The Annual Convention of the National Academy of Psychology (NAOP), India is the flagship academic event of the Academy, envisioned with the objective of fostering excellence in psychological research, teaching, and practice at the national and international level. While NAOP also organizes regional conferences to strengthen psychology in developing academic centers, the annual convention represents the most comprehensive platform of the Academy, bringing together psychologists, allied professionals, and students from across India and abroad.

Objective and Scope

The annual convention is designed to advance the frontiers of psychological science, showcase cutting-edge research, and engage with issues of social and cultural significance. Each year, the convention is organized around a broad and contemporary theme which reflects the latest developments and challenges to the field. These themes underscore NAOP’s commitment to ensuring that psychology remains responsive to societal needs and global transformations.

Format and Structure

The convention is hosted by a reputed university or institute in India and typically spans three to four days. Its academic program is diverse and inclusive, featuring:

  • Keynote lectures by distinguished Indian and international scholars
  • NAOP President’s Address and the Prof. Durganand Sinha Memorial Lecture
  • Symposia and roundtables on specialized themes
  • State-of-the-art lectures on emerging areas of research
  • Paper and poster presentations by faculty, professionals, and students
  • Pre- and post-conference workshops for skill-building in advanced research methods, clinical practice, analytics, and culturally rooted approaches

The convention also integrates cultural events and local engagements, which allow participants to experience the heritage of the host city while building academic networks.

Awards and Recognition

A hallmark of the annual convention is its strong focus on encouraging and rewarding excellence. Prestigious awards such as the Prof. Durganand Sinha Best Dissertation Award, the NAOP Best Paper Award, Prof. M. B. Saran Award and the Emerging Psychologists Programme recognize high-quality scholarship and nurture the next generation of psychologists.

Invitation to Participate

With its comprehensive scope and high academic standards, the annual convention is not merely a conference but a vibrant community of learning, dialogue, and collaboration. It is a forum where psychology interfaces with allied disciplines, where indigenous and global perspectives converge, and where young scholars are mentored alongside established experts.

NAOP invites academicians, researchers, professionals, and students from across India and abroad to participate in its annual convention. Together, we strive to advance psychology as a science and a profession, and to apply its insights for human welfare, societal progress, and global understanding.

Interested to host NAOP Conference?

The Annual Convention is NAOP’s flagship event and hosting it provides a unique opportunity for institutions to bring together leading national and international scholars, showcase their academic strengths, and contribute to advancing psychology in India. Institutions interested in hosting the Annual Convention of the National Academy of Psychology (NAOP) are invited to express their interest to the Academy. Proposals may be submitted by NAOP members on behalf of their institutions to the Chair, Conference Committee (Prof. Tushar Singh, tusharsinghalld@gmail.com) with a copy to the Secretary General, NAOP. The Academy will work in close collaboration with the host institution on program design, scheduling, and outreach to ensure that every Annual Convention is academically rigorous, inclusive, and of national as well as international significance.

Upcoming NAOP Annual Conventions

  • 35th Annual conference of NAOP: 35th Annual conference of NAOP will be hosted by the Indian Institute of Management, Shillong during April 29th to May 1st, 2026. Under its focal theme “Reframing Psychology Beyond Neoliberal Individualism” this conference seeks to reimagine psychology as a discipline rooted in care, compassion, and community. Moving beyond Western individualism, this conference will look to indigenous, plural, and collective traditions as the foundation for more humane and sustainable futures. Know More

Visit the official conference page at: https://www.iimshillong.ac.in/events-and-conferences/conferences/naop2026/

  • 36th Annual conference of NAOP: 36th Annual conference of NAOP will be hosted by IIT Jodhpur in the year 2027. The dates and other details of the conference will be updated later. For more information about this conference contact Prof. Ankita Sharma, Convenor 36th NAOP annual convention at ankitasharma@iitj.ac.in

