The 24th NCLC was organised by the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Punjab in association with the Indian Liquid Crystal Society (ILCS) during 11–13 October 2017. Dr. Santanu Kumar Pal, Department of Chemical Sciences conducted the 3-day conference guided by the National Advisory Board and supported by an Organising Committee. The conference was attended by about 200 participants consisting of senior researchers and young Ph.D. students from various institutes and universities across India as well as some from abroad. The conference was aimed at serving as a platform for stimulating and collaborative discussions among the young and senior researchers working in this interdisciplinary field of liquid crystals (LC) in a less formal environment. The scientific programme was designed in order to cover a variety of fundamental and applied topics in LCs and related soft matter. Nine technical sessions were conducted including a Keynote Address, 23 Invited Lectures (IL), 25 Oral Presentations (OP) and 85 Poster Presentations (PP). Scientists from India, UK, Ireland and so on delivered Invited talks covering topics such as the structural parameters of two nematic phases, twist-bend nematic phase, discovery of triphenoxazoles, ferroelectric LCs to mention a few. The poster presentations were conducted on the first day itself. The participants in the poster session included undergraduates, graduate students, research scholars and post-doctoral fellows. The private sponsors like Anton Paar, Edwards, IKA, Borosil, Sinsil International, Xenocs and TCI chemicalsput up exhibition stalls for 3 days with an interactive approach with the delegates.

Organisers: Dr. Santanu Kumar Pal (Convener) and Dr. Arijit Kumar De and Dr. Ujjal K. Gautam (Co-Conveners) and all other DCS members in various capacities.