Mumbai: For the world’s most populous country, the very suggestion of hidden infertility can appear almost heretical and challenge the consensus of boasting world’s largest demographic dividend.
However, the data suggest otherwise. Rising infertility prevalence, a steadily falling total fertility rate, and emerging concerns over population replacement together pose significant long-term challenges to one of India’s most precious and time-tested asset.
Compounding these trends are gaps in reproductive healthcare, limited awareness around fertility, and the social stigma that often discourages timely diagnosis and treatment, coupled with shifting socio-economic realities influencing decision making on marriages and family planning.
In an age where the pursuit of parenthood increasingly intersects with science, law, emotion, and ethics, with its theme, “IVF Unplugged 2026: Where Science Meets Hope in Reproductive Care,” the sixth edition of ETHealthworld’s Fertility Conclave sets the stage for a meaningful dialogue on the future of assisted reproduction in India.
Bringing India’s foremost fertility experts, embryologists, policy advisors, legal minds, investors, and patient advocates the conference will unpack how cutting-edge ART innovations can be delivered with empathy, cultural sensitivity, and equity to spotlight the transformative potential of reproductive medicine-while keeping compassion at the core of care.
The event is in association with Universal NutriScience NextGen Women; Gaudium IVF as gold partner; Mitra Fertility and Beyond; KIMS Fertility IVF Centre; Advy Chemical Pvt Ltd; Meyer Vitabiotics; Strand Life Sciences; BDR Pharma as supporting partner and Gufic Biosciences Ltd; Fertility Law Care as exhibit partners.
The summit will begin with welcome address, by Prathiba Raju, Senior Assistant Editor, ETHealthworld, outlining the summit’s focus and key discussions.
Following the welcome address, annual summit will proceed with its inaugural session focusing: ‘the IVF Unplugged : Where Science Meets Hope in Reproductive Care.’
Industry experts who will hare their insights at the discussion include Dr. Neeta Singh, Professor & Unit Chief, Division of Reproductive Medicine & Surgery, Dept of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, AIIMS Delhi; Dr. Tushar T Palve, Vice-Dean, Government Medical College (GMC) Mumbai; Dr. Manika Khanna, Founder, Chairperson & Managing Director, Gaudium IVF; Dr. Rekha Ambegaokar, Senior Director, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital; and the session will be moderated by Vikas Dandekar, Editor(Pharma & Healthcare), The Economic Times.
The inaugural session will be followed by the Chief Guest Address by Hon’ble Meghana Sakore-Bordikar, Minister of State for Public Health and Family Welfare, Government of Maharashtra.
The Chief Guest Address will be followed by a Special Address on Pressing the Pause on Fertility: Truth Behind Egg Freezing by Neeta Singh, Professor & Unit Chief, Division of Reproductive Medicine & Surgery, Dept of Obstetrics & Gynaecology,
Following the special address, the event focus will shift to a panel discussion themed: ‘Redefining Success in DOR: From Oocyte Yield to Oocyte Competence.’
The panelist for the session includes Dr. Kaberi Banerjee, Founder & Medical Director, Advanced Fertility and Gynec Center; Dr. Rohit Gutgutia, Medical Director, Nova IVF Fertility, An Unit of Rhea Healthcare Pvt Ltd; Dr. Mekhala Dwarkanath B, Infertility Specialist, Reproductive Endocrinologist (Infertility),Gynecologist, Icchaa Fertility Solutions and Diagnostics; Dr. P.C Mahapatra, Clinical Director, Prachee Institute For Mother & Child Care; Dr. Ameet Patki, Clinical Director, Fertility Associates; Dr. Gunjan Gupta Govil, IVF and Fertility Expert, Founder and Director Gunjan IVF; and Dr. Manish Garg, Medical and Regulatory Affairs Head, Universal NutriScience will moderate the session.
Following the session on ovarian reserves, experts will converge to share their insights on Parenthood under Regulation: Where the ART & Surrogacy law fall short?
Panelists for the session will include Dr. Hrishikesh Pai, Founder and Medical Director, The Bloom IVF Group; Advocate Radhika Thapar Bahl, Founder & Chief Mentor, Fertility Law Care (FLC); Dr. Muriel Cardoso, Professor & Head, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Goa Medical College; Dr. Aniruddha Malpani, MD, Malpani Infertility Clinic; and Prathiba Raju, Senior Assistant Editor, ETHealthworld will moderate the chat.
After the panel discussion, Dr. Sabine Sivadasan, Chairman and Managing Director, Sabine Hospital and Research Centre Pvt Ltd, will make a presentation to outline Scaling with Soul: Growth rooted in Care.
The industry presentation will be followed by a discussion on: ‘IVF for All: Equitable Access Through Insurance Reforms.’
The expert panel will feature Dr. Navina Singh, Chapter Secretary-Greater Mumbai, Indian Fertility Society; Dr. Keshav Malhotra, Director, ART Rainbow IVF; Dr. Vidyalatha Atluri, Founder and Chief Consultant Infertility Specialist, Mitra Fertility & Beyond; Dr. Aditi Tandon, Director & Consultant Gynaecologist; Dr. Sudha Tandon Gynaec Endoscopy and Infertility centre; and the session will be moderated by Prathiba Raju, Senior Assistant Editor, ETHealthworld.
After the panel discussion, the program will feature an insightful discussion on Egg Meets Algorithm: The Next Frontier in Reproductive Health.
Dr. Kshitiz Murdia, Co-Founder & CEO, Indira IVF Dr. Sonal Kumta, Senior Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Fortis Hospital Mulund Shaiket Deb, Director- Rare Diseases & Reproductive Health, Strand Life Sciences.
To be moderated by Dr. Nikita Lad Patel, Chief IVF Specialist, Apollo Fertility, the panel will feature Dr. Kshitiz Murdia, Co-Founder & CEO, Indira IVF; Dr. Sonal Kumta, Senior Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Fortis Hospital Mulund; andShaiket Deb, Director- Rare Diseases & Reproductive Health, Strand Life Sciences.
After discussion new advancements, the summit focus will shift to ‘Investing in Fertility- Unlocking the business of ART in India.’
Industry stalwarts who will share their insights include Vinesh Gadhia, Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer, Ferty9 Fertility Center; Nitiz Murdia, Co-founder and Managing Director, Indira IVF Hospital Limited; Sudhaker Jadhav, COO – KIMS Fertility IVF Centre; and Prathiba Raju, Senior Assistant Editor, ETHealthworld will moderate the session.
Bringing the summit to a close, the final session will address Tackling Male Infertility: The Silent Crisis. Panelists for the session include, Dr. Priyank Kothari, Urologist & Andrologist, Men’s Health Specialist; Dr. Parzan Mistry, Gynaecologist and Infertility Specialist, Medical Director- Gynafem; Dr. Rishikesh Chandrashekhar Velhal, Consultant Urologist and Andrologist, Apollo Hospital, Navi Mumbai; Chetan Raj Singh, Senior President – Business, Advy Chemical Pvt Ltd; and the discussion will be moderated by Prathiba Raju, Senior Assistant Editor, ETHealthworld.
Following the discussions, the annual conclave will conclude with the announcement of the ETHealthworld National Fertility Awards, aimed at celebrating excellence and innovation in the field of reproductive health and fertility treatment.
