The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi, through its Centre for Indian Knowledge System and Mental Health Applications (IKSMHA), will host the Mind, Brain, and Consciousness Conference (MBCC 2025) from June 4 to 7, 2025. This international conference presents a multidisciplinary platform for scholarly dialogue and collaborative research, integrating diverse fields such as consciousness studies, brain sciences, cognitive wellness, Indian philosophy, neurocognitive science, and Ayurveda.

MBCC 2025 aspires to serve as a convergence point for neuroscientists, cognitive scientists, philosophers, mental health practitioners, and scholars of Indic knowledge systems, facilitating critical engagement and cross-cultural inquiry at the intersection of science, spirituality, and holistic well-being. By situating traditional Indian epistemologies alongside cutting-edge scientific methodologies, the conference aims to foster novel frameworks for understanding human consciousness and to inspire translational models for societal transformation.

The event will feature keynote addresses by globally renowned experts, including Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.

The event will also include the presence of Prof. Shrinivasa Varakhedi (Vice Chancellor, Central Sanskrit University), Prof. Gautam Desiraju (IISc), Prof. Roumiana Tsenkova (Kobe University, Japan), Dr. B. N. Gangadhar (Chairman, National Medical Commission; Former Director, NIMHANS), and Bhakti Rasamrita Swami, a noted Bhakti-Vedantist and thought leader.

Thematic panel discussions will address critical issues such as “Indian Knowledge Systems shaping the science of cognitive matter” and “Nurturing civilizational consciousness for national transformation”. Special sessions will include:

• Prof. Chayan Nandi on biomarkers of consciousness
• Dr. Amit Sethi on brain dynamics and cognition
• Prof. Ajay Chaturvedi on economic transitions from a civilizational systems perspective

What distinctly characterizes MBCC 2025 is its action-oriented design, an effort to not only theorize but also translate insights into policy, pedagogy, healthcare, and innovation. Highlights include student-led business plans on the “Kullhad Economy”, an Indic, production-driven sustainable development model. This initiative reflects the broader conference theme of harnessing indigenous knowledge to shape future economies and leadership paradigms.

The conference is being chaired by:

• Prof. Laxmidhar Behera (Director, IIT Mandi)
• Dr. Anirban Chakraborty (National Institute of Materials Science, Japan)
• Prof. Ganpati Ramanath (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, USA, and Uppsala University, Sweden)

Reflecting on the conference’s vision, Prof. Behera remarked, “MBCC 2025 affirms our commitment to nurturing transformative ideas, where tradition guides innovation and inquiry inspires societal change.”

As a global crucible of interdisciplinary scholarship, MBCC 2025 invites researchers, students, practitioners, and seekers to explore and advance a shared quest for deeper understanding and lasting societal impact, rooted in both ancient insight and scientific rigor.