Quick Facts
- IIMs, ISB open the India Strategy Conference 2026 for research at IIM Bangalore.
- Four schools, IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta and ISB, jointly organise the December event.
- Proposal deadline was extended to August 21, 2026, with acceptance on October 6.
In This Article
Four of India’s top business schools, the IIMs and ISB, open the India Strategy Conference 2026 for the country’s best academic research on business strategy.
IIM Bangalore will host the event from December 13 to 15, 2026, jointly organised with IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Calcutta and the Indian School of Business, IIM Bangalore announced on August 12. The forum invites scholars and doctoral researchers to shape how Indian firms compete.
Key Takeaways
- The four schools jointly run South Asia’s largest yearly gathering of strategy scholars and researchers.
- The 2026 theme links entrepreneurship, institutions and technology to how firms build lasting advantage.
- Peer-reviewed proposals span eight tracks and three formats, from developed papers to nascent poster ideas.
CampusFeed Take
When IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta and ISB share one stage, they signal that Indian strategy research now speaks to a global audience, not just a domestic one. Doctoral students should watch closest, because the Common Ground and poster formats give early-stage work a rare seat next to senior scholars. The real test comes after December 15, 2026, when accepted papers enter the conference proceedings and, later, top journals. Whether these ideas reach boardrooms, and not just citations, will decide if the forum truly shapes India’s business strategy. By CampusFeed Desk.
Key Dates for the India Strategy Conference 2026
The India Strategy Conference 2026 runs across three days at IIM Bangalore, with fixed submission and review milestones. The table below lists the confirmed dates from the official notification.
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Submission deadline (extended) | August 21, 2026 |
| Notification of acceptance (extended) | October 6, 2026 |
| Conference Day 1 | December 13, 2026 |
| Conference Day 2 | December 14, 2026 |
| Conference Day 3 | December 15, 2026 |
The most striking detail is the timeline: researchers get their acceptance decision in early October, leaving over two months to prepare for a December presentation.
About the India Strategy Conference
The India Strategy Conference (ISC) is South Asia’s largest annual gathering of strategy scholars and doctoral researchers. It is jointly organised by IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta and the Indian School of Business, with the host campus rotating each year. The 2026 edition sits under the theme “Ecosystems and Strategy: Leveraging Entrepreneurship, Institutions and Technology“, drawing scholars from India and abroad.
Which Research Tracks and Formats Are Open?
The India Strategy Conference 2026 opens eight research tracks, covering the main branches of strategy and entrepreneurship study. Track 1 focuses on the core theme of ecosystems and strategy, IIM Bangalore said. The other tracks span business and corporate strategy, technology and digital transformation, internationalisation, ESG and non-market strategy, family business and governance, entrepreneurship, and leadership and human capital.
Submissions run in three formats by research stage. Paper Sessions suit developed work with clear findings, with about six presentations each. Common Ground Sessions bring together 5 to 8 early-stage proposals around a shared theme, IIM Bangalore said. Poster Presentations support nascent ideas through visual sharing and informal networking with senior scholars.
Proposals should not exceed 4,000 words or seven pages, use APA style references, and carry no author names for the double-blind review, per the conference guidelines. The abstract is capped at 125 words and the title at 100 characters.
What Problem Does This Research Forum Solve?
Firms no longer compete in isolation. Success now requires navigating a unique confluence of interorganizational networks, agglomerations, national and pan-national regulatory institutions and actors, academic institutions, R&D labs, and venture capital.
That framing, from the official India Strategy Conference call for proposals, captures the core question. Indian companies now operate inside dense ecosystems of policy, capital and technology, not simple markets. The conference asks how firms and start-ups can turn these complex networks into a lasting competitive edge, especially in emerging markets with weak or missing institutions.
What This Means For You
If you are a student
If you are a doctoral or research student in management, this is a direct opening. The Poster and Common Ground formats welcome nascent and early-stage work, so you do not need finished findings to take part. Presenting here places your ideas in front of senior strategy scholars from four top schools. Check the conference guidelines on the official portal before you submit.
Turn Your Achievements Into Stories That Students Actually Read
Feature admissions, placements, rankings, events, research initiatives, achievements, and institutional milestones before a highly engaged education-focused audience.
If you run a college or university
If you lead a business school or department, this forum sets the benchmark for research quality your faculty can aim for. Encouraging staff to submit builds visibility, citations and NIRF (National Institutional Ranking Framework) research scores over time. It also opens collaboration doors with IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta and ISB faculty.
If you work in policy or media
If you track education or industry policy, the eight tracks preview the questions Indian strategy researchers care about now, from ESG to non-market strategy. The conference website lists the full themes and can point you to emerging evidence for stories and briefings.
What Is Next
The conference now moves from submissions toward the December event. Key upcoming dates to watch:
- October 6, 2026: notification of acceptance to authors.
- December 13 to 15, 2026: conference sessions at IIM Bangalore.
Pre-conference sessions will add practitioner dialogues, career talks and a doctoral consortium. Which of these ecosystem ideas do you think will shape Indian business strategy first?
Frequently Asked Questions
Last updated: August 25, 2026 at 14:30 IST
Last verified: August 25, 2026
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and is based on publicly available information at the time of publishing. Exam dates, cutoffs, fees, deadlines, eligibility criteria, and scholarship details can change without notice. Always verify the latest information from the official portal of the India Strategy Conference and IIM Bangalore before taking any action. CampusFeed and its authors are not responsible for decisions made based on this article. This is not legal, financial, or career advice. Please consult a qualified professional for individual guidance.
Written by CampusFeed Desk. Published: August 25, 2026. Updated: August 25, 2026. Have a tip or correction? Write to us at editorial@campusfeed.in.
