India's AIIMS network grows to 20 hospitals, transforming regional healthcare access
India’s network of AIIMS hospitals has expanded rapidly over the past decade to improve healthcare access and medical education. The Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) drives this growth, aiming to reduce regional disparities in tertiary care. Today, 20 of the planned 25 institutes are fully operational, with five more under development or construction. The first AIIMS, established in New Delhi in 1956, remains a global leader in medical research and policy. It set the standard for high-end healthcare and education in the country.
The second wave of institutes began in 2012, with AIIMS in Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Jodhpur, Patna, Raipur, and Rishikesh. These centres now function as mature hubs, easing pressure on AIIMS Delhi by providing specialised care closer to home. Regional institutes like AIIMS Patna and AIIMS Bhubaneswar have cut down on 'medical migration,' saving poor families from costly travel to distant hospitals.
Between 2018 and 2019, a third generation of AIIMS opened in Nagpur, Mangalagiri, Gorakhpur, Kalyani, Bathinda, and Deoghar. These newer institutes focus on underserved states, ensuring better regional equity. Each new AIIMS typically offers 960 beds, with 500 for specialties, 300 for super-specialties, and 100 for ICU and trauma care.
Every AIIMS also runs its own Medical and Nursing colleges, admitting 100-125 MBBS students annually. The latest institutes are 'born digital,' using paperless outpatient departments and tele-consultations to reach rural populations from their first day of operation. The expansion of AIIMS under PMSSY has increased access to affordable tertiary healthcare across India. With 20 institutes now operational and five more on the way, the network continues to grow, reducing the need for long-distance medical travel and strengthening local healthcare systems.
