Padma Shri Awardee Neurosurgeon Dr Ashok Kumar Mahapatra Passes Away at AIIMS Delhi

Renowned neurosurgeon and Padma Shri awardee Dr Ashok Kumar Mahapatra passed away on Monday at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi. His demise has cast a pall of gloom over the medical and academic communities across the country.

Born on December 29, 1952, in Puri, Odisha, Dr Mahapatra completed his MBBS from MKCG Medical College, Berhampur, in 1975. He subsequently pursued his MS and MCh in Neurosurgery from AIIMS, New Delhi, establishing himself as one of India’s distinguished neurosurgeons.

He served as a faculty member in the Department of Neurosurgery at AIIMS Delhi from 1983 to 2017. He was promoted to Professor in 1996 and Senior Professor in 2004. During his distinguished career spanning over four decades, he made significant contributions to neurosurgical education, research and patient care.

Key Leadership Roles in Medical Institutions

Dr Mahapatra held several prestigious administrative positions during his career. In 2006, he was appointed Director of the Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGI) in Lucknow.

In 2012, he took charge as the founding Director of AIIMS Bhubaneswar. He played a crucial role in developing the institution into an important centre for advanced healthcare and medical education in Odisha.

He also served as the Vice-Chancellor of Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (SOA) University in Bhubaneswar. Before retiring, he served as Dean (Research) at AIIMS Delhi.

Published Over 870 Research Papers

Apart from his contribution to clinical practice, Dr Mahapatra made remarkable contributions to medical research. His areas of expertise included neurosurgery, paediatric neurosurgery, neurotrauma and peripheral nerve surgery.

He authored or co-authored around 870 research papers, 16 books and more than 140 book chapters. He also guided 12 PhD scholars and led over 20 research projects during his academic career.

His work played an important role in advancing neurosurgical practices and improving specialised treatment facilities in India, particularly in paediatric neurosurgery and neurological trauma care.

Honoured with Padma Shri in 2025

Recognising his outstanding contribution to medicine, neurosurgery and healthcare services, the Government of India conferred the prestigious Padma Shri on Dr Mahapatra in 2025.

His death is being viewed as an irreparable loss to India’s medical and academic sectors. His contributions to medical education, research and advanced neurosurgical care will remain an enduring part of the country’s healthcare legacy.