IPGMER and SSKM Hospital
Public medical college and tertiary teaching hospital in Kolkata, West Bengal,India
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Institute of Post-Graduate Medical Education and Research and Seth Sukhlal Karnani Memorial Hospital (abbreviated as IPGMER and SSKM Hospital), colloquially known as PGI Kolkata & P. G. Hospital, is a public medical college and Tertiary Teaching hospital located in Kolkata, India. It is a national research institute. It is a Center of Excellence in Medical Education and Research in India.[5]
Thirst for Knowledge, Heartfelt for Ailing | |
Former name | Presidency General Hospital |
|---|---|
| Motto | jñānāt parataram nahi |
Motto in English | There is nothing beyond higher than knowledge |
| Recognition | |
| Type | Public Medical school |
| Established | c. 1707 |
| Founder | The Council of Fort William |
| Accreditation | NABL[1] |
Academic affiliations | West Bengal University of Health Sciences |
| Budget | ₹851.55 crore (US$90.1 million) (2024–25)[2] |
| Director | Dr. Manimoy Bandyopadhyay[3] |
Academic staff | 581 (2025)[2] |
| Students | 1,660 (2025)[2] |
| Undergraduates | 1,000 (2025)[2] |
| Postgraduates | 586 (2025)[2] |
| 74 (2025)[2] | |
| Location | , , India 22°32′20.39″N 88°20′27.27″E |
| Campus | Metropolis 34 acres (14 ha) |
| Journal | Annals Of Medical Science and Research[4] |
| Colours | Maroon Gold |
| Website | www |
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Location
Located near Race Course ground and the Victoria Memorial Hall of Kolkata, its location is in the heart of Kolkata surrounded by cultural and historical landmarks like the Nandan complex, Rabindra Sadan, Academy of Fine Arts the Saint Paul's Cathedral, the Red Road and the Indian Museum. It faces the Maidan of Kolkata - a hot-spot for political rallies in the city. The Bangur Institute of Neurosciences is adjacent and functionally attached to this institution.
History
Colonial era
The first hospital in Calcutta was built in the premises of the Old Fort at Gerstein Place in 1707. The Council of Fort William constructed this hospital. Initially built for the Europeans till 1770, this hospital was then known as the Presidency Hospital, after the Presidency of Calcutta and due to its proximity to the Presidency Jail of Calcutta. Later, it came to be known as the Presidency General Hospital or P.G. Hospital for short - the name which is still commonly used. In independent India, the hospital was renamed as Seth Sukhlal Karnani Memorial Hospital in 1954 after great philanthropist of Calcutta, Sukhlal Karnani.[6]
P.G. Hospital was established in 1707.[6] The East India Company (Calcutta Council) purchased the plot of land, which was a gardenhouse (in 1768) from Rev. John Zacharias Kiernander at a cost of Rs. 98900.00 along with an adjoining plot belonging to a Bengali gentleman.[7]
Rev. John Zacharias Kiernander came to Bengal from Southern India in 1758 to work as the first Protestant missionary in Calcutta. The well known Old Mission Church (Bath Tephillah -'the House of Prayer'), built by him was the earliest favourite place of Protestant worship in Mission Row at his own expense at a cost of Rs. 65,000 and established a mission school in the rear of the Church in 1767. The Presidency General Hospital was established near the St. John's Church (presently, in 1, Garstin Place and in its adjoining areas) which was in famous as a hellish side.[clarification needed]
According to Mrs. Bleshinden, "It was a veritable death-trap to those unfortunate who were driven to seek its shelter and had been the subject of constant complaint for years. At last in 1768. a house was purchased from a native gentleman for the purpose of a hospital. It stood to the south of the Maidan, practically in the country. This house with various alterations and additions, including two other buildings created in 1795 remained in us as the Presidency General Hospital".
The construction of the hospital started after the Government occupied the land on 20 June 1769. The west wing was completed on 2 April 1770 and the east wing on 2 June 1770. Admission of the patients started on 22 April 1770.
The present Main Block was constructed between 1901 and 1902, the Woodburn Block, Administrative Building and Physiotherapy Building were built between 1902 and 1908. For construction of Woodburn block, total expense was Rs. 3.5 Lacs.
This hospital is the oldest general hospital in India, for the practice of modern medicine and for meaningful research.
