Dr. Sudhir P. Srivastava, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of SS Innovations International, called the achievement a defining moment.
“Completing 100 telesurgeries with SSII Mantra proves Indian medtech can deliver precision and scale,” he said in the conference in new Delhi. “Our goal is to ensure geography never limits access to advanced surgical care.”
India has entered a new era of technology-driven healthcare with the successful completion of its first robotic telesurgery marathon. SS Innovations International, the maker of India’s first indigenous surgical robotic system SSII Mantra, has achieved a historic milestone by completing 100 successful robotic telesurgeries, demonstrating that advanced surgical expertise can now reach patients far beyond metropolitan hospitals.
The landmark achievement was marked by India’s first-ever Marathon Robotic Telesurgery, during which more than 20 tele-enabled robotic surgeries were performed in a single day by leading surgeons across specialties. The feat highlights the growing maturity of India’s homegrown medical technology and its ability to address long-standing gaps in access to advanced surgical care.
A Breakthrough for Equitable Healthcare Access
In a country of over 1.4 billion people, access to specialised surgical care remains uneven, especially outside major cities. Robotic telesurgery offers a powerful solution by allowing expert surgeons to operate remotely using secure digital networks and robotic precision.
Through the SSII Mantra platform, complex procedures can now be performed with the surgeon and patient located hundreds of kilometres apart. This reduces geographical barriers, improves timely intervention, and strengthens India’s push toward a more inclusive and resilient healthcare system. The achievement also positions India as an emerging global hub for affordable, high-quality medical innovation.
Dr Sudhir P. Srivastava, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of SS Innovations International, described the milestone as a defining moment for Indian medtech innovation. According to him, the vision is to ensure that advanced surgical care is not restricted by geography and reaches patients wherever they live.
India Joins the Global Telesurgery Timeline
Globally, telesurgery is not a new concept, but its adoption has been limited by cost and infrastructure. The world’s first landmark telesurgery, known as the “Lindbergh Operation,” was performed in 2001, when surgeons in New York remotely removed a gall bladder from a patient in France using robotic systems and high-speed fibre networks. The United States and parts of Europe led early experimentation, largely within controlled research environments.
What sets India apart is the scale, affordability, and indigenisation of the technology. Unlike earlier models dependent on expensive imported systems, SSII Mantra represents a domestically developed solution tailored to Indian conditions. Experts say this makes India one of the few countries capable of deploying telesurgery as a practical public healthcare tool rather than a limited experimental technology.
Clinical Confidence Across Specialties
Senior clinicians highlighted the platform’s real-world impact. Dr Sudhir Rawal, Medical Director at Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and a leading uro-oncologist, said robotic telesurgery can transform cancer care by enabling timely and precise interventions for patients who otherwise lack access to specialists.
Dr Mohit Bhandari, Director at Mohak Bariatrics and Robotics, noted that telesurgery has now moved from theory to practical application. He said complex surgeries can be decentralised without compromising outcomes, opening new models of care delivery.
Dr Chandramohan Vaddi of Preeti Urology and Kidney Hospitals, Hyderabad, emphasised the system’s responsiveness and stability, which enhance surgeon confidence during complex urological procedures. Cardio-thoracic surgeon Dr Lalit Malik from Manipal Hospitals added that the system’s performance reflects its growing relevance for high-precision fields such as cardiac surgery, where reliability is non-negotiable.
India’s achievement differs in scale and intent. By using an indigenous robotic system, India has demonstrated that telesurgery can be affordable, scalable, and suited to public health needs. The marathon format highlights readiness for routine, real-world deployment rather than experimental use.
To commemorate this milestone, the company organised India’s first-ever Robotic Telesurgery Marathon, performing over 20 tele-enabled robotic surgeries in a single day. Leading robotic surgeons from across the country participated, demonstrating the system’s clinical maturity and reliability.
A Signal of India’s MedTech Ambition
As healthcare systems worldwide search for ways to bridge specialist shortages and improve access, India’s success with indigenous robotic telesurgery signals a significant step forward, not just for the country, but for global medicine.About SS Innovations International
SS Innovations International, (SSII) is a leader in advanced surgical robotic technologies. The company focuses on making robotic surgery affordable and accessible. Its products include the SSII Mantra Surgical Robotic System and SSII Mudra surgical instruments, supporting a wide range of procedures, including robotic cardiac surgery.
Prerna Varshney is a journalist and social commentator with over five years of experience in health, gender, and policy reporting. Her work reflects a deep commitment to truth and empathy, simplifying complex issues for everyday readers.
