains a critical concern.
The Chief Minister also expressed his gratitude to All India Institute of Medical Sciences
Rishikesh for its pioneering role in strengthening healthcare services in the state. He noted that
the Institute has emerged as a cornerstone of advanced medical care and continues to play a
transformative role in improving health outcomes across the region.
During the ceremony, degrees were conferred upon graduating students across various
disciplines, recognising their academic accomplishments and dedication. The Hon’ble Vice-
President of India also presented 11 awards and gold medals to meritorious students in
recognition of their outstanding performance.
*****
SR(Release ID: 2254929) Visitor Counter : 174
Read this release in: Urdu , ही