SRINAGAR: Prof M Ashraf Ganie, Director of Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences and Ex-Officio Secretary to the Government, has been conferred the “Recognition of Academic Excellence (RAE)” award by the National Academy of Medical Sciences.
He was awarded the Achanta Lakshmipathi RAE for 2026 in the field of maternal and child health, women’s health and community nutrition, in recognition of his research on endocrine and metabolic disorders, particularly Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and its link with non-communicable diseases.
As part of the award, Prof Ganie delivered the Foundation Day Oration at the 66th Foundation Day of NAMS in New Delhi on April 21. His address, titled “PCOS as a Central Driver of NCDs Epidemic in India,” focused on the role of PCOS in contributing to conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. The event was attended by senior members of the medical community, including KK Talwar, NK Ganguly and Sanjeev Sinha. The award was presented by PK Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister.
Prof Ganie has also served as National Chief Coordinator of the Indian Council of Medical Research PCOS Task Force study. Conducted across 18 centres and supported by the Indian Council of Medical Research, the study produced large-scale national data on PCOS. Findings published in JAMA Network Open indicate links between PCOS and increased risks of diabetes, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular conditions. The study also examined intergenerational health impacts, noting higher risk of early-onset non-communicable diseases among offspring.
The data is expected to support improved diagnostic frameworks and risk prediction models tailored to Indian populations, including reference standards for women of reproductive age.
Prof Ganie currently serves as President of the MP.-PCOS Society and is involved in efforts to build a national database integrating clinical and metabolic data. The recognition comes alongside recent scientific engagements in Srinagar, including the sixth annual conference of the society.
He has authored more than 250 research publications and has received multiple national and international awards for his work in metabolic and reproductive health.
