The Making of a Med School: Inside IIT Kharagpur's New MD Program

A new chapter in the annals of Indian medical education is being written, not in a traditional bastion of medicine, but within the hallowed grounds of the country's oldest and most revered engineering institution. The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur, a name synonymous with technological prowess and engineering excellence, is embarking on a pioneering journey to redefine medical training in India. The much-anticipated launch of its postgraduate medical program, a Doctor of Medicine (MD), signals a paradigm shift, one that promises to fuse the precision of engineering with the compassion of medicine to create a new breed of physician-innovators.

This ambitious undertaking, decades in the making, has evolved from its initial conception and is now poised to welcome its first cohort of medical postgraduates. The Dr. B. C. Roy Institute of Medical Science & Technology, the academic heart of this initiative, in tandem with the state-of-the-art Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, is set to become a crucible for a technology-infused medical curriculum. This is the inside story of the making of a med school that aims to not just teach medicine, but to transform it.

A Dream Decades in the Making: From a Visionary Idea to a Strategic Pivot

The genesis of a medical school at IIT Kharagpur is a tale of long-held aspirations and strategic recalibration. The initial seed for this monumental project was sown on May 17, 2007, when the then President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, laid the foundation stone for the Dr. B.C. Roy Multi Speciality Medical Research Centre. The grand vision was to establish a comprehensive medical ecosystem, complete with an undergraduate MBBS program and a super-specialty hospital, a vision that seemed close to realization in late 2021. However, the path to establishing a new medical institution, especially one that seeks to disrupt the traditional model, is fraught with challenges.

In a significant strategic pivot, IIT Kharagpur announced in October 2025 that it would commence its journey into medical education with a postgraduate MD program, placing the undergraduate MBBS program on a temporary hold. The rationale behind this decision, as articulated by the institute's leadership, is a pragmatic one: the immense infrastructural and logistical requirements of an undergraduate medical program. Starting with a more focused postgraduate program allows the institution to leverage its existing strengths in research and technology, and to build a robust foundation before expanding to a larger undergraduate intake.

This shift, however, is not a dilution of the original dream but a calculated and strategic step towards its eventual fulfillment. As IIT Kharagpur Director, Professor Suman Chakraborty, explained, the availability of highly skilled doctors and experts in medical technology research at the institute makes a postgraduate program a natural and fitting starting point. This approach will allow for the development of "technology-empowered advanced medical studies and research," setting a new benchmark for medical education in the country.

The Twin Pillars: Dr. B. C. Roy Institute and Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Hospital

The architecture of IIT Kharagpur's medical venture rests on two formidable pillars: the Dr. B. C. Roy Institute of Medical Science & Technology and the Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Institute of Medical Sciences & Research. The Dr. B. C. Roy Institute, housed within the sprawling IIT Kharagpur campus, will serve as the academic nucleus for the new MD program. Named in honor of the first Chief Minister of West Bengal, who was instrumental in the establishment of the first IIT in the country, the institute is a testament to the deep-rooted connection between the institution and the region.

The practical and clinical training, the very bedrock of postgraduate medical education, will be imparted at the Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Institute of Medical Sciences & Research. This super-specialty hospital, developed on an 18-acre plot in Balarampur, just outside the main campus, is a modern healthcare facility designed to serve not only the students and faculty of IIT but also the wider community. The hospital's journey to full functionality has been a gradual and steady one, marking a significant milestone in September 2025 with the successful completion of its first surgery. This transition from an outpatient department to a facility with inpatient and surgical capabilities is a crucial step in preparing the ground for the incoming MD students.

The hospital is envisioned to be a 400-bed super-specialty center, with plans for future expansion to 750 beds. It is being developed to offer advanced medical services in a range of specialties including cardiology, neurosurgery, oncology, and organ transplantation. For the students of the MD program, this hospital will be more than just a training ground; it will be a living laboratory where they will witness and participate in the application of cutting-edge medical technologies and treatment protocols.

