Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday said India is lagging behind in the field of medical research and more work should be done.

"India is lagging behind in the field of medical research and much more needs to be done... We should focus on research, particularly on case history. This can be a big contribution to humankind," Modi said while addressing the 42nd annual convocation of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here.

He also suggested a tradition be introduced of having special guests at convocation ceremonies.

"Can we start a tradition of having special guests at convocation? By special guests I mean some selected Class 8-9 students from a village school. They should be invited so that they can see what the world is all about," Modi said.

Cheered and applauded by audiences, Modi said: "This will arouse curiosity in the student, help him dream and will have a big impact."

Asking the passing out batch to keep the student in them alive, the prime minister said: "Do not think your student life has ended here...The thirst for knowledge and learning must never stop."

He said that at the AIIMS "you were very protected. There was always someone to help you - from seniors to faculty". 

He said the students were now entering a bigger classroom where they have to take their decisions on their own.