New Delhi: AIIMS Delhi on Monday has undergone a swift leadership reshuffle, with noted endocrinologist Dr Nikhil Tandon appointed as acting director following the exit of Dr M. Srinivas to the NITI Aayog.

The move was cleared by Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, who chairs the AIIMS governing body, and formal orders confirming the appointment have been issued.

Dr Tandon, a senior professor and head of the Department of Endocrinology, is a Padma Shri awardee widely recognised for his work in hormonal and metabolic disorders. He will steer the country's premier medical institute in an interim capacity until a full-time director is named.

The transition comes within 24 hours of Dr Srinivas being inducted into the NITI Aayog, the government's top policy body led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His shift has created a leadership gap at AIIMS, prompting an immediate handover to ensure continuity at an institution central to India's healthcare system.

Dr Srinivas had taken charge of AIIMS Delhi nearly three years ago after the tenure of Dr Randeep Guleria ended. His appointment had drawn attention for being routed through a special selection process, as he had not applied for the position and was brought in from Andhra Pradesh. With Dr Tandon now at the helm, AIIMS Delhi continues under seasoned leadership at a crucial time. The institute remains the nerve centre of India's medical ecosystem-shaping treatment protocols, influencing national health policy, and guiding operations across other AIIMS institutions nationwide.