Kolkata: With India ranked 5th globally for pollution in 2023, the rising burden of pollution-related diseases—particularly allergic rhinitis (AR)—has emerged as a major public health concern. Studies indicate that 20–30% of the population suffers from AR, while 53% of patients with nasal symptoms were found to have allergic rhinitis across 19 Indian states. Pollution has aggravated nasal irritation, inflammation, and allergen sensitivity, leading to more severe sneezing, congestion, and itching.
Against this backdrop, the 77th Annual Conference of the Association of Otolaryngologists of India (AOI)—popularly known as AOICON 2026—will be hosted in Kolkata from January 8 to 11, 2026, at the Viswa Bangla Convention Center. This prestigious national conference of ENT specialists returns to the city, reaffirming Kolkata’s importance on India’s medical and academic map.
The conference is expected to witness the participation of around 3,000–3,500 ENT specialists from across India and abroad, making it the largest knowledge-sharing platform in the field of otolaryngology in the country.
Addressing a pre-conference press meet at the Press Club Kolkata, Dr. Dwaipayan Mukherjee, National President of the Association of Otolaryngologists of India, said that besides pollution-induced allergic rhinitis, key highlights of AOICON 2026 include the release of Indian Guidelines for the Management of Allergic Rhinitis, Medico-Legal Guidelines for ENT practice, and discussions on the latest advances in ENT treatment and surgery.
He noted that noise pollution, especially in urban areas, is severely impacting the auditory system, while chronic allergic rhinitis can progress to asthma. Due to increasing pollution levels, ENT-related diseases have risen exponentially in recent years, he added.
Dr. Snehasis Barman, Organising Secretary of AOICON 2026, informed that the conference will begin with specialised workshops on January 8, 2026, focusing on modern allergy management. Junior ENT doctors will receive hands-on training in skin prick and allergy testing under the guidance of globally renowned allergy specialists and ENT experts.
Highlighting the need for India-specific protocols, Dr. Dwaipayan Mukherjee stated that most Indian doctors still rely on Western treatment guidelines, despite differences in environment, genetics, and allergen profiles. To address this gap, AOI researchers have developed India-centric allergic rhinitis management guidelines, which will be published as a ready reckoner and formally released during the inaugural session of the conference.
Emphasising the growing importance of legal awareness in medical practice, Dr. Utpal Jana, President of AOI West Bengal and Organising Chairman of AOICON 2026, announced that a Medico-Legal Guideline for ENT practice in India will also be unveiled at the inauguration.
The conference will also focus on vertigo, a rapidly increasing health issue in India. According to doctors, 20–30% of the population experiences vertigo, with nearly 180 million people potentially affected by dizziness-related disorders. A day-long vertigo workshop, led by world-renowned specialists, has been planned as part of the academic programme.
Another major attraction will be the Facial Plastic Surgery Workshop, covering advanced cosmetic ENT procedures such as rhinoplasty, earlobe reconstruction, and nasal surgeries. These sessions will be conducted by leading national and international experts, including Dr. Ullash Raghavan, a pioneer in the field from the UK.
In addition to workshops, the four-day conference will feature Continuing Medical Education (CME) sessions on a wide range of ENT disorders. International faculty and delegates from the UK, USA, Japan, Brazil, Gulf countries, and several European nations are expected to attend.
Inviting public participation, Dr. Utpal Jana urged the media and citizens to attend the Inaugural Ceremony on January 9, 2026, from 5:00 pm onwards. The event will be graced by Ms. Sushmita Sen, former Miss Universe, and Air Chief Marshal (Retd.) Arup Raha as Chief Guests. The pre-conference press meet was also addressed by Dr. Ajoy Khawas and Dr. Saumendra Nath Bandopadhyay.
Organised by the Association of Otolaryngologists of India, West Bengal (WB AOI), AOICON 2026 stands as a matter of pride for Bengal and Kolkata. Concluding the press meet, the organisers expressed hope for the grand success of this historic global medical summit with the support of doctors, the public, and the media.
