ARAI to organise ‘Symposium on International Automotive Technology (SIAT)–2026’ in Pune from 27th to 30th January 2026
Pune, 21st January 2026: The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) will be organizing the 19th edition of its flagship biennial event, Symposium on International Automotive Technology (SIAT) 2026, from Tuesday, 27th January to Friday, 30th January 2026 at Pune International Exhibition and Convention Centre (PIECC), Moshi, Pune.
The announcement was made today at a Press Conference held in Pune by Dr. Reji Mathai, Director, ARAI and Chairman, SIAT 2026, in the presence of Dr. N. H. Walke, Senior Deputy Director, ARAI & Convener, SIAT 2026, and M. R. Pathak, Deputy Director and Coordinator, SIAT Expo 2026, along with senior officials of ARAI.
The Symposium will bring together to industry professionals, academicians, researchers, start-ups and students through online pre‑registration. SIAT 2026 will be inaugurated by Union Minister of Heavy Industries & Steel, H D Kumaraswamy and Minister of State, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol. While Valedictory Function will be graced by Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways, Nitin Gadkari and Minister of State, Ministry Heavy Industries & Ministry of Steel Bhupathi Raju Srinivasa Varma.
Launched in 1985, SIAT has successfully completed 18 editions and has evolved into one of the world’s most coveted platforms for automotive research, innovation and policy dialogues. Over the years, SIAT has witnessed the presence of eminent innovators and dignitaries, including Former President of India, Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, and Union Ministers who have graced the event and contributed to its stature.
Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) have consistently supported SIAT. The deliberations held during Plenary Sessions, Panel Discussions and Technical Forums generate critical inputs that contribute meaningfully to policy formulation and strategic direction for India’s automotive sector.
Speaking at the press conference, Dr. Reji Mathai said, “SIAT 2026 is being organised as a collaborative platform for global automotive stakeholders. The theme of this edition, ‘Innovative Pathways for Safe and Sustainable Mobility,’ reflects the industry’s collective responsibility to advanced safety, sustainability, and technological innovation in mobility.” He further added, “This SIAT is coinciding with ARAI’s Diamond Jubilee. Over sixty years, ARAI has been the backbone of India’s mobility ecosystem – driving standards, enabling innovation and fostering trust. Over the years, SIAT has evolved into a respected global forum that contributes meaningfully to policy formulation and technological progress and the 19th edition will continue this legacy.”
As part of its year-long Diamond Jubilee celebrations, ARAI has planned a series of activities that will include the inauguration of advanced laboratories & centres, youth engagement programs through competitions and hackathons, knowledge-sharing sessions by innovators, scientists, and industry leaders, and more.
Elaborating on the SIAT 2026, Dr. N. H. Walke said, “SIAT 2026 has received an overwhelming response from the research and engineering community, with contribution of more than 600 peer reviewed paper publications. The Symposium will host extensive technical deliberations covering emerging and future automotive technologies. He further stated that The Symposium will witness participation of over 3,000 automotive technocrats, with presentations and discussions spread across 64 Technical Sessions and three Plenary Sessions over three days. The concurrent Expo will showcase technologies from leading automotive companies across all over the world.
Speaking about the exposition, M. R. Pathak said, “SIAT Expo 2026 is an ideal platform for global players in the automotive domain to exhibit their products, technology solutions, innovations and services through dedicated stalls, fostering meaningful industry interaction.”
The exhibition will host 387 booths and 275 exhibitors from 10 counties, showcasing the latest innovations from leading OEMs, Tier-1 suppliers, startups and research institutions.
He further added, “This edition of SIAT Expo will feature dedicated pavilion for Start‑ups and Micro & Small Enterprises (MSEs), providing them unique opportunity to present their innovative solutions and engage with industry leaders focussing on Aatmanirbhar Bharat Initiatives. SIAT Expo will also host Special Technology Pavilion dedicated to companies working in ADAS, AI, autonomous driving, software-driven mobility and advanced automotive technologies. Complimenting this SIAT Expo will also feature other pavilions focusing on advanced testing technologies aligning with future mobility solutions for smart, safe and sustainable mobility. The concurrent Technology Theatre in SIAT Expo will host presentations and interactive Panel Discussions.
Marking significant milestone in India’s automotive technology landscape, SIAT 2026 will witness inauguration of several state‑of‑the‑art facilities at ARAI, including Battery Testing Laboratory, Modular Infrastructure for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), feature verification and validation, Hydrogen IC Engine Development Facility and High Energy Impact Test Facility. These facilities will strengthen ARAI’s capabilities in automotive safety, sustainability and next‑generation mobility solutions.
SIAT 2026 will showcase recent developments in the automotive sector and cover key topics, including E‑Mobility, Hydrogen Fuel Cell and Hydrogen IC Engines, Simulation & Modelling, Emission Measurement & Control Technology, Advanced Vehicle Dynamics, Active and Passive Safety, NVH, Testing & Evaluation, Structural Reliability, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), Alternative Fuels, Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) & Regulations, Tyre Technology, and Materials & Manufacturing.
The event will also host Students Poster Presentation Competition for undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD scholars, providing young researchers appropriate platform to present innovative ideas and interact with industry experts.
