IFQM Symposium 2026 to Drive India's Global Competitiveness
The IFQM Symposium 2026 in New Delhi will focus on Quality, Innovation, and Excellence to drive India's global leadership in Pharma and Infrastructure.
The Indian Foundation for Quality Management (IFQM) is set to host the third edition of its annual two-day IFQM Symposium in New Delhi on October 5–6, 2026. Centered on the theme “Quality, Innovation and Excellence as India’s Force Multiplier,” the event aims to position Indian organisations as global leaders through enhanced standards and cutting-edge innovation.
Established in September 2023 by a consortium of leading Indian enterprises, the IFQM has rapidly evolved into the nation's primary platform for advancing the quality and innovation agenda. The upcoming 2026 edition promises to expand its sectoral reach significantly, introducing new critical tracks to the conversation.
New Focus on Pharma and Infrastructure
A major highlight of the 2026 symposium will be the debut of the Pharma and Life Sciences track. While India has long been a powerhouse in the pharmaceutical sector, this session will specifically explore how the nation can transition from being a leader in generics to becoming a global pioneer in innovative medicine.
Additionally, the symposium will feature a dedicated focus on Infrastructure. Experts will engage in debates aimed at reimagining India’s infrastructure landscape to ensure it meets the requirements for global leadership. This move addresses a long-standing gap where these massive sectors have operated at scale without being part of a structured national quality dialogue.
High-Profile Industry Leadership
The event is expected to draw an elite gathering of industry titans and global experts. Notable anticipated participants and speakers include:
- Venu Srinivasan (Chairman Emeritus, TVS Motor & Chairman, IFQM)
- N. Chandrasekaran (Chairman, Tata Sons)
- Dilip Shanghvi (MD, Sun Pharmaceuticals)
- Dr. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw (Executive Chairperson, Biocon Group - Virtual)
- S.N. Subrahmanyan (Chairman & MD, L&T)
- TV Narendran (CEO & MD, Tata Steel)
- Dr. Randhir Thakur (CEO & MD, Tata Electronics)
- Salil Gupte (President, Boeing India & South Asia)
International perspectives will also be provided by leaders from global giants such as Hyundai Motor Group, Robert Bosch GmbH, and DMG MORI, ensuring a truly global outlook on quality management.
Key Discussion Themes and Panel Sessions
The symposium is designed to tackle the most pressing challenges facing Indian industry today. Scheduled panel discussions will cover a wide array of critical topics, including:
- Pharma & Life Sciences: Strategies for moving beyond generics.
- Infrastructure: Transitioning from scale to excellence.
- Electronics: Transforming India into a trusted global electronics hub.
- Artificial Intelligence: Deploying AI to make manufacturing and services smarter.
- Global Standards: The journey from humble beginnings to international excellence.
A specialized session titled “Creating Force Multipliers for the Industry-led Movement – Boardroom Vision to Shop Floor Excellence” will bring together CEOs and CXOs. This session aims to bridge the gap between high-level corporate strategy and measurable, practical improvements on the factory floor.
Reflecting on the importance of the event, Mr. Soumitra Bhattacharya, CEO & Director of IFQM, noted that India’s aspiration for a Viksit Bharat requires quality and innovation to serve as national force multipliers. He described the symposium as a vital call to action for industry, government, and academia to embed excellence into every process.