All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Kalyani

Proposal: 1957–2014

In 1957, Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru had offered to turn SSKM Hospital into an "AIIMS-type" institute. But the then chief minister, Bidhan Chandra Roy, had turned down the offer.^[8]

The historical discourse surrounding the establishment of an AIIMS-caliber institution in West Bengal dates back to 1994. Following extensive deliberations with the Central Government, the then Health Minister of the Left Front administration, Prasanta Sur, announced the preliminary decision to establish an AIIMS-equivalent hospital in Kalyani. To catalyze this initiative, Pranab Mukherjee, who served as the Chairman of the Planning Commission at the time, authorized an initial allocation of ₹10 crore. On September 26, 1994, the project reached a significant milestone when President Shankar Dayal Sharma presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for the Nurul Hasan Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Science and Research at the designated site. During the proceedings, it was formally underscored that the facility was envisioned to function as a premier medical center modeled strictly after the All India Institute of Medical Sciences.^[9][10]

A pivotal moment in Indian medical history occurred in 2003 when Union Health Minister Sushma Swaraj approved a proposal to modernize the Calcutta Medical College and Hospital. By granting it a status equivalent to Delhi’s AIIMS, the government aimed to revitalize an institution that holds the distinction of being the first of its kind in Asia.^[11]

Establishing AIIMS, was part of the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) initiative, announced by the Government of India and officially launched in March 2006, for the purpose of "correcting regional imbalances in the availability of affordable/reliable tertiary healthcare services", through setting up AIIMS Delhi-like institutions and upgrading government medical colleges.^[12]

Union Cabinet approved the establishment of an AIIMS-like institution in West Bengal on February 5, 2009.^[13] To facilitate this project, the West Bengal State Government has committed to providing 100 acres of land in Raiganj, located in the Uttar Dinajpur District. This initiative aimed to significantly enhance regional medical infrastructure and specialized patient care.^[14]

Establishing an AIIMS in West Bengal was proposed in 2012 as part of the 12th Five-Year Plan, with the original location proposed being Raiganj, 400 kilometres (250 mi) from the capital Kolkata, However, due to various challenges, including land acquisition issues and political opposition, the location was changed to Kalyani by June 2014, It was only 50 kilometres (31 mi) from the capital.^[15]

PMSSY: Phase IV

The establishment of AIIMS was officially formalised in July 2014,^[16] During the 2014–15 budget speech, ^[17] then-Finance Minister Arun Jaitley earmarked ₹500 crore (equivalent to ₹799 crore or US$83 million in 2023) for the establishment of four "Phase-IV" AIIMS institutions. These facilities were designated for Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Maharashtra's Vidarbha region, and the Purvanchal region of Uttar Pradesh.^[16] In March 2015, the union cabinet gave an official approval for the location, on a 150-acre lot in the village Basantapur, near Kalyani.^[18] In October 2015, an official budget of ₹1,754 crore (US$180 million) was sanctioned^[19] The West Bengal government completed the handover of the 179.82-acre land plot to the central government in December of that year.^[20]

Genesis

Construction of the institute’s campus commenced in 2016.^[21] Established by the Union Government on 24 January 2018, the Institute was founded under the authority granted by Section 3, Sub-section (1) of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences Act, 1956 (25 of 1956), following a formal notification by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.^[1] AIIMS Bhubaneswar served as the mentoring institution,^[22] Dipika Deka was appointed as the inaugural director.^[23] and Chitra Sarkar was appointed to the position of president.^[24] Deka resigned in March 2019, leaving the directorship vacant.^[25] In March 2020, Ramji Singh was designated as the new Executive Director.^[26] From September 2025 onwards, Arvind Sinha (Head, Pediatric Surgery – AIIMS Jodhpur) has been appointed as the Director of AIIMS Kalyani.^[27]

Developments

The institute became operational with the first batch of 50 MBBS students,^[28] which one of the six AIIMS to become operational in 2019.^[29] Classes started in September 2019.^[22] Temporarily, classes of the first batch were taken at the College of Medicine & JNM Hospital campus in Kalyani, while students were already staying at the hostel on the campus.^[22] In 2020, the number of MBBS seats was increased from 50 to 125.^[30]

