Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS), Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in Varanasi has been upgraded to the level of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). An MoU has been signed in this regard between union ministries of HRD, Health and Family Welfare and the UP government in Varanasi.

Speaking on the occasion, Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar said it is a historic moment and a dream that has become reality today. He said the IMS-BHU will get 700 additional beds and super speciality health facilities, and also assured that the institute will not face any financial problems for its upgradation into AIIMS like institution.

The hard work was put for the last two years and our Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given the biggest gift to the great university, he added. He said the institute will soon witness appointment of over 2500 staff and with a team of dedicated medical and para-medical staff, it will emerge as a premier world class institute, even better than AIIMS.

On the occasion, Union Health and Family Welfare Minister JP Nadda said all efforts will be made to upgrade IMS into AIIMS like institution. AIIMS is the brand name and IMS-BHU has all the potentials to emerge as the world class institute that will serve nearly one-sixth of country's population, he added.

The country has witnessed fourteen new AIIMS across different states in the last four years and BHU is the only varsity to get AIIMS like institution, he said, adding it will be governed according to the BHU Act.

Union Ministers Manoj Sinha, Anupriya Patel and Ashwini Kumar Choubey also expressed their views on the occasion.