Neurosurgeon Ashok Kumar Mahapatra Dies at 74

Eminent neurosurgeon and Padma Shri awardee Ashok Kumar Mahapatra died aged 74 on November 2, 2026, while undergoing treatment at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi.

Medical career and conjoined-twin surgery

Mahapatra led a 16-hour operation at AIIMS New Delhi in 2017 to separate craniopagus twins Jaga and Kalia. He was the founding Director of AIIMS Bhubaneswar from 2012 to 2016, headed the Department of Neurosurgery at AIIMS New Delhi and served as Director of the Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences in Lucknow from 2006 to 2009.

Leadership roles and tributes

At the time of his death, Mahapatra was Principal Advisor (Health Sciences) at Siksha 'O' Anusandhan in Bhubaneswar. He had also served as the university’s Vice-Chancellor from 2020 to 2022. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed condolences on November 3.

Important Facts for Exams

• Padma Shri recognition: Mahapatra received the Padma Shri for medicine in 2024; it is India’s fourth-highest civilian award.
• Scientific excellence award: In 2022, the Odisha Bigyan Academy conferred its C.V. Raman Award for Scientific Excellence on Mahapatra.
• Research publications: Mahapatra contributed to over 100 scientific articles, and his academic profiles are listed in national and international databases.