A distinguished orthopaedic surgeon, Dr Rao brings over four decades of experience in clinical practice and academic administration. He succeeds Lt Gen (Dr) MD Venkatesh, who served as Vice-Chancellor since July 1, 2020.

Congratulating him on his appointment, Dr Ranjan R Pai, president of MAHE Trust and chairman of Manipal Education and Medical Group, said his deep institutional knowledge and inclusive leadership would help further strengthen MAHE’s global standing.

Widely respected in the medical fraternity, Dr Rao is known for his expertise in complex trauma, joint replacement and knee arthroscopy. He has served as president of the Karnataka Orthopaedic Association and the Orthopaedic Association of South Indian States (OASIS), and has also chaired AO Trauma India.

Dr Rao was conferred the Honorary Fellowship (FRCP) by the Royal College of Physicians, London, on July 8, 2025, in recognition of his contributions to medical leadership and healthcare management.
Dr Rao has had a long association with MAHE.

He joined the institution in 1988 as an assistant lecturer in orthopaedics at Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Manipal. An alumnus of Kasturba Medical College, he holds an MBBS from University of Mysore and D.Ortho and MS degrees from Mangalore University.

Over the years, he has held several key leadership roles, including head of orthopaedics at KMC Manipal, associate dean, dean, and most recently Pro Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences) since 2023.

In that role, he provided strategic leadership to MAHE’s health sciences institutions, strengthening academic governance, promoting clinical integration and advancing healthcare delivery.