The Indian Chest Society (ICS) is set to inaugurate the 28th National Conference of the Indian Chest Society (NAPCON 2026 Kolkata) at Taj Taal Kutir, Kolkata. The three-day scientific conference will be held from 30 October to 1 November 2026 at ITC Royal Bengal and ITC Sonar, bringing together leading pulmonologists, respiratory physicians, researchers, academicians and national and international faculty to discuss the latest developments in respiratory medicine.
The conference, themed “Advancing the Future of Respiratory Medicine,” aims to provide a platform for scientific exchange, professional collaboration and discussions on emerging innovations in the diagnosis, treatment and management of respiratory diseases.
The inauguration ceremony will take place in the esteemed presence of Dr Sharadwat Mukhopadhyay, Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Government of West Bengal, and Dr Indranil Khan, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs and Sports and Consumer Affairs, Government of West Bengal.
The ceremony will also be attended by senior office-bearers and members of the Indian Chest Society, including Dr A G Ghoshal, Chief Patron, ICS NAPCON 2026 Kolkata; Dr Raja Dhar, Organising Chairman; Dr Amita Nene, National Secretary of the Indian Chest Society; Dr G C Khilnani, National Scientific Chair; Dr Indranil Halder, Organising Secretary; and Dr Rakesh Chawla, President of the Indian Chest Society.
A comprehensive scientific programme
The scientific programme, scheduled across multiple halls at ITC Royal Bengal and ITC Sonar, will feature expert-led sessions, keynote addresses, orations, workshops, symposia, debates and panel discussions. The sessions will address contemporary challenges and evolving approaches in respiratory medicine, with an emphasis on evidence-based clinical practice and advances in patient care.
In addition, multiple symposia, debates, and panel discussions will cover every facet of respiratory disease. While the focus remains on global lung health, significant emphasis is placed on Indian, South Asian, and broader Asian perspectives. The scientific discussions will highlight the stark differences between lung disease presentations in our continent and country compared to Western nations like Europe and the US, fostering the development of guidelines and protocols tailored specifically to the needs of South Asia and India. Ultimately, this spirit of mutual learning, knowledge exchange, initiation of new research projects, and strategic networking forms the core ethos of NAPCON 2026 Kolkata.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma and tuberculosis will be among the major areas of discussion. Sessions will examine COPD beyond tobacco exposure, emerging treatment strategies, severe asthma and biologic therapies, advances in tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment, and the continuing challenges posed by drug-resistant tuberculosis.
The programme will also feature extensive discussions on interstitial lung diseases (ILD), pulmonary hypertension, lung cancer and interventional pulmonology. Topics will include advances in diagnostic imaging, antifibrotic therapies, molecular testing, bronchoscopic interventions, lung nodule diagnosis and evolving treatment approaches for complex respiratory conditions.
Another key area of focus will be the integration of technology and innovation into respiratory healthcare. Dedicated sessions will explore the application of artificial intelligence in pulmonary medicine, including X-ray and CT nodule analysis, alongside discussions on the ethical considerations involved in deploying AI in clinical practice.
Addressing the climate crisis and disaster management
With environmental risks continuously escalating, this year’s conference places a dedicated focus on environmental exposures, air pollution, and emergency preparedness. On 29 October 2026, a specialized workshop on Disaster Management and Climate Crisis will address how climate-driven events—such as floods, cyclones, heatwaves, wildfires, industrial accidents, and severe air pollution—directly impact respiratory health. Since chest physicians and emergency care teams are often the first to manage large influxes of patients following environmental disasters, the workshop will cover clinical strategies for mass casualty management, securing oxygen and ventilator supplies, and treating acute smoke, dust, and chemical exposures. It will also examine the long-term health consequences of a changing climate on lung health, with particular emphasis on vulnerable ecosystems such as eastern India and the Bengal delta.
Critical care, rehabilitation and multidisciplinary collaboration
NAPCON 2026 will include sessions on acute respiratory failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), non-invasive ventilation, pulmonary rehabilitation, sleep disorders and respiratory infections. These discussions will bring clinical evidence and practical considerations into focus, while examining opportunities to strengthen respiratory care across different healthcare settings.
The conference will also feature an Allied Health Programme covering clinical research, respiratory intensive care and pulmonary rehabilitation. Dedicated patient-centric activities and interactive conversations with experts will further broaden the scope of engagement beyond conventional scientific sessions.
Through its diverse scientific agenda, NAPCON 2026 Kolkata seeks to encourage knowledge-sharing across specialties, strengthen professional collaboration and provide participating healthcare professionals with insights into emerging developments in respiratory medicine.
The conference is expected to serve as an important forum for examining current clinical challenges, sharing research and discussing future directions in respiratory healthcare.
