UNITES 2026 (Uniting Interdisciplinary Trends in Emerging Science) is the flagship interdisciplinary science conference hosted by the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research (CIDR), SRM University-AP, Amaravati.
Scheduled for December 27–29, 2026, UNITES 2026 brings together leading physicists, interdisciplinary scientists, engineers, and technologists to explore the frontiers of modern physics and its convergence with materials science, photonics, biophysics, and data-driven methodologies.
The conference theme — “Physics at the Interfaces of Matter, Light and Life” — reflects the exciting interplay between condensed matter physics, photonics, and the physics of complex living systems.
Physics at the Interfaces of Matter, Light and Life
The 2026 theme reflects a profound shift in modern science: the most transformative discoveries arise at the interfaces — where quantum physics, photonics, and the science of living systems converge. UNITES 2026 invites the community to explore these powerful intersections.
| A. Quantum, Materials and Light–Matter Systems | B. Complex, Living and Biomedical Physical Systems | C. AI, Data and Nonlinear Physical Systems |
|---|---|---|
Covers
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| AWARD CATEGORY | PRIZE [₹ 5,00,000/- total] |
|---|---|
| Life-Time Achievement Award (01) | ₹ 1,00,000/- + Citation |
| Scientist of the Year Award (02) | ₹ 50,000/- + Citation |
| Young Scientist Award — Below 45 yrs (05) | ₹ 20,000/- + Citation |
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Best Publication of the Year 2025 (05) [Sponsored by Scientific Publishers/Societies] |
₹ 10,000/- + Invited Lecture |
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Best Ph.D. Thesis Award (05) [Sponsored by Scientific Publishers/Societies] |
₹ 10,000/- + Merit Certificate |
| Best Oral Presentation Award (05) | ₹ 10,000/- + Merit Certificate |
| Best Poster Presentation Award (10) | ₹ 5,000/- + Merit Certificate |
* Numbers in each category are subject to funding availability. Nomination forms available on the official website.
| Committee | Members |
|---|---|
| Chief Patron(s) |
Dr. P. Sathyanarayanan, Pro-Chancellor, SRM University-AP Prof. Ch. Satish Kumar, Vice-Chancellor, SRM University-AP |
| Local Advisory Committee |
Prof. D. Narayana Rao, Executive Director (Research), SRM University-AP Prof. K. Madhu Murthy, Chancellor (I/c), RGUKT & Chairman, APSCHE Prof. S. Vijaya Bhaskara Rao, Vice-Chairman, APSCHE Prof. Tata Narasinga Rao, Vice-Chancellor, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati Prof. Santanu Bhattacharya, Director, IISER Tirupati Prof. M. S. Ramachandra Rao, IIT Madras Prof. Vinayak Kalluri, Registrar, SRM University-AP |
| National Advisory Board |
Prof. C. V. Tomy, Dean (SEAS), SRM University-AP Prof. Ranjit Thapa, Dean (Research), SRM University-AP Prof. Shobha Shukla, IIT Bombay Prof. Anushree Roy, IIT Kharagpur Prof. Saroj Kumar Nandi, TIFR Hyderabad Prof. Raavi Santhosh Kumar, IIT Hyderabad Dr. Ganesh Shankar Dombe, Scientist F, HEMRL Pune Dr. Bipin Kumar Bihari, Scientist F, HEMRL Pune Prof. Soma Venugopal Rao, University of Hyderabad Prof. Snigdha Thakur, IISER Bhopal Prof. V. Madhurima, Central University of Tamil Nadu Prof. B. Deva Prasad Raju, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati Prof. Suryanarayana Jammalamadaka, IIT Hyderabad Prof. Vidya Kochat, IIT Kharagpur Prof. Asish Arora, IISER Pune Prof. Sunita Srivastava, IIT Bombay Prof. Bibhu Ranjan Sarangi, IIT Palakkad Prof. Ravikumar Pujala, IISER Tirupati Prof. Eswaraiah Varrla, SRM IST, Chennai Prof. Jayasri Dontabhaktuni, Mahindra University, Hyderabad Prof. O. M. D. Hussain, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati Dr. Chetan Solanke, Scientist E, HEMRL Pune Dr. Sai Siddharth Olety, Scientist D, HEMRL Pune |
