IIT Madras is preparing to expand beyond engineering education by launching medical degree programmes, including MBBS and MD, according to institute Director V Kamakoti.
The institute, known for producing engineering talent for over seven decades, had already taken a step into healthcare in 2023 by setting up the country’s first Department of Medical Sciences and Technology. The four-year undergraduate programme is designed to train medical technology professionals who can develop devices and applications.
Building on that initiative, IIT Madras now plans to introduce full-fledged medical courses aimed at training doctors who can provide direct patient care. Kamakoti said offering medical degrees would take the institution to the next level.
He argued that technology institutions should also start medical programmes, warning that without such integration India may struggle to meet the demands of the global medical market. He also noted that the country still depends on foreign sources for high-end medical equipment.
Kamakoti said designing medical devices domestically requires doctors and engineers to work together under one roof, and the institute’s efforts are being seen as a significant milestone for higher education in India.