It is mentioned in the book "The handbook of travellers in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh & Sri Lanka" by L. F. Rushbrook Williams that, "On the Lower Circular Road, South of Victoria Memorial is the Presidency General Hospital (1768), formerly intended for Europeans. In its place The European business community has established a well found clinic of his own. The Station military hospital, conspicuous by its pillared frontage was (1773) the court house of Sardar Dewani Adalat, the Chief Provincial Court of Appeal which ceased to exist on the establishment of High Court in 1862".[8] From this record, it is quite evident that PG Hospital is a part, of world heritage, I am thankful to Calcutta Municipal Corporation and the Govt. of West. Bengal for declaring heritage status to this institution in response to my appeal dated 16.1.1998.[9]
Sir Ronald Ross made his epoch-making-discovery of "Cycle of Malarial Parasite" in this hospital and was awarded Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology on 10 December 1902.[10] He also received the Barkley Bronze Memorial Medal from Asiatic Society, Calcutta on 20 May 1903, Sir Ronald Ross is the first Indian (born at Almorah) Nobel laureate. After his retirement from service on 31 July 1899, he visited PG Hospital in January 1927, when the "Gate of Commemoration" bearing his statue and poem in the plaque was unveiled by Lord Lytton.
Michael Madhusudan Dutta was the first native Indian to be admitted to this hospital on 22 June 1873 and here he died on 29 June 1873.
Dr. Surendranath Ghosh was the first native Indian doctor to be appointed in PG Hospital.[11] The first floor of the Woodburn Block was renamed as Dr. S. N. Ghosh Ward, by the then Chief minister Hon'ble Jyoti Basu following the publication of the article in PG Bulletin, along with a photograph of Dr. Ghosh and facsimile of his diary page. The first Indian doctor of the hospital has been bestowed with honour.
Post 1957
In 1957, an offer was made to transform what is now SSKM Hospital into an institute similar to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi.The then chief minister of West Bengal, Bidhan Chandra Roy, turned down the offer.[12] P.G. Hospital was the first Post Graduate Medical Institute in Eastern India in 1957 when it hospital came to be known as The Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education & Research (IPGMER). It was inaugurated by Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, the then Prime Minister of India, on 16 January 1957.
Undergraduate medical training started here with 50 number of seats rather late in 2004 after clearance from the Medical Council Of India (now National Medical Commission).[13]
The erstwhile Chief minister, Hon'ble Jyoti Basu had pledged his body to the advancement of medical science. After his demise, honoring his wishes, his body was handed over to the college authorities. This move has triggered a wave of body donations in the state.[14]
Recent History
In 2015, MCI threatened to scrap the DM-Neonatology course due to lack of qualified faculty members for teaching the subject.[15] State government has sanctioned a dedicated Infectious Diseases Department at IPGMER, Kolkata. This initiative includes 50 new staff posts and a 60-bed ward. The department aims to offer DM super-specialty courses, addressing the regional shortage of specialized medical experts.[16]
Layout
One end of the premises contains various outpatient departments, wards and clinics, while the other comprises the administrative and college buildings for medical and paramedical students. The wards include Curzon, Victoria, Alexander, etc. in the Main block, the O&G blocks. Other services are the out patient departments and wards of Chest, Cancer, Nephrology, etc. The teaching buildings include the UCM, Ronald Ross, Psychiatry building, Old Emergency Building, housing lecture theaters, museums and laboratories.
Academic building is in the heart of hospital campus. It was established in 2014.
The medical college Library is situated in the seventh floor. There are two separate sections of library for the UG and PG students.
HOSTEL FACILITY:
The Institute, situated in the heart of Kolkata, provides extensive hostel facilities designed to support the rigorous academic lives of its medical students. Recognizing that residency and medical training require proximity to clinical environments, the institution offers segregated residential blocks for undergraduate and postgraduate scholars. These facilities serve as a vital ecosystem, balancing the intensity of hospital duties with a structured living environment. The hostels, such as the Main Hostel and the Girls' Hostel, are equipped with essential amenities, including study rooms and common areas that facilitate peer-to-peer learning. Given the historical significance of the SSKM Hospital campus, the architecture often reflects a blend of traditional structures and modern functional requirements. While the high demand for housing within a premier state-run facility necessitates a focus on efficiency and shared resources, the administration maintains a system of oversight to ensure security and basic comfort for the residents. By providing on-campus housing, Institution ensures that students can transition seamlessly between wards and classrooms. This integration is crucial for maintaining the 24/7 nature of medical service. Ultimately, the hostel facility is more than mere accommodation; it is a collaborative space where the next generation of healthcare professionals builds the resilience required for their demanding careers.
