History and Milestones
A Brief History
The history of mental health care in Karnataka finds its roots in the colonial period, with consequential developments unfolding through the 19th century. Under the administration of British Commissioner Sir Mark Cubbon, western medicine gained prominence, leading to the establishment of hospitals and dispensaries catering to the medical needs of British infantry, Indian soldiers, and civilians alike.
One of the notable milestones was the founding of the Bangalore Lunatic Asylum in 1847. Dr. Charles Irwing Smith, a British medical practitioner stationed in Bangalore, played a crucial role in the formation of this institution. The asylum, with a simple yet well-ventilated structure housing 50 beds, was situated in the Pete or Pettah area, specifically the Dharmambudi tank region (current location of the State Bank of Mysore head office building at the intersection of Kempegowda Road and Avenue Road, Bangalore).
Read More1847
Bangalore Lunatic Asylum was founded. Dr. Charles Irwing Smith, a British medical practitioner in Bangalore, played a pivotal role in the establishment of the asylum.
1925
The Bangalore asylum was renamed the Mysore Government Mental Hospital, an important step towards developing a medical approach to mental illness.
1935
Insulin Coma Therapy (ICT), developed by Austrian-American psychiatrist Manfred J Sakel, was introduced in the Mysore Government Mental Hospital by Dr. MV Govindaswamy, the then medical superintendent of the Mysore Government Mental Hospital, as in the UK (1935) and the US (1936).
1936
The second highest hillock in Bangalore was allotted for the hospital, which was earlier housed in a building on Avenue Road, where the State Bank of Mysore head office stands today. Maharaja of Mysore, KrishnarajaWodeyar laid the foundation stone for constructing the hospital in May, 1936.
1940
A well-equipped laboratory and medical library were started. The Hospital was recognised as a teaching institution for MBBS, BA Hons. in Psychology, and LMP.
1942
The first leucotomy operation in the country was performed on 21st September 1942 by Dr.MV Govindaswamy and Dr. BN Balakrishna Rao at the Hospital.
1945
Following the recommendations of the Mental Health Advisory Committee of the Indian Council for Medical Hygiene under Sir AL Mudaliar in 1945 and Bhore Committee in 1946, the Government of India sanctioned the establishment of the All India Institute of Mental Health on 1st April 1954. On 6th August 1954, Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, the then Union Health Minister inaugurated the AIIMH and Dr. MV Govindaswamy was appointed as the Director on 15th September 1954.
1955
The first postgraduate courses, Diploma in Psychological Medicine (DPM) and Diploma in Medical Psychology (DMP) were started.
1961
Children’s Pavilion comprising a child guidance clinic and a children’s ward was opened.
1966
New postgraduate courses in psychiatry (MD Psychological Medicine), Neurology (DM Neurology), Neurosurgery (MCh Neurosurgery) and Post Graduate Diploma in psychiatric Social Work (DPSW) in affiliation with Bangalore University were commenced. Five special clinics: Anxiety Clinic, Behaviour Disorder Clinic, Headache Clinic, Hysteria Clinic and Mental Deficiency Clinic started functioning from the same year.
1971
Occupational Therapy and Rehabilitation Centre with different sections was inaugurated.
1973
The Neuro Centre, with a separate blood bank and a well-equipped neuroradiology section, was inaugurated.
1974
The Mental Hospital established by the Government of Mysore and the All India Institute of Mental Health established by the Government of India were amalgamated on 27th December 1974, resulting in the formation of the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS). The Community Psychiatry Unit was also launched in the same year.
1975
Neuropathology Museum storing human brain specimens for academic and research purposes was inaugurated. Community mental health services were launched at Sakalwara. A unique facility of family wards was also opened.
1979
The Central Animal Research Facility (CARF) was started as an aid to research and teaching.
1982
Electron Microscopy Lab in the Neuropathology Department was established.
1994
Recognising its eminent academic position, NIMHANS was declared a Deemed University, with academic autonomy.
1995
The Human Brain Bank was established with financial aid from the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Department of Biotechnology (DBT), and Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR).
2002
Advanced Centre for Ayurveda to augment clinical service and research activity was started.
2007
The Neurobiology Research Centre (NRC), a sophisticated common research facility, was opened.
2011
Inventa, a critical care ventilator, was developed by NIMHANS.
2011
The NIMHANS Centre for Well-Being at BTM Layout was started, with an aim to provide promotive and preventive services in the area of mental health.
2012
NIMHANS was declared an Institute of National Importance, vide the Gazette of India Notification dated 14th September 2012 by the Government of India. The Centre for Public Health (CPH) was established to provide inputs for strengthening public health components in formulating policies and programme development focusing on problems, priorities, challenges and solutions, in the same year.
2014
ICMR Advanced Centre for Translational Research was started.
2015
State-of-the-art MR PET Scan Centre and Magnetoencephalography (MEG) Research Centre were opened.
2016
Centre for Brain Mapping (CBM), Clinical and Research facility for EEG studies and Adolescent Psychiatry Centre (APC) were established.
2017
Microsurgical Skills Lab Surgical Assistive Robotics were initiated.
2018
Intraoperative MRI Operation Theatres, Medical Cyclotron Facility, Dr. RM Varma Sub-Speciality Block for Neurosciences, and NIMHANS Integrated Centre for Yoga (NICY) were opened.
2018
NIMHANS Digital Academy (NDA) and First-Contact Psychiatry OPD Services were started.
2019
NIMHANS Telemedicine Centre (Upgraded) and Centre for Psychosocial Care in Disaster Management were opened.
2020
Centre for Consciousness Studies, Autoimmune Laboratory and construction of OPD complex at North Campus were initiated.
2021
Awarded NABH accreditation for excellence in patient care.
2022
Gamma Knife Icon, cranial radiosurgery system, was unveiled.
2023
Centre for Brain and Mind was established.
© 2002 - 2025 NIMHANS, Bangalore-560029, India