Forging a New Path: The Vision of a Technology-Infused MD Program

At the heart of IIT Kharagpur's medical program is a revolutionary vision: to create a new cadre of "clinician-scientists." These will be medical professionals who are not only adept at clinical practice but are also equipped with the analytical and problem-solving skills of an engineer. The curriculum for the new MD program is being designed to be a seamless blend of medical science and technology, a departure from the traditional, more siloed approach to medical education.

The emphasis will be on integrating subjects like artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, and biomedical engineering into the core medical curriculum. This interdisciplinary approach is a response to the evolving landscape of healthcare, where technology is increasingly playing a transformative role in diagnosis, treatment, and research. The goal is to train doctors who can not only use advanced medical technology but also contribute to its development and innovation.

Professor Suman Chakraborty, the Director of IIT Kharagpur and a distinguished academic in the field of mechanical and biomedical engineering, has been a vocal proponent of this vision. He has emphasized the need for a medical education that is not just about memorizing facts but about fostering a spirit of inquiry and innovation. The MD program at IIT Kharagpur is envisioned as a "testbed for next-generation innovations in medical technology," a place where students will be encouraged to think critically, challenge existing paradigms, and develop solutions to some of the most pressing healthcare challenges.

This philosophy is deeply rooted in the existing ecosystem of IIT Kharagpur. The School of Medical Science and Technology (SMST), established in 2001, has been a pioneer in interdisciplinary medical education in India for over two decades. The school offers a range of postgraduate programs, including the highly sought-after Masters in Medical Science and Technology (MMST) for MBBS graduates, which imparts engineering and research skills to medical professionals. The experience and expertise of the faculty at SMST, with their diverse backgrounds in areas like medical imaging, biomaterials, and telemedicine, will be invaluable in shaping the curriculum of the new MD program.

The First Cohort: Admissions and the Road Ahead

The journey to welcoming the first batch of MD students is now in its final stages. IIT Kharagpur is awaiting the green signal from the National Medical Council (NMC), the apex body for medical education in India, to formally launch the program. The institute has diligently prepared all the necessary paperwork and is ready to apply for approval as soon as the NMC portal opens.

The initial intake for the MD program is planned to be a select group of 10 to 20 students. This small cohort size will ensure that each student receives personalized attention and mentorship, and has ample opportunities to engage with the faculty and the unique research ecosystem at IIT Kharagpur.

While the specific eligibility criteria and admission process for the MD program will be announced after receiving the NMC's approval, it is expected to be a highly competitive process, attracting some of the brightest medical graduates in the country. The selection process will likely go beyond just academic scores, looking for candidates with a demonstrable interest in research, innovation, and the application of technology in medicine.

A Collaborative Ecosystem: Partnerships for Excellence

Recognizing the importance of collaboration in building a world-class medical program, IIT Kharagpur has forged strategic partnerships with some of the leading medical institutions in the country. Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed with AIIMS Kalyani and AIIMS Delhi, two of the premier medical institutes in India.

These collaborations will be instrumental in enriching the academic and research experience of the MD students. They will facilitate joint academic programs, collaborative research projects, and the exchange of faculty and students. Students at IIT Kharagpur's medical school will have the opportunity to interact with and learn from the faculty at AIIMS, and to participate in research projects that span both institutions. This cross-pollination of ideas and expertise will be a key differentiator of the program.

The partnership with AIIMS Kalyani, in particular, is envisioned to be a deep and multifaceted one, encompassing joint teaching, research, and medical services. The collaboration aims to nurture "world-class translational medical research in a multi-disciplinary environment." This synergy between a technological powerhouse and a center of medical excellence is poised to create a unique and powerful learning environment.

The Dawn of a New Era in Medical Education

The launch of the MD program at IIT Kharagpur is more than just the addition of a new course at a prestigious institution. It is a bold and visionary step towards a new future for medical education in India. By breaking down the traditional barriers between engineering and medicine, IIT Kharagpur is creating a fertile ground for innovation and discovery.

The "making of a med school" at IIT Kharagpur is a story of perseverance, strategic foresight, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. It is a story that will unfold in the coming years, as the first cohort of physician-innovators graduate and go on to make their mark on the world. The world will be watching as this unique experiment in medical education takes shape, and as IIT Kharagpur once again proves its mettle as a trailblazer in the world of Indian education.