Chandigarh:
With 329 research papers published during last one year on display, 35 researchers winning awards in the surgical, medical, and basic sciences fields for ‘Research publications’ and 59 researchers being awarded in the ‘Innovations’ category for their exemplary and credible research work, PGIMER’s 12th Annual Research Day, the big ticket medical research showcase, concluded on an upbeat note here at PGIMER today.
Addressing the gathering as Chief Guest, Prof. Nikhil Tandon, Dean, AIIMS New Delhi, praised the depth, diversity and quality of research being carried out at PGIMER as he stated, ““After going through the scope and breadth of research being carried out at PGIMER, I can say with confidence that the quality of work being done here is truly exceptional. The scientific community in this institution clearly understands what needs to be done to advance medical knowledge and improve patient care.”
Prof. Tandon delivered a special address titled “Wearing Two Hats: Doctor’s Dilemma,” where he reflected on the complex responsibilities faced by clinician-scientists.“Most medical professionals in India wear two hats—one of providing patient care and the other of pursuing research. Balancing these responsibilities is not easy, but it is essential if we want to improve healthcare and generate meaningful scientific knowledge.”
“Research is never a short journey. It demands patience—sometimes over years or even decades—before its real impact becomes visible. The work we do today may not transform healthcare immediately, but with commitment and rigour it eventually contributes to knowledge that benefits society, ” as Prof. Tandon spoke about the nature of scientific discovery, emphasizing that impactful research requires patience and sustained effort.
The Chief Guest also highlighted the importance of mentorship and collaborative academic environments as he stated, “Great research rarely happens in isolation. Institutions that nurture mentorship, collaboration and a critical mass of researchers create an environment where ideas flourish and innovation becomes possible.”
Underscoring the true purpose of scientific inquiry, Prof. Tandon concluded, “The most sustainable motivation for research is genuine curiosity and the desire to improve patient care. Publications and recognition may follow, but they should never be the sole driving force. Research must remain connected to real health challenges so that the knowledge we generate ultimately improves outcomes for our patients and communities.”
Earlier, Prof. Vivek Lal, Director, PGIMER, welcoming the Chief Guest, highlighted the institute’s strong culture of scientific inquiry and research excellence as he stated, “Despite the enormous clinical workload handled by the institute, PGIMER stands on a very high pedestal when it comes to patient care. With an annual patient footfall of nearly 40 lakh, our clinicians remain deeply engaged in delivering healthcare services. Yet, despite this tremendous pressure, our faculty, residents and healthcare professionals continue to pursue high-quality research with remarkable dedication.”
Describing the Annual Research Day as the “Diwali of research” at PGIMER, Prof. Lal said, “Research Day is when the entire scientific effort of the institute comes together. It reminds us that beyond the intense demands of patient care, there is an equally strong commitment among our faculty and residents to push the frontiers of knowledge.”
Director PGIMER also stressed the need for deeper collaboration between leading medical institutions in the country when he stated, “We are now moving towards a research colloquium between PGIMER and AIIMS because the future of science lies in collaboration. Instead of working in silos on similar problems, we must sit together, pool our ideas and resources, and produce research that can have a stronger global impact.”
Prof. Lal further acknowledged the contributions of the institute’s founding leaders whose commitment to academic excellence continues to inspire generations of researchers at PGIMER.
Highlighting the institute’s research achievements, Prof. Sanjay Jain, Dean (Research), presented the annual research overview stating, “Over the past year alone, our institute initiated 250 externally funded research projects through agencies such as ICMR, DBT, DST and CSIR, securing nearly ₹140 crore in grants. These numbers are not just statistics—they represent hundreds of questions being explored and solutions being sought to improve patient care.”
Prof. Jain further highlighted, “This year we are showcasing 329 research papers published in national and international journals, along with 59 innovations currently in the pipeline, seven of which have already been granted patents. Each of these represents the dedication of our faculty and young researchers striving to translate ideas into meaningful healthcare solutions.”
The academic extravaganza began with poster viewing from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM in the area adjoining the NINE Auditorium, where a wide spectrum of research undertaken at PGIMER was displayed. The posters showcased studies conducted and published between April 2025 and March 2026, reflecting the institute’s vibrant research ecosystem and strong interdisciplinary collaborations.
Awards were presented across several categories including medical specialties, surgical specialties, pre- and para-clinical sciences, senior residents, PhD scholars and systematic reviews, recognising outstanding contributions from faculty members and young investigators.
