**Executive Summary**
The ICMR-National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, hosted the VIROCON 2025 international conference from December 8-10, 2025. The conference focused on addressing emerging viral threats and advancements in virology, with a key emphasis on a "One Health" approach. The event featured scientific sessions, presentations, and awards.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Conference Overview:**
* VIROCON 2025 was a three-day international conference held in Pune.
* The conference theme was "Changing Landscapes in Human, Animal and Plant Viruses: Bridging Basic Science, Innovation and Public Health."
* It was hosted by ICMR-NIV, Pune, in collaboration with the NIV Research Foundation and the Indian Virological Society (IVS).
* **Participants:**
* Over 650 delegates participated, including scientists, clinicians, public health experts, industry partners, and students from India and abroad.
* Representatives from the USA, Canada, Thailand, and various premier Indian institutions attended.
* **Conference Highlights:**
* Scientific sessions were held across three tracks: One Health & Pandemic Preparedness, Development of Countermeasures, and Fundamental Virology.
* The conference included 13 keynote lectures, 44 lead talks, 154 oral presentations, and 251 posters.
* IVS Oration Awards 2025, IVS Young Scientist Awards, and VIROCON 2025 oral and poster awards were presented.
* The inaugural Keshvi Sharma Memorial Award from the NIV research foundation was conferred.
* **NIV's Role:**
* NIV is India's apex virology institute and a WHO Collaborating Centre.
* NIV made the country's first detection of key pathogens such as KFD virus, CCHF virus, Nipah virus and Zika virus.
* NIV continues to strengthen India's diagnostics, preparedness and scientific innovation in virology with advanced facilities.
**Impact Analysis**
**Scientists, Clinicians, Public Health Experts, Industry Partners, Students:**
* **Impact:** Gained knowledge and insights into advancements in virology, emerging viral threats, and pandemic preparedness strategies.
* **Action Required:** Implement best practices and innovations learned at the conference in their respective fields.
**ICMR-NIV Pune, NIV Research Foundation, Indian Virological Society (IVS):**
* **Impact:** Strengthened their position as leading institutions in virology research and collaboration.
* **Action Required:** Continue to advance viral research, foster collaboration, and strengthen public health preparedness based on the conference outcomes.
**Indian Government (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare):**
* **Impact:** Enhanced capacity for pandemic preparedness and response through advancements in virology.
* **Action Required:** Utilize the knowledge and outcomes of the conference to inform public health policies and strategies.
Key Entities Referenced
ICMR-National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune: India's apex virology institute hosting VIROCON 2025
VIROCON 2025: A three-day international virology conference held in Pune
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR): The ICMR Director General inaugurated the VIROCON conference.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare: The ministry under which ICMR and NIV function.
One Health: A key approach emphasized for pandemic preparedness during the conference.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
ICMR-NIV Pune Hosts VIROCON 2025,
Showcasing Advances in Viral Science and
Public Health
प्रव तथ: 17 DEC 2025 3:11PM by PIB Mumbai
The ICMR-National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, in collaboration with the NIV
Research Foundation and the Indian Virological Society (IVS), successfully hosted
VIROCON 2025, a three-day international conference held from 8–10 December at
Pune. The event, themed “Changing Landscapes in Human, Animal and Plant
Viruses: Bridging Basic Science, Innovation and Public Health,” brought together
experts to address emerging viral threats and innovations in virology.
Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Secretary, DHR & Director General, ICMR, inaugurated the conference
and emphasized the need for a robust One Health approach and development of
effective countermeasures for future pandemic preparedness.
The conference saw the participation of over 650 delegates, including scientists,
clinicians, public health experts, industry partners and students from India and
abroad. Representatives from four countries—USA, Canada, Thailand and India,
attended the event, along with delegates from premier Indian institutions such as
IISc, IISERs, IITs, Central Universities, ICAR, ICMR, DRDO, DBT, CSIR and several
State Universities.
Scientific sessions were held across three major tracks, One Health & Pandemic
Preparedness, Development of Countermeasures, and Fundamental Virology with 13
keynote lectures, 44 lead talks, 154 oral presentations, and 251 posters. Prestigious
recognitions, including the IVS Oration Awards 2025 and IVS Young Scientist
Awards, were presented, along with VIROCON 2025 oral and poster awards. The
inaugural Keshvi Sharma Memorial Award from NIV research foundation was
conferred on Dr. Shashank Tripathi of IISc Bengaluru.
Established in 1952, the NIV is India’s apex virology institute, a WHO Collaborating
Centre for emerging infectious diseases, and a global leader in Virology. NIV made
the country’s first detection of key pathogens such as KFD virus, CCHF virus, Nipah
virus and Zika virus, enabling rapid outbreak response. The pioneering C6/36 Singh
mosquito cell line, developed at NIV, is now used worldwide for arbovirus research.The institute has developed indigenous vaccines for KFD, Japanese Encephalitis and
SARS-CoV-2. As the National Reference Laboratory and nodal centre for the VRDL
network, NIV, with its advanced BSL-3 and BSL-4 facilities, continues to strengthen
India’s diagnostics, preparedness and scientific innovation in virology.
VIROCON 2025 concluded with a strong commitment to advancing viral research,
fostering collaboration, and strengthening public health preparedness.
***
HarshalAkude/DineshYadav
सोशल मडयावर आाला फॉलो करा: @PIBMumbai /PIBMumbai /pibmumbai pibmumbai[at]gmail[dot]com /PI
BMumbai /pibmumbai
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