Genesis :

International Union for Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP) has, since its inception in 1922, played a vital role by providing a common platform to physicists from all across the world. Its broad objective is to simulate and facilitate international cooperation in physics and the worldwide development of science by encouraging research and education. It works through twenty commissions responsible for overseeing exchange of information and activities related to select physics domains. Of these, C14, the International Commission on Physics Education (ICPE) came into being in 1960. It was born out of the realization that unlike research speciality areas, physics education lacks spontaneous international linkages even though teaching of physics and education of physicists is of concern to all. Indeed, there is a great deal of commonality in the problems faced by various countries despite the diversity in their social and cultural fabric. The primary mandate of the Commission is to promote the exchange of information and views among the members of the international community of physicists in the general field of Physics Education including:

- collection, evaluation, co-ordination and distribution of information concerning education in the physical sciences at all levels;

- information relative to the assessment of standards of physics teaching and learning;

- suggesting ways in which the facilities for the study of physics at all levels might be improved, stimulating experiments at all levels, and giving help to physics teachers in all countries in incorporating current knowledge of physics, physics pedagogy, and the results of research in physics education into their courses and curricula.

Over the past four decades, ICPE has played a vital role in achievement of its objectives by organizing conferences of great significance. The increasing importance of these conferences underscores the fact that global concerns about physics education are center stage.