The seventh edition of the India Science Festival (ISF) is set to ignite minds and showcase groundbreaking innovation at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune. Scheduled for January 10 and 11, 2026, the festival promises a stellar lineup of speakers, including astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and Nobel laureate Professor Venki Ramakrishnan.
A Confluence of Scientific Luminaries
Organised by the Foundation for Advancing Science and Technology (FAST India) in partnership with Bajaj Auto Ltd, ISF 2026 solidifies its position as India's largest non-government platform dedicated to celebrating science. The event will bring together pioneers from diverse fields for a dynamic exchange of ideas. Attendees can immerse themselves in a rich program featuring expert talks, engaging panel discussions, and intimate fireside chats.
The spectrum of topics is vast and forward-looking, encompassing artificial intelligence (AI), space technology, defence tech, green vehicles, quantum computing, chemistry, and mathematics. This reflects the festival's core mission to highlight the transformative role of science in tackling real-world challenges.
Star-Studded Speaker Lineup
Beyond Shukla and Ramakrishnan, the festival boasts an impressive roster of experts. Notable speakers include Ashish Vaswani, CEO of Essential AI; Eshan Chattopadhyay, a Gödel Prize winner; Akshata Krishnamurthy from NASA; Kush Varshney, an IBM Fellow; and Professor Nikku Madhusudhan from Cambridge University. This gathering aims to bridge the gap between cutting-edge research, industry application, and public understanding.
Fostering a Robust Science Ecosystem
Prabhakar Jha, Chief Operating Officer of FAST India, emphasised the festival's strategic importance. He stated that FAST India is committed to building a robust ecosystem that connects science, society, and innovation. "Hosting the India Science Festival is a cornerstone of this mission—making science accessible, sparking curiosity, and inspiring action," Jha explained. He added that ISF 2026 will focus on 'deep innovation', demonstrating how scientific advances directly improve lives.
Professor Arnab Mukherjee, Dean of International Relations and Outreach at IISER Pune, expressed delight in hosting the event. "As an institute committed to excellence in science education and research, we see ISF as a powerful platform to ignite curiosity, broaden scientific thinking, and create meaningful interactions," he said. IISER Pune looks forward to welcoming thousands of students, scientists, innovators, and members of the public to its campus for two days of intense learning and inspiration.
The India Science Festival 2026 is poised to be a landmark event, empowering the next generation of thinkers and underscoring India's growing prominence on the global scientific stage.
