AIIMS Rishikesh is part of the network of All India Institutes of Medical Science which is aimed at correcting regional health imbalances and providing reliable healthcare in previously under-served districts. They also aim to create facilities for quality medical education to produce a number of doctors and conduct research in the country relevant to the area.
The university was established in 2012. There are six institutions in the network in total.
The university is based in Rishikesh, an important Hindu pilgrimage city which sits on the River Ganges as it flows through the foothills of the Himalayas.
It describes itself as a "centre of excellence in medical education, training, health care and research imbued with scientific culture, compassion for the sick and commitment to the under-served".
It has grown steadily from its foundation, admitting more and more students over time. Training and provision in yoga, naturopathy and ayurvedic medicine is provided through the AYUSH centre.
Research is a big part of the institution and it aims to conduct research in biomedical sciences, epidemiology, understanding disease and testing healthcare education among other areas.
The university's hospital was opened with 200 beds and now has more than 1,000. Outpatient services – which now include 85 specialist clinics - were established in 2013, an emergency service in 2017 and radiotherapy from 2018. Degrees are available from undergraduate to postgraduate level.
The nursing college was the first AIIMS Nursing college to admit male students
Specialities include India’s only department of reconstructive and cosmetic-plastic gynaecology and there are plans to offer a dedicated qualification in high-altitude medicine.
