Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2026 (NRI Day)

On 9 January 2026, the Ministry of External Affairs honours the contributions of overseas Indians. While there is no main convention this year, the 2025 Bhubaneswar event continues to promote diaspora engagement, highlighting the role of NRIs and OCIs in India’s development and the vision of a Viksit Bharat.

• Relevant for UPSC Prelims
• Important for GS Paper II (Polity, Governance & Foreign Policy)
• Useful for GS Paper III (Economy, Development & Diaspora Investment)
• Valuable for Essay Papers (Global Indians, Soft Power, Viksit Bharat)

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is an annual observance celebrated on January 9 to recognise and honour the contributions of the overseas Indian community, including Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Overseas Citizen of India (OCI), and Indian diaspora members, towards India's development.

• Established in 2003 by then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as the flagship event of the Ministry of External Affairs.
• Celebrated on January 9 to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi's return to India from South Africa on this date in 1915, marking a pivotal moment in India's freedom struggle.
• Since 2015, PBD has been celebrated once every two years, with theme-based conferences held during intervening years to keep the dialogue continuous.
• The 18th PBD Convention took place in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, from January 8-10, 2025, with the theme "Diaspora's Contribution to a Viksit Bharat."
• The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards, presented by the President of India, honour exceptional achievements in fields like education, science, innovation, trade, industry, and social work.

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India’s diaspora is not just spread across countries; they are important ambassadors and economic partners. Pravasi Bharatiya Divas helps strengthen this special bond with them.

• Recognising their Role: Appreciates how overseas Indians contribute through investment, innovation, and work in fields like technology, health, and education.
• Cultural Connection: Promotes Indian culture, traditions, and values across the world through the diaspora.
• Economic Support: Encourages business ties, investments, and the sharing of skills to help India grow.
• Nation-Building: Uses diaspora knowledge and resources to support India’s goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
• Emotional Bonding: Keeps overseas Indians emotionally connected to their homeland.
• Welfare Support: Helps address their issues, such as safe migration, workers’ rights, and local adjustment abroad.

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Pravasi Bharatiya Divas shows how India’s link with its diaspora has grown. What started as a simple annual event is now a biennial forum that helps shape policies and partnerships.

• 2003: First Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention held under PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, establishing it as the Ministry of External Affairs' flagship event.
• 2006: The Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) scheme was launched during the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention in Hyderabad, revolutionising diaspora engagement.
• 2013: 11th PBD held in Kochi; saw international participation with Canadian Minister Jason Kenney becoming the first non-Indian to address the gathering.
• 2015: Format revised to biennial celebrations with annual theme-based conferences during intervening years, allowing deeper focus on specific sectors.
• 2023: 17th PBD Convention held in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, with the theme "Diaspora: Reliable Partners for India's Progress in Amrit Kaal," inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi; President Droupadi Murmu conferred Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards.
• 2025: 18th PBD Convention in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, marked by the theme "Diaspora's Contribution to a Viksit Bharat" and the launch of Pravasi Bharatiya Express.

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India’s diaspora, with about 35 million people, plays a key role in the nation’s growth. They support economic and technological progress while staying emotionally and culturally connected to India.

• India received a record US$135.46 billion in remittances in FY 2024-25, marking a 14% year-on-year increase from US$119 billion in FY 2023-24.
• Remittances contributed over 10% to India's gross current account inflows of US$1 trillion in FY25.
• Remittances covered nearly 47% of India's merchandise trade deficit of US$287 billion.
• According to the Reserve Bank of India, the country is projected to receive remittances worth $160 billion by 2029.
• India’s share of all the money sent home by migrants worldwide increased from 11% in 2001 to 14% in 2024.

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Pravasi Bharatiya Express is a special luxury train launched to help overseas Indians explore India’s cultural and historical heritage.

• Launch Date: Inaugurated on January 9, 2025, by PM Narendra Modi through a remote flag-off from the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention.
• Operated Under: Pravasi Teertha Darshan Yojana (Pilgrimage Tourism Scheme) of the Ministry of External Affairs, in partnership with IRCTC Ltd.
• Duration: Three-week luxury journey across 17 iconic destinations of cultural, religious, and touristic significance.
• Amenities: Premium accommodations, all meals, guided tours, temple entries, and transfers included.
• Timing: 2nd Edition runs from October 21 to November 8, 2025, coinciding with India's vibrant festival season.
• Cultural Immersion: Showcases Ramayana heritage, Indian spirituality, and regional cultures, strengthening emotional connections to India.

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Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is important for many reasons. It celebrates Indian culture, allows discussion on policies, and helps promote India’s interests worldwide.

• Soft Power: Uses the influence of overseas Indians to strengthen India’s global image and diplomacy.
• Economic Growth: Encourages investment in key sectors and supports the sharing of technology and skills.
• Talent Connection: Links Indian experts abroad with opportunities in India to boost innovation and education.
• Policy Role: Allows diaspora professionals to share ideas and help shape national policies.
• Cultural Link: Helps overseas Indians stay connected to Indian culture, language, and values.
• Crisis Support: Shows India’s care for its citizens abroad during emergencies.
• Viksit Bharat's Goal: Aligns diaspora efforts with India’s 2047 development vision.

While Pravasi Bharatiya Divas celebrates achievements, several challenges persist:

• Migration Vulnerabilities: Ensuring safe, legal, and dignified migration pathways for Indian workers abroad.
• Brain Drain vs. Brain Circulation: Converting emigration into a source of reverse knowledge transfer and return migration of skilled professionals.
• Regional Disparities: Uneven participation from different states; need for stronger regional diaspora conferences.
• Integration Concerns: Supporting second and third-generation diaspora members in maintaining Indian cultural identity while integrating locally.

Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, the trajectory for Pravasi Bharatiya Divas should include:

• Organise more regional conferences so more overseas Indians can take part.
• Use digital platforms to stay connected through volunteering, mentoring, and business support.
• Create easy investment channels to attract diaspora money into development projects.
• Run programs to share skills and knowledge through research and technology partnerships.
• Engage young overseas Indians through special youth programs for nation-building.

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