National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences

National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences
Official insignia of the institute[1]
Mottosamatvaṃ yoga ucyate
TypePublic medical school
Established
  • 1847 (1847) as Bangalore Lunatic Asylum[2]
  • 1925 (1925) as Government Mental Hospital
  • 27 December 1974 (27 December 1974) as NIMHANS
Budget917.21 crore (US$97 million)(2026)[3]
PresidentUnion Minister of Health and Family Welfare
DirectorDr. Pratima Murthy[4]
Academic staff
249 [5]
Students553 [5]
Postgraduates269 [5]
284 [5]
Location, ,
India

12°56′22.4″N 77°35′55.7″E / 12.939556°N 77.598806°E / 12.939556; 77.598806
CampusUrban[6][note 1], 174 acres (70 ha)
MascotWhite Swan
Websitenimhans.ac.in

The National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences (NIMHANS) is a medical institution in Bengaluru, India.[7] NIMHANS serves as the apex centre for mental health education and neuroscience research in the country.[8] It is an Institute of National Importance operating autonomously under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.[9] NIMHANS is widely regarded as a leading institution in India for super-specialty training across psychiatry, neurology, and neurosurgery, and has been listed among Newsweek’s World’s Best Hospitals.[10][11]

History

The history of the institute dates back to 1847, when the Bangalore Lunatic Asylum was founded. In 1925, the Government of Mysore renamed the asylum as the Mental Hospital. The Mysore Government Mental Hospital became the first institute in India for postgraduate training in psychiatry.[2]

The National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) was the result of the amalgamation of the erstwhile State Mental Hospital and the All India Institute of Mental Health (AIIMH) in 1954. The institute was established on 27 December 1974 as an autonomous body under the Societies Registration Act to lead in the area of medical service and research in the country.

On 14 November 1994, NIMHANS was conferred a deemed university status by the University Grants Commission with academic autonomy. The institute has been declared as an Institute of National Importance by an act of parliament in 2012.[12] In March 2017, the Government of India passed the Mental Healthcare Bill 2016, which also proposes to set up NIMHANS-like institutions across the nation.[13][14][15]In 2017, then-Governor of Jharkhand, Droupadi Murmu, advocated for upgrading the Central Institute of Psychiatry (CIP) in Ranchi similar to the NIMHANS in Bengaluru.[16]

Campus

NIMHANS has five campuses in the city, spread over an area of 174 acres of urban establishments, which includes 30 acres of an under-construction Bangalore North campus.[17][18][19] The main campuses of the institute are located in Byrasandra (hospital wing) and Lakkasandra (academic and administrative wing) localities on either side of the Hosur Road.[20] The 'Community Mental Health Center' is located in the Sakalawara area on Bannerghatta Road.[21] The 'NIMHANS Centre for Well Being' is situated in a residential area in BTM Layout.[22] A state-of-the-art convention centre located in the main campus frequently hosts international conferences, seminars, trade shows, expositions, and media events.[23][24]

Organization and administration

Governance

Directors of the AIIMH/NIMHANS[25]
  • M. V. Govindaswamy (1954–59)
  • D. L. N. Murti Rao (1960–62)
  • B. D. Punekar (1963)
  • Keki Masani (1963–64)
  • N. C. Surya (1965–68)
  • K. Bhaskaran (1969)
  • R. Marthanda Varma (1969–77)
  • K. S. Mani (1977–78)
  • R. Marthanda Varma (1978–79)
  • G. N. Narayana Reddy (1979–89)
  • S. M. Channabasavanna (1989–97)
  • M. Gourie-Devi (1997–2002)
  • D. Nagaraja (2002–10)
  • S. K. Shankar (2010)
  • P. Satish Chandra (2010–15)
  • N. Pradhan (2015)
  • G. S. Umamaheswara Rao (2015)
  • B. N. Gangadhar (2016–2020)
  • G. Gururaj (2020–2021)
  • Satish Chandra Girimaji (2021)
  • Pratima Murthy (2021–present)

The National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences is a multidisciplinary institute for patient care and academic pursuit in the frontier area of mental health and neurosciences. The priority gradient adopted at the institute is service, manpower development and research. A multidisciplinary integrated approach is the mainstay of this institute, paving the way to translate the results from the bench to the bedside. Several national and international funding organizations provide resources for academic and research activities.

