Delhi’s Ayurveda Institute names Prajapati as new Director

All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi, on Saturday, welcomed Professor Pradeep Kumar Prajapati as the new Director, an official statement from the Ministry of Ayush noted.

The appointment was held during a formal welcome ceremony organised at the institute, which was attended by former Executive Director Prof. Manjusha Rajagopal, Dean Prof. Mahesh Vyas, as well as academic, medical, administrative, and nursing staff.

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He began his career as an Assistant Professor at the National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA), Jaipur, before moving to Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar, where he contributed to research and academic development. He later rose through the ranks to serve as Vice-Chancellor of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Rajasthan Ayurved University in Jodhpur.

At the welcome ceremony, Prajapati, in his first address, expressed confidence that with the institution’s collective support, Ayurveda could gain global recognition. According to an official statement, he holds a BAMS degree from Gurukul Kangri University and completed his MD and PhD at Banaras Hindu University (BHU). Under cabinet norms, he will serve a five-year term from the date of assuming charge, or until the age of superannuation, whichever comes earlier.

Inaugurated in October 2010 as an apex Ayurveda institute to integrate the wisdom of traditional medicine with modern tools and technology, the All India Institute of Ayurveda has since been led by four directors, including those holding interim charge.

Prof Abhimanyu Kumar was the first to formally take up the role in 2013, followed by Prof P K Prajapati in an acting capacity in 2017. Prof Tanuja Manoj Nesari assumed charge in 2018 and served until 2024, after which the interim charge was handed over first to Prof Sujata Kadam and then to the incumbent, Prof Manjusha Rajagopala.