IIT Bombay successfully hosted a three-day International Conference on “Role of IPR (Intellectual Property Rights) in Promoting Indigenous Knowledge System (IKS) and Viksit Bharat” during 26–28th November, 2025. The conference brought together leading experts from industry, academia, policymakers, practitioners, innovators and representatives of indigenous communities to discuss the role of IPR in safeguarding and leveraging indigenous knowledge for the nation’s development.

Eminent personalities like Dr. A.P. Singh, Director General-RRRLF, Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India; Padma Shri Girish Prabhune, Dr. Gajanan Dange, Prof. Prafulla Agnihotri, Director, IIM Sirmaur; Prof. Ujwala Chakradeo, Vice Chancellor, SNDT Women’s University; Dr. Dinesh Patil, Jt. Controller of Patents & Designs, Govt. of India and Adv. Ganesh Hingmire addressed the gathering through their plenary and keynote talks. In addition, panel discussions on Geographical Indicators and strategies for the integration of IKS into India’s innovation ecosystem for shaping the vision of Viksit Bharat were the highlights of the conference. International and national delegates presented papers (75+) on Indigenous Knowledge Systems, IPR Frameworks, Technology and Digital Transformation, Community Empowerment through IPR, and Policy and Institutional Support.

Prof. Shireesh Kedare, Director of IIT Bombay, emphasised that India’s rich traditional knowledge and heritage hold immense potential in achieving the goal of Viksit Bharat. He further mentioned that strengthening IPR mechanisms will ensure fair benefit-sharing, prevent misappropriation and catalyse innovations.

The conference deliberations highlighted that a holistic blend of scientific advancements and indigenous knowledge, with IPR mechanisms serving as a bridge between modern entrepreneurship and traditional wisdom, is one of the essential steps in the journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047.