Past Annual Conventions of NAOP

  • 34th Annual Convention (February 17–20, 2025) – CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Delhi NCR
    The 34th Convention, held at CHRIST (Deemed-to-be University), Delhi NCR campus, from 17–20 February 2025, explored “Contemporary Patterns and Future Trajectories in Psychological Sciences: Advancing from Interdisciplinarity to Transdisciplinarity”. It featured keynote lectures, panel discussions, symposia, townhall sessions, and skill-building workshops. The convention highlighted NAOP’s vision of situating Indian psychology in global conversations while remaining rooted in local traditions and societal needs.
  • 33rd Annual Convention (February 14–16, 2024) – GITAM, Visakhapatnam
    The 33rd Convention, hosted by GITAM (Deemed-to-be University), Visakhapatnam, from 14–16 February 2024, focused on “Psychology for Sustainable Development: Empowering the Future”. The event emphasized psychology’s contribution to sustainability, resilience, equity, and community well-being. With tracks across developmental, clinical, organizational, and cultural psychology, it fostered interdisciplinary dialogue and global perspectives.
  • 32nd Annual Convention (March 3–5, 2023) – Ahmedabad University, Ahmedabad
    The 32nd Convention, organized by Ahmedabad University from 3–5 March 2023 (with pre-conference workshops on March 1–2), was themed “Building a Resilient and Responsible World: Emerging Trends in Psychology”. Highlights included keynote lectures, symposia on evolving research, hands-on workshops, and interactive sessions with senior scholars. Prestigious NAOP awards recognized excellence in research and young psychologists.
  • 31st Annual Convention (March 4–6, 2022) – IIT Bombay, Mumbai (Virtual)
    Hosted virtually by IIT Bombay from 4–6 March 2022, the 31st Convention addressed “Psychology and Social Justice at the Time of COVID-19 Pandemic: The State, Community, and Individual Perspectives”. It brought together researchers and practitioners to deliberate on resilience, inequality, and mental health in the pandemic context. The convention included keynote addresses, symposia, workshops, and diverse paper presentations.
  • 30th Annual Convention (March 19–21, 2021) – IIT Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh
    The 30th Convention was hosted by IIT Kanpur from 19–21 March 2021. Covering all major divisions of psychology, it created space to deliberate on emerging paradigms in psychological science. Key sessions included symposia, workshops, paper and poster presentations, and award programs such as the Best Paper Award, Emerging Psychologists Programme, and Prof. Durganand Sinha Dissertation Award.
  • 29th Annual Convention (December 20–22, 2019) – Pondicherry University, Puducherry
    The 29th Convention, organized by the Department of Applied Psychology, Pondicherry University, from 20–22 December 2019, was combined with an International Conference on “Making Psychology Deliverable to the Society”. It emphasized psychology’s role in community development, health, environment, and workplaces. With keynote lectures, symposia, thematic sessions, and awards, it created a dialogue on applying psychology for societal deliverables.
  • 28th Annual Convention (December 19–21, 2018) – Ramanujan College, University of Delhi
    Held at Ramanujan College, University of Delhi, from 19–21 December 2018, the 28th Convention addressed “Application of Psychological Science for Building Inclusive and Equal Societies”. Academicians, NGOs, and students explored psychology’s role in diversity, equality, and social responsibility. The program featured keynote lectures, state-of-the-art sessions, symposia, paper and poster presentations, workshops, and NAOP awards.
  • 27th Annual Convention (December 22–24, 2017) – IIT Kharagpur, West Bengal
    The 27th Convention was held at IIT Kharagpur from 22–24 December 2017 on the theme “Psychology of Millennials”. Scholars discussed the impact of technology, flexible workspaces, and cultural shifts on individuals and organizations. Keynote addresses, the Prof. Durganand Sinha Memorial Lecture, symposia, poster presentations, and cultural programs enriched the convention, creating a vibrant space for exchange and innovation.
  • 26th Annual Convention (December 29–31, 2016) – IIT Madras, Chennai
    The 26th Convention, hosted at IIT Madras from 29–31 December 2016, focused on “Psychology and the Future of Work”. It examined how technological advances, automation, and new work arrangements are reshaping organizations and human behavior. Featuring keynote lectures, symposia, workshops, and paper sessions, the event provided a platform for showcasing psychology’s applied role in evolving workplaces.
  • 25th Annual Convention (February 2–5, 2016) – University of Allahabad, Prayagraj
    The Silver Jubilee Convention was jointly hosted by the Department of Psychology and the Centre of Behavioural & Cognitive Sciences at the University of Allahabad from 2–5 February 2016. With the theme “Towards Integrative Psychological Science for Human Welfare”, the event emphasized bridging disciplinary divides and applying psychology for individual and societal well-being. The program featured keynote addresses, symposia, workshops, paper and poster sessions, and awards, marking a significant milestone in NAOP’s journey.
  • 2014 – Bhopal
  • 2013 – Rourkela
  • 2012 – Bengaluru
  • 2011 – Anand
  • 2010 – New Delhi
  • 2009 –
  • 2008 – Guwahati
  • 2007 – Kanpur
  • 2006 – Mumbai
  • 2005 – Faizabad
  • 2004 – Kharagpur
  • 2003 – Bhubaneswar
  • 2001 – Kollam
  • 2000 – Vishakapatnam
  • 1999 – Lucknow
  • 1998 – Jodhpur
  • 1997 – Bhubaneswar
  • 1996 – Bhopal
  • 1995 – Gulbarga
  • 1994 – Allahabad
  • 1993 – New Delhi
  • 1992 – Meerut
  • 1991 – Bhubaneswar
  • 1990 – Gorakpur