National Tribal Literary Festival Begins in New Delhi

The National Tribal Literary Festival commenced on November 12, 2026, at Silver Oak, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. The two-day event, organised by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, will conclude on November 13.

Festival programme and objectives

Held as part of the Janjatiya Gaurav Divas 2026 celebrations, the festival commemorates the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. It aims to celebrate India’s tribal literary traditions, promote indigenous languages and oral narratives, and recognise tribal writers, poets, storytellers and knowledge holders. The programme includes thematic sessions on tribal literature, poetry, folklore and storytelling, bringing together writers, scholars and practitioners from various tribal languages. The festival aligns with the Prime Minister’s Viksit Bharat@2047 vision, which emphasises the knowledge, languages and cultural contributions of tribal communities.

Participants and related events

The inaugural session was expected to be attended by Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram, Minister of State Durgadas Uikey, NITI Aayog Member Joram Aniya, Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti Chairman Chamu Krishna Shastri and Tribal Affairs Secretary Ranjana Chopra. Separately, about 200 students from Eklavya Model Residential Schools were scheduled to interact with the President at Rashtrapati Bhavan on November 12 as part of the broader Janjatiya Gaurav Pakhwada.

Important Facts for Exams

• Cultural-language remit: The Ministry of Tribal Affairs lists preservation of tribal culture and languages among its responsibilities.
• Nodal coordination: The Ministry of Tribal Affairs coordinates overall policy and planning for development programmes serving Scheduled Tribes.
• Janjatiya Gaurav Divas: The Union Cabinet designated 15 November, Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary, as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas in 2021.