Nationwide commemoration of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule's 200th birth anniversary begins
The Government launched the nationwide commemoration of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule's 200th birth anniversary on 11 April 2026, with floral tributes at Prerna Sthal in the Parliament House Complex offered for the first time.
Summary
The Government of India began the nationwide commemoration of the 200th birth anniversary of social reformer Mahatma Jyotiba Phule (1827â1890) on 11 April 2026. The Ministry of Culture said the commemoration runs for two years, from 11 April 2026 to 11 April 2028, and was approved on 6 April 2026 by the National Implementation Committee chaired by the Union Home Minister; a 126-member High-Level Committee chaired by the Prime Minister will guide it. For the first time, floral tributes to Phule were offered inside the Parliament premises, at Prerna Sthal, led by President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The launch programme 'Phule Across India' was held at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi, with the Dr. Ambedkar Foundation of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment as nodal agency. Prime Minister Modi had announced the celebrations in his Independence Day speech of 15 August 2025.
Key facts
- Reformer
- Mahatma Jyotiba Phule (1827â1890)
- Launched
- 11 April 2026; two-year commemoration to 11 April 2028 (Ministry of Culture)
- Approval
- National Implementation Committee (chair: Home Minister), 6 April 2026
- Guidance
- High-Level Committee of 126 members chaired by the PM
- First
- Floral tributes at Prerna Sthal, Parliament House Complex
- Nodal agency
- Dr. Ambedkar Foundation, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Practice MCQs 4 questions
The 200th birth anniversary commemoration that began on 11 April 2026 honours which social reformer?
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Correct answer: A â Mahatma Jyotiba Phule
The commemoration marks the 200th birth anniversary of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule (1827â1890).
Where were floral tributes to Mahatma Jyotiba Phule offered for the first time within Parliament premises on 11 April 2026?
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Correct answer: B â Prerna Sthal
For the first time, floral tributes were offered at Prerna Sthal in the Parliament House Complex.
Consider the following statements about the Phule 200th birth anniversary commemoration: 1. It is guided by a High-Level Committee chaired by the Prime Minister. 2. It was approved by a National Implementation Committee chaired by the Union Home Minister. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C â Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: a 126-member High-Level Committee chaired by the PM guides it, and the NIC chaired by the Home Minister approved it on 6 April 2026.
Which organisation is the nodal agency for the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule 200th birth anniversary commemorative initiative?
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Correct answer: D â Dr. Ambedkar Foundation
The Dr. Ambedkar Foundation, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, is the nodal agency, with activities anchored at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre.