The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi has installed a state-of-the-art da Vinci Surgical Robot at its Skills, E-learning and Telemedicine (SET) facility, positioning itself at the forefront of robotic-surgery education in India.

With this addition, AIIMS becomes the only institute in the country to house two training-exclusive surgical robots—the da Vinci system from Intuitive Surgicals and the Hugo robot from Medtronic. Officials say the move will vastly expand opportunities for medical students, residents, and surgeons to gain hands-on expertise in robotic-assisted procedures without having to train abroad.

The SET facility, already a hub for simulation-based medical education, will now allow learners to practise across specialties ranging from urology and gynaecology to oncology, general surgery, and head and neck procedures. The environment, designed around manikins and simulators, provides a low-risk platform for mastering complex skills.

“Demand for precision-driven surgical technologies is rising rapidly,” said AIIMS Director Dr. M. Srinivas. “This centre will help surgeons perform with greater accuracy, shorten recovery times for patients, and set higher standards of care.”

Dr. Amlesh Seth, Head of Urology, called robotic surgery a transformative force: “It offers superior control, visibility, and precision. With this facility, young surgeons will gain early exposure under expert supervision, while senior doctors can mentor the next generation.”

Rohitt Mahajan, Vice President and General Manager at Intuitive India, said the collaboration underscores a shared goal: advancing robotic-surgery education and accelerating its adoption in Indian healthcare.

By embedding advanced robotics into its training ecosystem, AIIMS Delhi is not just enhancing surgical education—it is reshaping the future of minimally invasive care in India.