CM Mohan Yadav to Attend RDU 36th Convocation in Jabalpur
Synopsis
Madhya Pradesh CM Dr. Mohan Yadav will join President Draupadi Murmu at the 36th convocation of Rani Durgavati University in Jabalpur on 21 June 2026, highlighting state focus on higher education reform under NEP 2020.
Key Takeaways
Mohan Yadav , Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, announced his participation in the 36th convocation of Rani Durgavati University in Jabalpur .
President Draupadi Murmu will preside over the convocation ceremony, lending it the highest constitutional significance.
Rani Durgavati University was established in 1956 and renamed in 1983 ; it serves as a key institution for higher education in eastern Madhya Pradesh.
The event is set in Jabalpur , known as Sanskardhani , on 21 June 2026 .
Madhya Pradesh adopted the National Education Policy 2020 in 2021 , prompting curriculum and examination reforms at state universities including Rani Durgavati.
Presidential participation in state university convocations reflects ongoing federal coordination on higher education access and quality.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav announced on Sunday, 21 June 2026 that he would participate in the 36th convocation of Rani Durgavati University in Jabalpur, graced by the presence of President Draupadi Murmu. The event is being held in Jabalpur, historically referred to as Sanskardhani (the city of culture and values), underscoring the occasion's ceremonial significance.
Context
In his post, Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav wrote that he would attend the convocation 'aadaraniya Rashtrapati Shrimati Draupadi Murmu ji ki garimamay upasthiti mein' — meaning 'in the dignified presence of the honourable President Smt. Draupadi Murmu.' The announcement signals the state government's emphasis on elevating the profile of public university convocations by ensuring both the Chief Minister and the President are present at the same ceremony.
Rani Durgavati University, established in 1956 and renamed in 1983 after the legendary Gond queen, is one of Madhya Pradesh's oldest state universities and a central institution for higher education in the Mahakoshal region of eastern Madhya Pradesh.
Policy Backdrop
The convocation comes at a significant moment for higher education in Madhya Pradesh. The state adopted the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in 2021, directing universities including Rani Durgavati to overhaul curricula, credit frameworks, and examination systems. Convocation ceremonies have since taken on added symbolism as institutions mark their transition to NEP-aligned undergraduate programmes.
President Draupadi Murmu, who assumed office in July 2022 as the first person from a tribal community to hold the post, has been an active participant in university convocations across India, frequently using such platforms to speak on education access, skill development, and the aspirations of first-generation learners.
Stakeholders and Impact
The primary beneficiaries of the event are graduating students of Rani Durgavati University, who receive their degrees in the presence of the country's highest constitutional authority. For the broader student and academic community in Jabalpur and the surrounding Mahakoshal belt, a presidential visit to a state university convocation is a rare and significant occasion.
State chief ministers routinely attend university convocations alongside the President to reinforce federal coordination on higher education policy. Dr. Mohan Yadav's participation also reflects the Madhya Pradesh government's stated focus on strengthening public universities as part of its education reform agenda under NEP implementation.
What's Next
Attention will now turn to any policy announcements or directives that may emerge from the convocation address, particularly regarding the rollout of revised undergraduate programmes under NEP across Madhya Pradesh's public universities. Presidential engagements of this nature often set the tone for state-level education priorities in the months that follow.
Point of View
Co-hosting the President at a Jabalpur institution reinforces his government's positioning on education as a governance priority. The choice of Rani Durgavati University — named after a Gond queen and located in the tribal-influenced Mahakoshal belt — also carries political resonance given President Murmu's own identity as India's first tribal head of state. Together, these signals suggest that Madhya Pradesh is keen to project its public universities as reform-ready under the NEP framework.
NationPress
21 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 36th convocation of Rani Durgavati University?
The 36th convocation of Rani Durgavati University is the annual degree-conferring ceremony held at the state university in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, where graduating students formally receive their degrees.
Why is President Draupadi Murmu attending the Jabalpur convocation?
President Draupadi Murmu is attending as the chief guest, lending the highest constitutional presence to the convocation of Rani Durgavati University on 21 June 2026.
Where is Rani Durgavati University located?
Rani Durgavati University is located in Jabalpur, a major city in eastern Madhya Pradesh, and was established in 1956 before being renamed in 1983.
What is the National Education Policy 2020 and how does it affect Madhya Pradesh universities?
The National Education Policy 2020 is a central government framework for overhauling India's education system; Madhya Pradesh adopted it in 2021, directing state universities including Rani Durgavati to update their curricula and examination systems.
Who is Dr. Mohan Yadav?
Dr. Mohan Yadav is the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh and a BJP leader who assumed office in December 2023.
