Event Proposal Template: Indian Philosophical Congress (IPC) 2025 – Centenary Edition

1. Event Overview and Significance

The Indian Philosophical Congress (IPC), founded in 1925 by Nobel Laureate Gurudev
Rabindranath Tagore and renowned philosopher and former President of India, Dr. Sarvepalli
Radhakrishnan, has been a cornerstone institution in the development of philosophical thought in
India. Over the past century, the IPC has successfully organized 99 annual sessions across various
regions of the country, reflecting its enduring commitment to philosophical inquiry and dialogue.

With a membership exceeding a thousand faculty members from India and abroad, the IPC plays a
vital role in advancing philosophical scholarship. It is dedicated to fostering the Indian
philosophical tradition, cultural values, and intellectual heritage, while also engaging meaningfully
with global philosophical debates.

Each year, the Congress is hosted by a different university in India. Mostly a four-day event brings
together philosophers, academics, researchers, students, and members of the wider public to
participate in a diverse array of panels and discussions. These sessions serve as a dynamic platform
for critical reflection and scholarly exchange across multiple domains of philosophy.

The IPC’s annual gatherings consistently attract leading scholars from around the world, as well as
a growing number of early-career academics and researchers, thereby nurturing a vibrant and
inclusive philosophical community.

Previous Important IPC Sessions

o Silver Jubilee Session was held at Calcutta University in December 1950. Key speakers being,
Professors T.M.P. Mahadevan , K.N. Katju, S. Radhakrishnan, and George P Conger.

o Golden Jubilee Session, a seven days event, was held at Delhi University from December 28,
1975 to January 3, 1976.

o In 1985, the Diamond Jubilee session was inaugurated in Hyderabad by the then Prime
Minister.
o In 2000, the Platinum Jubilee session was held in New Delhi with President K. R.
Narayanan presiding as Patron.

The centenary edition of this prestigious conference is a landmark occasion. Given IIT
Bombay’s commitment to interdisciplinary research and its growing engagement with
philosophical inquiry, hosting IPC 2025 here would provide an excellent platform for
scholars and an ideal venue for this significant edition.

IIT Bombay is the first IIT in India to launch an M.A. programme in Philosophy, which,
within just five years, has emerged as one of the finest in the country. The Department of
Humanities and Social Sciences has become a premier destination for students pursuing
advanced studies in the humanities and social sciences. In the 2024 QS World University
Rankings by broad subject areas, IIT Bombay ranked third in India – 261st globally in Arts
& Humanities and 132nd globally in Social Sciences & Management, highlighting its
growing national and international prominence beyond its well-established reputation in
science and technology.

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 We intend to extend an invitation to the Honourable President and the Honourable Prime
Minister of India to inaugurate the Centenary Session of the Congress, in keeping with the
tradition established during previous milestone editions – the Silver Jubilee, Diamond
Jubilee, and Platinum Jubilee – wherein the Honourable President or Prime Minister
graciously inaugurated the Congress and served as its esteemed patron.

2. Objectives and Vision

Academic Goals:
IPC 2025 aims to reflect on 100 years of Indian philosophy, highlighting key contributions and
fostering critical dialogue across traditions. It will promote interdisciplinary engagement by
providing a platform for emerging scholars, and address contemporary issues relevant to
philosophy today.

Cultural Goals:
he Congress will celebrate India’s rich intellectual heritage and promote wider public engagement
with philosophy. Such platforms are essential to ensure broad regional representation, reinforcing
the diversity of philosophical systems and contributions across the country. IPC 2025 will serve as
a true Mahakumbh of philosophy, bringing together diverse philosophical traditions and discourses
on a single platform for meaningful deliberation and exchange.

Institutional Goals:
As the centenary edition, IPC 2025 marks a historic milestone for the Indian Philosophical
Congress. It seeks to strengthen academic networks, build new collaborations, and showcase IIT
Bombay’s commitment to the humanities alongside its excellence in science and technology. In an
era where technology is increasingly shaping every aspect of our lives, the integration of
humanities and technology has become both necessary and inevitable.

