Organized by the Institute’s Centre for Public Policy (CPP), this year’s edition is themed ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’

6 January, 2026, Bengaluru: The Centre for Public Policy (CPP) at IIM Bangalore will host the XXI International Conference on Public Policy & Management from 2nd to 4th September 2026, at the IIMB campus. The upcoming edition is themed ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’.

Each year, the interdisciplinary conference draws scholars representing diverse perspectives on public policy issues and provides a forum for showcasing the latest developments in policy research and practice. It also hosts pre-conference activities, academic sessions, topical policy debates, workshops, panel discussions and practitioner-oriented discussions on contemporary topics in public policy and management.

The international forum is ideal for academicians, students, research scholars, policy practitioners, lawyers, NGO professionals and anyone with an interest in public policy.

The organizing committee of this year’s conference comprises Prof. Gopal Naik, Senior Fellow, Chairperson and Jal Jeevan Mission Chair Professor at the Centre for Public Policy, IIM Bangalore; Prof. Arnab Mukherji, Chairperson, Master of Management Studies (Public Policy) – PGPPM and faculty of Public Policy at IIMB; Prof. Soham Sahoo, Chairperson of the Public Policy area of IIMB; Prof. Rajalaxmi Kamath, Chairperson, Internal Committee and faculty of the Public Policy area of IIMB, and Dr. Anjana Dube, Chief Policy Officer at CPP.

Conference theme: Atmanirbhar Bharat

This year, under the broad theme of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, the conference will explore a range of interconnected sub-themes that focus on strengthening domestic capabilities – across institutions, industries, technologies and human capital – so that India’s development is driven by resilience and innovation. Advancing this vision requires rethinking regulatory, administrative and policy frameworks, furthering ease of doing business, enhancing human capabilities, and addressing implementation challenges ex-ante. Evidence from India and abroad on development policies, technological adoption, supply chain resilience, and governance innovations including AI tools, provides valuable insights, as do learnings from ongoing schemes, missions and programs aimed at manufacturing, digital empowerment, livelihoods, and public service delivery.

From building stronger primary healthcare systems and reducing dependence on external medical supply chains to empowering MSMEs, enhancing agricultural value chains, deepening digital public infrastructure, improving labour markets, and enabling climate-resilient development, the pursuit of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ spans diverse and critical themes. The call for papers invites theoretical, empirical, and case-study-based research addressing these issues and others, contributing to a growing body of knowledge that explores how self-reliance can be advanced across India’s economic and social landscape. Advancing this vision requires rethinking regulatory, administrative and policy frameworks, and addressing implementation challenges ex-ante. Evidence from India and abroad on industrial policy, technological adoption, including AI tools, supply chain resilience, and governance innovations provides valuable insights, as do learnings from ongoing schemes, missions and programs aimed at manufacturing, digital empowerment, livelihoods, and public service delivery. Submissions not falling within these themes, but otherwise related to public policy topics, are also welcome.

For more details on the conference theme, event details, etc., please click HERE.

Conference Venue:

Indian Institute of Management Bangalore
Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore – 560076

Contact Information:

Email: cppconference[at]iimb[dot]ac[dot]in 
Phone: +91 80 26993051/3323