1. Background
India’s civilisational heritage encompasses a vast and interconnected body of knowledge — spanning philosophy, linguistics, mathematics, astronomy, medicine, governance, agriculture, and the arts — developed and refined over millennia.
The Indian Knowledge Systems and Heritage Association (IKSHA), in partnership with the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB), has been convening an annual academic conference to bring scholars, practitioners, and institutions together to critically examine, document, and advance the study of these traditions using rigorous, contemporary academic methods.
Building on the success of its first two editions (AAC 2025 and AAC 2026), IKSHA is pleased to announce the 3rd Annual Academic Conference — IKSHA 2027 / AAC 2027 — to be held from 2 to 4 July 2027 at IIT Bombay.
2. About the Conference
IKSHA 2027 is a three-day, multi-track academic conference dedicated to the interdisciplinary study of Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS).
It aims to provide a rigorous scholarly platform where classical Indic frameworks — in philosophy, linguistics, science, medicine, statecraft, agriculture, and the arts — are studied on their own terms, examined against contemporary disciplinary methods, and explored for their continuing relevance.
3. Objectives
Establishing a disciplined, sustained ecosystem for research, critique, and scholarship in Indian Knowledge Systems.
Interdisciplinary Academic Platform
To create a rigorous academic platform for the interdisciplinary study of Indian Knowledge Systems across philosophy, linguistics, science, medicine, governance, agriculture, and the arts.
Original Textual Reconstruction
To encourage original research that reconstructs, documents, and critically evaluates classical Indic texts, traditions, and practices.
Dialogue Between Śāstra & Modern Disciplines
To foster dialogue between traditional scholarship (śāstra) and contemporary academic and scientific disciplines.
Forum for Emerging Scholars
To provide early-career researchers, doctoral scholars, and students a forum to present peer-reviewed work and receive expert feedback.
Global Collaborative Networks
To strengthen collaborative networks among universities, research institutions, and practitioners working on Indian Knowledge Systems, in India and abroad.
High-Quality Scholarly Proceedings
To publish high-quality conference proceedings that contribute lasting scholarly resources to the field.
4. Why Attend?
Experience a scholarly gathering built on academic rigor, peer engagement, and tangible research outputs.
Peer-Reviewed Presentation
Present original research to a peer community spanning ten thematic disciplines and receive structured, expert review.
Direct Engagement with Track Chairs
Engage directly with track chairs and advisory board members who are established authorities in their respective fields.
Curated Cross-Disciplinary Programme
Access a curated, cross-disciplinary programme rarely available at single-discipline conferences.
Proceedings, Awards & Recognition
Publish accepted work in the conference proceedings, with recognition through Best Paper and Best Presentation awards.
Scholarly Community & Networking
Network with researchers, institutions, and practitioners committed to advancing Indian Knowledge Systems as a serious academic field.
5. Target Audience
IKSHA 2027 welcomes scholars, students, and practitioners across multiple domains:
Faculty & Humanities Researchers
Faculty and researchers in Indology, Sanskrit studies, philosophy, history, linguistics, and related humanities and social science disciplines.
Scientists & Engineers
Working at the intersection of traditional Indian sciences (mathematics, astronomy, Āyurveda, metallurgy) and modern disciplines.
Doctoral & Postgraduate Scholars
Doctoral and postgraduate research scholars, and advanced undergraduate students pursuing IKS research.
Traditional Arts & Āyurveda Practitioners
Practitioners of traditional arts, architecture, Āyurveda, and allied applied knowledge fields.
Policy Makers & Heritage Institutions
Policy makers, cultural institutions, and heritage organisations engaged with Indian Knowledge Systems.
International Scholars
International scholars and institutions working on comparative and cross-cultural knowledge traditions.
6. Thematic Tracks
IKSHA 2027 is structured around ten thematic tracks. Authors and participants are invited to submit contributions aligned with one or more tracks.
