The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, is currently grappling with a significant shortage of faculty members, with nearly 35% of sanctioned posts lying vacant, according to information revealed through a Right to Information (RTI) request.
Responding to an RTI query filed by activist M M Shuja in January 2025, AIIMS Delhi disclosed that 430 faculty positions remain unfilled out of a total sanctioned strength of 1,235. The response was provided on March 18 by the institute’s faculty cell administrative officer.
Recruitment Gaps and Hiring Challenges
The institute shared that 172 assistant professor posts were advertised back in 2019, but only 110 candidates eventually joined.
Further, during 2021 and 2022, only 173 assistant professors and 3 associate professors (in the College of Nursing) joined, despite 270 positions being advertised.
Worryingly, the institute admitted that no regular faculty recruitment took place in the years:
- 2020
- 2023
- 2024
- And the first quarter of 2025
Faculty Shortage Raises Concerns
The ongoing shortage at one of India’s premier healthcare and research institutions raises concerns about the impact on medical education, research output, and patient care services. Stakeholders are urging the authorities to expedite recruitment processes and address the faculty gap to maintain AIIMS’ high standards of excellence.
