NEW DELHI, 12.03.26The Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi is set to organize a two-day International Conference on CBRNE Related Threats to National Security and Safety: Anti-terrorism Measures for a Safe Environment (ICCTNSS-2026) on 12–13 March 2026. The conference is being organized in collaboration with Dyal Singh College, the National Association for Chemical Security (NACS), and the School of Open Learning. NACS is a nationally registered, professionally governed organization committed to strengthening chemical, biological, and environmental security across India.

The inaugural session on March 12 will be graced by the Chief Guest, Prof Yogesh Singh, Vice-Chancellor of University of Delhi, and the Guest of Honour, Shri Manish Bhardwaj, Secretary, National Disaster Management Authority to be held at the Vice Regal Lodge. The inaugural session will feature a keynote address and a special address by distinguished experts in the field.

The two-day conference will include 13 technical sessions, 7 invited lectures, 4 short invited lectures, 13 oral presentations, 18 undergraduate oral presentations, and 108 poster presentations, providing a comprehensive platform for researchers, academicians, and experts to discuss emerging challenges and strategies related to CBRNE threats and national security.

The conference aims to bring together eminent scientists, academicians, security experts, policymakers, researchers, and students from India and abroad to deliberate on emerging threats associated with Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive (CBRNE) materials, and to explore effective strategies to counter these threats.

The recent Ammonium Nitrate/Fuel Oil (ANFO) – triacetone triperoxide (TATP) improvised explosive device (IED) explosion near the Red Fort on November 10, 2025 underscored how easily accessible dual-use chemicals can be diverted for terrorist activities. Equally alarming are the increasing risks posed by the availability of biological toxins such as ricin, unsecured chemicals in academic and industrial settings, trafficking of radiological materials, cyber-enabled chemical procurement, and insider threats. These developments highlight the urgent need for a coordinated, multidisciplinary response to the rapidly evolving CBRNE threat landscape.

As a premier academic institution, the University of Delhi is uniquely positioned to convene diverse stakeholders and facilitate the development of a forward-looking national roadmap for CBRNE security.

Interactive sessions will foster meaningful dialogue and knowledge exchange, highlighting the vital role of academic institutions in addressing global security challenges through research, education, and collaboration. Best Poster and Best Oral Presentation Awards will be conferred.

Expected outcomes include proposals for a National CBRNE Security Framework, policy recommendations, enhanced coordination mechanisms, and the launch of a National Academic Network for Chemical and Biological Security. The conference also aims to formulate a 2-credit Skill Enhancement Course syllabus for undergraduate students as a key academic outcome of ICCTNSS-2026.

The conference is supported and sponsored by ANRF, DRDO, MOES, IDST, CSIR, Adani ports and special economic zone, IPFT, Proengin, INSA, and Reliance Gas.