Dr. Rajiv Bahl presently Director General- Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-cum-Secretary, Department of Health Research has been given extension for a period of 02
years w.e.f. 07.10.2025 by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.
Dr. Rajiv Bahl is a distinguished physician-scientist whose career has been dedicated to advancing maternal and child health through pioneering research, innovative solutions, and translation of evidence into public health policy. With a strong academic foundation in paediatrics, having earned his MD in Pediatrics from the University of Delhi, and a PhD in Public Health from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, Dr. Bahl has established himself as an authority in his field. In recognition of his outstanding contributions, the University of Bergen, Norway, conferred upon him an Honorary Doctorate in 2022, acknowledging his significant impact on global maternal and child health research.
Over the past three decades, Dr. Bahl has demonstrated exemplary leadership in both the research and public health domains, not just in India but also on the global stage. His academic and research credentials are reflected in an impressive body of work that includes more than 250 publications in peer-reviewed international journals. With an H-Index of 78, he ranks among the top 1.25 percent of scientists worldwide across all disciplines. This remarkable scholarly record underscores his ability to not only generate high-quality scientific evidence but also influence global health thinking through his research. His work has consistently bridged the gap between scientific inquiry and practical application, ensuring that research findings contribute meaningfully to health policies and programmes.
Currently, Dr. Bahl serves as the Secretary of the Department of Health Research and the Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), a position he has held since October 7, 2022. In this capacity, he provides strategic leadership to India’s foremost medical research body, guiding research initiatives that address pressing public health challenges. Before taking on this pivotal role, he had an illustrious career with the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva. From 2013 to 2022, he led research in Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health, and prior to that, he was responsible for newborn and child health research between 2003 and 2012. His global work has shaped guidelines, influenced health practices, and strengthened research systems across continents. Earlier in his career, he served as a scientist at the ICMR Advanced Centre for Diarrheal Disease and Nutrition Research at AIIMS, New Delhi, from 1994 to 2002, where he contributed to several groundbreaking studies.
Dr. Bahl’s expertise spans the entire spectrum of research design and execution—ranging from setting global research agendas to conceptualizing large-scale studies, overseeing their implementation, ensuring rigorous data analysis, and finally translating results into actionable policy and programme recommendations. His leadership has extended to overseeing population-based, multi-country research across more than 20 countries in Asia and Africa, while also contributing to the development of research capacity in over 50 institutions worldwide. This dual focus on generating new knowledge and building sustainable capacity reflects his vision of creating long-term impact in global health.
The outcomes of research led or coordinated by Dr. Bahl have had far-reaching implications. It is estimated that these interventions, once fully implemented at scale, have the potential to save over one million lives each year. His contributions to child health include innovations that have become cornerstones of global health policy: the use of zinc supplementation in the treatment of diarrhoea, promotion of early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding, outpatient treatment for newborns with severe infections, and the practice of immediate Kangaroo Mother Care for low-birth-weight infants in intensive care settings. These interventions have not only reduced child mortality but also improved long-term health outcomes for millions.
Dr. Bahl’s professional journey reflects a rare combination of scientific rigor, administrative skill, and a deep commitment to improving public health. His work demonstrates how robust evidence, when effectively translated into policy, can drive change at both national and international levels. Through his leadership, countless lives have been saved, and health systems have been strengthened, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. His career continues to inspire researchers, policymakers, and practitioners alike, serving as an example of how science, when guided by compassion and vision, can bring about transformative change in society.
INdianBureaucracy.com wishes Dr. Rajiv Bahl the very best.