All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, is a distinguished public medical research university and hospital in India, established by an Act of Parliament in 1956 [1]. As an autonomous institution of national importance, AIIMS New Delhi sets high standards for medical education, research, and patient care.

A core objective of AIIMS New Delhi is to provide advanced postgraduate medical education, fostering an environment of rigorous research and inquiry. The institute is dedicated to training future medical teachers and professionals, exposing them to innovative teaching methodologies, and encouraging active participation in various medical disciplines [1].

AIIMS New Delhi plays a pivotal role in consolidating top-tier health activity training facilities, striving for self-sufficiency in postgraduate medical education. Its educational frameworks and practices are meticulously designed to cater to the evolving healthcare needs of the nation, ensuring a continuous supply of highly skilled medical personnel [1, 3].

The concept of AIIMS originated in 1946 from Dr. Stotrom Das, following a recommendation by the Health Survey of the Government of India. Initially proposed for establishment in Calcutta by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, it was ultimately founded in New Delhi due to the refusal of West Bengal's Chief Minister. The foundation stone of AIIMS Delhi was laid in 1952 [1].

On February 18, 1956, the then Minister of Health, Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, introduced a bill in the Lok Sabha, which became the All India Institute of Medical Sciences Act, 1956. This Act established AIIMS as an autonomous institution of national importance, empowering it to award its own medical degrees and academic distinctions, recognized under the Indian Medical Council Act [1, 3].

In February 2019, the Union Cabinet approved a Master Plan to transform AIIMS New Delhi into a world-class medical university, aiming to significantly expand its capacity by adding around 3,000 beds to its existing 2,478 beds by 2024. This redevelopment plan addresses the increased demand for tertiary care and aims to integrate all investigative, physiotherapeutic, operative, rehabilitative, and vocational needs of patients within a single campus [1].

AIIMS New Delhi offers a comprehensive range of academic programs, beginning with the basic medical course (MBBS) at the bachelor's level. This is followed by master's degree specializations in various fields such as general surgery, general medicine, and pediatrics. The institute is particularly renowned for its superspecialties, requiring advanced certification, including cardiothoracic and vascular surgery, rheumatology, neurology, and pediatric neurology [1].

The institute conducts approximately forty-two specialty postgraduate courses, with admission determined through the highly competitive nationwide INI-CET examination, held biannually. Thousands of medical and dental graduates compete for a limited number of positions, reflecting the selective nature and high academic standards of AIIMS New Delhi's programs. Additionally, AIIMS offers MSc and PhD level research courses [1].

AIIMS New Delhi has achieved significant recognition, being ranked first among medical colleges in India by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) in 2024. It was also ranked first by India Today and Outlook India in the same year. Historically, AIIMS performed India's first successful cardiac transplant in 1994 and established the first public sector in-vitro fertilization facility in February 2008 [1].