---
title: "Pravasi Bharatiya Divas: India's Diaspora Day"
description: "Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is India's diaspora engagement day held on 9 January, marking Gandhi's 1915 return. See its origin, format, and role in soft power."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/pravasi-bharatiya-divas"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is India's official day, observed on 9 January, to honour the contribution of the overseas Indian community to national development.
- Why is Pravasi Bharatiya Divas observed on 9 January?
- How does PBD differ from Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI)?
- What is the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is India's official day, observed on 9 January, to honour the contribution of the overseas Indian community to national development.

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## Timeline

1. 11 January 2003

   Acting on that report, the Ministry of External Affairs instituted PBD, with the first convention held in New Delhi on 9–.

2. 23 January 2019

   Among named contemporary instances, the 16th PBD Convention was held in Varanasi from 21–, deliberately timed so delegates could proceed to the Kumbh Mela at…

3. 10 January 2023

   The 17th edition convened in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, from 8–, after the 2021 edition was held virtually owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, on the theme "Diaspor…

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India held the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, from 8–10 January 2023, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating the event on the theme of the diaspora as partners in India's progress.

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