New Delhi | February 22, 2026: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), under the Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, successfully organized Samvad 2026 from February 19–21, 2026 at ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research (ICMR-NIMR), New Delhi.

The three-day national scholars’ assembly focused on promoting high-quality doctoral research, innovation, and collaborative knowledge exchange among emerging research leaders across India.

Strengthening India’s Research Ecosystem

Samvad is ICMR’s annual flagship initiative aimed at engaging doctoral scholars within its research network. The program encourages institutional collaboration, interdisciplinary exposure, and awareness of diverse research ecosystems.

Nearly 400 PhD scholars, senior scientists, policymakers, academicians, and research leaders from across the country participated in the conference, making it a vibrant platform for scientific dialogue and intellectual exchange.

The next edition of Samvad (2027) will be hosted by ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition in Hyderabad.

Focus on Innovation, Policy & Public Impact

The conference featured keynote sessions by distinguished speakers including:

1. Anil Kumar Gupta (Padma Shri awardee), Founder of Honey Bee Network, who encouraged scholars to align research with grassroots innovation and societal needs.

2. Kameshwar Prasad (Padma Shri), who emphasized bridging laboratory research with clinical outcomes for meaningful healthcare impact.

A major highlight was the technical session on “Health Communication – Science for Impact,” underscoring the need for research to influence policy, public trust, and societal change beyond academic publication.

Town Hall with ICMR DG

On the final day, a much-anticipated town hall session was conducted with Rajiv Bahl, Secretary, Department of Health Research and Director General, ICMR.

Dr. Bahl urged scholars to pursue serious, meaningful research beyond minimum PhD requirements, stressing the importance of quality publications, innovation, and constructive stress management in research careers.

Technical Sessions & Research Engagement

1. The conference included sessions on:

2. Systematic reviews & evidence synthesis

3. National research resources (NAMS, ONOS, INFLIBNET)

4. Career pathways after PhD

5. Pharmaceutical innovation & interdisciplinary collaboration

Scholars actively participated in Mindstorm@ICMR Research Quiz 2026, along with oral and poster presentation sessions that showcased the depth and diversity of doctoral research across institutions.

Conclusion

In his closing remarks, Anup Anvikar, Director of ICMR-NIMR, praised the dedication of researchers and described Samvad 2026 as a visionary platform fostering meaningful research networking and scientific leadership.

The conference concluded with a valedictory session and award ceremony recognizing outstanding research contributions, reinforcing ICMR’s commitment to nurturing India’s next generation of scientific leaders.