Ānvīkṣikī & Darśana
Philosophical & Cognitive Systems
Nyāya-Vaiśeṣika epistemology, mind-consciousness models in Sāṅkhya, traditional Indian psychology, textual mapping of cognitive perception, and related areas.
Itihāsa & Sabhyatā
Historical & Civilizational Studies
Reconstructing historical narratives from primary texts, Purāṇic geography, archaeology, and socio-cultural evolution of regional traditions, and related areas.
Laukikaśāstra & Śaikṣaṇika
Contemporary Social & Cultural Studies
Societal dynamics, Indian frameworks for sociological inquiry, indigenous pedagogy, traditional ethics, edutainment, digital media, gamification, digital design, social media, and entrepreneurship, and related areas.
Vāgvibhāga &Vāṅmaya
Speech, Linguistics & Prosody
Aṣṭādhyāyī structure, Sphoṭa semantic theory, computational linguistics using Sanskrit grammar, structural analysis of Chandas, Kāvya, and Sāhitya, and related areas.
Rājadharma, Arthāyāma & Prabandhana
Political, Economic & Strategic Thought
Statecraft, ancient trade networks, dharmic frameworks for corporate governance, sustainable commercial ethics, and management, and related areas.
Bhaiṣajya, Ārogya & Āhāra
Medical, Nutrition & Pharmacological Systems
Āyurveda foundational principles, preventive health and therapeutics, nutritional philosophy in Dravyaguṇa, and traditional pharmacology, and related areas.
Gaṇita, Bhauta & Jyotiṣa
Mathematical, Physical & Astronomical Sciences
The Kerala School of Mathematics, ancient Indian algebra/geometry, observational astronomy texts, and related areas.
Kṛṣi & Paśupālya
Agricultural, Ecological & Animal Husbandry Systems
Traditional sustainable farming (Kṛṣi-Parāśara), Vṛkṣāyurveda, ancient water management systems, and traditional veterinary care, and related areas.
Kalā, Vāstu & Śilpa
Performing Arts, Architecture & Design Studies
Nāṭyaśāstra principles, Rasa aesthetics, Vāstuśāstra, and iconography, and related areas.
Samvijñānam & Praudyogikī
Sciences and Engineering
Physics, chemistry, engineering, technology, metallurgy, and related areas.
7. Suggested Track Chairs
Eminent scholars and academicians guiding each thematic track at AAC 2027.
| Track | Thematic Track Title | Suggested Chair | Affiliation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Track 1 | Ānvīkṣikī & Darśana Philosophical & Cognitive Systems | Prof. Sachchidananda Mishra | Banaras Hindu University (BHU) |
| Track 2 | Itihāsa & Sabhyatā Historical & Civilizational Studies | Prof. Ritendra Ram Sharma | Indus University |
| Track 3 | Laukikaśāstra & Śaikṣaṇika Contemporary Social & Cultural Studies | Prof. Ashish Pandey | IIT Bombay |
| Track 4 | Vāgvibhāga &Vāṅmaya Speech, Linguistics & Prosody | Prof. Amba Kulkarni | IIT Hyderabad |
| Track 5 | Rājadharma, Arthāyāma & Prabandhana Political, Economic & Strategic Thought | Prof. Kaushik Gangopadhyay | IIM Kozhikode |
| Track 6 | Bhaiṣajya, Ārogya & Āhāra Medical, Nutrition & Pharmacological Systems | Prof. P. Rammanohar | Amrita University |
| Track 7 | Gaṇita, Bhauta & Jyotiṣa Mathematical, Physical & Astronomical Sciences | Prof. Venketeswara Pai | IISER Pune |
| Track 8 | Kṛṣi & Paśupālya Agricultural, Ecological & Animal Husbandry Systems | Prof. Ganti S. Murthy | IIT Indore |
| Track 9 | Kalā, Vāstu & Śilpa Performing Arts, Architecture & Design Studies | Prof. Ujjwala Khote | Samrachana |
| Track 10 | Samvijñānam & Praudyogikī Sciences and Engineering | Prof. V. Ramanathan | IIT BHU |
8. Conference Organising Team
Joint leadership from the Indian Knowledge Systems and Heritage Association (IKSHA) and the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB).
