IITF 2026: Theme and Details The India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2026 will be held under the theme "Vikas aur Virasat," reflecting India's journey towards the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047 while preserving and strengthening its rich cultural heritage, India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) Chairman Jawed Ashraf said.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with ANI, Ashraf said the 14-day trade fair will be held from November 14 to 27 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, with the first five days reserved for business visitors and the remaining days open to both the general public and trade visitors.
Highlighting the scale of the event, Ashraf said 31 states and Union Territories, 51 central government departments, ministries, public sector organisations and banks, along with participants from 10 countries, including some of India's neighbouring nations, will participate in the fair.
The event will feature around 3,500 exhibitors, predominantly from the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector, alongside several major companies, spread across an exhibition area of approximately 105,000 square metres. "IITF is really like a celebration of India's journey, India's national development and progress," Ashraf said.
He noted that while most trade fairs globally have shifted towards sector-specific formats, IITF continues to provide a common platform for states, MSMEs and large companies to showcase their products, innovations and capabilities under one roof.
Event Attractions and Visitor Logistics Among the major attractions this year will be a newly introduced "Hall of Inspiration," which will showcase around 600 start-ups working in deep technology and other emerging sectors over the 14-day event.
Ashraf said the initiative aims to inspire young visitors by highlighting the contributions of India's youth in innovation, entrepreneurship and technology, particularly in addressing social and economic challenges.
Another key attraction will be the One District, One Product (ODOP) pavilion, based on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's initiative, which will provide districts with an opportunity to showcase their distinctive crafts, cuisines and cultural heritage while promoting inclusive development and rural livelihoods.
The fair will also feature a "Future Verse" pavilion, spread across 1,000 square metres, offering immersive digital experiences through artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled products, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR).
Ashraf described the pavilion as a combination of entertainment and education, aimed at demonstrating how emerging technologies can improve access to education and transform everyday experiences. Visitors will also have access to more than 90 food outlets, with an emphasis on maintaining high standards of hygiene, service, layout and waste management.
Additionally, the fair will host 87 cultural performances across four amphitheatres at Bharat Mandapam, with several prominent performers also scheduled to appear in the auditorium. Ashraf said many of the performances will feature young and emerging artists who rarely receive opportunities to showcase their talent on a national platform.
To enhance the experience for exhibitors, visitors and media representatives, ITPO will introduce a new digital application to facilitate navigation across the venue and enable exhibitors to schedule business meetings. On visitor convenience, Ashraf said shuttle services will operate through different gates of…