Departments

Central Facilities

  • Advanced Centre for Ayurveda in Mental Health and Neurosciences[27]
  • Central Animal Research Facility
  • Sakalwara Community Mental Health Centre[26]
  • Centre for Public Health
  • Centre for Addiction Medicine
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Engineering Section
  • Library and Information Centre
  • Magneto-encephalography Centre
  • PET MRI Centre
  • Neurobiology Research Centre
  • NIMHANS Centre for Well Being
  • Virtual Learning Centre
  • Center for Molecular Imaging
  • Centre for Brain Mapping
  • Gamma Knife Centre
  • NIMHANS Health Centre
  • NIMHANS Integrated Centre for Yoga[28]
  • NIMHANS Gymkhana
  • Nutrition and Dietetics Centre
  • Physiotherapy Centre
  • NIMHANS Digital Academy[29]
  • NIMHANS Convention Centre
  • NIMHANS Gymkhana
  • WHO Collaborating Centre for Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion[30]

Academics

Academic programs

Doctor of Philosophy

  • Ph.D. in Biophysics
  • Ph.D. in Biostatistics
  • Ph.D. in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
  • Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology
  • Ph.D. in Clinical Neurosciences (ICMR Fellowship)
  • Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology
  • Ph.D. in Clinical Psychopharmacology & Neurotoxicology
  • Ph.D. in Epidemiology
  • Ph.D. in History of Psychiatry
  • Ph.D. in Human Genetics
  • Ph.D. in Integrative Medicine
  • Ph.D. in Mental Health Rehabilitation
  • Ph.D. in Neurochemistry
  • Ph.D. in Neuroimaging & Interventional Radiology
  • Ph.D. in Neurological Rehabilitation
  • Ph.D. in Neurology
  • Ph.D. in Neuroimaging & Interventional Radiology
  • Ph.D. in Neuromicrobiology
  • Ph.D. in Neuropathology
  • Ph.D. in Neurophysiology
  • Ph.D. in Neurovirology
  • Ph.D. in Nursing
  • Ph.D. in Psychiatric Social Work
  • Ph.D. in Psychosocial Support
  • Ph.D. in Psychiatry
  • Ph.D. in Public Health
  • Ph.D. in Speech Pathology & Audiology

Super Speciality Medicine Courses

  • DM in Neuroimaging and Interventional Radiology
  • DM in Neurology (Post MBBS)
  • DM in Neurology (Post MD/DNB)
  • DM in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
  • DM in Addiction Psychiatry
  • DM in Forensic Psychiatry
  • DM in Geriatric Psychiatry
  • DM in Neuroanaesthesia & Neurocritical Care
  • DM in Neuropathology
  • M.Ch. in Neurosurgery (Post MBBS)
  • M.Ch. in Neurosurgery (Post MS/DNB)

Post-graduate Degree/Fellowship

  • MD in Psychiatry
  • MD in Ayurveda Manovigyan Evam Manasa Roga
  • Fellowship in Psychosocial Support in Disaster Management
  • Fellowship in Geriatric Mental Health Care
  • Fellowship in Mental Health Education
  • Fellowship in Geriatric Mental Health Nursing
  • Fellowship in Psychiatric Rehabilitation
  • Fellowship in Psychosocial Care for elderly
  • M.Phil. in Clinical Psychology
  • M.Phil. in Psychiatric Social Work
  • M.Sc. in Biostatistics
  • M.Sc. in Neurosciences
  • M.Sc. in Yoga Therapy
  • Master in Public Health
  • M.Sc. in Neuroscience Nursing
  • M.Sc. in Psychiatric Nursing

Post-doctoral Fellowship

  • Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
  • Neuroanaesthesia
  • Neurocritical Care
  • Neuroinfection
  • Hospital Infection Control
  • Epilepsy
  • Movement Disorders
  • Neuromuscular Disorder
  • Stroke
  • Neuropathology
  • Paediatric Neurology
  • Transfusion Medicine
  • Neurological Rehabilitation
  • Acute Care & Emergency Psychiatry
  • Community Mental Health
  • Addiction Medicine
  • Forensic Psychiatry
  • Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry
  • Geriatric Psychiatry
  • Obsessive Compulsive disorder & related disorders
  • Clinical Neurosciences & Therapeutics in Schizophrenia
  • Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation of Psychiatric disorders
  • Cognitive Neurosciences
  • Women's Mental Health

Undergraduate Programmes

  • B.Sc. Nursing
  • B.Sc. Anaesthesia Technology
  • B.Sc. Radiography
  • B.Sc. Clinical Neurophysiology Technology