The cultural fest of IPGME&R and SSKM Hospital is CRUX which is held annually around August–September.
Medical Education
Curriculum
Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research (IPGMER) in Kolkata, synonymous with the historic SSKM Hospital, offers a curriculum that seamlessly blends tradition with modern medical rigor. Affiliated with the West Bengal University of Health Sciences, its undergraduate MBBS program is a 5.5-year journey divided into three professional phases, emphasizing early clinical exposure. For postgraduates, the institute provides MD and MS programs across 17+ specialties, alongside highly competitive super-specialty tracks DM or M.Ch in fields like Cardiology and Neonatology. The curriculum is distinguished by its heavy clinical load, ensuring students gain unparalleled hands-on experience in one of Eastern India’s busiest tertiary care centers.
Admission
Admission to the premier MBBS program is contingent upon NEET-UG scores. Postgraduate (MD/MS) and Super-Specialty (DM/M.Ch) aspirants must qualify for NEET-PG and NEET-SS, respectively. Nursing and paramedical courses generally require the JENPAS UG or JEMAS PG examinations. All India Quota (15% UG / 50% PG): Conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), State Quota (85% UG / 50% PG): Managed by the West Bengal Medical Counselling Committee (WBMCC).
Digital access
In an era of digital transformation, medical education in West Bengal has transcended physical boundaries. The Institute has pioneered an initiative to democratize specialized knowledge. Through the MedImpact platform, the institution has effectively dismantled the barriers of geography and institutional exclusivity. By making prestigious lectures accessible online via MedImpact, any medical student across the state can now engage with the expertise of seasoned clinicians and researchers. This shift toward open-access learning ensures that high-quality pedagogical resources are no longer confined to a single campus. By fostering an inclusive academic environment, the initiative not only supports individual scholarly growth but also aims to standardize the caliber of medical training and clinical excellence throughout the region.[17]
Reputation and ranking
| University rankings | |
|---|---|
| Global – Overall | |
| USNWR Global[18] | 535 (2024) |
IPGMER ranked 23 in medical Section in India in 2025 by National Institutional Ranking Framework.[22]
Organization and administration
Governance
It is currently affiliated to the West Bengal University of Health Sciences. From 1857 to 2003, it was affiliated with the historic University of Calcutta. It is funded and run by the Government of West Bengal. Affiliated to State Medical Faculty of West Bengal for Paramedical education.[23]While the Department manages administrative and financial oversight, the University dictates the academic curriculum and examination standards. The Director of the Institute is appointed by the State Government to oversee daily operations and clinical excellence at the associated SSKM Hospital. Unlike standard district-level medical colleges, IPGMER operates as a "Center of Excellence," providing it with greater direct engagement with the State Secretariat for policy-making and specialized research funding, Approximately 5,000+ employees across clinical, nursing, and administrative wings, Over 400+ Professors, Associate Professors, and Assistant Professors across specialized medical and surgical departments.[24]
Institutes Journal
The Annals of Medical Science and Research (AMSR) is the official peer-reviewed journal of the Institute. Established in 2022, this open-access publication serves as a dedicated platform for disseminating original research, clinical trials, and case reports across various medical specialties. Published thrice annually by Wolters Kluwer (Medknow), the journal emphasizes the intersection of clinical practice and experimental medicine. Managed by a faculty-led editorial board, AMSR maintains a neutral and scholarly focus, adhering to standard ethical guidelines for medical publishing. By providing a forum for both institutional and global contributors, it facilitates the exchange of evidence-based knowledge. The journal plays a significant role in documenting regional healthcare developments while contributing to the broader international medical landscape.[25]
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Patient Care
On 2019, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated a 244-bed level-1 Trauma Care Centre at IPGMER. It has been built on the lines of a unit at AIIMS New Delhi, to cater to trauma patients.[26]
West Bengals first free In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) unit at IPGMER in Kolkata. Launched to assist childless couples from economically disadvantaged backgrounds[27]
The institute has started telemedicine-gastroenterology services for patients from districts and remote areas since October 2022.[28]
Institute has established a dedicated department for head and neck surgeries. Featuring a modular operating theatre and specialized wards, the facility aims to reduce waiting times for cancer patients and provides advanced surgical treatments free of charge.[29]
