Veteran BJP leader and former Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani, 98, was admitted to Delhi's Indraprastha Apollo Hospital on Friday evening after developing a chest infection. Hospital officials said his condition is stable and he remains under observation by a team of doctors.
The 98-year-old leader was brought to the hospital at around 7:30 pm on Friday, October 16, and admitted to the pulmonary department. Medical tests are underway while a team of doctors closely monitors his health.
What We Know So Far
- Hospital: Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi — pulmonary department
- Reason: Chest infection, confirmed by hospital officials (reported by IANS and PTI)
- Condition: Stable and under observation; undergoing treatment and medical tests
- Admitted: Friday evening, October 16, at approximately 7:30 pm
- Age: 98 — he turns 99 on November 8
Recent Health History
This is not the first time the veteran leader has needed hospital care in recent years:
- May 2026: Admitted to Apollo Hospital for age-related health complications; discharged after a few days of treatment.
- December 2024: Admitted to the ICU of Indraprastha Apollo Hospital for medical management and investigations under a neurologist; the hospital reported gradual improvement and he was discharged after his condition stabilised.
- He also visits Apollo periodically for routine health check-ups and consultations.
Who Is LK Advani?
Lal Krishna Advani is one of the most influential figures in the history of the Bharatiya Janata Party and Indian politics. Born on November 8, 1927, in Karachi (then British India), he joined the RSS as a swayamsevak in 1942 and went on to become a co-founder of the BJP in 1980.
He served as the BJP's national president for three terms (1986–1990, 1993–1998 and 2004–2005), as India's Home Minister from 1998 to 2004 — the longest-serving Home Minister for over two decades — and as Deputy Prime Minister from 2002 to 2004 in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA government. His 1990 Ram Rath Yatra from Somnath to Ayodhya was a turning point in Indian politics, propelling the BJP into a major national force. In March 2024, President Droupadi Murmu conferred on him the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour.
Watch: India Today's Report
Why This Matters
At 98, any chest infection demands close medical attention — respiratory infections are among the leading causes of hospitalisation for the elderly, and the pulmonary department admission suggests doctors are watching his respiratory function carefully. The fact that the hospital has publicly described his condition as stable is reassuring, but supporters and well-wishers across the country will be watching for updates through the weekend.
Advani's hospitalisation also comes just weeks before his 99th birthday on November 8 — a milestone that will inevitably draw national attention regardless of party lines, given his Bharat Ratna status and his towering role in shaping modern Indian politics.
LK Advani Hospitalised: FAQs
Why was LK Advani hospitalised?
The 98-year-old former Deputy Prime Minister was admitted to Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in Delhi on Friday evening, October 16, after developing a chest infection, according to hospital officials quoted by IANS and PTI.
What is his condition now?
Hospital officials have said his condition is stable. He is undergoing treatment and medical tests while a team of doctors keeps him under observation in the pulmonary department.
Which hospital is he admitted to?
Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in New Delhi. He was admitted to the pulmonary department at around 7:30 pm on Friday.
Has he been hospitalised before?
Yes. He was admitted to Apollo Hospital in May 2026 for age-related ailments and discharged after a few days. In December 2024, he spent time in the ICU for medical management under a neurologist before recovering and being discharged.
When does LK Advani turn 99?
He was born on November 8, 1927, in Karachi — he turns 99 on November 8, 2026. In March 2024, he was conferred the Bharat Ratna by President Droupadi Murmu.
Note: This is a developing story. Details are based on statements from hospital officials and reports from multiple news agencies as of the morning of October 17, 2026; the situation may change.