3. Proposed Dates and Venue

9th to 12th December 2025 at VMCC, IIT Bombay

4. Key Highlights / Planned Features

o 12 plenary talks by prominent academicians from India and abroad on the theme of the
conference.

o 4 panel discussions by three generations of philosophers on the theme:

 "Philosophy in Contemporary India’

 ‘100 years of Philosophy in India: Challenges and Possibilities’

 ‘The Place of the Philosopher in Modern Society’

 ‘Science, Philosophy, and Culture’

o Following 15 Endowment Lectures and memorial Lectures delivered by the nominated

scholars of eminence:

1. Pratap Seth Vedanta Lecture:

2. Swami Narayan Theistic Vedanta Lecture:

3. Saiva Siddhanta Endowment Lecture

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 4. Buddha Jayanti Endowment Lecture

5. Prof. G.P. Das Lecture on Intercultural and Inter Religious Understanding

6. Acharya Tulsi Endowment Lecture

7. Gujrat Vidyapeeth Lecture on Gandhian Philosophy & Peace

8. Vallabha Vedanta Endowment Lecture

9. Khwaja M.A. Hay Lecture on Humanism

[Link] lecture on Holistic Science of Life & Living as revealed by Dada Bhagwan

[Link] T.R.V. Murti Endowment Lecture

[Link] Swami Gnananda Saraswati Endowment Lecture

[Link] Ashok Kumar Chatterjee Endowment Lecture

[Link] Daya Krishna Memorial Lecture

[Link] K.S. Murthy Memorial Lecture

o 2 Symposiums

 Symposium I: Philosophical Dimensions of Inter-faith Dialogue

 Symposium II: Indian Knowledge Systems

o Thematic Sections of the IPC

Following academic sections will be conducted by distinguished scholars nominated as the

Sectional Head. Registered participants are invited to submit their research papers under the
appropriate thematic category for presentation and discussion:

 History of Philosophy

 Logic and Scientific Method

 Metaphysics and Epistemology

 Ethics

 Social Philosophy

 Philosophy of Religion

o Student Essay Competitions

The IPC also organizes essay competitions for postgraduate and research-level students.
Topics are announced in advance, and the best essay in each category is awarded a cash
prize along with a Certificate of Merit.

 B. N. Seal Memorial Essay Competition: Topic: Social Dimension of Science

 S.S. Suryanarayana Shastri Essay Competition: Topic: Relevance of Vedanta in 21st

Century

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  Dada Bhagwan Essay Competition: Holistic Science of Life & Living as Revealed by
Dada Bhagwan

 T.R.V. Murti Essay Competition: Buddhism as a Global Religion

 Swami Pranavananda Essay Competition: Language and Intentionality with special

Reference to Searle.

o Cultural programmes:

To celebrate India’s rich artistic traditions, Indian classical music performances will be
organized on all four days of the Congress. These sessions will feature artists and emerging
talents, offering participants a cultural experience alongside the academic discussions.

5. Expected Participants
The Congress is expected to host around one thousand participants. Of these, approximately eight
hundred registered academics and students will present research papers, while nearly two hundred
researchers and interested attendees are anticipated to join the sessions as participants.

6. Organizing Team and Committees

Core organizing team: Professors, Rajakishore Nath, Ranjan Kumar Panda, and Vikram Singh Sirola

