JIPMER is the popular acronym for Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research. It is a referral hospital and a regional centre for medical education. It is a living tribute to the memory of the late Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. It caters to the needs of not only Puducherry, but also adjoining Southern States of Tamilnadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh. The Institute is under the direct administrative control of the Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India and provides comprehensive health care to the community, besides maintaining high standards in medical education and research. JIPMER is among the top five medical institutes in the country consistently.

JIPMER traces its origin to November 1956 when the 'Ecole de Medicine de Pondichéry' established in 1823 and maintained by French Government, was taken over by the Government of India, in the wake of the 'de facto' transfer of Pondicherry and this medical school was set up as a Medical College in line with the policy of having uniform standard of medical education in the country. On 13 July 1964, Dr S Radhakrishnan, the then President of India, inaugurated the college buildings, and the institute was upgraded as Regional Centre for Postgraduate Medical Education and Research. Its campus is spread over 197 acres of sloping land, a hillock known in Tamil as “Gorimedu”. Well-laid roads, a large number of trees and plants and clean surroundings help in maintaining the serenity in the institute. The Hostels, Staff Quarters, Post Office, Banks with ATM (SBI, Bank of Baroda), Shopping Complex, Community Hall, Park and Temple etc., are situated within the campus.