The Northern Regional Conference 2026, organized by the National Institute of Personnel Management (NIPM), was successfully held on 21st March ‘2026 at the auditorium of Vivekananda Global University (VGU).
This one-day conference brought together experts who shared their insights on contemporary themes such as Human Resource Management, Labour Laws, Artificial Intelligence, and Green Human Resource Management. The programme commenced in the morning with the National Anthem. The event witnessed the gracious presence of several distinguished dignitaries. The welcome address was delivered by Mr. Girjesh Kumar Gour, Chairman of the Jaipur Chapter, who highlighted the objectives and significance of the conference. Subsequently, the programme overview was presented by Dr.BiswabhushanBehera, General Secretary of NIPM. The National President of NIPM, Mr. P. R. Basavaraju, addressed the gathering and shared his views on the evolving labour landscape in India and the emerging challenges in the HR domain. The Chief Guest, Mr. DileepBaid (Managing Director, Dileep Industries and immediate past chairman of EPCH), emphasized the importance of strengthening the synergy between industry and academia in his inaugural address and gave the mantra of Perception, Environment and Empathy.
Among the distinguished guests, Er. Onkar Bagaria, CEO and Trustee of VGU, and Dr. DVS Bhagvanulu, Pro Vice-Chancellor, VGU, also shared their perspectives. During the event, the conference souvenir was unveiled by Director, Faculty of Management, VGU and other dignitaries. Additionally, the NIPM_VGU Student Chapter was formally launched, providing students with a valuable platform to engage with industry professionals. The technical sessions began with a keynote address by Dr. Onkar Sharma (Former Chief Labour Commissioner, GOI), who elaborated on the framework and implications of the new labour laws. This was followed by a panel discussion on “Decoding India’s Labour Codes: Policy Perspectives and Corporate Readiness,” chaired by Mr. Vinod Chaturvedi (CHRO, Shree Cement). The panel featured experts including Dr. R. G. Meena and Prof. M. S. Shekhawat.In the afternoon session, a panel discussion on “Agentic AI and Technology,” chaired by Dr.Antarpreet Singh, where Mr. Neeraj Narang (Oracle) and Mr. Rajneesh Kumar (Newgen Software) discussed the role of artificial intelligence in HR automation.The final technical session focused on “Green HRM: Embedding ESG in the Employee Lifecycle.” Dr. Shankar Goenka, Mr S C Gupta and Mr Arvind Kumar emphasized the role of HR in promoting sustainability and environmental responsibility.
During the valedictory session, Dr.S.Nagendra, Advisor NIPM presented the conference summary, highlighting key discussions and outcomes of the day. This was followed by the valedictory address by Dr Shyam Agarwal (CS) Past President -ICSI and shared his critical views of the HR domain with audience. The conference also witnessed enthusiastic participation from more than 300 industry experts, academicians, researchers, and students. Participants actively engaged in discussions, gaining deeper insights and practical exposure. The attendees were given a copy of ‘Business Manager’ magazine along with conference kit , which was liked by the participants. The event served as a strong platform for knowledge exchange and networking, paving the way for future academic and industry collaborations. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr. Shish Ram Shivrayan, NRC Programme Director. The conference proved to be highly enriching for HR professionals and offered a significant learning opportunity for students and academicians alike.
