Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora said that the Punjab government has given a boost to the industry in this Budget so that the industrial sector can develop further in the coming time. Punjab government has fulfilled all its commitments in this unique budget. It was a people-friendly budget in which there was something for every sector. This budget will empower every citizen of Punjab and will bring further economic development of Punjab.
He said that priority has been given to the industrial sector in this budget so that the industrial sector can progress further and Punjab can become the first choice of investors.
He highlighted Punjab has received ₹55,000 crore investments in 2025 alone. He said that this budget is pro- industrialists. This budget will make Punjab industry more prosperous as we have already adopted new industrial policy which will fulfill all legitimate demands of the industrialists.
In another feather to his cap, the Chief Secretary, Punjab, KAP Sinha has been conferred the prestigious Director’s award for Service to the society.
An official spokesperson further revealed that the award has been conferred on the Chief Secretary by his alma mater IIT (ISM) Dhanbad from where he did his B. Tech in Mining Engineering (1989 Batch).
Mr. KAP Sinha has been awarded due to his immense contribution in serving the people as well as towards the societal development clearly exhibiting the leadership qualities and inspiring others.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann exhorted the Punjabi Diaspora to play a proactive role in restoring the pristine glory of Punjab while addressing a gathering during India International Week.
Extending a warm welcome to the distinguished dignitaries who arrived from across the world to the sacred land of Punjab, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the delegation includes eminent legal scholars, heads of legal institutions, lawyers, and other distinguished personalities. He profusely thanked the organizers of India International Disputes Week-2026 for choosing Chandigarh, the capital of Punjab, as the venue to bring together respected legal minds from across the world on a single platform.
The Chief Minister said he was delighted to know that the delegation also includes Sikh lawyers, judges, and other eminent Sikh personalities from the USA, UK, Canada, and Singapore who have come to the sacred land of their ancestors. “Among them are several distinguished personalities who, through their talent, dedication, and hard work, have achieved great success abroad. I personally feel proud of their achievements and these moments are equally a matter of pride for all Punjabis,” said CM Bhagwant Singh Mann.
Welcoming the guests, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Government of Punjab feels honored to host you all. Punjab is the sacred land of great Gurus, saints, and spiritual leaders. The state is known as the land of brave and hardworking people. Our soldiers safeguard the borders, while our farmers ensure the nation’s food security. Therefore, Punjab is proudly known as the ‘Food Bowl and Sword Arm of India’.”
Highlighting the social fabric of the state, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Punjab is a peaceful state where harmony, mutual respect, and brotherhood are so strong that hatred cannot germinate. Punjabis have always set a beautiful example of communal harmony before the world. The holy city of Amritsar is known as a symbol of universal brotherhood, where sacred sites such as Sri Harmandir Sahib, Durgiana Temple, Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal, and Jallianwala Bagh are located.”
Speaking about the significance of the legal forum, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “India International Disputes Week is a platform that brings together judges, senior lawyers, law firms, young lawyers, intellectuals, and institutions from across the world. Over the course of five days, discussions will be held on various important legal subjects including Domestic Violence, Financial Crime, Public Interest Litigation, Environmental Law, Media Regulation, Mediation Strategy, Cross-Border Settlements, and other key topics. I hope that this initiative will also prove beneficial and meaningful for the common people.”
Highlighting the efforts of the Punjab Government to strengthen the justice delivery system, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann noted, “To strengthen the justice delivery system and ensure timely justice for citizens, 159 Law Officers have been recruited since 2022. To make government laws and rules accessible to the public, 53 Acts of various departments of the Punjab Government have been translated into Punjabi and uploaded on the Indian Code Portal of the Government of India. A Special Court has also been established in Mohali under the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act.”
He further said, “Six Special NRI Courts have been established in the districts of Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana, Moga, and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar. Fast Track Special Courts have been set up in Sangrur and Tarn Taran. Since 2023, an amount of ₹48.82 crore has been spent on improving the infrastructure of courts across Punjab. The Punjab Government is making strenuous efforts to ensure that justice is accessible to all people, especially those from weaker and underprivileged sections of society.”
On the occasion, Speaker of Punjab Vidhan Sabha Kultar Singh Sandhwan, Cabinet Ministers Aman Arora, Harbhajan Singh ETO, Dr Balbir Singh, Dr Ravjot Singh, Gurmeet Singh Khudian and Barinder Goyal, Chief Secretary KAP Sinha and others were also present.
Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh on Sunday described the Budget for Financial Year 2026-27 as a landmark document that prioritises the health and well-being of every Punjabi.
While hailing the budget presented by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, Dr Balbir Singh stated that the health sector budget has been increased by 23% compared to the previous year, reaching ₹6,879 crore. He emphasised that this allocation will ensure accessible, affordable, and quality medical services across the state.
The Health Minister highlighted that the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana is a historic reform providing universal health insurance of up to ₹10 lakh per family annually. An allocation of ₹2,000 crores is proposed in FY 2026-27 will benefit 65 lakh families in the state.
To further strengthen primary healthcare, ₹351 crore has been earmarked for Aam Aadmi Clinics. Currently, 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics are providing 107 essential medicines and 47 diagnostic tests free of cost, and have recorded nearly 5 crore OPD visits, including 1.55 crore unique patients.
Dr Balbir Singh said that 100 additional Aam Aadmi Clinics are being operationalised during the current year. In the coming year, 143 new Aam Aadmi Clinics will be operationalised, and 308 Subsidiary Health Centres will be transformed into Aam Aadmi Clinics to broaden coverage, taking the total number of Aam Aadmi Clinics setup by the Bhagwant Mann led Punjab government in five years to 1,432.
Furthermore, a modern Trauma Centre will be established at Sri Anandpur Sahib to provide timely emergency and critical care services.
In the field of Medical Education and Research, which received an allocation of ₹1,220 crore, Dr Balbir Singh noted that Punjab is rapidly becoming a premier medical education hub. He detailed that seven new medical colleges are being established in Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Sangrur, SBS Nagar, Lehragaga, Malerkotla, and Ludhiana, adding 600 new MBBS seats. Specifically for Malerkotla, 38.50 acres of land has been purchased at a cost of ₹49 crore for the new medical college.
Extending his greetings on International Women’s Day, Dr Balbir Singh congratulated the women of Punjab for the launch of the Mukh Mantri Mawan Dhian Satikar Yojna. He lauded this as the world’s first universal cash transfer scheme, providing ₹1,000 per month to all adult women and ₹1,500 per month to those from the SC community. With a budgetary outlay of ₹9,300 crore, this scheme fulfils a major guarantee of the Bhagwant Mann led Punjab government, ensuring tangible financial security and dignity for nearly 97% of adult women across the state.
Chandigarh: Hailing the Budget presented by Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema as progressive, visionary and people-centric, Punjab Revenue, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management and Water Supply and Sanitation Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian today said that the financial roadmap will significantly strengthen drinking water infrastructure and transparent governance across the state.
Listing the initiatives of the Water Supply and Sanitation Department, the Cabinet Minister said the government has proposed a budgetary outlay of Rs.1487 crore in FY 2026-27 to further expand access to safe drinking water and improve sanitation services across Punjab.
He said the government will focus on completing and commissioning 11 major surface water projects, which will ensure the supply of clean drinking water to 1230 quality-affected and water-stressed villages. These projects will play a key role in addressing long-standing water quality challenges and ensuring reliable drinking water supply in rural areas, he added.
S. Hardeep Singh Mundian further informed that drinking water mitigation works will also be undertaken in 125 habitations, while new projects will be launched in 88 uranium-affected areas to tackle serious contamination issues and safeguard public health.
The Cabinet Minister said the government will also launch the “Nal Jal Mitra” drive, under which one trained individual in every Gram Panchayat will support the operation and maintenance of rural water supply systems, thereby strengthening community-level participation and improving service delivery.
Welcoming the budgetary proposals related to the Revenue and Rehabilitation department, the Cabinet Minister said that the government’s decision to establish a new administrative complex at Sri Anandpur Sahib to commemorate the 350th Martyrdom Anniversary of Sahib Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, would be a revered initiative of the state government. The Cabinet Minister further informed that the government would design this administrative complex in heritage architectural style, which will bring key government offices under one roof, streamline administrative functioning and enhance public service delivery while preserving the historical and spiritual identity of the holy city.
Highlighting further initiatives of revenue department, Hardeep Singh Mundian said the government has taken several transformative steps to make land and property services transparent, technology-driven and citizen-centric.
