India and the SKA: Preparing for a Transformative Era in Astrophysics

Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO) is the biggest and most sensitive upcoming radio astronomical observatory. To prepare, explore, verify the challenges and opportunities, the first SKA India Science Meeting took place at IISER-Mohali from January 15 -- 18, 2026. The meeting brought together the entire national community involved in scientific areas relevant to the SKA covering feature plenary reviews, contributed talks, and extensive poster sessions covering the full breadth of SKA science as well as evolving a collective roadmap for the forthcoming Science Verification data expected in 2027 and strategise Indian participation.