Munish Sood
Mandi
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi will host the third edition of the International Conference on Mind, Brain and Consciousness (ICMBC-2026) from June 3 to 6, bringing together leading scientists, researchers, academicians, spiritual thinkers and students from across the world for a unique interdisciplinary dialogue on consciousness, cognition, mental health and human well-being.
Organised by the Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems and Mental Health Applications, the four-day conference will be held at the picturesque IIT Mandi campus nestled in Himachal Pradesh’s scenic Kamand Valley. The event aims to bridge the gap between ancient Indian wisdom traditions and contemporary scientific understanding of the human mind and consciousness.
The conference is expected to witness participation from more than 400 delegates from India and abroad, with over 250 research papers slated for presentation. The programme will feature 18 keynote lectures, eight invited talks, three panel discussions, workshops, competitions and a range of interdisciplinary sessions covering consciousness studies, neuroscience, cognitive science, yoga and meditation, Ayurveda, Sanskrit studies, artificial intelligence, mental health and Indian Knowledge Systems.
A major highlight of this year’s conference will be the presence of two of India’s most celebrated cultural icons. Padma Vibhushan awardee and internationally acclaimed Bharatanatyam exponent Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam will grace the inaugural session as the chief guest and present a special Bharatanatyam performance with her troupe on the evening of June 3.
Another key attraction will be Padma Bhushan awardee and renowned Hindustani classical vocalist Pandit Ajay Chakrabarty, who will deliver a keynote address on June 4 and enthrall participants with a special classical music recital.
The conference will also feature several distinguished international scholars and scientists, including Professor Stuart Hameroff, Professor Giorgio Ascoli, Professor Dimitris Pinotsis, Professor Peter-Jan Maes, Professor Josefa Becerra González and Professor Ithamar Theodor, representing institutions from the United States, United Kingdom, Belgium, Mexico, Israel and other countries.
Prominent Indian speakers include motivational speaker BK Shivani, Professor Ganti S. Murthy, Professor Sisir Roy, Dr. Anirban Bandyopadhyay, Professor Shekhar P. Seshadri, Professor Nachiketa Tiwari, Professor Sudhir Kumar Sopory and Dr. Sushrut Jadhav, among others.
The conference is being organised under the aegis of the Indian Knowledge Systems Division of the Ministry of Education, Government of India. Professor Ganti S. Murthy, National Coordinator of the IKS Division, is serving as the patron of the conference.
The event is being led by IIT Mandi Director Professor Laxmidhar Behera, former INSA President Professor Shekhar Mande, Professor Sisir Roy and Dr. Anirban Bandyopadhyay.
Speaking about the significance of the conference, Professor Behera said that Indian knowledge traditions regard consciousness as a fundamental reality. He noted that a deeper understanding of the relationship between mind, brain and consciousness could not only advance human well-being but also contribute to research on neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and dementia.
Set against the backdrop of the serene Uhl River and the Himalayan landscape, the conference promises to offer a unique confluence of scientific excellence, cultural heritage, Indian wisdom traditions and cutting-edge interdisciplinary research. Organisers have invited researchers, educators, students, industry professionals and members of the public to participate in the landmark international event.
