Theme: Innovations and Best Practices in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)
The National WASH Conference 2026 is being organised by SPM NIWAS to provide a national platform for dialogue, research dissemination, innovation exchange, and policy reflection on emerging WASH challenges in the context of climate change, water stress, sustainability, digital transformation, and circular economy approaches.
Aligned with SDG-6, JJM, and SBM-G, the Conference will bring together policymakers, researchers, engineers, academicians, practitioners, development partners, private-sector stakeholders, start-ups, and young professionals from across the country.
2.1. Knowledge Exchange
Showcase innovations, research findings, scalable models, and best practices in WASH
Promote learning aligned with JJM, SBM-G, and global WASH frameworks
2.2. Policy & Governance Strengthening
Examine governance, institutional, and financing mechanisms for sustainable WASH
Integrate climate adaptation, mitigation, and resilience into WASH planning
2.3. Capacity Building
Strengthen capacities in water quality management, O&M, water budgeting, FSSM, and sanitation value chains
Promote inclusive, gender-responsive, and community-driven WASH systems
2.4. Digital & Green Transition
Highlight applications of IoT, GIS, dashboards, digital twins, predictive analytics, and low-carbon technologies
2.5. Collaboration & Networking
Foster partnerships among Government, Academia, Civil Society, Private Sector, and Communities
3.1. Paper Presentation
Selected papers will be allotted oral presentation slots
Presentation time: 8 minutes + 2 minutes Q&A
3.2. Poster Presentation
● Selected submissions may be accepted for poster presentation
● Posters will be displayed in a designated area
● Posters will be evaluated separately
The National WASH Conference 2026, welcomes participation from Researchers, Academicians, Practitioners and Technologists in the area of Water and Sanitations and a wide spectrum of stakeholders engaged in Planning, Implementation, Research, Innovation and Governance of WASH systems.
SPM NIWAS invites original, unpublished research papers, practice-based case studies, policy papers, and innovation notes for presentation at the National WASH Conference 2026.
6.1. Source sustainability & water security
6.2. Water quality management & treatment technologies
6.3. Emerging contaminants
6.4. Water governance & institutional strengthening
6.5. Greywater management
6.6. Plastic waste & Single-Use Plastic (SUP) elimination
6.7. ODF Plus – beyond toilets
6.8. Sanitation value chain & circular economy
6.9. Faecal Sludge & Septage Management (FSSM)
6.10. Digital WASH (IoT, GIS, dashboards, digital twins)
6.11. Climate-resilient and low-carbon WASH solutions
7.1. Submission Link: https://forms.gle/TnAMT2EgFVU6jZVc8
7.2. Guidelines & Templates: https://prourls.link/GbmGpF
8.1. Call for Papers: 26 December 2025
8.2. Extended Abstract Submission: 26 January 2026
8.3. Acceptance Notification: 31 January 2026
8.4. Full Paper Submission: 09 February 2026
8.5. PPT / Poster Submission: 11 February 2026
8.6. Conference Date: 16 February 2026
9.1. Best Paper Presentation
● Winner: ₹5,000
● Runner-up: ₹3,000
9.2. Best Poster Presentation
● Winner: ₹3,000
● Runner-up: ₹2,000
9.3. Conference Committee
● Conference Chair
Shri Priyatu Mandal, IAS
Joint Secretary-cum-Director, SPM NIWAS
● Convener
Dr. Sham Kumar Sharma
Scientist-F & Head (R&D), SPM NIWAS
Provides strategic and academic guidance on the conference theme, scope, and quality standards.
Prof. Mihir Kumar Purkait – IIT Guwahati
Prof. Amita Bhide – TISS Mumbai
Prof. Amit Mitra – IIT Kanpur
Prof. Gopal Naik – IIM Bangalore
Prof. Pradeep Kumar Tewari – IIT Jodhpur
Prof. Sadhan Kumar Ghosh – Jadavpur University
Prof. Devesh Walia – NEHU Shillong
Prof. Pradip K. Sikdar – IISWBM Kolkata
Prof. Abhijit Mitra – University of Calcutta
Prof. Niranjan Sahoo – XISS Ranchi
Prof. C. R. Babu – University of Delhi
Prof. M. K. Sanyal – IIEST Shibpur
Shri Mohd. Ishfaq, IAS (Retd.) – Adviser, SPM NIWAS
Dr. Somendra Mohan Ghosh – Environmentalist
Dr. Sham Kumar Sharma, Scientist-F, Head R&D, SPM NIWAS
Dr. Tapan kr. Dey, Scientist - C, SPM NIWAS
Dr. Asit Aich, Scientist-C, SPM NIWAS
Dr. Anil Kumar, Scientist - C, SPM NIWAS
Shri Chayan Dhar, CTO, SPM NIWAS
Shri Rachit Patel, Technical Officer
Dr. Tapan Saha, Technical Officer
Mr Kaushik Ghosh, Technical Officer
Shri Abhishek Kumar, Technical Officer
Shri Kaushik Ghosh, Technical Officer
Shri Kishore Kumbhakar, Chemist, SPM NIWAS
Shri Rangeet Mitra, Consultant SPM NIWAS
Shri Vinay Harswal, Consultant SPM NIWAS
Ms Chaitali Mandal, WASH Specialist, SPM NIWAS
Shri. Janardan Chetia, WASH Specialist, SPM NIWAS
Shri Prasenjit Paul, WASH Specialist , SPM NIWAS
Shri Pradipta Mitra, Consultant SPM NIWAS
The Technical Committee shall be responsible for the evaluation and selection of extended abstracts for oral and poster presentations. The Committee will also serve as the Jury during the Conference for the evaluation and selection of the Best Paper and Best Poster Awards.
Dr. Sham Kumar Sharma, Scientist - F, SPM NIWAS, India
Dr. Shyamal Roy, Department of Chemical Engineering, Jadavpur University
Dr. Surajit Chakraborty, Department of Environment, IISWBM, Kolkata, C.U
Dr. Abhishek Roy, Department of Civil Engineering, Jadavpur University
Dr. Subhashis Das, Associate Professor and Joint Director at the School of Water Resources Engineering (SWRE) at Jadavpur University, Kolkata
● Email: spmniwas.nwc2026@gmail.com
● Phone: +91 83349 49342 (Mr. Rangeet Mitra)
● Website: www.spmniwas.in
Travel and accommodation expenses shall not be borne by SPM NIWAS, Kolkata. Participants are required to make their own travel and lodging arrangements at their own cost.