Event Overview
The Kalpana Chawla Centre for Research in Space Science and Technology at Chandigarh University will host India’s first university‑led National Space Technology Conclave (NSTC 2026) on 17‑18 August 2026 at the university campus in Chandigarh, Punjab.
Collaboration and Participants
The two‑day conclave is jointly organised with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), both under the Department of Space, Government of India. It will bring together 30 distinguished scientists, mission leaders and technologists from ISRO, IIST, the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN‑SPACe), NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) and the U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC). In addition, ten CEOs and senior leaders from leading Indian space industries and start‑ups will participate. Notable attendees include Dr Pawan Goenka (Chairman, IN‑SPACe), Dr S Somnath (Former Chairman, ISRO), Dr Rajeev Jyothi (Director, Technical Directorate, IN‑SPACe), Prof D Banerjee (Vice‑Chancellor, IIST), Dr A Bharadwaj (Director, PRL), M Sankaran (Director, URSC, ISRO), Dr R P Singh (Director, IIRS, ISRO) and I S S Sarkar (Director, SAC, ISRO).
Special Guest
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, Ashoka Chakra awardee, Indian Air Force officer and astronaut, will attend as the special guest. He made history in June 2025 as the first Indian to visit the International Space Station and has been selected as one of the astronauts for India’s Gaganyaan human‑spaceflight programme.
Declaration and Objectives
A principal outcome of the conclave will be the “Chandigarh University Declaration on Space Technology for Viksit Bharat 2047”, a collaborative roadmap that will define the role and responsibilities of universities in India’s space‑technology ambitions. The declaration’s recommendations are intended to be shared with the Prime Minister’s Office. According to Prof (Dr) Eswar Sunkara, Senior Director of the Kalpana Chawla Centre, the declaration will guide university contributions in satellite development, payloads, launch technologies, reusable launch vehicles, ground stations, space data analysis, artificial intelligence for space and space‑entrepreneurship, thereby establishing Chandigarh University as a premier national space‑technology hub in North India.
University Profile
Chandigarh University is an autonomous, NAAC‑A+ graded institution, QS World‑Ranked, approved by the UGC. It offers more than 109 undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across engineering, management, pharmacy, law, architecture, journalism, animation, hotel management, commerce and other fields. The university has been recognised as “The University with Best Placements” by WCRC.