The history of the mental health care system in Karnataka dates back to the colonial times. In the18th century, the legendary warrior Tipu Sultan was killed by the British and power was handed back to the Wodeyar clan. A British army regiment was stationed in Bangalore, which was then part of the princely state of Mysore. During the period, especially from 1831-1881, under the administration of British Commissioner Sir Mark Cubbon, the region witnessed a lot of developments in the healthcare system. Western medicine was introduced and hospitals/dispensaries were opened for the care of British infantry, Indian soldiers and civilians.

The Bangalore Lunatic Asylum was founded in 1847. Dr. Charles Irwing Smith, a British medical practitioner in Bangalore, played a pivotal role in the establishment of the asylum. The simple yet airy structured asylum with 50 beds was located at Pete or Pettah , Dharmambudi tank area (the present State Bank of Mysore head office building at the intersection of Kempegowda Road and Avenue Road, Bangalore).

At the asylum, the mentally-ill were allowed to move freely on the premises and were provided with opportunities to take part in activities like rope-making, gardening, cleaning, and other domestic works. In the ensuing years, doctors from Indian Medical Service were appointed and the number of patients at the asylum began to rise. By 1914, about 100 patients were admitted and discharged, on an average, every year.

In 1925, the asylum was rechristened Mental Hospital signifying a paradigm shift in management of mental problems. The old asylum / mental hospital on Avenue Road was closed in 1936-37, and the staff and patients moved to the new site Lakkasandra, the second highest hillock in Bangalore.

More than 100 acres of land was donated by the Maharaja of Mysore to establish the Mental Hospital. Dr. Frank Xavier Noronha became the first superintendent of the Mental Hospital. At this time (in 1936), Sir Mirza Ismail held the coveted position of the Dewan of Mysore. This period was billed as the golden age of Mysore. Both Sir Ismail and Dr. Noronha were keen gardeners and avid horticulturists. Their common passion for well-designed public spaces led to the formation of a new structure for the Mental Hospital encompassing vibrant gardens replete with lush landscapes and open spaces. The duo personally planted many of the exotic tree species that can still be seen on the campus.

The new building itself was loosely based on the plans of the Institute of Psychiatry building, which was then housed at the Bethlem hospital site in Moorfields (United Kingdom). It was constructed by the civil engineering firm, the Mysore Engineering Company (MEC), which was staffed entirely by Indian engineers. It was considered essential that the spaces in an asylum provide an environment conducive for recovery, and this principle lay at the root of asylum design, where “where one could be both mad and safe”.

This careful consideration to a healing environment contrasted sharply with other asylums in India, which were often hand-me-downs from jails or barracks. This building, and the Hospital for Europeans and Indians in Ranchi, were the only two custom-built asylums in British India in the early 20th century, and were designed with the explicit purpose of providing a healing environment, and with all the necessary modern attributes.

Vision and Mission
Vision

To be a world leader in the area of Mental Health and Neurosciences and
evolve state-of-the-art approaches to patient care through translational research

Mission

Test Establish the highest standards of evidence-based care for psychiatric and neurological disorders and rehabilitation
Develop expertise and set standards of care for diseases of public health relevance in the developing world

Work with the government and provide consultancy services for policy planning and monitoring strategies in the field of Mental Health and Neurosciences and facilitate execution of national health programme.

Human resource capacity building by training in diverse fields related to Mental Health and Neurosciences.

Develop and strengthen inter-disciplinary, inter-institutional and international collaboration with universities and research institutes across the globe to foster scientific research, training in advanced technology and exchange of ideas in the areas of Mental Health and Neurosciences.

Strive to enhance equitable accessibility of primary care in Mental Health and Neurological Disorders to all sections of society and ages including the vulnerable population.
Evolve and monitor the strategies for disaster management and psycho-social rehabilitation in different cultural and ethnic groups.

Promote Mental Health literacy and eliminate the stigma attached to the Mental and Neurological Illnesses by taking the measures and the delivery system to the centres of primary health care honouring the human rights and dignity.
Integrate allopathic and oriental medicine into health care delivery and promote evidence-based research.

Integrate physical and metaphysical aspects of Neuroscience research to promote yoga and its application to positive mental health.
Participate in broad field of Neuroscience and Behavioral Research applicable to human ethics, organ transplantation, stem cell research, space science, and nuclear science.

NIMHANS Bangalore Admission Process

Admissions to NIMHANS Bangalore are solely determined through entrance exams. NIMHANS admissions are available in the following fields at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences in Bangalore: neurology, public health, psychiatry and others. The M.Sc. in Biostatistics, M.Sc. in Psychiatric Nursing, M.P.H., MPhil. D.M., M.Ch., and other programmes are available for admission at NIMHANS Bangalore. Candidates applying for D.M. Neurology and M.Ch. Neurosurgery programmes with an M.B.B.S. degree must first pass a common entrance test administered by NIMHANS Bangalore, which is followed by admission exams specific to each specialty.

NIMHANS Application Process:
Aspirants are advised to visit the official website of the college.
Fill out the online application form with relevant information.
Candidates are only permitted to apply to a maximum of three courses (if they are qualified).
Employees of the state, the federal government, or any of its public sector enterprises should submit their applications along with the certificate of no objection.
Scan and upload the document if necessary.
Application forms should be submitted along with the application form fee.

NIMHANS Documents Required:
All educational certificates.
All entrance exam scorecards.
ID card.
Passport size photograph
Migration certificate.
Transfer certificate.

