The two-day conference will examine the contemporary relevance of Indian traditional knowledge systems and their applications in science and technology, education, healthcare, arts, architecture, governance, and interdisciplinary learning.

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The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Dharwad, will host the third international conference on Bharatiya Traditional Knowledge Systems (BTKS) on September 5 and 6 at its Central Learning Theatre.Addressing press persons in Dharwad on Wednesday, Director of IIT-Dharwad Venkappayya R. Desai said the conference was being organised by the institute’s Centre of Excellence for Indian Knowledge Systems, with the Central Sanskrit University, New Delhi, the Anusandhan National Research Foundation and the Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) division of the Union Ministry of Education among the supporting institutions.The two-day conference will examine the contemporary relevance of Indian traditional knowledge systems and their applications in science and technology, education, healthcare, arts, architecture, governance, and interdisciplinary learning.It will feature 12 invited lectures, 24 oral presentations, and 20 poster presentations, with scholars and researchers from IITs, NITs, universities, and research institutions across the country expected to participate.Eminent speakersPadma Bhushan awardee Shatavadhani R. Ganesh, Padma Shri awardee Kiran Seth, Devi Prasad Mishra of IIT Kanpur, K. Ramasubramanian of IIT Bombay, K.S. Kannan of Chanakya University, Kurpad S. Murthy of Roosevelt University, Chicago, V. Ramanathan of IIT-BHU, Mayur Kaku of NIMHANS and author Sandeep Balakrishna are among the invited speakers.Vice-Chancellor of Central Sanskrit University Srinivasa Varakhedi and IKS National Coordinator and IIT Indore professor Ganti S. Murthy are also scheduled to participate.Sessions will focus on ancient Indian technologies, Indian aesthetics, Ayurveda, Yoga Sutras, Vedic sciences, STEM education, and the integration of traditional knowledge with modern science. Research presentations will include AI-assisted disease diagnosis through Ayurveda, seismic assessment of traditional buildings, low-carbon construction materials using local resources, temple architecture, governance, and traditional knowledge.Two books — An Introduction to Ancient Indian Technology by Devi Prasad Mishra and The Elusive Ratio and the Advent of Calculus in India by K. Ramasubramanian — will be released on September 6.A Hindustani vocal recital by Padma Shri awardee Pandit Venkatesh Kumar will be held on September 5 in association with SPIC MACAY.The conference will also feature discussions on ‘Indian Knowledge Systems: From Śāstra to Contemporary Knowledge’ and ‘Reintegrating Indian Knowledge Systems with Modern Science’, besides a digital presentation of the Mahabharata.Prof. Desai said the conference would provide a platform for scholars, researchers, and experts working on Indian knowledge traditions and their contemporary applications to exchange ideas.A meeting of the directors of all IITs and the Indian Institute of Science is scheduled to be held on September 7, he added.Surya Prakash Ramesh, Head of the Centre for IKS, Ramesh Naik, Associate Dean (IPS-Civil), Subhash Mehto, assistant professor, BSBE, and Vijeeth Jinachandra Kotagi, PRO were present. Published - September 04, 2026 08:44 pm IST