Manotsava, India’s National Mental Health Festival, will return for its third edition on December 5–6, 2026, in Bengaluru. The festival is being organised by Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), and National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), as a free and public celebration of mental health and wellbeing.
The second edition of the festival, held in November 2025, brought together over 6,000 participants across more than 80 sessions, including expert-led panels, keynote conversations, sharing circles, interactive workshops, performances, and community stalls. Programme submissions for Manotsava 2026 are now open. The festival brings together research, lived experiences, art, practice, and community knowledge in a shared space co- created by artists, researchers, practitioners, caregivers, people with lived experience, and changemakers. It aims to create accessible spaces for dialogue around mental health while enabling people to connect with communities of care and support.
This year’s edition places a strong emphasis on accessibility and community voices, with a special encouragement for programme proposals in Kannada to deepen local participation and engagement. Individuals and organisations working on mental health and its intersections are invited to submit programme proposals across formats that encourage dialogue, participation, reflection, and understanding around mental health and wellbeing.
Submissions will only be accepted through the official proposal form and not through any other channel, including direct emails to members of the festival team.
The last date for submissions is May 31, 2026.
