IIT Madras to Launch School of Medical Sciences for MBBS MD

| Updated On - Aug 24, 2026

IIT Madras will set up a School of Medical Sciences to offer MBBS and MD degrees. Director V Kamakoti confirmed the plan on August 20 2026. The institute will build a teaching hospital and blend engineering with clinical medicine.

IIT Madras to Launch School of Medical Sciences for MBBS MD

The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) will start a new medical school. Director V Kamakoti confirmed the plan on August 20, 2026. The proposed School of Medical Sciences will offer MBBS and MD degrees.

This puts IIT Madras among the first IITs entering clinical medicine. The institute will build its own teaching hospital on campus. It aims to blend engineering skills with modern medical practice.

The news was shared via the official IIT Madras channel on X. The plan builds on years of medical technology research at the institute.

Key Details of the Announcement

Item	Details
Institute	IIT Madras
New School	School of Medical Sciences
Degrees Offered	MBBS and MD
Announced By	Director V Kamakoti
Announcement Date	August 20, 2026
Campus Location	Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Teaching Hospital	Planned on IIT Madras campus

What the New School Will Offer

The School of Medical Sciences will run undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. The MBBS course will train doctors using an engineering-led approach. The MD programme will focus on advanced clinical specialisations.

Students will study medical technology alongside standard clinical subjects. The institute wants doctors skilled in AI, data, and medical devices. This model matches global trends in modern medical education today.

Plans for a Teaching Hospital

IIT Madras plans to build a full teaching hospital on campus. The hospital will handle both patient care and student training. It will host clinical rotations for MBBS and MD students.

The campus hospital will also enable joint research projects. Engineers and doctors will work together on new medical devices. This can shorten the path from research lab to clinic.

Why IIT Madras Is Entering Medical Education

Director Kamakoti has long spoken of merging engineering with healthcare. The institute already runs research in medical devices and biotech. A dedicated medical school completes this research ecosystem.

India faces a shortage of qualified doctors in many regions. Top technical institutes entering medicine can widen the talent pool. It can also raise the quality of clinical research output.

IIT Madras also hosts a growing medtech startup ecosystem. Many health-focused startups have emerged from its research labs. A medical school will strengthen this innovation pipeline further.

Expected Timeline for the Rollout

The institute has not fixed a firm start date yet. Regulatory approvals from the National Medical Commission are the next step. Land, faculty, and hospital setup will take time to finalise.

Reports suggest the first MBBS batch could enrol within a few years. The full timeline depends on NMC clearance and construction work. Students should track official IIT Madras press releases for updates.

The Ministry of Education has backed IIT expansion into new fields. Recent policy has pushed top institutes toward interdisciplinary learning. IIT Madras is moving in line with this national direction.

How the Curriculum Will Look

The curriculum will follow NMC guidelines for standard MBBS training. It will also include courses on medical AI and biomedical engineering. Such topics are usually taught only at the postgraduate level.

Students may work on joint projects with engineering departments. This gives future doctors early exposure to research tools. It also builds an interdisciplinary mindset from day one.

What This Means for the IIT System

IITs are best known for producing engineers and researchers. Entering MBBS training is a clear shift from that identity. It signals a broader vision for the IIT system today.

Other top IITs may follow with similar medical projects. This could reshape the higher education landscape in India. Students will get more choices for merging tech and medicine.

How Will Admissions Work for the New Programme?

IIT Madras has not yet released the admission pathway details. The institute needs approval from the National Medical Commission. Details on seats, fees, and entrance rules will follow later.

MBBS admissions in India currently run through the NEET UG exam. The new school is expected to follow this national process. Postgraduate MD seats will likely use NEET PG for selection.

A First for the IIT System

This is among the first major MBBS moves by any IIT. Earlier IIT health projects focused on research and postgraduate work. A full undergraduate medical school marks a big new step.