Pravasi Bharatiya Express: Connecting the Indian Diaspora with Cultural Roots

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Pravasi Bharatiya Express, a luxurious tourist train tailored for the Indian diaspora, on January 9, 2025, in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The launch commemorates the 110th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s return to India from South Africa on this historic date in 1915.

Developed under the Pravasi Teerth Darshan Yojana (PTDY), the train offers a fully sponsored tour designed to reconnect Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) with India’s cultural and religious heritage.

Highlights of the Pravasi Bharatiya Express

Launch Date: January 9, 2025
Inaugurated By: Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Objective: To strengthen ties between the Indian diaspora and their cultural and religious roots
Initiative By: Ministry of External Affairs, in partnership with IRCTC

Eligibility for Travelers

Open exclusively to Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) aged 45-65 years.
Priority is given to PIOs from low-income backgrounds who may not otherwise afford a visit to India.

Government Support for Travelers

The Indian government will cover all expenses for the train tour.
Additionally, it will subsidize 90% of the return airfare from the PIOs’ country of origin to India, requiring travelers to pay only 10%.

Tour Details

Duration: 14 nights and 15 days (a total of 17 days, including pre-and post-tour stays).
Starting Point: Delhi Safdarjung Railway Station.
Tour Scope: A fully guided journey across multiple culturally and religiously significant destinations in India.

The Pravasi Bharatiya Express is a tribute to the Indian diaspora, offering them a unique opportunity to explore their ancestral homeland and strengthen their connection with India’s rich heritage.

India’s First Mining Tourism Project

India’s First Mining Tourism has officially begun in Jharkhand, setting a national benchmark in promoting eco-tourism, industrial heritage, and educational experiences through guided mine to

Vice President Election 2025 Begin

The Vice President Election in India has become a major topic of discussion in 2025 after the resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar before completing his term. For SSC aspirants, understanding the Vice

Bills of Lading Bill 2025

The New Shipping Law India, officially titled the Bills of Lading Bill, 2025, was recently passed by the Indian Parliament. This law replaces the outdated Indian Bill of Lading Act of 1856, aiming

2 Lakh Join LIC Women Agent Scheme 2025

The LIC Women Agent Scheme is a flagship initiative launched by the Government of India on December 9, 2024, in collaboration with the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC). This scheme is designed to

ICMR Malaria Vaccine for India’s Health

The ICMR malaria vaccine initiative marks a breakthrough in India’s mission to eliminate malaria by 2030. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has announced the commercialisation of

$3.2B Satellite Project Indian Defence

In a major strategic development, the Government of India is rapidly strengthening its Indian defence space programme to enhance real-time surveillance and military readiness. This move was pr

India's Nuclear-Capable Missile Tested

India's nuclear-capable missile development has once again come into the spotlight with the successful test-firings of Prithvi-II and Agni-I ballistic missiles, along with the high-altitude tr

New Workplace Wellness Programs 2025

In a pioneering move to promote workplace wellness programs, the Department of Legal Affairs under the Ministry of Law and Justice has launched Mahila Aarogyam Kaksh, a dedicated fitness and welln

OEMs in India Automotive Sector Growth

The automotive industry is one of India’s most crucial economic sectors, and OEMs in the Indian automotive sector are at the heart of its transformation. With the launch of the Automotive Mi

Aerosol Pollution in Indian Cities

Aerosol Pollution in Indian Cities is a growing concern due to rapid urbanization, increasing vehicular traffic, and industrial development. A recent long-term study (2003–2020) by researche