- The website for the 19th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention (pbdindia.gov.in) was jointly launched by the Hon’ble External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, and the Chief Minister of West Bengal, Shri Suvendu Adhikari, at New Delhi on November 11, 2026. The 19th PBD Convention will be held in Kolkata, West Bengal, from January 7–9, 2027, in partnership with the Government of West Bengal.
The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention is a flagship event of the Government of India and provides an important platform for engaging with the Indian diaspora across the world. Celebrated annually on January 9, Pravasi Bharatiya Divas commemorates the return of Mahatma Gandhi to India from South Africa on January 9, 1915. The 19th PBD Convention will bring together members of the Indian diaspora from across the globe to celebrate their achievements, strengthen their ties with India and explore avenues for their continued engagement in and contribution to the country’s growth and development.
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- The theme of the 19th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention, ‘Return to Roots: Reigniting the Diaspora Connect with Bharat’, celebrates the deep-rooted civilisational, cultural and emotional bonds of the Indian diaspora with their motherland and seeks to further strengthen these enduring connections. It also aims to create meaningful opportunities for the next generation of overseas Indians to rediscover their roots, reconnect with Bharat and deepen their engagement with contemporary India.
- The three-day Convention will commence with the Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, will inaugurate the Convention. Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, will preside over the Valedictory Session and confer the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards. The awards recognise the exceptional contributions of the members of the Indian diaspora in their respective fields and their role in strengthening India’s engagement with the global community.
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Along with the PBD website, a PBD Special Bharat Ko Janiye (BKJ) Quiz was also launched. The revamped Quiz leverages the latest gaming technology to expand its reach among the diaspora and foreigners, connecting participants with India’s heritage, culture, art and contemporary achievements. The BKJ Quiz is available on the BharatVerse App and website (www.bkjquiz.com), an “always-on 24×7” digital public diplomacy platform featuring interactive modules such as quizzes, puzzles, crosswords, word search, guessing games and more. The PBD Special Quiz will run from November 11 to December 20, 2026. Winners across three categories – Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), People of Indian Origin (PIOs) and Foreigners – will be invited for a 10-day immersive tour of India and will also participate in the PBD celebrations in Kolkata.
The launch of the PBD website (pbdindia.gov.in) marks the commencement of online registrations for participation in the Convention. The website will serve as a comprehensive information and facilitation platform for prospective participants, providing details of the Convention, its programme, registration procedures, accommodation, logistics and other relevant arrangements to facilitate their participation.