Rankings

University rankings
Medical – India
NIRF (2024)[31]4

The National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences has been ranked 4th among medical institutions in India by the National Institutional Ranking Framework in 2024.[31]

Mental Health Policy and Debates

NIMHANS plays a central role in India's mental health programs focused on accessibility, early intervention, and community care. As the nodal center for the Government of India's Tele-MANAS (Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States), NIMHANS supports a 24/7 tele-mental health helpline providing free, multilingual counseling and referral services nationwide.[32][33] In addition, NIMHANS contributes to capacity building under the National Mental Health Programme and leads digital and community outreach initiatives targeting underserved populations.[34][35]

During and after the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences led India's mental health response through helplines and guidelines, though some critics argued this risked over-medicalizing socioeconomic distress.[36] A 2025 study reported by The New Indian Express on neurological complications in COVID-19 patients was also debated after its findings were linked in public discourse to vaccine safety, raising concerns about misinterpretation.[37]

Experts from the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences were closely involved in shaping and interpreting the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, particularly its rights-based provisions, while also warning that safeguards such as restrictions on electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) could pose challenges in clinical practice and implementation.[38][39]

In May 2015, the institute's faculty association criticized the 'Juvenile Justice Bill' that was tabled in Parliament.[40] Preeti Jacob, from the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, was quoted as saying "Juveniles are less culpable and are much more amenable to rehabilitative efforts and thus should not be transferred to the adult criminal justice system. The assessments that are being proposed in the bill in order to ascertain the mental capacity to commit an offense are arbitrary and unscientific."[41][42]

In December 2014, it was reported that a soldier from the Indian Navy was being held in NIMHANS for a month to evaluate whether he was suffering from mental illness, after acting as a whistleblower. After the month-long evaluation, it was concluded that the Navy person was not suffering from any mental illness.[43][44] In July 2013, TOI reported that NIMHANS was collaborating with the Central Bureau of Investigation to train its staff with interrogation techniques.[45]

In 2012, the central government approached NIMHANS to suppress anti-nuclear protests regarding the construction of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant. The government asked NIMHANS to dispatch psychiatrists to Kudankulam to counsel protesters. To fulfill the plan, NIMHANS formed a team of six members, all from the Department of Social Psychiatry. The psychiatrists were sent to get a "peek into the protesters' minds" and help them learn the importance of the plant.[46][47]

In 2008, a reality show contestant, Shinjini Sen, after getting reprimanded by the TV show judges, temporarily lost her voice and physical mobility. It was alleged by the media that the television show judges' behavior caused such disability. To resolve her case, she was flown from Kolkata to Bangalore's NIMHANS to be treated for a neurobiological condition.[48][49][50] Professor B N Gangadhar, the then medical superintendent, told the press, "We can say at this juncture that she could be suffering from depression. Depression does not lead to permanent loss of speech or physical disability. We are diagnosing why that has happened. There could be complex neurological factors leading to such conditions."[49]

Notable people

NIMHANS has a strong alumni network of medical scientists and doctors who hold many prestigious positions across the world. Some of the prominent people associated with the institute include clinical psychologists H. Narayan Murthy,[51] Radhika Chandiramani,[52] Satwant Pasricha,[53] Elayidath Muhammad,[54] philosophers and yoga therapists S. K. Ramachandra Rao[55] H. R. Nagendra,[56] psychiatrists M. Sarada Menon,[57] Shekhar Seshadri,[58] Jaswant Singh Neki, Valsamma Eapen,[59] neuroscientists, Akhilesh Pandey[60] Turaga Desiraju,[61] S. K. Shankar, Vijayalakshmi Ravindranath,[62] Ganesan Venkatasubramanian[63] Bilikere Dwarakanath,[64] neurologists Naeem Sadiq,[65] Sunil Pradhan,[66] and neurosurgeons, N. K. Venkataramana,[67] R. Marthanda Varma among others.[25]

Bibliography

  • Willford, Andrew (24 January 2022). "'Do You Hear Voices, or Do You Think You Hear Voices?': Malevolence and Modernity in the Psychiatric Clinic". South Asia: Journal of South Asian Studies. 45 (1): 164–182. doi:10.1080/00856401.2022.2018639. S2CID 246342737.

