Department of Military Medicine Inaugurated in Lucknow

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh virtually inaugurated the Department of Military Medicine at Command Hospital (Central Command), Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, on 29 July 2026. It is India’s first dedicated academic and operational department exclusively focused on military medicine.

Military Medicine as a Defence Discipline

Military medicine is a branch of medicine that deals with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and evacuation of injuries and illnesses in military settings. It covers combat casualty care, field surgery, trauma management, preventive medicine, and medical support during operations and disasters.

Functions of the New Department

The department has been established under the Directorate General of Medical Services (Army) as a centre of excellence for the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS). It will provide structured education and training, support postgraduate programmes, and develop specialised expertise in combat medicine, combat surgery, and trauma care. The department will also promote indigenous research, develop operational doctrines, and build medical readiness for future battlefields and humanitarian contingencies. Its role includes research and development in areas linked to India’s operational requirements and defence preparedness.

Key Areas of Study and Training

The department will focus on Military Trauma and Damage Control, Combat Psychiatry & Resilience, CBRNe Medical Response, Emergency Medicine & Critical Care, Disaster Medicine, and Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief. CBRNe refers to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive threats.

Institutional and Strategic Context

The Armed Forces Medical Services is the tri-service medical organisation of the Indian Armed Forces. It provides medical support to the Army, Navy, and Air Force, and it functions through hospitals, field medical units, and specialist training institutions. The new department aligns with the Government’s emphasis on indigenous capability development and operational preparedness in the defence sector. It also complements the proposed Global Military Medicine Centre under the Raksha Strategy Vision 2026-30.

Important Facts for Exams

• Command Hospital (Central Command) is located in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
• AFMS stands for Armed Forces Medical Services.
• CBRNe is an acronym for chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive threats.
• Combat medicine and combat surgery are specialised fields linked to battlefield casualty care.

Exam-Relevant Static Facts

Military medicine includes trauma care, preventive medicine, evacuation, and rehabilitation in operational environments. Disaster medicine and HADR are important components of medical preparedness for both war and non-war emergencies.