The admission process at NIMHANS typically involves an entrance exam followed by an interview.
The entrance exam is designed to assess the candidate's knowledge and aptitude in the relevant field.
The interview is conducted to assess the candidate's suitability for the program and their research interests.
NIMHANS also offers various short-term and long-term courses in mental health and neurosciences for healthcare professionals.
Admission to these courses is based on merit, and candidates are selected based on their academic and professional qualifications.

Placements:

The internship and placement cell of our university may be very lively and produce new agencies each yr for campus recruitment. The university affords some opportunities for the scholars through organizing fairs and diverse different activities and consequently is one of the first-class medical colleges.

Placements at NIMHANS Bangalore are managed by the institute's placement cell. The National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences' Bangalore placement cell's primary goal is to assist students in finding acceptable employment prospects that match their area of study, interests, and inclinations. A total of 4 students were given job offers with a median salary of Rs. 7,20,000 after completing their course at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences Bangalore, according to the NIMHANS placements 2024 (data taken from NIRF report-medical). NIMHANS placements batch-wise are given to eligible candidates from undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral courses.

NIMHANS offers placement assistance to students after the completion of their courses. The candidates are informed about the suitable job opportunities available to them candidates. The candidates willing to go ahead with their careers can pick the job openings and try them. At the same time, the rest of the candidates will mostly opt for higher studies.

NIMHANS Scholarships

According to government guidelines, the scholarships supported the school's reserved seats. For marking reasonable semester grades, some student area units awarded cash rewards. The institution also expedites the assistance with tutoring loans.

Students wanting to take admission or have taken any course at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences Bangalore can apply for various national level scholarships and fellowships offered by the University Grants Commission (UGC). NIMHANS Bangalore scholarships include UGC and national scholarships. To avail NIMHANS Bangalore scholarships, students must meet the eligibility criteria as laid down by the concerned scholarship provider. NIMHANS Bangalore scholarships for students pursuing M.Phil. programmes are Maulana Azad National Fellowship for Minority Students (MANF), Junior Research Fellowship in Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences etc. The institute also offers various awards/prizes to outgoing students. These awards are offered on the basis of meritorious performance. Some of the awards offered to students at NIMHANS Bangalore are Dr M.V. Govindaswamy Memorial Award, Dr M.V. Govindaswamy Memorial Prize, Dr R.N. Moorthy Award etc.

Facilities and Infrastructure

Residential Accommodations:
Accommodation is available for female students enrolled in non-clinical Ph.D., MSc, or Diploma programs. Additionally, female trainees from other institutes visiting NIMHANS for short periods (one month or more) can apply for a hostel stay, subject to bed availability.

The National Institute Of Mental Health And Neuro Sciences hostel comprises 110 rooms of various sizes, offering both single and double occupancy, and can house up to 179 trainees, most of which include attached bathrooms. All meals are provided in the mess facility. Common amenities in the mess hall include a refrigerator and TV for student use.

There is a study hall accessible for students, accompanied by round-the-clock internet connectivity. Housekeeping services are provided for regular room maintenance. The hostel is equipped with facilities such as laundry service, hot water, water purification using RO technology, and 24-hour security. Residents have access to two newspapers, and daily passes are available on request. Parking spaces for vehicles are also provided. Moreover, elected student representatives work towards ensuring the welfare of hostel residents.

Library Facilities
The National Institute Of Mental Health And Neuro Sciences Library and Information Center was established at the erstwhile All India Institute of Mental Health (AIIMH) in 1954, initially comprising 3775 volumes and subscriptions to 85 journals. NIMHANS' library and information center have an Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) system accessible to users, enabling access to paper books, theses, and dissertations within the library.

Laboratories Facilities
National Institute Of Mental Health And Neuro Sciences maintains state-of-the-art science and computer laboratories that provide students with hands-on experience in various scientific disciplines and the latest technological advancements. These labs are essential for practical learning and research.

Gym Facilities
The National Institute Of Mental Health And Neuro Sciences boasts state-of-the-art facilities and equipment dedicated to sports, physical activities, and recreational pursuits. The NIMHANS Gymkhana serves as a facility catering to the social and physical well-being of the NIMHANS community, including staff, students, and their children.

Sports Facilities:
The National Institute Of Mental Health And Neuro Sciences offers various sports facilities including badminton, basketball, and table tennis courts, chess and carom boards, areas for yoga practice, and similar fitness activities. There's also a crèche for staff to leave their children under proper supervision. The community hall serves as a venue for religious functions and gatherings. It's a space where staff and students can showcase their talents and engage in community events.

Classrooms Facilities
National Institute Of Mental Health And Neuro Sciences classrooms are equipped with the latest technology. These modern facilities create an interactive and engaging learning environment, enabling students to grasp complex concepts more effectively.

Cafeteria Facilities
The National Institute Of Mental Health And Neuro Sciences cafeteria offers a variety of nutritious meals and snacks prepared under strict hygiene standards. It serves as a space for students to socialize and enjoy their meals in a clean and pleasant environment.

Medical Facilities
The well-being of students is a top priority at the National Institute Of Mental Health And Neuro Sciences. The College (NIMHNS, Bangalore )has a dedicated medical room staffed with trained healthcare professionals who can provide immediate care in case of illness or minor injuries. Regular health check-ups are also conducted to monitor students' overall health.