See also

  • Mental health in India

Notes

  1. ^ Total area of the institute includes 144 acres of the existing campuses and 30 acres of land acquired for the construction of Bangalore north campus

References

  1. ^ "Logo and Anthem – Nimhans". Archived from the original on 19 May 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
  2. ^ a b "History and Milestones – Nimhans". Archived from the original on 30 May 2024. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
  3. ^ "DEMAND NO. 46, Department of Health and Family Welfare, MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE" (PDF). Indiabudget.gov.in. 1 February 2025. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  4. ^ Chauhan, Bala. "Senior psychiatrist Pratima Murthy Appointed as director of NIMHANS for five years". The New Indian Express June 19, 2021 10:18 AM IST. Bengaluru. Archived from the original on 25 June 2021. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  5. ^ a b c d "NIRF 2022" (PDF). NIRF. Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 August 2024. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  6. ^ Campus, NIMHANS (September 2022). "Campus Area" (PDF). nimhans.ac.in. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 May 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  7. ^ Dhar, Aarti (21 October 2010). "NIMHANS to be declared institute of national importance". The Hindu – via www.thehindu.com.
  8. ^ "National Institute of Mental Health and Neuroscience | Global | University of Liverpool". www.liverpool.ac.uk. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
  9. ^ "Speeches Detail - The President of India". PresidentOfIndia.nic.in. Archived from the original on 13 April 2017. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
  10. ^ "Best Hospitals 2021 - Top Specialized". Newsweek. 2 March 2021. Archived from the original on 22 August 2025. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
  11. ^ Madhugiri, Venkatesh S. (2015). "Publication performance and research output of Neurology and Neurosurgery training institutes in India: A 5-year analysis". Neurology India. 63 (3): 338–346. doi:10.4103/0028-3886.158200. ISSN 0028-3886. PMID 26053805.
  12. ^ "PRS - Bill Track - The National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences, Bangalore Bill, 2010". www.PRSIndia.org. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
  13. ^ IANS (8 April 2017). "Govt to set up NIMHANS-like institutes; every 20th Indian depressed: Nadda". Business Standard. Archived from the original on 16 May 2017. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
  14. ^ "NIMHANS-like institute proposed for Vadodara - Times of India". The Times of India. 10 October 2015. Archived from the original on 9 November 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
  15. ^ "Odisha seeks a NIMHANS like institution in Cuttack - The Economic Times". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 14 April 2017. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
  16. ^ "Governor for upgrading CIP as NIMHANS, Bengaluru". The Times of India May 18, 2017, 11.27 AM IST. 17 May 2017. Archived from the original on 18 May 2017. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
  17. ^ Campus, NIMHANS (September 2022). "Campus Area" (PDF). nimhans.ac.in. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 May 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  18. ^ "NIMHANS North Campus plan inches ahead". Bangalore Mirror. Archived from the original on 1 December 2024. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  19. ^ "NIMHANS NORTHERN CAMPUS (KYALASANAHALLI)". NIMHANS NORTHERN CAMPUS (KYALASANAHALLI).
  20. ^ "Locate Us – Nimhans". Retrieved 26 September 2022.
  21. ^ "Sakalawara Community Mental Health Center – Nimhans". Archived from the original on 16 July 2024. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
  22. ^ "NIMHANS Centre for Well Being – Nimhans". Retrieved 26 September 2022.
  23. ^ "NIMHANS Convention Centre – Nimhans". Archived from the original on 19 July 2024. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
  24. ^ "3rd Edition of IoT India Congress 2018 Started in Bengaluru". digitalterminal.in. 10 October 2018. Archived from the original on 1 December 2024. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  25. ^ a b "Past Directors – Nimhans". Archived from the original on 27 May 2024. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
  26. ^ a b "Mental Health Education Nimhans". Archived from the original on 14 January 2025. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  27. ^ "Advanced Center for Ayurveda in Mental Health & Neurosciences, Bengaluru | Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India". ccras.nic.in. Archived from the original on 24 November 2017. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  28. ^ "ACADEMICS | NICY". Archived from the original on 25 July 2024. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  29. ^ "NIMHANS DIGITAL ACADEMY: "Translating Best Practices" – Technology for Training and Transformation". Archived from the original on 19 July 2024. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  30. ^ "WHO | Collaborating centres". WHO. Archived from the original on 22 July 2004.
  31. ^ a b "National Institutional Ranking Framework 2024 (Medical)". National Institutional Ranking Framework. Ministry of Education. 12 August 2024.
