Prof. Ashok Kumar Mahapatra
1952-2026
The International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery mourns with profound sorrow the passing of Professor Ashok Kumar Mahapatra, an eminent neurosurgeon, teacher, institution builder and foundational figure in the development of pediatric neurosurgery in India. Affectionately known as “AKM” by his students and colleagues, he was widely admired for his scholarship, discipline, generosity and enduring commitment to excellence.
Born in Puri, Odisha, Professor Mahapatra remained deeply connected throughout his life to his native city, the sacred abode of Lord Jagannath. His enduring faith in Lord Jagannath was a quiet source of strength and spiritual grounding in both his personal and professional life.
Professor Mahapatra rose from humble beginnings to become one of India’s most distinguished neurosurgeons. He graduated from MKCG Medical College, Berhampur, in 1975, and completed his MS in General Surgery in 1979 and MCh in Neurosurgery in 1982 at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. His association with AIIMS spanned nearly four decades, during which he served as faculty member, senior academic leader and Head of the Department of Neurosurgery. He also provided distinguished institutional leadership, serving at different stages of his career as Director of AIIMS Bhubaneswar and of the Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS), Lucknow.
A prolific scholar and mentor, Professor Mahapatra authored more than 870 peer-reviewed publications and 16 books. He made major contributions to pediatric neurosurgery, particularly in congenital spinal dysraphism, encephaloceles and craniosynostosis. His leadership of the landmark staged separation of the craniopagus twins Jaga and Balia at AIIMS in 2017 remains one of the defining achievements of Indian neurosurgery.
Professor Mahapatra was a founding member and former President of the Indian Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery. Through his academic stature and sustained engagement with the international neurosurgical community, he helped establish the global standing of Indian pediatric neurosurgery. He firmly believed that Indian neurosurgeons could make meaningful contributions to world science, and consistently encouraged younger colleagues to publish, participate and assume leadership roles.
Beyond AIIMS, he served as Director of SGPGIMS, Lucknow; Founding Director of AIIMS Bhubaneswar; and Vice-Chancellor of Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar. In each role, he strengthened patient care, medical education, research and institutional development .His many honours included the Dr B. C. Roy National Award for Eminent Medical Teacher in 2007, the C. V. Raman Award for Scientific Excellence from the Odisha Bigyan Academy. The conferment of the Padma Shri—one of India’s highest civilian honours, bestowed for distinguished service—was a fitting national recognition of Professor Mahapatra’s seminal contributions to neurosurgery and medical education.
Professor Mahapatra leaves an enduring legacy through the institutions he built, the Society he helped shape, and the generations of neurosurgeons he inspired.
The International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery extends its heartfelt condolences to his wife, daughter, family, students, colleagues and innumerable admirers.
May his noble soul rest in eternal peace.
Deepak Gupta
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