In the Medical Specialties – Professors category, Dr Ajay Duseja from the Department of Hepatology secured the First Prize, followed by Dr Sonu Goel from the Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, who received the Second Prize. The Third Prize was awarded to Dr Ravindra Khaiwal, also from the Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, for his significant research contribution.
In the Medical Specialties – Additional Professors category, Dr Madhumita Premkumar from the Department of Hepatology was awarded the First Prize, while Dr Pankaj Gupta from the Department of Radiodiagnosis and Imaging secured the Second Prize. Dr Jayanta Samanta from the Department of Gastroenterology was conferred the Third Prize.
The Medical Specialties – Associate Professors category witnessed Dr Tanvi Kiran from the Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health being awarded the First Prize. The Second Prize was presented to Dr Bijaya Kumar Padhi, also from the Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, while Dr Rakesh Kumar Pilania from the Department of Paediatrics received the Third Prize.
In the Surgical Specialties – Professors category, Dr Divya Jain from the Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care secured the First Prize, followed by Dr Preethy J Mathew, also from the Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, who was awarded the Second Prize. The Third Prize was conferred upon Dr Jaspreet Sukhija from the Department of Ophthalmology.
Among the Surgical Specialties – Additional Professors, Dr Ankur Luthra from the Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care received the First Prize. Dr Vishal Kumar from the Department of Orthopaedics secured the Second Prize, while Dr Manjul Tripathi from the Department of Neurosurgery was awarded the Third Prize.
In the Surgical Specialties – Associate Professors category, Dr Ajay Singh from the Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care was awarded the First Prize. The Second Prize went to Dr Savleen Kaur from the Department of Ophthalmology, while Dr Himanshu Bhayana from the Department of Orthopaedics received the Third Prize.
In the Pre- and Para-Clinical Specialties – Professors category, Dr Shivaprakash M. Rudramurthy from the Department of Medical Microbiology secured the First Prize. Dr Neelam Taneja, also from the Department of Medical Microbiology, was awarded the Second Prize, while Dr Lekha Saha from the Department of Pharmacology received the Third Prize.
Among the Pre- and Para-Clinical Specialties – Additional Professors, Dr Amol N. Patil from the Department of Pharmacology secured the First Prize. The Second Prize was awarded to Dr Ashok Kumar Yadav from the Department of Experimental Medicine and Biotechnology, while Dr Sheetal Sharma, also from the Department of Experimental Medicine and Biotechnology, received the Third Prize.
In the Pre- and Para-Clinical Specialties – Associate Professors category, Dr Gaurav Sharma from the Department of Translational and Regenerative Medicine was awarded the First Prize. Dr Praveen Sharma from the Department of Haematology secured the Second Prize, while Dr Priya Datta from the Department of Medical Parasitology received the Third Prize.
In the Senior Resident category, Dr Pritam Halder from the Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health secured the First Prize, while Dr Vibhu Jain from the Department of General Surgery was awarded the Second Prize.
In the PhD Scholar / Pool Officer / Research Associate category, Divya Sharma from the Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health secured the First Prize, while Nimran Kaur, also from the same department, received the Second Prize.
In the Others category, Yogesh Rathore from the Department of Nuclear Medicine secured the First Prize, while Dr Ashok Kumar from the National Institute of Nursing Education was awarded the Second Prize.
In the Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis category, Dr Jogender Kumar from the Department of Pediatrics secured the First Prize, while Dr Rimesh Pal from the Department of Endocrinology was awarded the Second Prize.
A key highlight of the event was the felicitation of three distinguished PGIMER faculty members who have been honoured with the prestigious Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Awards for their outstanding scientific contributions.These included Prof. Ritesh Aggarwal from the Department of Pulmonary Medicine, recipient of the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize (2020) for his pioneering research on Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis (ABPA); Prof. Jitendra Kumar Sahu from the Department of Paediatrics, who received the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Vigyan Yuva Puraskar (2024) for his work in paediatric epilepsy; and Prof. Suresh Kumar, also from the Department of Paediatrics, who received the 2025 award for his research demonstrating the life-saving potential of probiotics in critically ill children admitted to intensive care units.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Prof. R. K. Ratho, Dean (Academic), followed by the National Anthem.
Through initiatives such as Annual Research Day, PGIMER continues to strengthen its role as a leading centre for medical research, innovation and evidence-based healthcare, contributing significantly to the advancement of medical science and improved patient outcomes in India.
