India is poised to become Global Leader in Robotic Surgery by 2030 ; Delhi NCR Leads the Country in Robotic Surgery and Installations: SRS( Society of Robotic Surgery)

New Delhi : India is rapidly emerging as one of the world’s major centres for robotic surgery, with Delhi NCR leading the country’s robotic surgery landscape in both robotic-system installations and surgical volumes, experts said at the Society of Robotic Surgery (SRS) India 2026 international conference on Robotic Surgery being held in Delhi. Society of Robotic surgery is one of the leading Global organizations dedicated to the advancement of surgical robotics ,for the first time the society has brought  its International meeting to Asia which is  being held in New Delhi.

The achievement marks a significant milestone for Delhi and reflects India’s rapidly growing capability in advanced, minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgery.

The latest installed-base data for India shows the remarkable scale of robotic surgery adoption in Delhi NCR. Thirty-nine hospitals in the region have robotic systems, while 11 hospitals have more than one robotic system, making Delhi NCR the country’s leading hub for robotic-system installations. The region has also witnessed an extraordinary rise in robotic-assisted procedures, from 2,257 in 2021 to 3,594 in 2022, 5,024 in 2023, 7,595 in 2024 and 10,937 in 2025 — an almost five-fold increase in four years.

The growth has been spread across several major surgical specialities. In 2025, approximately 33% of robotic procedures in Delhi NCR were general surgery–benign procedures, 30.2% urology, 22.1% gynaecology and 10% general surgery–malignant procedures, with additional robotic procedures being performed in head and neck, thoracic and cardiac surgery.

Addressing the SRS India 2026 Conference through a video message, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Shri J.P. Nadda said “Today India stands at an exciting juncture in the healthcare innovation, with our strength in technology, Artificial Intelligence, digital health and a rapidly expanding ecosystem of surgical robotics, we have opportunity, not nearly to adopt the technology of the future but innovate ,develop and lead. India is increasingly becoming an important global destination for healthcare innovation and advance surgical technology. I congratulate organizers for bringing this important international conference to India”

Dr. Vivek Bindal, Organising Chairman, SRS India and Principal Director & Head, Department of Minimal Access, Bariatric & Robotic Surgery, Max Hospital, New Delhi, said: “Delhi NCR has emerged as a leading force in India’s robotic surgery journey, with the highest concentration of robotic-system installations in the country and a rapidly expanding volume of procedures. The presence of robotic systems across 39 hospitals, including 11 hospitals with multiple systems, reflects the depth of expertise and institutional adoption that has developed in the region. Delhi has reached this position because of the combined efforts of pioneering surgeons, high-volume hospitals and multidisciplinary teams that have steadily integrated robotic technology into complex surgical care. What we are witnessing is not simply an increase in machines or procedures, but the emergence of Delhi as a centre that is helping shape the future of robotic surgery in India.”

The rapid growth seen in Delhi is part of a wider national transformation. Across India, robotic-assisted procedures increased from 8,912 in 2021 to 44,857 in 2025, highlighting the accelerating adoption of robotic surgery nationwide.

Prof. Dr. Anup Kumar, Organising Chairman ( Urology)  and  HOD, Department of Urology, Robotic and Renal Transplant, Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, said” “India is now at a defining moment in robotic surgery. The rapid rise in robotic procedures—from 8,912 nationally in 2021 to 44,857 in 2025—shows how quickly the technology is being adopted and how clinical expertise is expanding across the country. India is moving beyond being a technology adopter and is developing the experience, infrastructure and surgical capabilities required to become a global force in robotic surgery. If this momentum continues, India has the potential to emerge as a global leader by 2030 and compete with, and potentially surpass, established leaders such as the US. This is a proud moment for Indian healthcare and a significant opportunity to place India at the forefront of the next generation of surgery.”

India’s robotic-surgery journey is now moving towards its next frontier—robotic telesurgery, which could enable specialist surgeons to operate remotely across geographical boundaries. A major milestone was recently achieved when Prof. (Dr.) Anup Kumar, Professor & Head, Department of Urology, Robotics & Renal Transplant, VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, successfully performed India’s first robotic telesurgery by a government-institution surgeon in urology. The complex reconstructive procedure was conducted remotely from Gurugram to Preeti Kidney & Urology Hospital, Hyderabad, covering more than 1,600 kilometres, with imperceptible latency, and was completed successfully.The achievement was also appreciated by Union Health Minister Shri J. P. Nadda through his official platform, highlighting the growing national importance of technology-enabled surgical care.

Adding another dimension to India’s telesurgery capabilities, Dr. Vivek Bindal, Organising Chairman, SRS India and Principal Director & Head, Department of Minimal Access, Bariatric & Robotic Surgery, Max Hospital, New Delhi, led a cross-border live robotic tele-surgery demonstration between India and China in partnership with BORNS Robotics. Surgeons at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Vaishali, remotely operated a robotic console located nearly 5,000 kilometres away in Chengdu, China, performing complex pre-clinical procedures with real-time precision. The demonstration highlighted the potential of robotic telesurgery to overcome geographical barriers and could lay the groundwork for extending super-specialist surgical expertise to Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, while also enabling remote surgical training, tele-mentoring and cross-border clinical collaboration.

Robotic telesurgery could potentially help decentralise access to advanced surgical expertise, allowing specialist capabilities in major medical centres to be connected with hospitals and patients in other regions.

The international conference is also placing the spotlight on the next frontier of robotic surgery — robotic telesurgery. The concept has the potential to connect specialist surgical expertise with patients and hospitals across geographical boundaries through robotic platforms, advanced connectivity and robust clinical protocols.

The international consensus recommendations published in the World Journal of Surgery in 2026 address the clinical and operational requirements for remote robotic-assisted surgery, including connectivity, cybersecurity, training, credentialing, emergency preparedness and regulatory considerations. Dr. Vivek Bindal is among the authors of the international consensus publication. (onlinelibrary.wiley.com)

With 10,937 robotic-assisted procedures recorded in Delhi NCR in 2025, alongside the region’s leading robotic-system installation base, Delhi has established itself as a critical centre in India’s robotic surgery journey.

The national picture is equally significant, with robotic-assisted procedures reaching 44,857 in 2025. Together, these developments demonstrate India’s rapid transition from early adoption of robotic surgery towards a larger ecosystem of advanced surgical expertise, clinical experience and innovation.

As SRS 2026 brings international robotic-surgery experts to Delhi, the message emerging from the conference is clear: Delhi has demonstrated the scale and expertise India can build in robotic surgery, while India’s next challenge is to convert that strength into global leadership — including the emerging field of robotic telesurgery.

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