CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (NIScPR) organized the 3rd International Conference on Communication and Dissemination of Traditional Knowledge (CDTK-2026) on November 2-3, 2026, at CSIR-NPL in New Delhi. The conference was inaugurated on November 2, 2026, with Dr. Joram Aniya, Honorable Member of NITI Aayog, serving as chief guest. She highlighted indigenous practices from Arunachal Pradesh as resilient models and urged young minds to share traditional knowledge globally to help policymakers frame beneficial policies, calling it a key step toward Viksit Bharat. She specifically commended CSIR-NIScPR's SVASTIK initiative and its multi-language publications focused on traditional knowledge.
Prof. Bhushan Patwardhan, guest of honor, emphasized approaching traditional knowledge with curiosity and rigor, describing reverse pharmacology where research ideas from tradition become hypotheses validated through laboratory and clinical work. He discussed Ayurgenomics, dosha genetics, rasayana, longevity, and advocated for incorporating Bhartiya wisdom into school curricula.
Dr. Geetha Vani Rayasam, Director of CSIR-NIScPR, highlighted the institute's initiatives in traditional knowledge protection and promotion, including the encyclopedic series 'The Wealth of India' documenting India's flora, fauna and mineral wealth, and the Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge—a peer-reviewed diamond open access journal celebrating its 25th anniversary. She also mentioned the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library and SVASTIK initiative.
Prof. Ranjana Aggarwal, Outstanding Scientist at CSIR and SVASTIK Mentor, explained the national SVASTIK initiative that shares authenticated traditional knowledge and practices across eight broad areas through social media and a web portal. The conference featured the release of several publications: a Souvenir and Abstract Book, SVASTIK Stories: Indian Traditional Knowledge through the Lens of Science (Volume III), and flipbooks titled 'Treasure of Indian Traditions' in Assamese and Maithili languages.
The first scientific session, 'Bridging Wisdom and Evidence: Documenting, Validating and Communicating Traditional Knowledge Responsibly,' was chaired by Prof. B.N. Jagatap of IIT Bombay and Chair of the SVASTIK Steering Committee. Prof. Tanuja Manoj Nesari, Director of ITRA Jamnagar, called for responsible evidence grading and shared vocabulary through NAMASTE and ICD-11 TM2, suggesting SVASTIK seek access to the WHO Traditional Medicine Global Library (TMGL). Ms. Ma'aly Hazzaz, UNESCO Regional Adviser for Communication and Information, South Asia, stressed that traditional knowledge belongs to communities, requiring ethics, consent, fair attribution, and benefit sharing before dissemination. Dr. Mrittunjoy Guha Majumdar from Amrita Viswa Vidyapeetham spoke on consciousness and computability.
The second scientific session focused on 'Environmental Consciousness in Traditional Wisdom and its Relevance for Modern Climate Strategies,' chaired by Dr. Atul Narayan Vaidya, Vice Chancellor of LIT University Nagpur. He presented a holistic vision of Indian Knowledge Systems with an integrated approach where science and philosophy coexist, offering an ethical framework for modern environmental practice. Session co-chair Dr. Subarna Roy emphasized bridging traditional knowledge with science, governance, and policy, citing examples from the Western Ghats including Devarakadu sacred groves, village forest management, traditional tanks, leaf litter mulching, and local seed diversity. Dr. Kailash Rao, Director of School of Planning and Architecture Bhopal, explored traditional architecture through creation by addition and subtraction, referencing Neelkanth Mahadev Temple and integrating generative drawing into studying Dravidian and Kalyani Chalukya architecture. A video message from Dr. Anil P. Joshi highlighted worsening mountain climates and the need to respect traditional ecological wisdom.
A panel discussion on 'Documentation, Digitisation and Ethical Issues, including AI in Traditional Knowledge' was chaired by Prof. Raghurama Bhatta U, CAO of IKS, MoE, who emphasized the evolution from Vedic oral traditions to modern digitization and AI's role. Dr. Viswajanani Sattigeri, Head of CSIR-Traditional Knowledge Digital Library Unit, revealed TKDL has systematically classified 519,978 traditional practices and formulations, supporting 375 favorable outcomes in patent applications. Dr. Ann Edillon, Director of Traditional Knowledge Division at WIPO, discussed the WIPO Treaty emphasizing mandatory disclosure, patent verification, and community consultation to prevent misappropriation of genetic resources and traditional knowledge. Dr. Sudha Gopalakrishnan, Executive Director of India International Centre, highlighted the evolution of knowledge preservation and importance of digitization and safeguarding oral traditions. Dr. Rajeshwari Singh, Senior Consultant at WHO Headquarters, highlighted global AI-for-health initiatives and WIPO's efforts in AI-driven innovation. Sunita Verma, CTO of Ironclad USA, emphasized the need for safeguarding strategies and codified protocols before digitizing traditional knowledge.
The conference included 22 oral presentations and 40 poster presentations by national and international researchers across various themes. An exhibition pavilion featured displays from SVASTIK and seven CSIR laboratories showcasing knowledge products and technologies.