🌑Knowledge Drop – 89: Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) and the Role of the Indian Diaspora
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Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) and the Role of the Indian Diaspora
GS-2 | International Relations
Post Date: 11-Jan-2026
đź“Ť Context
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is celebrated once every two years on 9th January.
- The 18th edition was held in 2025
- The 19th edition is expected in 2027
🪔 About Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is a flagship event of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) that recognises and honours the contributions of the Indian diaspora to India’s development and global standing.
- January 9 commemorates the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa to India in 1915, marking the return of the greatest Pravasi to lead India’s freedom struggle.
- The PBD Convention was first organised in 2003.
- Since 2015, PBD has been observed as a biennial event, with theme-based diaspora conferences held in the intervening years.
🌍 Indian Diaspora: An Overview
The Indian diaspora includes:
- Non-Resident Indians (NRIs)
- Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) living abroad temporarily or permanently
As per MEA (2024):
- Total Indian diaspora: ~35.42 million
- NRIs: 15.85 million
- PIOs: 19.57 million
Top 5 countries hosting Indian diaspora:
- USA: 5.4 million
- UAE: 3.6 million
- Malaysia: 2.9 million
- Canada: 2.8 million
- Saudi Arabia: 2.4 million
According to the UN World Migration Report 2024, India is the largest source country of international migrants, with nearly 18 million migrants worldwide.
đź’ˇ Importance of the Indian Diaspora
1. Remittances
- India received $129.1 billion in remittances in 2024
- India’s share of global remittances in 2025: 14.3% (highest globally)
- Major contributor to foreign exchange reserves and rural household incomes
2. Investment & Trade
- NRIs and PIOs invest in:
- Real estate
- Start-ups
- Infrastructure
- Act as trade and investment bridges between India and host countries
3. Technology & Innovation
- Indian professionals in Silicon Valley, academia, and global corporations enable:
- Knowledge transfer
- Mentorship
- Innovation linkages
4. Cultural Ambassadors
- Promote Indian languages, yoga, cuisine, cinema, festivals, and soft power
5. Policy Advocacy
- Diaspora groups influence host-country policies in India’s favour
6. Citizen Diplomacy
- Help manage bilateral tensions and counter negative media narratives
7. Global Recognition
- Diaspora achievements enhance India’s image as a talent-rich nation
⚠️ Challenges Faced by the Indian Diaspora
- No Dual Citizenship: Limits political rights and emotional bonding
- Racism & Xenophobia: Increasing attacks in USA, UK, Australia, South Africa
- Immigration Uncertainty: Restrictive visa regimes and deportations
- Exploitation of Low-Wage Workers: Particularly in Gulf countries
- Identity Crisis: Cultural alienation among second-generation diaspora
- Anti-Immigrant Sentiment: During economic downturns and political polarisation
🏛️ Government Initiatives to Engage the Diaspora
- Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) Card
- Lifelong visa-free entry
- Property rights (excluding agriculture)
- Economic parity (except political rights)
- Know India Programme (KIP)
- Orientation programme for diaspora youth (21–35 years)
- Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR)
- Cultural diplomacy, academic chairs, exchanges
- e-Migrate System
- Protects overseas workers through contract monitoring and grievance redressal
- Bharatiya Pravasi Samman Award
- Highest civilian honour for diaspora contributions
- MADAD Portal
- Online consular grievance redressal platform
- VAJRA Scheme
- Engages Indian-origin scientists abroad in advanced research
- Global Pravasi Rishta Portal & App
- Digital engagement platform linking diaspora with Indian missions
🪶 IAS Monk Whisper
When citizens cross borders, nations expand without conquest.
Target IAS-2026+: Highly Expected Prelims MCQs :
đź“Ś Prelims Practice MCQs
Topic: Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) and the Role of the Indian Diaspora
MCQ 1 | TYPE 1 — How Many Statements Are Correct?
Consider the following statements regarding Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD):
1)Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is celebrated every year on 9th January.
2)It commemorates Mahatma Gandhi’s return to India from South Africa in 1915.
3)It is the flagship diaspora engagement event of the Ministry of External Affairs.
4)Since 2015, Pravasi Bharatiya Divas has been organised as a biennial event.
How many of the above statements are correct?
A)Only one
B)Only two
C)Only three
D)All four
🌀 Didn’t get it? Click here (▸) for the Correct Answer & Explanation.
đźź© Correct Answer: C) Only three
🧠Explanation:
1)❌ False – PBD is celebrated once in two years, not annually.
2)✅ True – January 9 marks Gandhi’s return in 1915.
3)✅ True – It is MEA’s flagship diaspora event.
4)✅ True – It became biennial from 2015.
MCQ 2 | TYPE 2 — Two-Statement Type
Consider the following statements:
Statement I: India is the largest source country of international migrants in the world.
Statement II: The Indian diaspora consists only of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs).
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A)Only Statement I is correct
B)Only Statement II is correct
C)Both statements are correct
D)Neither statement is correct
🌀 Didn’t get it? Click here (▸) for the Correct Answer & Explanation.
đźź© Correct Answer: A) Only Statement I is correct
🧠Explanation:
Statement I: ✅ Correct – India has nearly 18 million international migrants (UN World Migration Report 2024).
Statement II: ❌ Incorrect – The diaspora includes NRIs and PIOs.
