Chandigarh, India, 22 January 2026:
The brightest minds in Indian education, innovation, policy and technology will come together for a landmark event, the Great India School Summit 2026 (GISS 2026) hosted by ETEducation on 22 January 2026 at Holiday Inn, Zirakpur, Chandigarh. This School summit marks a defining moment in the century-long evolution of Indian schooling, aligning digital transformation, leadership vision and policy momentum with India’s national ambitions for the next decade and beyond.
Under the theme “Tech-enabled Schools for a Rising India”, GISS 2026 will explore how technology integration, curriculum innovation, teacher leadership, and policy alignment can collectively accelerate India’s transition toward a future-ready school ecosystem that is inclusive, equitable, and globally competitive. With nearly 250 million students across 1.5 million schools, India’s education system stands at a critical juncture where timely collaboration and bold thinking are imperative.
Related Read: The Future of Indian Schooling – Vision 2047 at The Economic Times Great India School Summit (GISS) 2026
At a time when global shifts in automation, artificial intelligence (AI) and digital learning demand reimagined educational paradigms, the summit offers an unmatched platform for voices that matter – policymakers, school leaders, domain experts, tech innovators and thought leaders to share insights, strategies and solutions that will shape the classrooms of tomorrow.
“GISS 2026 is not just a summit; it is a turning point for school education in India,” said summit conveners from ETEducation. “This is where visionary thinking meets practical implementation, where collaborations are forged, and where the future of schooling begins to take shape.”
World-class lineup of speakers and visionaries
GISS 2026 brings together an extraordinary roster of educators and leaders who are at the forefront of transforming Indian schooling:
- Kalpana K, Project Director, World Bank Project, Department of School Education-cum-Additional Secretary, School Education, Government of Punjab
- Alba Smeriglio, Deputy High Commissioner, British Deputy High Commission, Chandigarh
- Amit Dhaka, Chief Executive Officer, Invest Punjab
- Dr Niyati Chitkara, Vice President, Schools, Chitkara International Schools, Chandigarh and Panchkula
- Gur K Serai, Co-Chair, Satluj Group of Schools
- Major General TPS Waraich, Director and Head of School, Yadavindra Public School, Mohali
- Dr Chris Stevens, Director of Education, Heritage Xperiential Schools, Gurugram
- Reema Dewan, Director, DPS Chandigarh & Mohali
- Reuben John, Principal, Auckland House School for Boys, Shimla
- Himmat Singh Dhillon, Head Master, The Lawrence School, Sanawar
- Poonamjit Kaur, Principal, Gurukul World School, Mohali
- Vandana Saxena, Principal, Learning Paths School, SAS Nagar
- Dr Manjari Tejpal, Principal, Gems Public School, Patiala
- Hemant Bhalla, Regional Manager, Google for Education, India
- Vandana Rellan Juneja, Director Marketing, Macmillan Education India
- Anu Gopalakrishnan, School Leadership Coach, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Faridabad
- Girish Chaubey, Director, Sales and Marketing, Bonton Technomake (P) Ltd
…and many more distinguished thought leaders, school founders, directors, principals, policymakers and education innovators.
Why GISS 2026 matters now
India’s education system today faces both unprecedented challenges and historic opportunities. The National Education Policy 2020, with its focus on experiential learning, competency-based education, teacher empowerment, and digital integration, has set a transformative agenda. GISS 2026 provides a focused platform to examine how this vision can be implemented effectively and equitably at the school level.Aligned with India’s Vision 2047, which marks the nation’s 100th year of independence, the summit emphasizes the need for schools that nurture skills, values, creativity, and global readiness. GISS 2026 positions itself at the center of this national mission by bringing together the stakeholders who will make this future possible.
Key themes that will energize and define discussions at the summit include:
- Smart Schools, Smart Nation and the role of technology in national progress
- Bridging the digital divide for rural and underserved schools
- Teachers as digital leaders in 21st-century classrooms
- Safe, ethical, and inclusive use of technology in education
- Rethinking assessment beyond rote learning to competencies and outcomes
- Aligning school innovation with India’s long-term Vision 2047
Summit highlights:
GISS 2026 is designed to be interactive, insight-driven, and action-oriented. Delegates can expect:
- High-impact keynotes and policy dialogues with education leaders
- Expert panels and focused sessions on AI, curriculum redesign, and leadership
- Innovation showcases featuring leading education technology solutions
- Networking platforms connecting school leaders with solution providers
- Practical frameworks that schools can adopt to improve learning outcomes
Who should attend:
The summit invites participation from:
- Government officials and education policymakers
- School founders, directors, principals, and academic leaders
- Education technology innovators and solution providers
- Corporate leaders and CSR champions supporting education initiatives
- Experts in pedagogy, child development, and leadership
Closing note:
The Great India School Summit 2026 will not merely discuss the future of education; it will actively shape it. As India advances toward its next phase of growth and global leadership, the ideas, collaborations, and commitments emerging from GISS 2026 are expected to influence classrooms, institutions, and policy conversations across the country.
Also Read: Technology in classrooms – A spotlight session at India’s leading school event & conference
Join us on 22 January 2026 where the future of Indian schooling takes center stage, where ideas turn into impact, and where the next generation of learners gets the education it truly deserves.
