If you are a platform engineer, startup founder, or cloud-native enthusiast in India, the most important week of your year is approaching. KubeCon is making its return to India, bringing together the open-source community, maintainers, and innovators who are shaping the future of scalable applications.
Whether you are a seasoned attendee or preparing for your first CloudNativeCon, this blog has everything you need to navigate the event, build your schedule, and get the most out of your time on the ground.
KubeCon India 2026 at a glance
| Dates | 18–19 June 2026 |
| Location | Mumbai, India |
| Organizer | Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) |
| Format | In-person (sessions recorded for later viewing) |
Where is KubeCon happening this year?
KubeCon + CloudNativeCon India 2025 was hosted in Hyderabad. However, due to rapid growth and the expanding Indian cloud-native community, the CNCF has officially moved the 2026 event to Mumbai.
If you are booking flights or hotels, double-check your destination. You need to fly into Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) in Mumbai, not Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad.
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Dates and schedule
The core conference spans two action-packed days: 18–19 June 2026.
- Day 0 (June 17): Dedicated entirely to CNCF-hosted and sponsor-hosted co-located events, hands-on workshops, and deep dives (like the VMware vSphere Kubernetes Service Community Day).
- Days 1 & 2 (June 18-19): The main event. Expect morning keynotes starting around 9:45 AM, followed by breakout sessions, lightning talks, Solutions Showcase networking, and project pavilion hours throughout the afternoon.
- Missed a talk? Don't worry. If two amazing talks overlap, you won't miss out permanently. All sessions are recorded and will be uploaded to the official CNCF YouTube channel a few weeks after the event concludes.
Where is it Happening in Mumbai?
The main action is centralized in the heart of Mumbai. While the primary venue spaces host the core keynotes and breakout rooms, several activities are spread across top-tier business hotels in the vicinity.
- Venue Area: Key co-located events and specific sponsor sessions are being hosted at the Novotel Mumbai International Airport (e.g., the Broadcom/VMware Day 0 event) and the Trident Hotel BKC (hosting the Distributed SQL Summit). The main conference hub is easily accessible from these locations.
- Getting There: Mumbai traffic is notorious, so plan ahead. If you're flying in, the Novotel is exceptionally close to the airport. For venues in the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) like the Trident, taking a prepaid cab or a ride-hailing service (Uber/Ola) from the airport is your best bet.
- Hotels Nearby: Staying within BKC or near the Mumbai International Airport is highly recommended to minimize commute times. Look into the Sofitel Mumbai BKC (which is also hosting some evening networking events), Trident BKC, or the Novotel.
What's On The Agenda This Year?
With 55 breakout sessions, 8 lightning talks, and massive keynotes, the 2026 schedule is dense. Here is how the CNCF has structured the learning experiences this year.
The six tracks
To help you find your focus, the schedule is divided into six primary tracks:
- AI + ML: Exploring GPU management, AI agents, and model routing on Kubernetes.
- Observability: Telemetry, open control at scale, and analyzing logs/traces.
- Platform Engineering: Architecting shared-first platforms and developer self-service.
- Operations + Performance: API server optimization, workload resiliency, and upgrade playbooks.
- Security: Zero trust architectures, container isolation, and supply chain security.
- Cloud Native Novice: Foundational concepts connecting core computer science to real-world cloud-native tools.
A few sessions worth flagging
India's massive enterprise and startup ecosystems are fully represented this year. Here are a few highly relevant talks you shouldn't miss:
- Observability Track: Who Watches the Watchers? From Closed Observability To Open Control at Scale, Presented by Aditi Gupta (JioHotstar), Madhu Patel (Adobe), and Sandeep Kanabar (Gen). Learn how platforms like JioHotstar stream content to millions in real-time.
- Platform Engineering Track: Unity in Diversity: Architecting "Shared-First" Kubernetes Platforms for Life-Critical Workloads, Presented by Manoj K R & Siddiq Tanveer M A (Motorola Solutions).
- Operations + Performance Track: The Leapfrog Upgrade Playbook: Upgrading When You're Years Behind, Presented by Yug Gupta (Walmart Global Tech). A highly practical session for anyone dealing with tech debt.
- AI + ML Track (Co-located): VMware vSphere Kubernetes Service (VKS) Community Day: Building AI-Ready Platforms, the Cloud Native Way, Hosted by VMware by Broadcom.
Who Should Attend?
- India's Startup & AI Scene: With 76% of Indian startups leveraging open-source AI, this is the place to learn how to scale AI agents and ML models efficiently on Kubernetes.
- Platform Engineers & DevOps: If your day-to-day involves managing clusters, reducing cloud bills, or improving developer experience, the technical depth here is unmatched.
- Founders & Tech Leaders: CTOs and founders will find massive value in the hallway track, discovering new DevTools, and connecting with potential enterprise partners.
- Students & Novices: The Cloud Native Novice track is specifically designed for you. It's the ultimate crash course in modern infrastructure.
How To Register?
Ready to secure your spot? Standard, Corporate, and Individual passes are available, with significant discounts for early birds and CNCF members.
[Read our complete guide to tickets, costs, and discounts here]
First Time at KubeCon? Start here
If the massive schedule, vendor halls, and networking events feel overwhelming, don't panic. We have compiled the First-Timer's Guide for newcomers to help you navigate the crowds and project pavilions.
[Check out the First-Timer's Guide to KubeCon here]
Founders & Startups: How To Actually Get Value?
For early-stage startups, KubeCon is an investment. You need to know how to leverage the "hallway track," connect with the right maintainers, and generate ROI from your attendance.
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We'll be there
The Infrasity team will be on the ground in Mumbai. We are incredibly excited to connect with the developer marketing and cloud-native communities.
Also, keep an eye out for our amazing partners and sponsors:
- Middleware: Catch them at Booth S17 in the Solutions Showcase to grab some exclusive swag and see how they are transforming full-stack cloud observability and AI-powered operations.
- DevZero: Be sure to check out their presence and learn how they are tackling Kubernetes cost optimization and 'developer environments.
FAQ
When and where is KubeCon India 2026?
KubeCon + CloudNativeCon India will take place on 18–19 June 2026, in Mumbai, India.
Is KubeCon India 2026 in Hyderabad?
No. While Hyderabad successfully hosted the 2025 edition, the event has officially moved to Mumbai for 2026.
Has KubeCon ever been in Bangalore?
No, the CNCF flagship KubeCon event has not been hosted in Bangalore. However, Bangalore does host other major cloud-native community events, like Kubernetes Community Days (KCD) and Civo Navigate.
Will the sessions be recorded?
Yes! All keynotes and breakout sessions will be recorded and made available on the official CNCF YouTube channel within a couple of weeks after the event.
What time zone is the schedule in?
All session times on the official Sched app and website are in India Standard Time (IST, UTC+5:30).
Do I need a separate pass for co-located events?
It depends on your ticket. Day 0 (June 17) co-located events often require an "All-Access Pass" or a separate add-on registration specifically for that co-located event. Check your registration tier to ensure you have the right access.