12 November 2026: The Ministry of External Affairs announced that the 19th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention will be held in Kolkata from 7 to 9 January 2027. Its theme is 'Return to Roots: Reigniting the Diaspora Connect with Bharat'.
Key points of the announcement
- Website launch: The convention website pbdindia.gov.in was jointly launched in New Delhi by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.
- Programme: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the convention; President Droupadi Murmu will preside over the valedictory session and confer the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards.
- Day one: Will be observed as Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.
- Legacy: PBD is observed every year on 9 January - commemorating Mahatma Gandhi's return from South Africa in 1915; the convention is the Central government's flagship event for engaging the Indian diaspora.
- BKJ Quiz: A PBD Special 'Bharat Ko Janiye' (BKJ) Quiz was also launched - on the BharatVerse App and bkjquiz.com, running 11 November to 20 December 2026; winners across three categories - NRIs, PIOs and foreigners - get a 10-day immersive tour of India and will join the PBD celebrations in Kolkata.
Context: From the UPSC-PCS exam perspective
- Syllabus link: General Studies - Governance/International (diaspora policy, MEA programmes).
- Key: PBD = 9 January (Gandhi's return, 1915); Pravasi Bharatiya Samman = the highest honour for the diaspora, conferred by the President; convention held since 2003, biennial format since 2015.
- Possible confusion: The 2027 convention is the 19th edition and its venue is Kolkata - do not confuse with earlier venues (Bhubaneswar 2025, Indore 2023).
Quiz: Test your knowledge
Q1: Where and when will the 19th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention be held?
(a) Bhubaneswar, January 2026
(b) Kolkata, 7-9 January 2027
(c) Indore, January 2027
(d) New Delhi, 9 January 2027
Answer and explanation: (b) The 19th PBD Convention will be held in Kolkata on 7-9 January 2027.
Q2: What is the theme of the 19th PBD Convention?
(a) Diaspora: Partners in Progress
(b) Return to Roots: Reigniting the Diaspora Connect with Bharat
(c) Apna Bharat Apna Gaurav
(d) Engaging Diaspora for Viksit Bharat
Answer and explanation: (b) The theme is 'Return to Roots: Reigniting the Diaspora Connect with Bharat'.
Q3: Pravasi Bharatiya Divas on 9 January commemorates which event?
(a) The first PBD convention, 2003
(b) Mahatma Gandhi's return from South Africa, 1915
(c) Adoption of the Indian Constitution
(d) The first Pravasi Bharatiya Samman
Answer and explanation: (b) Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa on 9 January 1915.
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