I take immense pleasure and heartfelt warmth to welcome each one of you to the 36th Annual Conference of the Indian Psychiatric Society – Karnataka Chapter (KANCIPS 2026), to be held from 4th to 6th September 2026 at Karwar, the land of unique scenic beaches.

KANCIPS is the biggest academic event for the mental health professionals of the state of Karnataka. It is the signature event of the Indian Psychiatric Society Karnataka Chapter (IPSKC). IPSKC is one of the oldest state branches, established in 1968. We are a growing family of nearly 850 mental health professionals. IPSKC stands out as a state branch with the highest number of best state branch award in the country. KANCIPS is a platform to relect, rethink, and reimagine the evolving frontiers of psychiatric practice. KANCIPS recognizes both psychiatrists and postgraduate students through several award sessions under different categories, as well as paper and poster presentations, not only for psychiatry but also for allied mental health professionals. The event also comprises pre-conference workshops for speciic groups of people, and awareness programs for the general public. This year's theme will be “ AI and Digital Psychiatry: Current and Future”, which is very contemporary and relevant. This is the high time for us to master the knowledge of how to use and how not to use AI in mental health. We will plan several exciting and thought-provoking sessions on the theme. All in all, this conference promises to be a conluence of ideas, innovation, and insightful dialogue and of course, social networking.

Once again, on behalf of the Indian Psychiatric Society – Karnataka Chapter, I extend a warm and cordial invitation to all delegates—senior members, faculty, postgraduates, and mental health professionals—to join us in Karwar, the hidden gem of coastal India. Let this conference be a feast of learning and fellowship.

Looking forward to meeting you in the town of unique beaches.

It is with great pleasure and honor that we host the 36th Annual Conference of the Indian Psychiatric Society – Karnataka Chapter (KANCIPS 2026), to be held from 4th to 6th September 2026 at Ajvi Ocean, Karwar. The conference theme, “ AI and Digital Psychiatry: Current and Future” will bring together distinguished professionals, researchers, and leaders in Psychiatry to exchange insights, foster collaboration, and explore the evolving future of the ield. This event promises not only a stimulating academic experience but also a valuable opportunity to network and engage with peers in a vibrant and inspiring environment. We cordially invite you to join us as we strive toward excellence in psychiatric care in the emerging digital era. Your presence will greatly enrich the discourse and contribute to the success of KANCIPS 2026.

We look forward to welcoming you to Karwar.

It is with great pleasure that we present this conference on AI and Digital Psychiatry: Current and Future. The integration of artiicial intelligence into mental healthcare is rapidly transforming the way we understand, diagnose, and treat psychiatric disorders. From predictive analytics to digital therapeutics, these innovations promise to enhance clinical precision while improving accessibility and patient outcomes. This conference brings together clinicians, researchers, and technologists to explore emerging evidence, ethical considerations, and future directions. We hope this platform fosters meaningful dialogue, collaboration, and innovation as we navigate the evolving landscape of digital psychiatry. A humble appeal to the Head of the Departments in various Medical Colleges and Institutions to motivate the Postgraduate students to start preparing their research papers for consideration for presentation at the KANCIPS-2026.