ARAI SIAT 2026 Automotive Symposium Opens in Pune, India

On January 23, the ARAI SIAT 2026 automotive symposium opened at the Pune International Exhibition and Convention Centre, marking a milestone year as the Automotive Research Association of India completes 60 years of contribution to India’s automotive ecosystem. The biennial symposium has brought together global industry leaders, researchers, and policymakers.
The event was inaugurated by H. D. Kumaraswamy and is themed “Innovative Pathways for Safe and Sustainable Mobility.” The platform is designed to foster dialogue on next-generation automotive technologies, regulatory alignment, and long-term mobility solutions relevant to India and global markets.
ARAI SIAT 2026 Automotive Symposium Highlights Policy and Innovation
During the inaugural ceremony, Kumaraswamy released the Global Automotive Safety Regulations Book, SIAT 2026 Proceedings, and Technical Reference Papers published by ARAI. He praised the organisation’s six-decade role in strengthening India’s automotive capabilities while underlining the country’s progress toward becoming the world’s third-largest economy.
The minister outlined key government initiatives supporting technology-led mobility, including:

• Capital Goods Scheme

• FAME scheme

• PM e-Drive Scheme

• Production Linked Incentive schemes

He noted that public transport vehicles account for nearly 40 percent of India’s pollution load and reaffirmed the central government’s focus on expanding electric vehicle charging infrastructure nationwide.
“Looking at the scale of this conference, depth of technical content to be presented and impressive expertise gathered here, I believe this event will result in an exciting exchange of information generating new knowledge and ideas showing pathways for India's 2047 and 2070 resolves,” Kumaraswamy stated.
Industry Leaders Emphasise India’s Global Automotive Standing
Shailesh Chandra, Managing Director of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility, highlighted India’s growing global footprint. He noted that India now leads in three-wheeler production, ranks among the top two in two-wheelers, top four in passenger vehicles, and top five in commercial vehicles, with record exports achieved in 2025.
The inauguration also saw the launch of three advanced facilities at ARAI’s Takwe campus in Pune:

• Advanced Driver Assistance Systems Smart City Test Track

• Cylinder Testing Facility

• High Energy Impact Test Facility

Prasan Firodia, Managing Director of Force Motors and Vice President of ARAI’s Governing Council, acknowledged consistent government support for the automotive sector and ARAI’s developmental role in technology advancement.
Technical Depth and Global Participation at SIAT 2026
Dr. Reji Mathai, Director of ARAI and Chairman of the SIAT 2026 Advisory Committee, stated that the symposium features more than 250 technical presentations covering safety, sustainability, and next-generation mobility technologies. The parallel SIAT Expo 2026 includes 275 exhibitors from 10 countries, with dedicated pavilions for startups, MSEs, ADAS, and software-defined mobility.
A Students’ Poster Presentation Competition will allow undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD students to showcase innovations and engage directly with industry experts. The vote of thanks was delivered by Dr. N. H. Walke, with the proceedings anchored by Juhi Malhotra.
With strong international participation and the commissioning of advanced testing infrastructure, the ARAI SIAT 2026 automotive symposium reinforces India’s commitment to safer, cleaner, and smarter mobility solutions for both domestic and global automotive markets.