He said Punjab has become the first state in the country to introduce the “Easy Jamabandi” initiative, which allows citizens to access land records, apply for mutations, request Rapat entries and obtain Fard Badar services through an online portal or even via WhatsApp with doorstep assistance from Sewa Sahayaks.
The Minister further said the “Easy Registry” project has simplified property registration procedures by introducing simplified deed formats and enabling district-wide registration choice with real-time updates for citizens. As many as 6.17 lakh documents have already been registered under this initiative, reflecting its wide acceptance and its role in curbing corruption at Sub-Registrar offices.
Referring to disaster management efforts, the Minister said the government demonstrated swift and systematic response during the devastating floods witnessed last year. During FY 2025-26, the government released Rs.1,010 crore for comprehensive disaster relief and mitigation, which included compensation for crop loss, damage to houses and livestock besides critical investments under the State Mitigation Fund.
He said Punjab has also introduced India’s first fully digital Flood Relief System, enabling geo-tagged surveys and real-time monitoring to ensure direct online transfer of relief funds to beneficiaries without intermediaries. The initiative has significantly reduced delays, enabling flood-affected families to receive financial assistance within a few months whereas earlier such relief often took six months to a year.
As the decisive ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’ campaign launched under the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann enters its 47th day, Punjab Police on Sunday conducted 477 raids at the at identified and mapped locations linked to associates of gangsters across the state.
As per the information, the “Gangstran Te Vaar”— a decisive war to make Punjab a gangster-free state was launched by the Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav on January 20, 2026. Police teams from all the districts in coordination with Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) Punjab has been conducting special operations across the state.
On Day 47, Police teams arrested 147 individuals and recovered two weapons from their possession, taking the total arrests to 13,355 since the launch of the campaign.
Apart from this, preventive action has been taken against 77 persons, whereas, 80 persons were verified and released after questioning. Police teams have also arrested nine proclaimed offenders (POs) during the operation.
People can anonymously report information related to wanted criminals and gangsters, and also share tips on crime and criminal activity, through the Anti Gangster Helpline number 93946-93946.
Meanwhile, Police teams have continued its drive against drugs “Yudh Nashian Virudh” for 372nd day with 88 drug smugglers arrested on Sunday and recovered 1.2 kg heroin, 155 intoxicant tablets/capsules and Rs 50,150 drug money from their possession. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 52,687 in just 372 days. As part of De-addiction, the Punjab Police has convinced 17 persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment today.
Punjab Cabinet Minister and the state president of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Mr Aman Arora today described the state budget 2026-27 as a historic and transformative document that marks the fulfilment of the party’s fifth and only remaining major guarantee to the people of Punjab. He termed the occasion a “golden chapter” in the state’s history, dedicated to the empowerment of women.
Addressing the media at Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Mr. Aman Arora extended heartfelt congratulations to all mothers, daughters and sisters on the momentous occasion. He said that Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab government, inspired by the vision of AAP national Convenor Sh. Arvind Kejriwal, has today delivered on the promise of a direct cash transfer to every woman in Punjab.
Divulging details about the flagship scheme, Mr. Aman Arora stated that women from general category families will receive Rs1,000 per month, while those from SC categories will receive Rs1,500 per month. “This is not just a scheme, but the largest initiative of its kind anywhere in the world, providing direct financial assistance to the women of our state,” he asserted.
The AAP led government has delivered on its major promises, including Sikhya Kranti, free electricity, healthcare revolution, ₹1 crore ex-gratia for martyred soldiers’ families, record govt jobs for youth, and now, women’s empowerment through monthly stipends – a key guarantee finally met in this budget, he added.
“Despite inheriting a debt-ridden treasury, the state government, under the financial stewardship of Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, has not only managed the state’s finances prudently but has also delivered on its promises. This budget reflects the government’s commitment to fiscal responsibility without imposing a single new tax on the people,” Mr. Aman Arora stated.
Mr Aman Arora further highlighted the budget’s focus on key sectors, calling it the largest allocation for health and education in the state’s history. He also pointed to the plan to build 6,000 new sports stadiums as a testament to the government’s holistic development approach.
Touching upon food security initiatives, Mr. Arora informed the expansion of the ‘Meri Rasoi’ scheme, with registrations opening to include new families. These families will now receive essential commodities like wheat flour, pulses and sugar to combat the burden of inflation.
