India’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi has long stood as a beacon of excellence in public healthcare, medical education, and cutting-edge research. For decades, it has attracted the nation’s brightest medical minds and served millions of patients seeking affordable, high-quality treatment. However, in recent years, the institution has been grappling with a concerning trend: a steady exodus of its top faculty members and Heads of Departments (HODs). Between 2023 and 2025, at least 15 senior faculty, including several prominent HODs and professors, opted for voluntary retirement years before their official superannuation. Many have since joined private hospitals, raising alarms about the future of this prestigious public institution.

This “quiet exodus,” as described in detailed reporting, is not an isolated phenomenon but part of a larger challenge facing AIIMS Delhi and other institutes across the country. With hundreds of faculty positions lying vacant and patient wait times stretching longer, the departures highlight deep-rooted systemic issues that are pushing even the most committed doctors toward greener pastures in the private sector.

The Scale of the Brain Drain

The numbers paint a worrying picture. According to reports, AIIMS Delhi saw 52 faculty resignations between 2022 and 2024, the highest among all AIIMS institutions. Nationally, 429 faculty members quit various AIIMS campuses during this period. At AIIMS Delhi specifically, nearly one-third of sanctioned faculty posts—around 452 out of 1,306—remain vacant. This shortage is severely impacting operations, with patients facing waits of up to two years for critical procedures in specialties like cardiothoracic and vascular surgery (CTVS) and neurosurgery.

Among the high-profile exits are senior doctors who had dedicated decades to the institute. Dr. Shiv Kumar Choudhary, for instance, stepped down as HOD of CTVS in 2024 after 27 years at AIIMS, despite having a few years of service left. He now practices at a leading private heart institute in Delhi. Similar stories abound, with at least 13 of the 15 senior departures between 2023 and 2025 leading to private sector roles. Many cited “personal reasons” in official records, but conversations with current and former colleagues reveal a more complex set of professional frustrations.

The trend extends beyond seniors. Between April 2018 and mid-2025, 58 doctors at assistant, associate, and additional professor levels also resigned. For many young faculty, AIIMS serves as a prestigious launchpad—a name that dramatically boosts their value in the private job market—rather than a lifelong career commitment.

Unpacking the Reasons: Bureaucracy, Pay, and More

Why are doctors leaving one of India’s most respected medical institutions? Interviews with over a dozen current and former AIIMS doctors point to a mix of bureaucratic inefficiencies, governance challenges, economic disparities, and changing professional expectations.

Bureaucratic Overload and Administrative Hurdles
One of the most frequently mentioned issues is the heavy administrative burden. Doctors at AIIMS spend significant time navigating procurement tenders, endless paperwork, and bureaucratic delays instead of focusing on patient care, teaching, or research. Broken supply chains and slow decision-making processes frustrate clinicians who entered the field to heal and innovate. As one senior doctor noted, the institution increasingly demands more while offering steadily less autonomy and support.

Leadership and Hierarchy Concerns
Several departures have been linked to perceived disruptions in institutional hierarchy and leadership styles. When senior faculty, who spent their careers at AIIMS, report to relatively younger directors or face what they describe as favoritism and internal politics, it creates an environment of mistrust. One former HOD highlighted how such dynamics erode the traditional order of seniority that once defined the institute’s functioning. Issues of governance and limited opportunities for career progression further compound the problem.

The Private Sector Pull: Better Pay and Facilities
Financial incentives play a major role. Salaries in private hospitals can be four to ten times higher than government pay scales at AIIMS. Top doctors with AIIMS credentials command premium packages, along with better infrastructure, research funding, and work-life balance. Private facilities often provide dedicated support staff, modern equipment, and fewer administrative headaches, allowing specialists to focus on high-end procedures and patient volumes that translate into better earnings.

For mid-to-late career doctors, the move also offers better retirement security and overall quality of life. Many leave with 2–4 years of service remaining, leveraging their expertise and reputation for lucrative opportunities.

Housing Shortages and Lifestyle Challenges
Practical issues like inadequate faculty housing in Delhi add to the daily grind. Combined with the high cost of living and intense workload, these factors make retention difficult, especially when private hospitals offer more comfortable arrangements.

Shift Away from Research and Academic Focus
AIIMS has traditionally been a hub for medical research, but many doctors complain of reduced “protected time” for academic pursuits. The emphasis has shifted toward handling ever-growing patient loads without corresponding increases in resources or staff, leading to burnout and diminished job satisfaction.

Broader Implications for Public Healthcare

The exodus at AIIMS Delhi mirrors challenges across the network of newer AIIMS institutions. Many of these campuses struggle with infrastructure deficits, lack of housing, poor connectivity in Tier-2/3 cities, and safety concerns, making postings unattractive. Nearly one in three faculty positions remains vacant nationwide, crippling services and training programs.

For a country with a massive population and growing healthcare needs, losing experienced faculty from the apex institution has ripple effects. Overburdened remaining staff face increased pressure, potentially affecting care quality, teaching standards for the next generation of doctors, and India’s global standing in medical research. Cardiac surgeries and other critical procedures have reportedly been canceled or delayed due to shortages.

Possible Paths Forward

Addressing this brain drain requires urgent, multi-pronged reforms. Experts suggest competitive pay revisions, performance-based incentives, streamlined administrative processes, and dedicated research time. Improving housing facilities, reducing political interference in appointments, and fostering a more supportive governance structure could help restore faith among faculty.

Some propose emulating successful models from private institutions or international public healthcare systems that balance service delivery with professional growth. The government’s expansion of AIIMS-like facilities is commendable, but without focused retention strategies, these efforts risk being undermined by talent flight.

Preserving the Legacy

AIIMS Delhi’s reputation was built on the dedication of generations of doctors who chose public service over lucrative alternatives. Today, that legacy is under strain. While the institute continues to deliver under immense pressure, the departure of top talent signals that prestige and societal impact alone are no longer sufficient to retain the best minds.

As India aims for universal healthcare and medical self-reliance, retaining faculty at institutions like AIIMS is not just an administrative issue—it is a national priority. Policymakers, administrators, and the medical community must collaborate to rebuild an environment where doctors can thrive professionally while serving the millions who rely on public institutions. Without meaningful changes, the exodus may continue, diminishing one of India’s greatest healthcare assets.

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