Tata Group joins IISc Bengaluru, pledges Rs 500 cr for setting up medical school

Under a memorandum of understanding (MoU), the Tata Group has committed Rs 500 crore to fund the medical school’s development.

Tata Group has tied up with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) for setting up a medical school on the IISc Bengaluru campus.

Under a memorandum of understanding (MoU), Tata Group has committed Rs 500 crore to fund the medical school’s development.

“Tata IISc Medical School will be a centre of excellence that seeks to catalyse a unique model of clinical research and medical education in India by integrating basic science and engineering with clinical science and practice. It will focus on various specialities, including oncology, cardiology, neurology, nephrology, diabetes and metabolic disorders, infectious diseases, integrative medicine, and public health,” the institute said in a statement on January 15.

Tata IISc Medical School will offer integrated MD-PhD and other dual-degree programmes to cultivate a new cadre of physician-scientists and medical technologists. Students will receive training across both the medical school and IISc’s science and engineering labs, blending advanced clinical practice with advanced scientific research. The school aims to create a replicable model for clinical research and training nationwide. It will also collaborate with leading medical institutions worldwide to enable students to gain global expertise and adopt best practices.

“Healthcare is one of India’s biggest challenges and also one of its greatest opportunities, given the scale at which technology can transform everything from diagnosis to care and community health. IISc’s emphasis on cutting-edge research and global collaboration will create a highly qualified cadre of physician-scientists trained in the latest approaches to modern medicine. Their impact will be felt across the healthcare spectrum, enabling quality treatment and positioning India at the forefront of the global healthcare revolution,” N Chandrasekaran, chairman of Tata Sons, said.

Expressing his gratitude for the Tata Group for the "generous" move towards the mission, Prof G Rangarajan, director of IISc, said: “After a century of contributions to science and engineering, we now have a unique opportunity to create new frontiers in medicine. The Tatas and IISc share a century-old legacy of excellence. We are committed to carrying forward this legacy and breaking new ground in creating affordable healthcare solutions for India and beyond.”