Saurabh Vijay

The Leh Indian Glaciology Summer School (LIGSS) 2026 is now accepting applications for its second edition, focusing on remote sensing of Himalayan glaciers. The program is designed for undergraduate, postgraduate, PhD students, and postdoctoral researchers interested in glaciology, glacier dynamics, and advanced remote sensing techniques. The school will be held from 1–13 June 2026 at the Mahabodhi International Meditation Center, Leh, Ladakh, India, offering a unique blend of lectures, hands-on computational labs, and field excursions to Khardung Glacier and ice stupas. Participants will receive training in optical and microwave remote sensing, drone sensing, stereo photogrammetry for DEM generation, glacier mass balance estimation, ice velocity retrieval, glacial lake mapping, and hazard assessment. The curriculum includes in-person lectures by five core teachers, practical labs using real satellite and UAV datasets, evening research seminars, and networking opportunities with over 15 national and international experts. Collaborative group projects will guide participants through complete remote-sensing workflows, from data acquisition to uncertainty assessment and interpretation. Special emphasis is placed on the strengths and limitations of optical versus microwave datasets under complex Himalayan conditions, including cloud cover, seasonal snow, and debris mantling. The school aims to build expertise in multi-sensor data fusion and glacier change quantification, preparing a new generation of scientists for robust, reproducible, and policy-relevant assessments of Himalayan glacier change. The program is funded by Sai Ashraya Trust, Jaipur and the International Glaciological Society. There are no registration fees, but selected participants must cover their own travel expenses to and from Leh. Accommodation and training are provided at no cost. The application window is open from 25 March to 10 April 2026, with results announced on 22 April 2026. The school is coordinated by Saurabh Vijay (IIT Roorkee) and Argha Banerjee (IISER Pune), with additional lecturers from University of Bergen, Dartmouth College, and University of Delhi. Applicants should have a strong interest in glaciology, remote sensing, or related fields. International and Indian students are welcome. For more information and to apply, visit the official application link. The school offers a unique opportunity to gain practical skills, network with experts, and experience fieldwork in the Himalaya.