In March 2025 the launch of robotic surgery at IPGMER represents a significant leap forward in medical technology in Eastern India, enhancing the quality of care available to patients. This initiative not only reflects the commitment of IPGMER to improve healthcare services but also positions it as a leader in adopting innovative medical practices.[30]
Cancer care Hub
In June 2021 Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced that Government of West Bengal has tied up with Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai to set up 2 state-of-the-art cancer hospitals in West Bengal - one unit will be in SSKM Hospital campus, and the other will be in North Bengal Medical College and Hospital.[31] Chemotherapy daycare services have been started at PG's Annex-6, Kolkata Police Hospital since April 2022. Initially, 32 beds can serve 50 patients daily, said doctors at the radiotherapy department of PG. Chemotherapy for breast, lung, head and neck, cervical cancer is being given at the day-care center of the police hospital.[32] Oncopathology department of the institute has been accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL). This is the first time in eastern India that a state government hospital has got this recognition. SSKM has been working with Mumbai's Tata Memorial Hospital for the last two years to develop state-of-the-art cancer treatment facilities in the state.[1]State government is implementing a "hub-and-spoke" model to decentralize oncology. As the central hub, Institute will provide advanced tertiary care and strategic oversight, supervising peripheral units to ensure standardized, high-quality cancer treatment and improved patient accessibility.[33]
| Cancer Care Hub | |
|---|---|
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| Organisation | |
| Type | Specialist |
| Services | |
| Beds | 154 |
| Speciality | Oncology |
| History | |
| Opened | 19 November 2022 |
Medical units
Academics
Academic Departments
- Anaesthesiology
- Anatomy
- Biochemistry
- Cardiology
- Cardiac Anesthesiology
- Cardiothoracic & Vascular surgery
- Chest medicine
- Critical Care Medicine
- Community Medicine
- Dentistry
- Dermatology
- Emergency medicine
- Endocrinology & Metabolism
- Otorhinolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery
- Forensic & state medicine
- Gastroenterology
- General surgery
- Genomics
- Gynecology & Obstetrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Medicine
- Microbiology
- Neonatology
- Nephrology
- Neuro-anaesthesiology
- Neurology (Neuromedicine)
- Neurosurgery
- Nuclear & Experimental Medical Sciences
- Nursing
- Ophthalmology (Eye)
- Orthopaedic surgery
- Pathology and Oncopathology
- Paediatric Medicine
- Paediatric surgery
- Pharmacology
- Physical medicine and rehabilitation
- Physiology
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
- Psychiatry
- Radiodiagnosis
- Radiotherapy
- Respiratory Medicine
- Surgical oncology
- Urology
- Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology
Center of Excellences
- Bangur Institute of Neurosciences
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences
- Institute of Psychiatry
- Institute of Otorhinolaryngology & Head Neck Surgery
- School of Digestive and Liver Diseases
- School of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
- Center of Excellence in Reproductive Medicine
Research
In November 2021, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare selected IPGMER as one of 8 Centres of Excellence (CoEs) for Rare Diseases, under the National Policy for Rare Diseases (NPRD), 2021.[39]
The Institute has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first medical institution in Eastern and Northeast India to receive the Centre of Research Excellence (CoRE) status. Conferred by the Union Health Ministry, this prestigious recognition highlights the institute's exceptional contributions to clinical studies. Backed by a ₹3 crore infrastructure grant, the unit will now spearhead breakthrough research in tuberculosis, liver cancer, and neonatal care, significantly elevating patient care standards and fostering a robust scientific temperament.[40]
Achievements and Innovations
In December 2021, Department by Surgical Gastroenterology led by Dr Abhijit Chowdhury, Dr.Sukanta Ray, Dr. Somak Das and Dr Tuhin Subhra Mandal conducted a liver transplant with its own team of doctors for the first time since the state-run hospital began liver transplant in 2009.
From 19 April 2022, West Bengal's first fertility center in a government hospital has started functioning at IPGMER. The center of excellence in reproductive medicine opened its doors to outdoor patients.[41]
In January 2023, IPGMER's Department of Endocrinology has developed a non-invasive diagnostic test that can detect if a thyroid tumour is malignant or benign. It can also reveal the sub-type of the cancer.[42]
Dr. Sujoy Ghosh, an endocrinologist at SSKM Hospital in Kolkata, has recently been honored with the ISPAD 2025 Award for his innovative contributions to pediatric diabetes care, specifically through the development of the "Bengal model."[43]
