To mark Sushruta Jayanthi, Saushrutam 2026, a three-day international seminar will be organised by All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi from July 15 to 17. President Droupadi Murmu will grace the inaugural ceremony on July 15.

Saushrutam 2026 is aimed at advancing evidence-based Ayurvedic surgery by integrating the timeless surgical principles of Acharya Sushruta, regarded as the Father of Surgery, with contemporary medical innovations. The seminar was preceded by a pre-conference workshop on 14 July

The inaugural ceremony will be attended by Union Minister Prataprao Jadhav, Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Lok Sabha MP Ramveer Singh Bidhuri, and Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, who will grace the event as Guests of Honour.

Highlighting the significance of the seminar, Prof (Vd) PK Prajapati, Director of AIIA, said Saushrutam 2026 would serve as a landmark international platform for strengthening evidence-based Ayurvedic surgery. He said the event is expected to foster academic and clinical collaboration, encourage high-quality research, and promote excellence in surgical education. With participation from leading surgeons, researchers, policymakers, and academicians from India and abroad, the seminar will reinforce India's leadership in preserving and advancing its rich surgical heritage.

According to Prof (Dr) Yogesh Badwe, Organising Chairman and Medical Superintendent, AIIA, the seminar will feature keynote lectures, panel discussions, workshops, and scientific paper presentations. Dedicated sessions will focus on proctology, reconstructive surgery, integrative oncology, medico-legal issues, and intellectual property in surgery.

Scientific deliberations will revisit the enduring surgical concepts of Acharya Sushruta, including wound management, Agnikarma, Kshara Sutra, and Marma Chikitsa, while also presenting emerging research in Shalya Tantra and integrative surgical care. Experts will examine how classical Ayurvedic surgical knowledge can contribute to addressing present-day healthcare challenges.

Organising Secretary Dr Vyasadeva Mahanta said the seminar will conclude with a multidisciplinary panel discussion aimed at strengthening evidence-based dialogue, encouraging innovation, and expanding collaborative research to enhance both education and clinical practice in Ayurvedic surgery.

A major highlight of the event will be the release of a national research study titled ‘Evaluation of Professional Career of Ayurveda Female Graduates – An Observational Exploratory Study’,  conducted by the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) under the Ministry of Ayush. The study is expected to provide important insights into women's participation and career progression in the Ayurveda sector.

The occasion will also witness the inauguration of a state-of-the-art 3 Tesla High-Field MRI system at AIIA. Installed at a cost of ₹14.5 crore, the advanced imaging facility is equipped with AI-enabled workflow, BioMatrix technology, and comprehensive diagnostic capabilities, significantly strengthening the institute's clinical infrastructure.

The international seminar will bring together eminent surgeons, academicians, and researchers from Thailand, Israel, Austria, the United Kingdom, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Nepal, Greece, and India. More than 30 distinguished national experts, including Padma Shri awardees Prof. M. Sahu and Prof. K. K. Thakral, along with faculty members from premier institutions such as AIIA, IMS-BHU, NIA Jaipur, and ITRA Jamnagar, will participate. Renowned modern surgical specialists from AIIMS, SGPGI Lucknow, GMC Agartala, and Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, will also take part, providing a platform for meaningful dialogue between Ayurveda and contemporary surgical sciences.