Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda addressed the Convocation Ceremony 2025–26 of Manav Rachna Educational Institutions (MREI), urging graduates to step into the next phase of life with strong values, ethical conduct, and a deep commitment to public service. A total of 2,150 students across disciplines were conferred degrees at the ceremony, marking a major academic milestone for the graduating cohort.
Convocation as a Milestone and a New Responsibility
Addressing the gathering, Shri Nadda described the convocation as the culmination of years of hard work, perseverance, discipline, and dedication, and the beginning of a new phase of responsibility towards the nation and society. He encouraged students to move forward guided by integrity, service and purpose, and to remain mindful of the role society has played in shaping their journeys.
Amrit Kaal: Opportunity and Responsibility for the Youth
The Union Health Minister emphasised that the graduating cohort is entering professional life during the second phase of Amrit Kaal, leading up to 2047, when India aspires to become a fully developed nation. He noted that this period presents immense opportunities as well as equally significant responsibilities, calling upon the youth to contribute meaningfully to nation-building and inclusive growth.
Transformative Progress in Healthcare Under PM Modi’s Leadership
Highlighting the progress made over the past eleven years under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Shri Nadda said the number of AIIMS has increased from 6 to 23, creating a strong nationwide network of state-of-the-art healthcare institutions. He noted that India has recorded remarkable improvements across key health indicators, spanning maternal and child health, as well as communicable and non-communicable diseases.
Key Health Indicators Show Strong Gains
Shri Nadda pointed out that institutional deliveries have risen from 78% to 89%, while the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) and Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) have declined at nearly three times the global average rate.
Referring to tuberculosis control, he said the World Health Organization (WHO) has recognised India’s progress, with TB notification rising significantly and the decline rate being twice the global average. He also noted that malaria-related deaths have reduced to 0.6%, despite India accounting for nearly one-sixth of the world’s population.
Making Healthcare More Affordable and Accessible
The Union Minister highlighted that out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure has fallen sharply from 62% to 39.4%, driven by initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat, Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, and large-scale population screening programmes. These measures, he said, have made healthcare more accessible, affordable, and inclusive for millions of Indians.
Call for Quality, Scale and Service
Underscoring the challenges ahead, Shri Nadda urged graduates to maintain both quality and scale in service delivery, particularly in a country with India’s vast and diverse population. He also acknowledged the collective contribution of parents, faculty members, institutional leadership, and support staff in shaping the students’ academic success.
Concluding his address, he exhorted the graduates to always remember that society has enabled their success, and in return, they must strive to give back by serving society selflessly and meaningfully.
Institutional Vision and Honours Conferred
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Prashant Bhalla, Chancellor, Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies (MRIIRS) and Manav Rachna University (MRU), congratulated the graduating students and reiterated the institution’s commitment to academic excellence, innovation-driven learning, industry collaboration, and global exposure, while remaining rooted in ethical values.
During the ceremony, Honoris Causa degrees were conferred on distinguished personalities, including:
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Justice Gita Mittal (MRU),
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Ms. Shreyasi Singh, Sports Minister of Bihar (MRIIRS),
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Dr. Anil Kumar J. Nayak, National President, Indian Medical Association (MRIIRS), and
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H.E. Dr. Ian Borg, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs & Tourism, Republic of Malta (MRIIRS).
Graduating Class of 2025–26
A total of 2,150 students from disciplines such as engineering, management, law, education, sciences, and healthcare received degrees. This included 521 undergraduate students, 58 postgraduate students, and 11 doctoral scholars. Meritorious students were also honoured with gold medals and academic awards for outstanding performance and achievements. Senior dignitaries, faculty members, parents, and students were present at the ceremony.
Conclusion
The Manav Rachna Convocation 2025–26 marked not just the celebration of academic success, but a call to action for young graduates to serve the nation with purpose, integrity and compassion. As Shri J.P. Nadda emphasised, the second phase of Amrit Kaal offers India’s youth a historic opportunity—to build a healthier, stronger and more inclusive India while giving back to the society that shaped them.
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Source: PIB