On 1 March 2022, first Academic season of B.Sc (Nursing) course with 60 number of seats capacity inaugurated by institute president.^[31] In November 2022, Institute has been permitted to run postgraduate courses with 26 number of seats allocated for INI-CET January 2023 session.^[32] M.Sc (Nursing) on Pediatrics Nursing and Psychiatric Nursing with 4 NOS seat started for August 2023 session.^[33]

July 30, 2025, marked a definitive milestone in the institution's ascent as a premier center of national importance. The occasion was its inaugural convocation ceremony, graced by the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu. The event celebrated the academic completion of the institute’s pioneering MBBS batch—admitted in 2019—alongside several Post-Doctoral Certificate Course (PDCC) scholars, signaling the institute's successful transition from a nascent project to a fully realized pillar of the Indian healthcare system.^[34]

Governance

The institute is governed by a board of administrative officers or governing body, which includes president and director of the institute, chief secretary of the Government of West Bengal, the vice-chancellor of the University of Calcutta, director of IIT Kharagpur, secretary of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and 5 others.^[38] They monitor the operation of the institute and its funding. There are three committees are within the governing body: Standing Academic Committee, Standing Selection Committee and Standing Finance Committee.^[39] In November 2018, Chitra Sarkar became the 1st president of the institute.^[24] In August 2025, Prof (Dr) YK Gupta joined the institute as the current president of the Institute. He is the former head of department of Pharmacology and former Dean Academics of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi. The Institute is currently headed by Executive Director and CEO, Prof. (Dr) Arvind Sinha from 22nd Sept 2025. He is a notable Pediatric Surgeon and was previously the Medical Superintendent of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, and was the Head of the Department of Pediatric Surgery before joining on deputation. The institute is funded by the Government of India.^[40][41]

Departments and centers

Admission

For MBBS courses, admission is based on the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET–UG) rankings. Meanwhile, for postgraduate courses (MD, MS and MDS), one has to take the Institute of National Importance–Common Entrance Test (INI-CET) conducted by AIIMS Delhi every 6 months. A merit list is prepared on the basis of the examination results, on the basis of which list the students are admitted. A candidate must have MBBS degree to get admission in MD or MS course. The institution admits medical students as well as nursing students. For B.Sc. and M.Sc. nursing course, students need to clear the AIIMS Nursing Entrance Test. Admission is done on the basis of students' rank in merit list.

Academic programs

Courses

The institute offers both Undergraduate and Postgraduate degree courses. MBBS and B.Sc. Nursing courses are offered under Undergraduate degree. MD, MS, and MDS courses are offered under Postgraduate degree. The institute offers MD, MS, and MDS courses in 16 different subjects.^[42] From January 2025 institute started to intake Super-specialty courses DM, M.Ch. with capacity of 8 number of seat also started PhD program in various departments.^[43]

Research and Collaborations

AIIMS Kalyani has been closely associated with research activities since its establishment. Research in medicine and allied sciences is one of the major functions of AIIMS Kalyani. A total of 12 research projects have been initiated by the faculty members of AIIMS Kalyani in 2019–20. The institute runs a Short Term Studentship (STS) scheme under Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Recent projects include ICMR-funded bacteriophage repository and WB-DSTBT-funded snakebite point-of-care testing in the Microbiology Department.^[44] The Institute signed MoU with another premier Institution IISER Kolkata for further Research & Development opportunities in Jan 2020.^[45] signed a MoU for development of a collaborative platform for academic and research promotion and potential faculty and students exchange program in near future with NIBMG, IIIT Kalyani in September 2021.^[46] In July 2023 signed an agreement with IIT Kharagpur for collaboration in education, research and medical services.^[47]

On December 17, 2024, Power Grid Corporation of India signed a MoU with Institute to provide ten remote operation theatre tables and six anesthesia workstations. Funded under a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, the project carries a total valuation of ₹5.37 crore.^[48]

Central library

The central library at the campus was started in March 2021. It was inaugurated on 8 March 2021, by Executive Director Ramji Singh. Unified Library Services for AIIMS Kalyani Central Library started on 27 March 2021.^[49] digital library on the campus gives students access to larger resources.

