The All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi, an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, is organizing KAUMARACON 2026, the International Conference on Kaumarabhritya (Ayurveda Paediatrics), from October 15 to 17, 2026, at its Sarita Vihar campus. The three-day conference will bring together experts, academicians, researchers, practitioners and students from India and abroad to deliberate on advancements in Ayurveda-based child healthcare, research and clinical practice.
The inaugural session on October 15 will be attended by Vice-President of India Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan as Chief Guest and Shri Prataprao Jadhav, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ministry of Ayush and Minister of State for Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, as Guest of Honour. Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, and Dr. Maneesha Upendra Kothekar, Chairperson, National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM), will also be present.
AIIA Director Prof. (Vaidya) P. K. Prajapati highlighted that the Institute, conceptualized in 2002 and dedicated to the nation by the Prime Minister in 2017, is entering its tenth year. The institute has more than 200 inpatient beds and advanced diagnostic facilities, with the establishment of AIIA Goa in 2022 further expanding its institutional reach. AIIA is affiliated with the University of Delhi for postgraduate education and PhD research programmes and has received NAAC A++ accreditation, with its hospital accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH).
The Department of Kaumarabhritya at AIIA provides outpatient and inpatient services, newborn care through a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), vaccination, mental healthcare and skin care. The department operates a specialized outpatient service for cancer care in children and attends to approximately 120–150 children daily in its outpatient section. It has established the KINDER Lab (Kaumarabhritya Initiative for Neurology, Dermatology, Respiratory and related areas), a specialized diagnostic facility supporting clinical assessment and research in paediatric healthcare.
Prof. Dr. Rajagopala S., Head of the Department and Organising Chairman, emphasized that Kaumarabhritya addresses comprehensive healthcare needs of children from nutrition and immunity to physical growth, mental well-being and disease management. The conference is expected to attract more than 500 participants including experts, teachers, practitioners, postgraduate scholars and students from across the country, with international experts from Brazil, the United States, Germany, Sri Lanka and Nepal participating online.
The scientific programme includes a pre-conference workshop on computer-aided drug designing (Ayurinformatics) and diagnostics in paediatrics, an oration lecture, six scientific sessions including a session with international experts, and 12 parallel sessions. More than 175 scientific papers are scheduled to be presented during the conference, providing a platform for sharing research outcomes, clinical experiences and innovative approaches in Ayurveda paediatrics.
The conference culminates on October 17 with AIIA's Foundation Day celebrations, commemorating the Institute's establishment, institutional growth and contributions to Ayurveda education, healthcare and research. The Foundation Day programme will highlight the Institute's achievements in academic excellence, patient care, research and development of specialised healthcare services.