| UNITES 2026 Chair | Prof. Achanta Venugopal, Director, CSIR-NPL, New Delhi |
| Co-Convenors |
Dr. Salla Gangi Reddy, Department of Physics, SRM University-AP Dr. Ravikumar, Department of Physics, SRM University-AP Dr. Venkatramaiah Nutalapati, CIDR, SRM University-AP Dr. Surjit Sahoo, CIDR, SRM University-AP |
| Theme Coordinator(s) | |
| Light–Matter Interaction and Systems | Dr. Barun Barman, SRM University AP Dr. Gangi Reddy, SRM University AP Dr. Ravi Kumar, SRM University AP |
| Quantum Science and Technology | Dr. Jatis Kumar Dash, SRM University AP Dr. Rohit Milind Babar, SRM University AP |
| Condensed Matter and Functional Devices | Dr. Siddhartha Ghosh, Department of Physics, SRM University AP Dr. Lakshmi Narayan Patro, Department of Physics, SRM University AP |
| Bio and Living Systems | Dr. Supravat Dey, Department of Physics, SRM University AP Dr. Debabrata Pramanik, Department of Physics, SRM University AP |
| Computational Science | Dr. Suraj Bhagat, CIDR, SRM University AP Dr. Vikram Mahamiya, CIDR, SRM University AP |
| Complex Systems | Dr. Swetambar P. Das, Department of Physics, SRM University AP Dr. Arghya Dutta, Department of Physics, SRM University AP |
| Local Organizing Committee | Chair: Prof. Ravva Mahesh Kumar, CIDR, SRM University AP Dr. Vinod Kumar Etacheri, CIDR, SRM University AP |
| Role | Details |
|---|---|
| Convenor(s) |
Prof. Kiran Mangalampalli Centre for Interdisciplinary Research (CIDR), SRM University-AP kiran.k@srmap.edu.in Dr. Sabyasachi Mukhopadhyay Department of Physics, SRM University-AP, Amaravati sabyasachi.m@srmap.edu.in |
| Conference Email | cidr.unites2026@srmap.edu.in |
| ROLE | NAME | AFFILIATION |
|---|---|---|
| Patron | [Vice-Chancellor / President TBA] | SRM University-AP, Amaravati |
| Conference Chair | ||
| Convener(s) |
Dr. Kiran Mangalamapalli Dr. Sabyasachi Mukhopadhyay |
Center for Interdisciplinary Research (CIDR) Department of Physics, SRM University-AP |
| Co-Convener(s) |
Dr. Gangi Reddy Dr. Ravi Kumar Dr. Surjit Sahoo Dr. Venkataramiah Nutalapati |
Department of Physics, SRM University-AP Department of Physics, SRM University-AP CIDR, SRM University-AP CIDR, SRM University-AP |
| Coordinators |
Light–Matter Interaction and Systems Dr. Gangi Reddy Dr. Ravi Kumar Dr. Barun Barman Quantum and Advanced Materials Dr. Jatis Kumar Dash Dr. Rohit Baber Interfaces and Thin Films Dr. Siddhartha Ghosh Dr. Lakshmi Narayan Patro Bio and Living Systems Dr. Supravat Dey Dr. Debabrata Pramanik AI and ML Dr. Suraj Bhagat Dr. Vikram Mahamiya Non-Linear Systems Dr. Swetambar P. Das Dr. Arghya Dutta |
Department of Physics, SRM University-AP, Amaravati CIDR, SRM University-AP, Amaravati Department of Physics, SRM University-AP Department of Physics, SRM University-AP Department of Physics, SRM University-AP CIDR, SRM University-AP Department of Physics, SRM University-AP |
| NAME | INSTITUTION |
|---|---|
| Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru | |
| Prof. Raavi Sai Santosh | IIT Hyderabad |
| Prof. Sunita Srivastava | IIT Bombay |
| Prof. [Name TBA] | IIT Delhi |
| Prof. [Name TBA] | Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bengaluru |
| Prof. [Name TBA] | IIT Madras |
| Prof. [Name TBA] | IISER Pune |
| Prof. [Name TBA] | National Institute of Immunology (NII), New Delhi |
| Prof. [Name TBA] | IIT Kharagpur |
| Prof. [Name TBA] | IISER Kolkata |
| Prof. Ranjit Thapa | SRM University-AP, Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh |
| Dr. Mahesh Kumar Ravva | SRM University-AP, Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh |
| Dr. Eswaraiah Varrla | SRMIST, Chennai |
Director, CSIR-National Physical Laboratory, New Delhi
Selected papers presented at EPICS 2026 will be considered for peer-reviewed publication in prestigious international journals.
