Working of AIIMS, New Delhi

The Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare (Chair: Prof. Ram Gopal Yadav) presented its report on ‘Working of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi and problems faced by patients in availing healthcare and treatment” on March 18, 2026.  Key observations and recommendations of the Committee include:

Vacancies:  Out of 1,306 sanctioned posts for faculty positions, 508 posts are vacant (39%).  Out of 13,911 sanctioned posts for non-faculty positions, 3,056 posts are vacant (22%).  The Committee recommended:  (i) interim contractual appointments to bridge gaps in speciality centres and nursing cadre, (ii) biannual recruitment for nursing officers, (iii) annual recruitment cycle for faculty, (iv) conduct of cadre review to create promotion pathways for staff.  There are over 164 project staff with 15 years of continuous service.  The Committee recommended that eligible project staff must be integrated into regular workforce. 

The Committee noted that for senior residents, there was a significant gap in number of seats advertised and actually filled.  For instance, in 2024, only 440 out of 887 advertised posts were filled.  The Committee also took note of high attrition rate of doctors and personnel from other allied services due to low salary and lack of necessary facilities as compared to renowned hospitals.  The Committee recommended: (i) comprehensive review of consistently unfilled positions and (ii) outreach effort to attract more candidates.

Non-functional facilities:  The Committee observed that 26 out of 112 major operation theatres and 81 out of 433 ICU beds are non-functional.  843 out of 4,178 beds are also lying unutilised.  Patients are required to wait for long periods for surgical interventions.  AIIMS is recognised as the centre of excellence for treatment of rare diseases, however, patients have not been to avail treatment at AIIMS.  The Committee observed that there is a need to increase the number of beds in cardiology, neurology, and trauma departments.  The neonatal facilities must also be expanded to at least 50 more beds.  The Committee also expressed concerns over the slow implementation of the master plan.

High patient load:  The Committee observed that there is disproportionately high patient load at AIIMS, New Delhi.  This leads to overburdened facilities and long waiting time.  The Committee recommended:  (i) setting up AIIMS like institute in each state including Karnataka, and establishing another AIIMS in the NCR region, (ii) developing effective referral system in coordination with other AIIMS, (iii) establishing 100 to 150 bedded emergency centres across Delhi-NCR, and (iv) maximising usage of telemedicine.  The Committee recommended exploring possibility for OPD in night.  It also noted that around 46 departments are located at the main hospital.  The speciality centres such as cardiology, neurology, and ophthalmology must be shifted to provide space for OPD services.

Diagnostic services:  The Committee noted that over 3000 radiology procedures and two lakh laboratory tests are conducted on daily basis.  It recommended decentralising of laboratory and diagnostic services.  Such services must be strengthened at regional and district hospitals.  Tele-radiology systems can be adopted for laboratory investigations.  Partnership with private hospitals and diagnostic centres must be explored.   

Research:  The Committee recommended ensuring at least 20% of protected time for faculty engaged in research.  This will ensure that clinical responsibilities do not impede scientific productivity.  It observed that there is an urgent need for further strengthening research infrastructure including AI-enabled labs and recruitment of additional research-focussed faculty and technical personnel.  AIIMS must generate at least 10% of its budget requirements through research and industry collaboration.  It also recommended establishing a Centre for Medical Innovation and Entrepreneurship to promote start-up incubation.

Housing:  Around 250 out of 850 faculty members, less than 4% of nursing cadres, and less than 10% of employees are provided campus accommodation.  There is also a shortage of hostel accommodation for resident doctors, trainees, and students.  The Committee noted inordinate delays in redevelopment of residential colonies.  It recommended that projects on housing accommodation must be expedited.

Functioning of the institute:  The Committee recommended a revision of recruitment procedure for posts of Dean, Sub-Dean, Professor in charge, and Head of Department.  Powers to make decisions must be decentralised.  Adequate administrative and financial powers must be provided to the directors.  Accreditation of several centres is still pending.  The Committee noted that the proposal for establishment of a school for allied and healthcare academics has not been approved by AIIMS, New Delhi while other newer AIIMS have set up similar schools.