India Pharma Outlook Team | Tuesday, 10 March 2026
AIIMS has signed a major AIIMS-ISRO space medicine pact with the Indian Space Research Organisation to expand research on how space affects the human body.
The agreement brings together doctors and space scientists to study medical challenges astronauts face during missions and to develop solutions that will support India’s growing human spaceflight ambitions.
The collaboration will focus on space medicine, a field that studies how microgravity, radiation, isolation, and long missions impact human health. Experts from AIIMS will work with ISRO scientists to research changes in the heart, muscles, bones, brain, and immune system when people spend extended time in space. The partnership also plans to examine behavioral health, stress, and the body’s microbiome during space travel.
Also Read: India's Rare Disease Shift Driven by PRIP and PLI Policies
AIIMS will contribute its medical expertise while ISRO will provide mission data and research support through its Human Space Flight Centre. Together, the teams aim to build stronger medical systems for astronauts preparing for future missions. The work will play an important role as India prepares for human spaceflight under the Gaganyaan program and other long-term exploration plans.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof M Srinivas, Director, AIIMS New Delhi, noted, "This MoU will give us the escape velocity to venture together into the field of space medicine. Collaborative research between AIIMS and ISRO will benefit patients, the nation, and ultimately humankind. As India moves toward Viksit Bharat by 2047, we hope to emerge as a Vishwaguru in space medicine as well."
Addressing the gathering, Dr V Narayanan, Chairman, ISRO and Secretary, Department of Space, highlighted the remarkable journey of India's space programme, from its early days, when rockets and equipment were transported using bicycles and bullock carts, to its present position as a global leader in space technology. He emphasised that collaborations with leading medical and research institutions such as AIIMS will play an important role in strengthening India's human spaceflight capabilities.
The AIIMS-ISRO space medicine pact will also help train doctors, scientists, and researchers in this specialized field. Joint studies, academic programs, and research projects are expected to create a strong base of experts in India who can support astronaut health during space missions.
Beyond space exploration, the research may benefit healthcare on Earth. Findings from space medicine studies often lead to better understanding of bone loss, heart conditions, muscle weakness, and mental health issues. These insights can help doctors develop improved treatments and monitoring systems for patients.