Taking a dig at the opposition for their lack of substantive response during the budget presentation, Mr. Arora remarked, “For over two and a half hours, the opposition sat silently with nothing to say. Previously, they would leap to their feet every half minute to create a ruckus. The clear intent of this historic budget has silenced their noise.”
Mr. Arora drew a sharp contrast between the AAP government’s policies and those of neighbouring states. “While Haryana talks of giving only 20% of its women a conditional benefit, Punjab is extending this benefit to 97% of its women without any income ceiling under Mukh Mantri Mawan Dhian Satikar Yojana. This is the world’s largest direct transfer scheme for women.,” he added.
Meanwhile, he also thanked Punjab Government for announcing the establishment of a state-of-the-art Sant Atar Singh Armed Forces Preparatory Institute in village Cheema of Sunam constituency. This premier institute will be established at the birthplace of the Sant Atar Singh Ji Maharaj, The complex will also include a Degree College, creating a unique ecosystem that blends higher education with the spirit of service to the nation.
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has expressed grief over the tragic accident that occurred yesterday at a colour manufacturing factory in Safidon, Jind district. In this incident, some workers lost their lives, while several others were injured.
The Chief Minister prayed for the peace of the departed souls and conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. He said that the state government stands with the affected families in this difficult time and will provide them with all possible assistance. He also wished a speedy recovery for the injured.
Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini announced financial assistance of ₹5 lakh to the families of each deceased person in this tragic incident. In addition, each injured person will be provided financial assistance of ₹2 lakh.
He has directed the officials to ensure that the injured receive the best possible medical treatment in hospitals. The state government has already issued necessary instructions to the concerned hospitals for proper treatment of the injured.
The Chief Minister has also directed the district administration to conduct a detailed investigation into the incident, so that the causes of the accident can be determined and necessary steps can be taken to prevent such incidents in the future.
Aam Aadmi Party’s National Media In-charge Anurag Dhanda described the “Mukhyamantri Mavaan Dheeyan Satkar Yojana” launched by the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government as the biggest initiative for women’s dignity and empowerment in the country. He said that on the occasion of International Women’s Day, the Punjab government has taken a historic decision that will provide direct financial support to crores of women in the state and enhance their self-respect.
Anurag Dhanda stated that under this scheme, all eligible women above the age of 18 will receive ₹1000 per month, while Scheduled Caste women will receive ₹1500 per month, which will be directly transferred to their bank accounts. Nearly 97 percent of the women in Punjab will benefit from this scheme, which is a record in itself across the country.
He said that the Aam Aadmi Party government has ensured that women will not face unnecessary conditions or restrictions to avail the benefits of the scheme. Even women who are already receiving social security pensions will remain eligible for this scheme.
Dhanda further said that women have always played the most important role in running households, raising children and managing family responsibilities, yet in financial matters they are often dependent on others. The Mann government in Punjab has taken a historic step by giving women economic strength, helping them become financially independent, increasing their participation in household decision-making and improving their health and nutrition.
He said the scheme is not just financial assistance but a campaign to strengthen the dignity and rights of women. The Aam Aadmi Party had given this guarantee to the women of Punjab before the elections, and today it has fulfilled that promise with complete honesty.
Taking a dig at the BJP government in Haryana, Anurag Dhanda said that the ‘Lado Lakshmi Scheme’ announced by the Haryana government turned out to be merely a promise for women, as so many conditions were imposed later that most women were left out of the scheme. As a result, the benefits of the BJP government’s scheme reached only a limited number of women, whereas in Punjab the Mann government has included almost all women under this scheme, setting a real example of public welfare.
He said that while the BJP government in Haryana reduced its scheme to an election slogan, the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab has turned its guarantee into reality.
Anurag Dhanda added that today women across Punjab feel respected and empowered. From villages to cities, there is a sense of enthusiasm and satisfaction among women regarding this decision.
Advising Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh, he said that if the Haryana government truly wants to work for women’s welfare, it should learn from Punjab’s “Kejriwal Model” and provide similar relief to women in Haryana as well.
Dhanda said that the Aam Aadmi Party is a party that fulfills its guarantees, and that is why wherever an AAP government is formed, people receive direct benefits and trust in politics is strengthened.
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.