Wiley Online Library Journal: To Be Updated IF: To Be Updated
IOP Science Journal: To Be Updated IF: To Be Updated
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Custom journeys aligned to strategic business priorities.
| CATEGORY | FEES | Registration Covers |
|---|---|---|
| UG and PG Students | ₹ 1,000/- |
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| PhD Scholars | ₹ 1,750/- | |
| Postdocs & Faculty Members | ₹ 2,500/- | |
| Regular Participants | ₹ 8,000/- | |
| Industry Personnel | ₹ 15,000/- |
| Name | SRM UNIVERSITY AP A UNIT OF SRM TRUST AP |
| BRANCH NAME | Mangalagiri |
| BANK NAME | HDFC BANK |
| AC NO | 50100624163309 |
| IFSC CODE | HDFC0002704 |
| SWIFT CODE | HDFCINBB |
| MICR | 520240302 |
| BRANCH CODE | 2704 |
| BRANCH ADDRESS | 1-437, Ground Floor, Kothapeta, GT Road, Mangalagiri – 522503 |
| Benefits | Sponsor | Silver INR (>2.5 L) |
Gold INR (>5 L) |
Diamond INR (>7.5 L) |
Platinum INR (>10 L and above) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of free registrations to technical and industry sessions | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 5–10 |
| Display of company logo on the conference website homepage, until the end of the conference | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Link to company website on the conference website homepage | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Invitation to conference dinner with registered participants | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Company logo on publicity materials | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Special mention of sponsorship at the beginning of technical sessions for the day | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Display of company logo in hallway signages | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Company logo on the cover of the program/abstract booklet | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Half-page advertisement in program/abstract booklet | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ Full Page | ✔ Full Page | |
| Exhibition Stall | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Special sponsorship acknowledgement during the inauguration and closing ceremonies | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Major displays at Venue/Large logo advertising | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Company logo on bag/backpack and other gift items | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Choice of promotional materials (flyers, brochures, pens, scratchpads) in the registration bags | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Access to participant information and contact list | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Preference in selecting location of the exhibition stalls | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Exclusive banner at the main venue | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Invitation to give a 30-minute technical talk | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Felicitation on the Venue | ✔ | ✔ |
Depending upon the Sponsorship Scheme, the stall sizes vary.
Email-cidr.unites2026@srmap.edu.in
Convenor(s) & Contact
Prof. Kiran Mangalampalli
Center for Interdisciplinary Research (CIDR)
Email-kiran.k@srmap.edu.in ; cidr.unites2026@srmap.edu.in
Dr Sabyasachi Mukhopadhyay
Department of Physics
SRM University-AP, Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh
Email-sabyasachi.m@srmap.edu.in
Co-Convenor(s) & Contact
1. Dr Gangi Reddy, Department of Physics, SRM University-AP
2. Dr Ravi Kumar, Department of Physics, SRM University-AP
3. Dr Surjit Sahoo, CIDR, SRM University AP
4. Dr Venkataramiah Nutalapati, CIDR, SRM University-AP
REACHING SRM UNIVERSITY-AP
The SRM University–AP, Amaravati campus is located between the cities Vijayawada and Guntur. It can be reached from various parts of the country in several ways:
By Rail
Those coming from other states of India by train should get down at the Vijayawada railway station (railway code: BZA), which is well connected with almost all parts of the country. One can also use the Guntur railway station (code: GNT). You need to get a taxi from the stations to the SRM University-AP campus.
By Air
The nearest airport (about 45km) is the Vijayawada International Airport (IATA: VGA). You must get a taxi from the airport to the SRM University-AP campus.
By Bus
The buses operated by APSRTC from Pandit Nehru bus station and NTR bus station connect the city with Vijayawada and Guntur respectively.