Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) is a premier medical school in Chandigarh, India. An 'Institute of National Importance', it has educational, research, and training facilities for its students including all specialties, super specialties and sub specialties. It is the leading tertiary care hospital of the northern India region and caters to patients from all over Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Apart from the clinical services, PGI also provides training in almost all disciplines of medicine including post graduate and post doctoral degrees, diplomas, Doctor of Philosophy and fellowships. There are more than 50 such training courses in the institute. The 100-seat MBBS college is expected to start by 2025 at PGI's satellite centre.
The founders of the institute are Tulsi Das, Santokh Singh Anand, Pran Nath Chuttani, B N Aikat, Sant Ram Dhall and Bala Krishna.
The institute was established in 1962 under the erstwhile state of Punjab. It was declared as an Institute of National Importance by an Act of Parliament (Sr. No. 51 of 1966) w.e.f. 1 April 1967.
PGIMER is involved in research for the urban and community related environment and health problems. The focus of research has been on tackling diseases like diarrhea, tuberculosis, malaria, amoebiasis, systemic vasculitis, relapsing polychondritis, HIV, leprosy, hepatitis, anaemia, leukaemia, hypertension, atherosclerosis, thalassemia, dental caries, oral cancer, stone disease, cancer, and sexually transmitted infections.
Techniques are available to conduct studies like flow cytometry, chromatography (HPLC, FPLC), molecular biology, positron emission tomography and genetic studies. A BSL-III laboratory for mycobacteria is under construction. Recently, some highly advanced bio techniques like ultracentrifugation, LC-MS, scanning electron microscopy and whole genome sequencer have been installed in the CSIC, research block B.
Admission to post doctoral and postgraduate courses conducted at PGIMER is made twice a year. The sessions commence from first January and first July. The admission to the courses is made on merit on all-India basis by holding an entrance examination by the institute, after issuing a countrywide admission notice. Each year, more than 20,000 medical graduates across the country compete for the positions. Approximately 1% to 2% of the candidates are selected, making it one of the most competitive tests across all fields in India. PGIMER also trains nurses and paramedical students for under and post graduation every year.
The institute provides post-graduation in subject including.
The institute accepts medical students from other countries for elective training in any of its departments. Clearance from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India and National Medical Commission, New Delhi is required before the students are accepted. The process takes about 3âÂÂ4 months.
Dr. Tulsi Das Library, PGIMER, was established in 1962. It has 45,696 books, 57,610 bound journals and current journals (print/online) include 414 international and 96 national journals. At present the library has 4,851 theses of MD, MS, DM, M.Ch., Ph.D. and M.Sc. from different disciplines. The library subscribes to online databases like Science Direct, MD consult, Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford Journals and 494 online full text journals.
Initially announced in 2013, the PGIMER now has an operational satellite center at Sangrur in Punjab. In August 2017, the INR 495 crore budget for setting up a similar second satellite center at Una, Himachal Pradesh was approved. A third satellite center was approved at Firozpur, Punjab.
PGIMER Chandigarh was ranked second among medical colleges in India by the National Institutional Ranking Framework in 2024. It was also ranked second in India by India Today in 2024 and second among government colleges by Outlook India in 2024.