Sub-committees:
o Academic Committee: Professors C.D. Sebastian, Siby George
o Finance & Sponsorship Committee: Professors Vikram Singh Sirola, Ranjan
Kumar Panda, Rajakishore Nath
o Logistics & Venue Committee: Professors Ratikanta Panda, Amrita Banerjee
o Accommodation & Hospitality Committee: Professors Ranjan Kumar Panda,
Lalit Saraswat
o Publicity & Outreach Committee: Professors Vikram Singh Sirola, Sushruth Ravish
o Cultural & Social Events Committee: Professors Ranjan Kumar Panda, Vikram
Singh Sirola
o Food & Refreshments Committee: Professors Rajakishore Nath, Ratikanta
Panda, Lalit Saraswat (IITK)
o Protocol & Dignitary Coordination Committee: Professors Vikram Singh Sirola,
Sushruth Ravish (IITK)
o Documentation & Publication Committee: Professors Siby George, Pravesh
Jung, Abhishek Kashyap (IITG)
o Volunteer Coordination Committee: C.D. Sebastian

Key personnel involved in planning and execution: Professors, Rajakishore Nath, Ranjan Kumar Panda,
and Vikram Singh Sirola

7. Collaborations and Partners

o Indian Council of Philosophical Research (ICPR)
o Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR)
o Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR)
o Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR)

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8. Donor Engagement and Recognition
The Centenary Session of the Indian Philosophical Congress (IPC 2025) at IIT Bombay is a
landmark event – honouring a hundred years of philosophical inquiry, cultural dialogue, and
intellectual legacy. As we bring together leading philosophers, emerging scholars, and thought
leaders from across the globe, your support can help make this historic celebration truly
memorable.

We invite academic institutions, corporates, foundations, and individuals to become partners in

this once-in-a-century gathering. Your contribution will not only support the advancement of
philosophy in India but also associate your name with a prestigious national tradition.

Supporters will be recognised through:

 Featured acknowledgement in all official conference materials (brochure, website,
proceedings)
 On-stage recognition during the inaugural and valedictory ceremonies
 Visibility through donor panels, signage, and digital displays at the venue
 Opportunities to sponsor key sessions, lectures, and cultural events
 Complimentary invitations to special sessions and networking events
 Special commemorative certificates and recognition mementoes

By supporting IPC 2025, you will play a role in fostering critical thinking, interdisciplinary
dialogue, and the future of philosophical education in India. Join us in shaping a meaningful
legacy for the next century.

Long-Term Legacy: All donor contributions will be formally acknowledged in the Centenary
Report and archived both digitally and in print for future academic reference.
Select donors will be featured in the Centenary Commemorative Volume, ensuring lasting
recognition within the academic and cultural record of this historic event. Apart from this, we plan
to come out with at least three follow-up volumes of the plenary talks, and select research papers.

9. Budget Estimate
Attached as separate file.

10. Publicity and Media Plan

Academic Networks: We are connecting with universities, research centres, and academic groups
in India and abroad. Information about the event, including calls for papers, will be shared through
emails and newsletters, and advertisements in academic journals.
Media Outreach: We plan to use the media to spread awareness about the importance of the
centenary conference.
Digital Campaign: The event will have its own website and active presence on social media
platforms like Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. These will be used to share updates,
introduce speakers, and promote the event.
Branding: We will create brochures, posters, banners, and a special IPC 2025 logo to give the
event a strong and recognisable identity.

11. Expected Outcomes and Impact

Legacy of Intellectual Renewal: Inspired by India’s rich and diverse philosophical heritage – from
ancient traditions like the Upanishads to modern reform movements – the centenary session of the
IPC aims to revive deep thinking and ethical reflection for today’s world. By carefully recording
and sharing the outcomes of the event, we hope to create a lasting resource documents that not
only honours the past but also reinvents and reimagines it in the changing times. This legacy will

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 help make philosophy more relevant to public life, education, and social issues, encouraging
ongoing dialogue between academic philosophy and the wider cultural and societal context of
India.

Strengthening Academic Networks: Build sustained collaborative frameworks among

philosophers and allied disciplines—including social sciences, natural sciences, and technology
studies—to develop innovative research approaches and teaching methodologies..

Institutional and Public Engagement: Strengthen the visibility and relevance of philosophical
inquiry in public discourse and policy-making by bridging the gap between academic philosophy
and societal needs.