The library building consists of three floors (ground, first and second floors) with a carpet area of 2,608.596 square feet and a seating capacity of about 250 persons.^[49] The library is open up to 9pm, 7 days a week including Sundays and holidays, except national holidays. Its current collection consists of 800 printed books.^[49]

Rankings and reputation

The Institution achieved major milestones by securing NABL accreditations for its core laboratories. The Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory received certification in October 2025 ,^[50] followed by the Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine in April 2026. Both facilities met the rigorous ISO 15189:2022 international quality standards for medical testing competence.^[51]

Hospital Services

In 2024, the corridors of AIIMS Kalyani hummed with the steady pulse of a growing healthcare hub. The annual data recorded a total of 407,185 OPD attendances, marking a significant chapter in the institution’s regional impact. Behind this figure lay a complex logistical operation, balancing specialized consultations with the demands of an expanding patient base. While the sheer volume of visitors highlighted the facility's reach, internal statistics emphasized a focus on accessibility. Over 8,600 general beneficiaries and 2,635 PMJAY participants received treatment, integrating social welfare into clinical practice. Supported by over 450,000 laboratory tests, the year served as a quantitative testament to the hospital’s operational capacity, reflecting a structured effort to meet the healthcare needs of a diverse population.^[2]

Socio-cultural Festival

Elyssia, the flagship annual socio-cultural festival of AIIMS Kalyani, has rapidly emerged as a premier celebration of talent and camaraderie within West Bengal’s medical community. Since its inception, the fest has served as a vibrant odyssey—appropriately themed "Carving Memories, Creating Legacies"—where the rigors of medical education meet the unbridled spirit of the arts. Spanning four days, Elyssia transforms the campus into a melting pot of cultural diversity. The event schedule is a sophisticated blend of competitive aesthetics and high-octane entertainment, featuring Performing Arts: From classical "Acoustic Aria" sessions to high-energy "Rodeo Rhythm" dance battles, Literary & Creative Quests: Engaging intellectual contests like the "Kafkaesque" debates and "Doodle Derby", Pro Nites: Iconic performances by renowned artists such as Ankit Tiwari and the band Trap Plan B, culminating in electrifying DJ nights.

By fostering a confluence of ideas and boundless enthusiasm, Elyssia provides students a vital creative reprieve, solidifying its status as an indispensable tradition in the institution’s burgeoning history.

Academic Festival

Limbus, the annual academic and literary festival of AIIMS Kalyani, serves as a premier platform for intellectual exchange and creative expression. Typically organized in April, the event transitions the campus into a center for high-level discourse. The festival features a diverse itinerary, including clinical case-solving competitions, medical quizzes, and parliamentary debates that challenge the analytical capabilities of participants.

Beyond its academic core, Limbus incorporates literary activities such as poetry slams and creative writing workshops, fostering a multifaceted environment. By integrating rigorous medical science with the humanities, the fest encourages holistic development and provides a scholarly outlet for the student community.

Calcutta High Courts Judgement

What’s the use of setting up an AIIMS in the state if infrastructural help has to be sought from a state hospital?, Does AIIMS Kalyani have an operating theatre? If yes, how many surgeries were held in the hospital?, The institution has been offering courses to best of the students across the country at the graduation and post-graduation level in the field of medical sciences. The institute is not restricted for only academic purposes but also for rendering services to patients who are suffering from acute diseases. If an AIIMS is situated within a state, the common man at large should be benefited by the services of the best of the doctors who are ready, but they are not having a support system to execute their ability.

While presiding over a petition for the autopsy of a minor girl—a victim of a heinous rape and murder in West Bengal's Joynagar area—Justice Tirthankar Ghosh of the Calcutta High Court issued a significant directive to the Government of India. The Court has ordered a comprehensive overhaul of the infrastructure at AIIMS Kalyani, mandating that it be upgraded to match the standards and capabilities of AIIMS Delhi.^[61][62]