Patrons
Shri Manohar Shinde
IKSHAProf. Shireesh Kedare
IIT BombayConference Secretaries
Prof. Sampadananda Mishra
IKSHAProf. Lalitha Sarma
IIT BombayConveners
Prof. Arnab Bhattacharya
IKSHAProf. K. Ramasubramanian
IIT BombayCo-Conveners
Prof. Yugank Goyal
IKSHAProf. Varadaraj Bapat
IIT BombayCore Organising Committee
International Advisory Committee, National Advisory Board, and Eminent Speakers will be announced shortly.
9. Manuscript Preparation Guidelines
Please review the submission formats, review policies, and academic integrity guidelines thoroughly prior to submitting your work.
Paper Submission
- Submit the full paper along with an extended abstract.
- Manuscripts must be submitted in PDF format.
- The manuscript must be original, unpublished, and not under consideration elsewhere.
- AI Policy: Use of AI tools is strictly limited to formatting and paraphrasing only.
Manuscript Format
- Format: A4 page size, single spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, standard margins.
- Author Details: Full name, designation, institutional affiliation, email address, and mobile number.
- Do not include any additional biographical information.
- Language: Papers must be written in English.
Review Process & Standards
- All submissions will undergo rigorous peer review by the Conference Review Committee.
- Authors may be asked to revise manuscripts based on reviewer comments prior to final acceptance.
- Papers should demonstrate originality, academic rigor, and adherence to ethical research practices.
- Manuscripts not complying with prescribed guidelines may be rejected without review.
Copyright & Presentation
- Authors must submit a signed Copyright Declaration Form along with the final manuscript.
- Submitted work must be original and free from plagiarism.
- Only accepted papers will be scheduled for presentation.
- Each accepted paper will be allotted either an oral presentation slot or a poster slot.
10. Important Dates
Key milestones for paper submission, evaluation rounds, and conference proceedings.
Full paper along with extended abstract submission deadline
Notification of acceptance or revision requests by Review Committee
Submission of revised manuscripts addressing reviewer feedback
Final acceptance decisions communicated to authors
Final camera-ready manuscript and signed Copyright Declaration form
Three days of multi-track academic sessions at IIT Bombay
11. Registration
Participation in IKSHA 2027 requires prior registration.
Registration Fee Covers:
Fee Categories: Category-wise fee details (International Delegates / Faculty / Working Professionals; Research Scholars / Ph.D. Students / Retired Professionals; UG/PG Students) along with Early-Bird and standard rates will be notified separately.
Non-refundable: The registration fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.
Accommodation: The registration fee does not include accommodation. Accommodation will be arranged upon prior request, subject to availability, on a sharing basis.
Confirmation: Registration will be confirmed only after the completed registration form and full payment have been received.
Student Verification: Students and Research Scholars must produce a valid Student ID card at the time of registration to avail the applicable category.
Programme Changes: The organising committee reserves the right to modify the conference programme, schedule, or arrangements, if required.
12. Publications and Awards
Selected papers presented at the conference will be considered for publication in the conference proceedings (details to be announced).
Best Paper Award
Presented to top-rated original scholarly papers across tracks demonstrating highest research rigor and novel contributions.
Best Presentation Award
Awarded to outstanding oral presentations evaluated on clarity, scholarly engagement, and critical defense.
Poster Presentations
Featured as an integral part of the conference programme, providing an interactive showcase for early findings and visual analyses.
13. Venue
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay)
Powai, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400076, India
IIT Bombay is an internationally renowned institute of national importance, located in Powai, Mumbai. With premier academic infrastructure, lecture theatres, and research facilities, it provides an inspiring venue for interdisciplinary deliberations on Indian Knowledge Systems.
Open Campus Location on Google Maps14. Contact Information
For further information and queries regarding paper submission, registration, sponsorship, or academic partnerships, please reach out to the conference team.