MCQ 3 | TYPE 3 — Code-Based Statement Selection
With reference to the importance of the Indian diaspora, consider the following:
1)Contribution to foreign exchange reserves through remittances
2)Facilitation of trade and investment linkages
3)Promotion of India’s cultural soft power
4)Guaranteed political representation in India
Which of the above are correct?
A)1, 2 and 3 only
B)1 and 2 only
C)2, 3 and 4 only
D)1, 2, 3 and 4
🌀 Didn’t get it? Click here (▸) for the Correct Answer & Explanation.
đźź© Correct Answer: A) 1, 2 and 3 only
🧠Explanation:
1)✅ True – India received $129.1 billion in remittances in 2024.
2)✅ True – Diaspora acts as trade and investment bridges.
3)✅ True – Promotes Indian culture and soft power globally.
4)❌ False – India does not allow dual citizenship or political rights.
MCQ 4 | TYPE 4 — Direct Factual Question
Which of the following is the highest honour conferred by the Government of India on members of the Indian diaspora?
A)Overseas Citizenship of India Card
B)Know India Programme
C)Bharatiya Pravasi Samman Award
D)Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Fellowship
🌀 Didn’t get it? Click here (▸) for the Correct Answer & Explanation.
đźź© Correct Answer: C) Bharatiya Pravasi Samman Award
🧠Explanation:
The Bharatiya Pravasi Samman Award is the highest recognition given to eminent members of the Indian diaspora.
MCQ 5 | TYPE 5 — UPSC 2025 Linkage Reasoning Format (I, II, III)
Consider the following statements:
Statement I:
The Indian diaspora plays an increasingly strategic role in India’s foreign policy.
Statement II:
Diaspora communities influence host-country policies, promote India’s soft power, and facilitate economic linkages.
Statement III:
The Government of India has institutionalised multiple platforms to engage and protect overseas Indians.
Which one of the following is correct?
A)Both Statements II and III are correct and both explain Statement I
B)Both Statements II and III are correct but only one explains Statement I
C)Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I
D)Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct
🌀 Didn’t get it? Click here (▸) for the Correct Answer & Explanation.
đźź© Correct Answer: A) Both Statements II and III are correct and both explain Statement I
🧠Explanation:
Statement II: ✅ Correct – Economic, cultural, and policy influence explains diaspora’s strategic role.
Statement III: ✅ Correct – OCI, MADAD, KIP, VAJRA, ICCR institutionalise engagement.
Linkage: Both together explain why diaspora is central to India’s foreign policy.
🪶 IAS Monk Whisper
When people carry a nation in their memory, diplomacy travels without passports.
đź“— KD-89 Prelims Booster Notes
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) and the Indian Diaspora
GS-2 | International Relations
🔹 Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD)
- Celebrated once every two years on 9 January
- 18th edition: 2025 | 19th edition: expected in 2027
- Flagship diaspora engagement event of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)
- January 9 marks Mahatma Gandhi’s return to India (1915) from South Africa
- Initiated in 2003
- Since 2015, observed as a biennial event with theme-based conferences in between
🌍 Indian Diaspora: Key Facts
- Includes NRIs and PIOs living abroad temporarily or permanently
- Total diaspora (MEA, 2024): ~35.42 million
- NRIs: 15.85 million
- PIOs: 19.57 million
Top 5 host countries:
- USA – 5.4 million
- UAE – 3.6 million
- Malaysia – 2.9 million
- Canada – 2.8 million
- Saudi Arabia – 2.4 million
- India is the largest source country of international migrants
- ~18 million migrants (UN World Migration Report 2024)
đź’° Importance of the Indian Diaspora
Remittances
- $129.1 billion remittances in 2024 (highest globally)
- India’s share of global remittances (2025): 14.3%
- Supports forex reserves and rural household incomes
Economic & Trade Linkages
- Investments in real estate, start-ups, infrastructure
- Act as trade and investment bridges
Technology & Innovation
- Knowledge transfer from Silicon Valley, academia, global firms
- Mentorship and innovation networks
Soft Power & Culture
- Promote yoga, language, cuisine, cinema, festivals
Foreign Policy & Diplomacy
- Policy advocacy in host countries
- Citizen diplomacy during bilateral tensions
- Enhance India’s global image
⚠️ Challenges Faced by the Diaspora
- No dual citizenship → limited political rights
- Racism & xenophobia in several host countries
- Immigration uncertainties and visa restrictions
- Exploitation of low-wage workers, especially in Gulf nations
- Identity crisis among second-generation diaspora
- Rising anti-immigrant sentiment globally
🏛️ Government Initiatives
- OCI Card
- Lifelong visa-free entry
- Property rights (excluding agriculture)
- Economic parity (no political rights)
- Know India Programme (KIP)
- Orientation for diaspora youth (21–35 yrs)
- ICCR
- Cultural diplomacy, academic chairs, exchanges
- e-Migrate System
- Recruitment regulation and worker protection
- Bharatiya Pravasi Samman Award
- Highest honour for diaspora contributions
- MADAD Portal
- Online grievance redressal for Indians abroad
- VAJRA Scheme
- Engages Indian-origin scientists in Indian research
- Global Pravasi Rishta Portal & App
- Digital outreach and registration platform
🪶 IAS Monk Whisper
A nation grows quietly when its people succeed loudly abroad.