  32. ^ "Tele-MANAS: National Tele Mental Health Programme". Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. 2022. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  33. ^ "NIMHANS Annual Report 2022–23". NIMHANS. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  34. ^ "National Mental Health Programme". Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  35. ^ "Community Outreach and Services". NIMHANS. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  36. ^ "Managing mental health during COVID-19 pandemic". The Indian Express. 2020.
  37. ^ "Significant neuro problems linked to COVID reported in study". The New Indian Express. 2025.
  38. ^ "Mental Healthcare Act: Promise and challenges in implementation". The Indian Express. 2017.
  39. ^ "Mental Healthcare Act bans unmodified ECT, tightens norms". The Indian Express. 2017.
  40. ^ Ramakrishnan, Arlene Manoharan, Swagata Raha, amp, Shruthi (23 April 2015). "Juveniles need reform, not prison". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 13 April 2017. Retrieved 17 May 2017.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  41. ^ "Legal experts express concern over Juvenile Justice Bill". OneIndia.com. 19 May 2015. Archived from the original on 16 May 2017. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
  42. ^ "Opinion: The Danger of Treating Children As Adults". NDTV.com. Archived from the original on 16 May 2017. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
  43. ^ "Navy Sailor not Suffering from Mental Illness: Nimhans". NewIndianExpress.com. Archived from the original on 13 November 2015. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
  44. ^ "Nimhans report gives clean chit to 'whistleblower' sailor - Times of India". IndiaTimes.com. 9 December 2014. Archived from the original on 25 February 2016. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
  45. ^ Neeraj Chauhan (15 July 2013). "NIMHANS to train CBI in grilling bigshots | India News - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  46. ^ "Koodankulam counselling for protestors flayed". The New Indian Express. 20 June 2012. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  47. ^ "Plan to counsel anti-nuclear protesters draws flak". The New Indian Express. 20 June 2012. Archived from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  48. ^ "Hope floats as docs work to get Shinjini back on feet - Times Of India". archive.ph. 29 June 2013. Retrieved 26 September 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  49. ^ a b "Shinjini talks, Guv wishes her speedy recovery - Times Of India". archive.ph. 29 June 2013. Retrieved 26 September 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  50. ^ "Shinjini stable, say doctors - Times Of India". archive.ph. 29 June 2013. Retrieved 26 September 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  51. ^ "Dr S. Srikanta Sastri | Official Website". srikanta-sastri.kk5.org. Archived from the original on 26 October 2021. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  52. ^ Narrain, Arvind; Chandran, Vinay (17 December 2015). Nothing to Fix: Medicalisation of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (in French). SAGE Publications India. ISBN 9789351509165.
  53. ^ "Most rebirth claims are true". hindustantimes.com. 5 August 2007.
  54. ^ "Psycho Mohmed". greenbooksindia.com. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  55. ^ "Life - S. K. Ramachandra Rao Memorial Website". profskr.com. Archived from the original on 14 April 2019. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  56. ^ "Get to know Dr HR Nagendra, Modi's yoga guru recommended to Arvind Kejriwal | IndiaTV News". Archived from the original on 3 December 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
  57. ^ "'People didn't understand mental illness'". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 7 October 2023. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
  58. ^ "Child and Adolescent Psychiatry-faculty – Nimhans". Archived from the original on 16 July 2024. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  59. ^ Eapen, Valsamma (17 August 2011). Autism: A Neurodevelopmental Journey from Genes to Behaviour. BoD – Books on Demand. ISBN 978-953-307-493-1.
  60. ^ "Dr. Akhilesh Pandey". Indian Cancer Genome Atlas Conference 2022. Archived from the original on 28 May 2024. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  61. ^ "Neurosciences - An Overview" (PDF). Neuroscience Academy. 2017.
  62. ^ "Dr. Vijayalakshmi Ravindranath - MSCTR | Cancer Research |Translational Research". MSCTR | Cancer Research |Translational Research. Archived from the original on 28 December 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
  63. ^ "Nimhans Faculty Profile". www.nimhans.ac.in. 25 December 2018. Archived from the original on 12 July 2018. Retrieved 25 December 2018.
  64. ^ "Bilikere S. Dwarakanath (0000-0001-6988-2601)". orcid.org. Archived from the original on 7 March 2024. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  65. ^ "Parkinson's disease cured after successful stem cell therapy". @businessline. 19 February 2015. Archived from the original on 1 December 2024. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  66. ^ "Padma Shri neurologist conferred DSc by MP university". Business Standard India. Press Trust of India. 31 October 2014. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
  67. ^ "Dr.N.K. Venkataramana, Neurosurgeon in Bangalore - BGS Global Hospitals | sehat". www.sehat.com. Archived from the original on 30 November 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2017.