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MEDICINE

Dr B N Gangadhar: NIMHANS and Bengaluru's Mental Health Story

A psychiatrist who spent his career at NIMHANS in Bengaluru, led it as director, and researched how yoga can support mental health treatment.

QUICK ANSWER

  • Dr B N Gangadhar is a psychiatrist who served as director of NIMHANS in Bengaluru from January 2016.
  • He is known for research on electroconvulsive therapy and on yoga in psychiatry, and helped establish yoga research at NIMHANS.
  • He received the Padma Shri in 2020 and later chaired the National Medical Commission, from September 2023 (officiating) and July 2024 (appointed).
Tariq Sallam, founder of The City 24/7 Tariq Sallam September 23, 2026 • 2 min read • Updated October 17, 2026
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People rest on benches in a shaded, leafy garden in front of a stone colonial-era hospital building with arched verandas and a tiled roof

NIMHANS, Bengaluru, is India's leading mental health institute.

“NIMHANS is why Bengaluru is where India comes for mental health care.”

• On the institute

Dr B N Gangadhar is a psychiatrist who spent much of his career at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences in Bengaluru and served as its director from January 2016. He is known for research on electroconvulsive therapy and on yoga as a complementary treatment in psychiatry, and he helped establish yoga research at NIMHANS. He received the Padma Shri in 2020, and later chaired the National Medical Commission, in an officiating capacity from September 2023 and as appointed chairperson from July 2024.

NIMHANS is one of the most important medical institutions in the city. This profile keeps to the well-documented record.

Quick Information

A psychiatrist who took yoga into the research wards of India's top mental health institute, and ran the place.

Profession
Psychiatrist
Institution
NIMHANS, Bengaluru
Role
Director of NIMHANS from January 2016; later chairperson, National Medical Commission
Research
Electroconvulsive therapy; yoga in psychiatry
Honour
Padma Shri, 2020

What Is NIMHANS?

The National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, a national institute in Bengaluru for psychiatry, neurology and neurosurgery, and India's leading mental health institution.

What Was Dr Gangadhar's Research Focus?

Treatments for severe mental illness, including electroconvulsive therapy, and the role of yoga as a complementary therapy.

A LESSER-KNOWN FACT

NIMHANS set up a dedicated centre for yoga research during this period.

Why Does Dr B N Gangadhar Belong in People of Bangalore?

THEIR BANGALORE CONNECTION

He spent his career at NIMHANS and helped shape Bengaluru's role as India's centre for mental health care.

FAQs

What is NIMHANS?

The National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences in Bengaluru.

Who is Dr B N Gangadhar?

A psychiatrist and former director of NIMHANS.

Contact Details

Where to find out more.

Tele-MANAS mental health helpline
14416, free

Mental Health Matters

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Tariq Sallam, founder of The City 24/7

Tariq Sallam

FOUNDER, THE CITY 24/7

placeBangalore calendar_monthSince 1991 groupsPeople. Places. Possibilities.

Tariq Sallam is the founder of The City 24/7, a platform dedicated to celebrating everything Bangalore. Having lived in the city since 1991, he has witnessed its remarkable journey from a laid-back Garden City to one of India’s most dynamic and innovative cities.

Passionate about its people, businesses, neighbourhoods, food, culture and hidden gems, Tariq believes every corner of Bangalore has a story worth telling. When he’s not writing or interviewing inspiring Bangaloreans, you’ll find him exploring the city. And through The City 24/7, he invites you to discover Bangalore with him, one story at a time.

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