Neuro Centre

The National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru

The National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, stands as a global leader in the fields of mental health, neurosciences, and behavioral sciences. With a rich history spanning over 175 years, it has grown from its humble beginnings as a colonial-era asylum into a premier institute of national importance that continues to shape the future of healthcare, research, and education in India.

Origins – From Asylum to Institute

The roots of NIMHANS trace back to 1847, when the Bangalore Lunatic Asylum was established under British rule. By 1925, it had evolved into the Mysore State Mental Hospital, reflecting a more progressive outlook toward the management of mental illness. Along with its counterpart in Ranchi, it was one of only two purpose-built asylums in British India, designed to create a more humane and healing environment for patients.

A watershed moment came in 1954, when the Government of India set up the All India Institute of Mental Health (AIIMH) based on recommendations of the Mental Health Advisory Committee and the Bhore Committee. This marked a paradigm shift from custodial care to comprehensive, scientific, and multidisciplinary treatment. The merger of AIIMH with the Mental Hospital in 1974 led to the birth of NIMHANS, integrating mental health and neurosciences under one roof.

Growth as a National and Global Hub

Today, NIMHANS spans 135 acres and serves more than half a million patients annually, making it one of the busiest centers for mental and neurological healthcare in Asia. The Institute houses a 1000-bed NABH-accredited hospital, advanced rehabilitation facilities, and over 20 specialized clinics addressing diverse conditions.

The Sub-Speciality Block, a seven-floor facility equipped with cutting-edge operation theatres, caters to complex neurological and neurosurgical procedures. Round-the-clock emergency services, diagnostic laboratories, and comprehensive inpatient care underline NIMHANS’ role as a tertiary referral center not just for India, but for patients across South Asia.

Research and Academic Excellence

NIMHANS is as much a center of academic and research excellence as it is of clinical care. The Institute conducts pioneering research in fields such as addiction psychiatry, Alzheimer’s disease, brain imaging, deep brain stimulation, head injury treatment, pain management, youth mental health, and yoga therapy. Collaborations with international universities, national research bodies, and WHO initiatives have positioned NIMHANS at the forefront of innovation.

Academically, the Institute offers over 90 advanced courses, including MCh, DM, MD, MPhil, MSc, diplomas, and postdoctoral fellowships. This attracts students and professionals from across the globe, establishing NIMHANS as a world-class hub for higher education in psychiatry, neurology, and allied sciences.

Contributions to National Mental Health Policy

NIMHANS has been instrumental in shaping India’s mental health policy framework. It contributed to the drafting of the National Mental Health Policy, and its community-based Bellary Model of care became the foundation for the District Mental Health Programme (DMHP). More recently, NIMHANS has led digital innovations like Tele-MANAS, expanding mental healthcare to remote and underserved areas.

Recognition and Legacy

Over the decades, NIMHANS has achieved several milestones:

• Declared a Deemed University in 1994
• Recognized as an Institute of National Importance in 2012—the first in healthcare to receive this honor
• Accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals (NABH), setting benchmarks in quality care

Consistently ranked among India’s top medical and research institutions, NIMHANS embodies a rare integration of clinical excellence, academic leadership, and policy advocacy.

Philatelic Tribute – 50 Years of NIMHANS

To celebrate its remarkable journey, the Department of Posts has issued a commemorative postage stamp on 50 Years of NIMHANS. This special issue honors the Institute’s transformative role in mental health and neurosciences, highlighting its contributions to patient care, research, education, and policy.

For philatelists, the stamp not only marks a milestone in India’s medical history but also symbolizes the nation’s commitment to advancing mental healthcare and breaking stigmas associated with it.