CHANDIGARH, 06.03.26-The Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, will celebrate its 12th Annual Research Day tomorrow, Saturday, March 7, 2026, reaffirming the institute’s enduring commitment to scientific inquiry, innovation, and evidence-based healthcare. The annual event has emerged as an important academic milestone at PGIMER, bringing together clinicians, scientists, and researchers to showcase significant medical research and innovative work carried out across the institute.

The event will be graced by Prof. Nikhil Tandon, Dean, AIIMS, New Delhi, as the Chief Guest. Prof. Tandon is one of India’s most distinguished physician-scientists and an internationally respected authority in endocrinology. A senior faculty member at AIIMS, he has made seminal contributions in the fields of diabetes, metabolic disorders, and endocrine research. Over the years, he has played a pivotal role in shaping national research priorities in non-communicable diseases and has been actively involved in several major policy and advisory bodies in the country.

Prof. Tandon will deliver a special address titled “Wearing Two Hats: Doctor’s Dilemma.” In his talk, he will reflect on the complex balance clinicians must maintain between dedicated patient care and advancing research-driven medical innovation—a challenge central to modern healthcare. His presence is expected to inspire young investigators and reinforce the institute’s commitment to translational research and scientific excellence.

Expressing enthusiasm for the upcoming celebration, Prof. Vivek Lal, Director, PGIMER, stated, “Research Day reflects PGIMER’s strong commitment to advancing evidence-based medicine and innovation in healthcare. It provides an opportunity to recognise outstanding scientific work, encourage young researchers, and promote academic collaboration that ultimately translates into improved patient care, particularly for the underserved.”

Highlighting PGIMER’s legacy in advancing medical science, Prof. Vivek Lal highlighted that since its establishment in 1962, the institute has consistently remained at the forefront of clinical and translational research, contributing significantly to the advancement of medical knowledge and influencing healthcare practices both nationally and globally.

Director PGIMER further detailed, “Over the past year, the institute has witnessed remarkable momentum in research activity. Between April 1, 2025 and March 5, 2026, PGIMER secured nearly ₹143 crore in extramural research funding from leading national and international agencies, compared to ₹129.7 crore during 2024–25, reflecting the growing confidence of major funding bodies in the institute’s scientific capabilities. In addition, the number of intramural research projects during the current year has also reached to 101, underscoring the institute’s sustained commitment to fostering innovative research within its academic community.”

A total of 827 research projects are currently underway during 2025–26, compared to 573 projects in 2024–25, spanning clinical, surgical, and basic science disciplines. This significant increase reflects the expanding scale, depth, and diversity of research activity at PGIMER, Chandigarh, elaborated Director PGIMER.

Another highlight of the event will be 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 include Prof. Ritesh Aggarwal from the Department of Pulmonary Medicine, recipient of the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize (2020) for his pioneering work 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 research in paediatric epilepsy; and Prof. Suresh Kumar, also from the Department of Paediatrics, who has been conferred the 2025 award for his research demonstrating that probiotics can be a life-saving intervention for critically ill children in intensive care units.

The upcoming Annual Research Day will provide a significant platform for PGIMER’s faculty members, researchers, and young investigators to showcase their most impactful scientific publications and innovative breakthroughs from the past year, covering the period April 2024 to March 2025.

A total of 329 research publications have been submitted for evaluation, reflecting the institute’s vibrant research ecosystem and scholarly productivity. From these, the top 35 outstanding publications will be honoured with prestigious awards during the event.

In addition, 59 innovative projects have been received for presentation, demonstrating the institute’s growing emphasis on translational research and practical healthcare solutions. Of these, 50 innovations are in the early stages of development, while 7 have progressed to advanced stages, highlighting promising ideas with the potential to significantly impact patient care and medical practice.

The programme will begin with Poster and Innovation Bazaar viewing from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., followed by the formal function at NINE Auditorium, where the best research publications and innovations of the year will be recognised and honoured by the Chief Guest in the presence of distinguished guests.

Summing up the significance of the event, Prof. Vivek Lal remarked, “Annual Research Day is not merely a celebration of academic achievement; it reflects PGIMER’s enduring commitment to research-driven healthcare and the pursuit of transformative medical advancements that benefit society at large.”