The 3rd International Mind, Brain and Consciousness Conference (MBCC 2026), a major global gathering dedicated to exploring consciousness, cognition, wellbeing and Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS), was inaugurated at the IIT Mandi’s Kamand campus in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh.
Bringing together leading scholars, scientists, healthcare professionals, educators, practitioners, students and policymakers from across the world, the four-day conference will continue till June 6 and serve as a platform for interdisciplinary dialogue linking modern scientific research with India’s traditional knowledge systems.
Organised by the Indian Knowledge Systems and Mental Health Applications (IKSMHA) Centre under the patronage of the Indian Knowledge Systems Division of the Ministry of Education, Government of India, the conference has attracted over 500 participants from India and abroad.
The event seeks to deepen understanding of consciousness and cognition while examining their relevance to mental health, human flourishing and sustainable societal development.
The inaugural ceremony was graced by Padma Vibhushan awardee Dr Padma Subrahmanyam, internationally acclaimed Bharatanatyam exponent, scholar, choreographer and researcher, who attended as the chief guest. She also presented a special Bharatanatyam performance along with her ensemble.
Addressing the gathering, Prof Laxmidhar Behera, Director of IIT Mandi, emphasised the importance of consciousness research in shaping India’s future. He said India’s aspiration to become a “Vishwa Guru” goes beyond economic and technological advancement and is rooted in promoting human wellbeing, consciousness and value-based development.
Chief Guest Dr Padma Subrahmanyam highlighted the enduring relevance of India’s knowledge traditions, saying education in the Indian context has always been viewed as a pathway to liberation and holistic growth.
She praised IIT Mandi for creating an environment where science, technology, arts and spirituality complement one another, adding that such initiatives are nurturing a generation capable of combining intellectual excellence with human values.
A major highlight of the inaugural session was the release of several important publications, including the MBCC 2023 and MBCC 2025 Proceedings, Karma Yoga by Prof. Laxmidhar Behera, Indian Knowledge Systems: A Primer by Prof. Gautam R. Desiraju and team, Holy Tulsi Consciousness and Trikayee by Dr. Mahesh Lohar and collaborators, The Secret Time of Code by Ajay Chaturvedi, and Musiopathy by Chitravina N. Ravikiran.
The conference features more than 290 technical presentations, 100 poster presentations, 18 keynote lectures, seven invited talks, three panel discussions, two workshops and four competitions.
With the conference now under way, participants are expected to engage in extensive discussions and collaborations aimed at advancing understanding of consciousness through the combined lens of science and Indian knowledge traditions, with the event set to conclude on June 6.