Special Correspondent: Arun Sharma

New Delhi: In a landmark development for India’s scientific and medical research ecosystem, the prestigious All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi has entered into a historic collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to advance space medicine research.


The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), initiated under the leadership of Dr. M. Srinivas, Director of AIIMS, is being seen as a major step toward strengthening India’s capabilities in human spaceflight missions and biomedical research in space.


Experts believe the partnership will significantly enhance India’s ability to understand the impact of space environments on the human body and help develop next-generation medical technologies relevant for long-duration space missions.


Agreement Signed by Key Scientific Leaders
The historic MoU was formally signed by:
Dr. M. Srinivas — Director, AIIMS New Delhi
Dr. Dinesh Kumar Singh — Director, Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC), ISRO
The ceremony was attended by Dr. V. Narayanan, Chairman of ISRO and Secretary, Department of Space, who highlighted the importance of the collaboration in strengthening India’s human spaceflight programme.
During the event, noted space medicine expert Prof. K. K. Deepak, former Head of the Department of Physiology at AIIMS, delivered a detailed presentation on the institute’s ongoing space medicine research initiatives.
The programme’s coordination and media facilitation were led by Prof. Reema Dada, In-charge of the AIIMS Media Cell.
The event also witnessed the presence of AIIMS Deans, department heads, senior faculty members, Resident Doctors Association (RDA), AIIMS Students Association (ASA), and Society of Young Scientists (SYS).


Dr. M. Srinivas: Partnership Will Give India a New “Escape Velocity”
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. M. Srinivas described the collaboration as a transformative step for India’s scientific future.
He said the joint initiative between AIIMS and ISRO would provide India a new “escape velocity” in the field of space medicine, adding that the outcomes of the research would benefit not only India but humanity as a whole.
He also expressed confidence that India could achieve global leadership in space medicine by 2047, aligning with the vision of a Developed India (Viksit Bharat).


Key Research Areas Under the Collaboration
Under the AIIMS–ISRO partnership, joint research will focus on several crucial scientific domains, including:
Human physiological responses in microgravity
Cardiovascular and autonomic nervous system regulation
Bone and muscle health in space environments
Microbiome and immunology research
Genomics and biomarker studies


Psychological and behavioural health of astronauts
These areas are critical for long-duration space missions and astronaut health management.
AIIMS Strengthening Its Role as India’s Medical Research Powerhouse
Recognised as the country’s premier medical institution, AIIMS New Delhi continues to lead in healthcare excellence, medical education, and cutting-edge research.


Under the leadership of Dr. M. Srinivas, the institute has been expanding international collaborations and advanced scientific research, further positioning India on the global map of medical innovation.


ISRO Chairman Highlights India’s Inspirational Space Journey
Addressing the gathering, Dr. V. Narayanan recalled the remarkable journey of India’s space programme — from the early days when rocket components were transported on bicycles and bullock carts to becoming a global leader in space technology.


He emphasized that collaborations with leading institutions like AIIMS would significantly strengthen India’s human spaceflight programme and biomedical research capabilities.
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