AIIMS Delhi 51st Convocation: 523 degrees awarded, AIIMS count doubles to 23
Synopsis
At AIIMS Delhi's 51st convocation, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda revealed that India's AIIMS count has grown from 7 to 23, over Rs 2,800 crore has been invested in infrastructure, medical colleges have more than doubled from 387 to 825 since 2014, and 10,000 new UG and PG seats are planned between 2025 and 2029 — a sweeping statistical case for a decade of health sector transformation.
Key Takeaways
523 degrees were awarded at the 51st Annual Convocation of AIIMS New Delhi on 12 May 2025 .
The number of AIIMS institutions across India has grown from 7 to 23 over the last decade.
More than ₹2,800 crore has been spent on improving and creating new infrastructure at AIIMS, according to Union Health Minister J.P.
Medical colleges in India have more than doubled, rising from 387 in 2014 to around 825 today .
The Centre plans to create 10,000 new UG and PG seats between 2025 and 2029 .
AIIMS New Delhi is currently running more than 900 extramural research projects with funding of ₹300 crore , alongside over 150 intramural research works .
Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan on Tuesday, 12 May 2025 addressed the 51st Annual Convocation of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, highlighting the sweeping expansion of healthcare infrastructure across India over the last decade. A total of 523 degrees were awarded at the event spanning undergraduate, postgraduate, super-speciality, doctoral, nursing, and allied health sciences programmes.
Vice President's Address
Radhakrishnan called upon graduating students to uphold the prestigious legacy of AIIMS and not merely keep pace with global medicine but actively set the future direction of the field.
Point of View
Medical colleges doubling, and ₹2,800 crore in infrastructure spend. But quantity and quality are different metrics. The critical question is whether newer AIIMS campuses have achieved faculty depth and research output comparable to New Delhi, or whether the brand is being stretched thin. With 10,000 new seats planned by 2029, the risk of credential inflation without corresponding clinical infrastructure is real and deserves scrutiny beyond the convocation podium.
NationPress
3 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many degrees were awarded at the AIIMS Delhi 51st Convocation?
A total of 523 degrees were awarded at the 51st Annual Convocation of AIIMS New Delhi on 12 May 2025, spanning undergraduate, postgraduate, super-speciality, doctoral, nursing, and allied health sciences programmes. The institute also conferred 18 medals, book prizes, and appreciation certificates to meritorious students.
How many AIIMS institutions are there in India now?
There are currently 23 AIIMS institutions across India, up from 7 a decade ago, according to Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda. This expansion is part of the Centre's broader push to improve access to quality tertiary healthcare.
How much has the government spent on AIIMS infrastructure?
According to Health Minister J.P. Nadda, more than ₹2,800 crore has been spent specifically on improving and creating new infrastructure at AIIMS institutions. This figure was cited at the AIIMS New Delhi convocation on 12 May 2025.
How many new medical seats is the government planning to add?
The Union government plans to create 10,000 new undergraduate and postgraduate medical seats between 2025 and 2029. This comes as the number of medical colleges in India has already grown from 387 in 2014 to around 825 today.
What is the research output of AIIMS New Delhi?
AIIMS New Delhi is currently undertaking more than 900 extramural research projects with funding of ₹300 crore, in addition to over 150 intramural research works, according to Health Minister Nadda's address at the convocation.
