CHENNAI: The ThinkEdu Conclave returns to Chennai for its 14th edition, bringing together over 45 voices from diverse fields to examine the forces transforming India’s education landscape. As India charts its course towards 2047, the centenary of Independence, the classroom has emerged as the crucible where the idea of a self-reliant India will be realised. Against this backdrop, ThinkEdu 2026 will be anchored in the theme of ‘Education for Atmanirbhar Bharat 2047’. The two-day event seeks to ignite conversations on AI, policy, culture and the churn redefining India’s most vital pillar of growth.
Presented by Tata Group and Tata Consultancy Services, with Rajalakshmi Group of Institutions as title sponsor, the conclave will be inaugurated by TN Governor R N Ravi on Monday, setting the tone for discussions spanning defence strategy, emerging technologies and the role of youth in nation building.
While West Bengal Governor Dr C V Ananda Bose, senior BJP leader K Annamalai and former civil servant Dr Irai Anbu will discuss the realm of public service in their sessions, Bihar Governor Arif Mohammed Khan and Shuddhidananda, president of Advaita Ashrama, will address the need for spirituality.
Parliamentarians and public figures, including Shashi Tharoor, Smriti Zubin Irani, Sachin Pilot, Maithili Thakur and John Brittas, will converse on youth politics and ideological debates shaping campuses on first day of the conclave.
Conclave this year will try to redefine role of education in rapidly changing world
Former Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria, former Director General of the Assam Rifles Lieutenant General (Retd) Shokin Chauhan and former Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Luxembourg, Belgium and European Union Manjeev Singh Puri, in their sessions will examine India’s place in a tumultuous world order.
From university governance and curriculum reform to healthcare equity and technological innovation, this year’s conclave positions education as the foundation of India’s journey toward Atmanirbhar Bharat 2047.
Leaders in education, such as JNU Vice Chancellor Prof Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit, former chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Prof Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar, Karnakata Minister of Higher Education Dr M C Sudhakar, Tamil Nadu Minister of School Education Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, and director of the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) Dr Ganesan Kannabiran will outline the roadmap for universities, students and education policies for the future.
Examining the country’s tryst with emerging technology, India’s forerunners in technology education such as Prof R Vaidiyanathan, former professor at IIM Bangalore; prof V Kamakoti, director of IIT Madras and Shashi Shekhar Vempati, former CEO, Prasar Bharati, will deliberate upon India’s AI and semiconductor ecosystem.
True to its interdisciplinary ethos, the conclave also embraces creativity and spirituality as essential components of education.
Discussions featuring singer Kavya Ajit, pianist-educator Anil Srinivasan and Aishwarya Manivannan, designer & Silambam champion, will explore how art and culture shape holistic learning.
With over 500 speakers and 280 sessions across 14 years of championing a self-reliant India, the ThinkEdu Conclave 2026 promises to bring policymakers, educators, technologists and students together under one roof to redefine education’s role in a rapidly changing world.