History of the College
Government Medical College, Udhagamandalam is a newly established Government Medical College with the
proposed annual intake of 150 MBBS students, envisioned to provide state-of-the-art tertiary healthcare
facilities to the people of the Nilgiris region. The institution was developed in accordance with the
National Medical Commission (NMC) regulations, fulfilling the mandated minimum standards for medical
colleges, teaching hospitals, faculty, technical staff, and infrastructure.
The associated hospital has a rich legacy spanning over 150 years, having celebrated its
sesquicentennial recently. Its origins date back to the early 19th century when it functioned as a
convalescence and rehabilitation centre for the British Army stationed in the Nilgiris. The hospital was
initially established as a small facility by Dr. Haynes, Captain Underwood, Captain Dunn, and John
Sullivan, who is regarded as the founder of modern Ooty. Separate wings existed for British personnel
and local civilians.
In 1832, a new structure named the Lock Hospital was built, followed by extensions in 1841.
Administrative control was transferred from the army to civilian authorities in 1853, and subsequently
to the Government in 1867–68. In 1874, the hospital was renamed Bartholomew Hospital by Surgeon Major
Burnelyn. Further expansion occurred in 1877–78 with the construction of a maternity wing, made possible
through the generous donation of 1.5 acres of land by Khan Bahadur Fakir Mohammed Sait.
Following a proposal by the Government of Tamil Naduin 2019, approval was granted by the Government of
India in 2021 to establish a Government Medical College by upgrading the District Headquarters Hospital.
The college was formally opened on 12 January 2022.
The institution currently serves a population of nearly 7 lakh, covering Ooty, Coonoor, Gudalur, and
Kothagiri. The hospital evolved from a 421-bedded to a 900-bedded multispecialty teaching hospital,
which was inaugurated on 06 April 2025, significantly strengthening healthcare delivery in this hilly
district. With 23 clinical and pre-/para-clinical departments, high outpatient turnover, and critical
services including COVID care, RT-PCR facilities, and vaccination programmes, Government Medical
College, Udhagamandalam stands today as a symbol of legacy, service, and progressive public healthcare.