20 AIIMS Institutes Form Pan-India Research Consortium to Boost Medical Innovation

In a historic move to end fragmented research, the directors of 20 All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) across the country signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on January 29, 2026, to establish a “Pan-India Health Research Consortium.”

The agreement was finalized in New Delhi during the ‘AIIMS Research Day 2026’ celebrations. This consortium marks a shift from isolated, institution-specific studies to a unified national approach, leveraging the massive patient load and infrastructure of the entire AIIMS network.

The primary goal of this “mega-consortium” is to conduct large-scale, multi-centric clinical trials that were previously difficult for single institutes to manage. By pooling data from diverse demographics – from AIIMS Jammu in the north to AIIMS Madurai in the south – researchers can now generate high-quality, scientifically robust evidence that is truly representative of India’s population. Key focus areas identified for immediate collaboration include Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare, development of affordable cancer therapies, and tackling antimicrobial resistance.

Why this matters: Until now, premier institutes often worked in silos, leading to duplication of efforts and smaller sample sizes. This collaboration, led by AIIMS Delhi Director Dr. M. Srinivas, allows for the sharing of cutting-edge resources and “big data,” potentially accelerating breakthroughs in treating complex metabolic disorders and rare diseases. Each institute will appoint a nodal officer to ensure seamless coordination, effectively turning the 20 institutes into one giant research engine.

1 min read January 31, 2026