About Us

Soon after the establishment, the Integrated counselling and Testing Centre (ICTC) in collaboration with Maharashtra State AIDS Control Society (MSACS) and National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) became functional in October 2019. At present, the laboratory has Stand-alone ICTC for HIV testing.

Though the department was in budding stage yet, when the world started facing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the department set up state-of-the-art Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 testing in a record 10 days and became functional from 4th April 2020. Since then, over 5 lakh samples have been tested by the laboratory. The laboratory received special recognition from Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) by being designated as the Inter Laboratory Quality Control (ILQC) laboratory for entire Maharashtra along with National Institute of Virology (NIV) selected as the Regional Surveillance centre. During COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Microbiology was also instrumental in simultaneously providing training to more than 300 Microbiologists, Pathologists and Laboratory Technicians for RT-PCR testing as AIIMS, Nagpur was Mentor Institute for setting up of more than 200 RTPCR labs for the State of Maharashtra. In March 2021, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) granted Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL) to Department of Microbiology. Since then, the Molecular laboratory is equipped to test a wide range of viral infections including Zika Virus, Herpes Simplex Virus, Dengue Virus, Chikungunya Virus, Japanese Encephalitis Virus, Hepatitis Viruses, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).

The Diagnostic Molecular Laboratory subsequently was recognized as Regional Centre for surveillance of ILI (Influenza Like Illness)/SARI (Severe Acute Respiratory Infection) in March 2022. Along with responsibility of Testing, Training, Mentoring and antiviral drug susceptibility testing, advanced testing for ILI and SARI is being done using Biofire Microfilm Array, especially used during the COVID-19 pandemic for testing over 200 samples from Covid negative SARI from across Vidarbha in coordination with the Hon’ble Divisional Commissioner, Nagpur District and Hon’ble Collector, Amravati District.

The department also started a Genomic Sequencing Laboratory in June 2022 for SARS-CoV-2 variants and as the first Medical Institute in Vidarbha region to start the whole Genomic Sequencing facility. The Whole Genomic Sequencing Laboratory of Viral Research Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL), AIIMS, Nagpur has been recognized by the Indian SARS CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) as a new IGSL i.e. (INSACOG approved Genome Sequencing Lab) with NIV, Pune as its Hub Lab in May 2023.

Viral Research Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL), AIIMS, Nagpur is the Regional Surveillance centre for Monkeypox testing among 15 Nodal centres in the country. The laboratory is also recognized as Apex Referral Laboratories (ARLs) for Surveillance of Dengue and Chikungunya for the entire State of Maharashtra as a part of capacity building of Sentinel Surveillance Hospitals by National Center for Vector Borne Diseases control (NCVBDC), GoI.

The Department of Microbiology is also recognized as State Reference Laboratory for Integrated Disease Surveillance and Training Programme (IDSP) for Nagpur, Gondia and adjoining Districts in Oct 2021.

The Clinical Microbiology Laboratory became fully functional in the Inpatient Department (IPD) from August 2022. Since then, the department is actively involved in diagnostic facilities for all inpatients. The state-of-the-art Microbiology laboratory is equipped with systems like BacT/alert 3D automated blood culture system, Vitek 2 compact automated identification and antimicrobial susceptibility system, MALDI-TOF based VITEK-MS-PRIME automated identification system, BACTEC™ MGIT™ automated mycobacterial detection system, BioFire Filmarray, Truenat, CBNAAT to name a few. The Bacteriology, Serology and Molecular laboratories got NABL accreditation on 30th March 2025.

In the beginning of the year 2025, there was surge of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) infections in China. It was advised by DHR-ICMR to be vigilant regarding SARI cases throughout the country. For the same, VRDL, Department of Microbiology, AIIMS, Nagpur was selected one among 41 VRDLs equipped for testing of respiratory viral pathogens including HMPV.

In mid-2025, as a landmark move to strengthen India’s public health infrastructure, AIIMS, Nagpur, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), New Delhi, Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India for the establishment of a state-of-the-art NCDC Bio-Safety Level-3 (BSL-3) laboratory at AIIMS, Nagpur under Department of Microbiology as a part of PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) with a grant of 30 crores.

Soon after, Department of Microbiology was sanctioned Infectious Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratories (IRDL) for Bacteriology, Mycology and Parasitology by ICMR under PM-ABHIM scheme.

Recently, VRDL, AIIMS Nagpur is honoured to receive the award for “Best VRDL – Medical College Level” at the National VRDL Conclave 2025, New Delhi. The award was conferred by Hon. Minister for State Health and Family Welfare Smt. Anupriya Patel in the presence of Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Secretary DHR & DG ICMR, Dr. Anu Nagar, Jt Secretary DHR, Dr. Nivedita Gupta & other dignitaries.

Under the able leadership of Head of the department, Prof Dr. Meena Mishra, Department of Microbiology started with a scratch and reached to a recognizable position at present.