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Padma Vibhushan Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam and Padma Bhushan Pandit Ajoy
Chakrabarty to headline special cultural showcases at MBCC 2026.
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Flagship conference of the IKSMHA Centre, IIT Mandi, to convene global experts
examining consciousness, cognition, and wellbeing through Indian Knowledge
Systems and contemporary science.
Mandi: The Indian
Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi, one of India’s leading IITs, invites scholars, researchers,
practitioners, students, media representatives, and members of the public to
participate in the 3rd International
Mind, Brain and Consciousness Conference (MBCC 2026), to be held from 3rd to 6th June 2026 at its picturesque
campus nestled in the Kamand valley, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh.
Organized by the Indian Knowledge System
and Mental Health Applications (IKSMHA) Centre, IIT Mandi, MBCC has emerged as
a flagship international conference dedicated to exploring one of humanity's
most profound questions - the nature of consciousness - through a unique
dialogue between modern science and the timeless wisdom of the Indian Knowledge
Systems (IKS).
A major highlight of this year's conference
will be the presence of two of India's most celebrated cultural icons. Padma Vibhushan Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam,
the legendary Bharatanatyam exponent, scholar, choreographer, and researcher,
will grace the inaugural ceremony as the Chief Guest and present a special
Bharatanatyam performance with her ensemble on the evening of 3 June 2026. The
conference will also host Padma Bhushan
Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty, one of India's foremost Hindustani classical
vocalists, who will deliver a keynote address and enthral the audience with a
special Indian classical music concert on 4 June 2026.
The conference serves as a unique meeting
ground where ancient wisdom traditions and modern scientific inquiry come
together to address questions of consciousness, cognition, wellbeing, and human
flourishing. Building upon the success of its previous editions, MBCC 2026 has
already attracted more than 400 participants from India and abroad. The
conference will feature over 250 technical presentations, 18 keynote lectures,
8 invited talks, 3 panel discussions, workshops, competitions, and a wide range
of interdisciplinary sessions spanning consciousness studies, neuroscience,
cognitive science, yoga and meditation, Ayurveda, Sanskrit studies, artificial
intelligence, mental health, and Indian Knowledge Systems.
The conference will bring together an
extraordinary gathering of distinguished scholars and thought leaders from
around the world. Internationally renowned experts including Prof. Stuart
Hameroff (USA), Prof. Giorgio Ascoli (USA), Prof. Dimitris A. Pinotsis (UK),
Prof. Pieter-Jan Maes (Belgium), Prof. Josefa Becerra Gonzalez (Mexico), and
Prof. Ithamar Theodor (Israel) will join eminent Indian scholars and
practitioners such as BK Shivani, Prof. Ganti S. Murthy, Prof. Sisir Roy,
Dr. Anirban Bandyopadhyay, Prof. Shekhar P. Seshadri, Prof. Nachiketa Tiwari,
Prof. Sudhir K. Sopory, Dr. Sushrut Jadhav, and several other leading
voices working at the intersection of science, consciousness, health, and
Indian knowledge traditions.
The conference is being organized under the
patronage of the Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) Division, Ministry of
Education, Government of India, with Prof. Ganti S. Murthy, National
Coordinator, IKS Division, serving as Conference Patron. MBCC 2026 is
led by an eminent team of General Chairs comprising Prof. Laxmidhar Behera
(Director, IIT Mandi), Prof. Shekhar Mande (President, INSA), Prof. Sisir Roy,
and Dr. Anirban Bandyopadhyay, whose collective vision has helped
establish MBCC as one of India's foremost interdisciplinary forums on
consciousness studies and Indian Knowledge Systems.
Speaking on the significance of MBCC 2026,
Prof. Laxmidhar Behera, Director, IIT Mandi, said “The integration
of mind, brain, and consciousness, with consciousness viewed as a fundamental
reality as proposed in Indian Knowledge Systems, may hold the key to a deeper
understanding of human wellbeing and offer new directions for addressing mental
health challenges and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's,
Parkinson's, and dementia. Through MBCC 2026, we seek to establish a global
dialogue that bridges ancient wisdom and modern science to advance humanity's
understanding of consciousness and its role in health and wellbeing."
Set amidst the tranquil Uhl River Valley of
Himachal Pradesh, IIT Mandi offers an inspiring environment for reflection,
dialogue, and collaboration. Through its unique blend of scientific excellence,
traditional wisdom, cultural heritage, and interdisciplinary engagement, MBCC
2026 promises to be a landmark event for scholars, practitioners, innovators,
and seekers alike. The organizers cordially invite members of the media,
academic institutions, researchers, students, industry professionals, and all interested
participants to join this extraordinary gathering in the Himalayas and be part
of a global conversation on consciousness, wellbeing, and the future of human
knowledge.