Janjatiya Gaurav Pakhwada 1–15 Nov 2026: nationwide celebration ending with Janjatiya Gaurav Divas on 15 Nov, Birsa Munda's birth anniversary

27 October 2026 · English Defence

Topics: Defence, Tribal Affairs, Transport & Welfare · 27 October 2026 Current Affairs (UPSC / TNPSC / SSC / RRB)

News

On 27 Oct 2026 the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs announced that 1–15 Nov 2026 will be observed as 'Janjatiya Gaurav Pakhwada' (Tribal Pride Fortnight) – a time-bound drive to speed up flagship programmes and spread awareness, culminating in 'Janjatiya Gaurav Divas' on 15 Nov, the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. Over 300 projects (228 inaugurations, 74 foundation stones) are planned. On 12 Nov about 200 Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) students will meet President Droupadi Murmu; 12–13 Nov – National Tribal Literary Festival (New Delhi); 14 Nov – Rani Durgavati Adivasi Mahila Sammelan (500 tribal women entrepreneurs from 30 States/UTs); 1–2 Nov – a conclave of about 1,500 traditional healers in Hyderabad. The 'Jan-HIT' health portal, built with ICMR, and a National FRA Digital Platform will be launched.

Key facts

Background

• History: Birsa Munda was born on 15 Nov 1875 at Ulihatu (now in Khunti district, Jharkhand) in the Munda tribe. He led the 'Ulgulan' (Great Tumult, 1899–1900) in Chotanagpur against the British, zamindars and moneylenders (dikus) and is revered as 'Dharti Aaba' (Father of the Earth). He died in Ranchi jail on 9 June 1900. The Chotanagpur Tenancy Act, 1908 followed.
• Janjatiya Gaurav Divas: observed on 15 Nov since 2021 to honour tribal freedom fighters. Jharkhand State was created on 15 Nov 2000, Birsa's birth anniversary. His 150th birth anniversary year (2024–25) was celebrated as 'Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh' – 28+ national events and 3.8 crore participants.
• Constitution: Article 342 – the President specifies the Scheduled Tribes; only a law of Parliament can change the list. Article 338A – National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (89th Amendment, 2003). Fifth Schedule – Art 244(1); Sixth Schedule – Art 244(2). The Ministry of Tribal Affairs became a separate ministry in October 1999.
• Schemes: PM-JANMAN – for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), launched at Khunti on 15 Nov 2023; 'Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan' (2024); EMRS schools; the 'Adi Karmayogi' mission. Rani Durgavati – Gond queen of Garha (Gondwana); she died fighting the Mughal army in 1564.

Tamil Nadu link: Tamil Nadu's Scheduled Tribe list has 37 entries (Narikoravan and Kurivikkaran were added in 2022); Census 2011 counted 7,94,697 tribal people (1.1% of the State's population). Six PVTGs – Toda, Kota, Kurumba, Irular, Paniyan, Kattunayakan. The State's Tribal Research Centre (TRC) was set up at Udhagamandalam in 1983–84 and has run a tribal museum since 1996. The Nilgiris, Jawadhu, Kalrayan, Kolli and Shevaroy hills are major tribal areas.

Source: PIB (Ministry of Tribal Affairs), 27 Oct 2026; Odisha Diary, Revoi, 27 Oct 2026; Tamil Nadu Adi Dravidar & Tribal Welfare Dept (TRC); UPSC Prelims 2020 (Ulgulan)

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