Connecting Minds, Shaping Futures: India Science Festival 2026 Ignites At IISER Pune

India Science Festival (ISF) returns for its seventh edition at IISER Pune on January 10–11, 2026, positioning Pune as a national hub for science engagement early in the year. The festival blends research, creativity, and public participation through talks, exhibits, and games that connect citizens with cutting edge science.

The lineup features marquee names spanning space, AI, and fundamental science Subhanshu Shukla, Ashish Vaswani, Eshan Chattopadhyay, and Nobel laureate Venki Ramakrishnan anchoring a program that emphasizes curiosity, inclusivity, and real-world impact. Free registration keeps the doors open to students, professionals, and families alike.

Organized by FAST India, ISF is India’s largest non-government platform for science communication. The 2026 edition focuses on deep innovation and collaboration among scientists, policymakers, and the public, aiming to make complex ideas accessible and foster informed discourse on national science and technology priorities.

Key Highlights

• Dates and venue confirmed: January 10–11 at IISER Pune
• Headline speakers: Subhanshu Shukla, Ashish Vaswani, Eshan Chattopadhyay, Venki Ramakrishnan
• Format and access: free registration, open-to-all programming
• Experiences: exhibitions, art, theatre, interactive installations, sci‑fi and AI games with prizes up to ₹2 lakhs
• Impact track record: 550+ speakers, 450+ events, 100,000+ attendees across six editions
• Mission focus: accessibility, cross-disciplinary dialogue, science policy conversations, and stronger science communication practices

Broader Context

ISF’s 2026 agenda reflects India’s momentum in space exploration, AI research, and public science literacy. By convening world class minds with hands-on experiences, the festival bridges labs and society, inviting citizens to engage with transformative technologies and the ethical, policy, and economic questions they raise.

What To Expect At ISF 2026

Keynotes and fireside conversations on space missions, AI architectures, quantum frontiers, and biomedical breakthroughs. Interactive zones where participants explore demos, installations, and science in art collaborations that translate complex ideas into tangible experiences. Public dialogues that spotlight how science can shape India’s innovation economy and everyday life.

Conclusion

ISF 2026 at IISER Pune is designed as a catalyst bringing science closer to people and steering conversations that matter for India’s future. It’s an invitation to learn, play, debate, and co-create the next chapter of innovation with openness and rigor.

Sources: The Indian Express, FAST India, India Science Festival