India’s Ministry of Tourism is developing a Bharat MICE Bid Fund Programme to help Indian cities and state governments bid for international meetings, conventions and exhibitions, Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat announced at the 65th ICCA Congress in Panama City. India has also submitted Mumbai’s candidature to host the 2029 ICCA Congress, according to reports published on November 11 and 12, 2026.
The hosting decision is still pending.
What Is the Bharat MICE Bid Fund Programme?
The programme is described as a financial and non-financial support mechanism for Indian cities and state governments bidding for international business events. Reports say the minister spoke at the congress on November 9, and the congress ran from November 8 to 11, 2026. The plan is still being developed, and the reports give no budget or launch date.
What Other Measures Is India Considering?
The reports list several proposals:
- A permanent regional office of ICCA in India, with the ministry working with ICCA towards this.
- City-level convention promotion bureaus, using the Hyderabad Convention Bureau as a model for a proposed Delhi NCR bureau.
- A recognition framework for professional conference organisers and professional exhibition organisers.
- Growing national exhibition space from about 600,000 sq m to one million sq m by 2030.
How Is India Performing as a MICE Destination?
India hosted 158 qualifying international association meetings in 2025, ranking 26th globally and sixth in Asia-Pacific. Venues named in the reports include Bharat Mandapam, Yashobhoomi, Jio World Convention Centre, Hyderabad International Convention Centre, India Expo Centre & Mart and Bangalore International Exhibition Centre.
What It Means for India’s MICE Industry
A bid fund could help cities and states compete with other destinations for international association events, which are typically won through competitive bids. Convention bureaus and a recognition framework for organisers would add structure to how events are pitched and delivered. These are proposals and the details have not been finalised.
Industry Reaction and Expert Commentary
No reaction from industry bodies or event organisers to the announcements was found in the sources reviewed. One report described India as preparing “a more structured national framework to attract international conferences and business events.”
What Happens Next?
The decision on the 2029 ICCA Congress host is pending. The bid fund, regional ICCA office, city bureaus and recognition framework remain under development or consideration, with no dates given.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Bharat MICE Bid Fund Programme?
It is a proposed financial and non-financial support mechanism for Indian cities and state governments bidding for international meetings, conventions and exhibitions.
Which Indian city is bidding for the 2029 ICCA Congress?
Mumbai. India has submitted the candidature, and the decision is pending.
How many international association meetings did India host in 2025?
158 qualifying meetings, ranking 26th globally and sixth in Asia-Pacific.
Source: Travel World Directory, November 11, 2026, and MICE Showcase, November 12, 2026.
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