President Murmu presides over 36th convocation at RDV University Jabalpur
Synopsis
President Draupadi Murmu presided as chief guest at the 36th Convocation of Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya in Jabalpur on 21 June 2026, with the event announced by the Chief Minister's Office of Madhya Pradesh and live-streamed for wider public access.
Key Takeaways
The Chief Minister's Office of Madhya Pradesh announced the 36th Convocation of Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya, Jabalpur on 21 June 2026 .
President Draupadi Murmu attended as the chief guest, marking a high-level constitutional presence at the state university event.
President Murmu is the first person from a Scheduled Tribe community to hold the office of President of India, having assumed office in July 2022 .
Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya was established in 1956 as the University of Jabalpur and renamed in 1983 .
The convocation was live-streamed, extending access to graduating students, families, and the wider public.
The Chief Minister's Office of Madhya Pradesh announced on Sunday, 21 June 2026 that President Draupadi Murmu presided as chief guest over the 36th Convocation Ceremony of Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya (RDV University) in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh.
Context
The CMO's post, shared in Hindi, announced the convocation as being held 'राष्ट्रपति श्रीमती द्रौपदी मुर्मु के मुख्य आतिथ्य में' ('under the chief guest-ship of President Smt. Draupadi Murmu'). The ceremony was live-streamed, reflecting the university's effort to extend the event's reach beyond the physical venue in Jabalpur.
President Murmu, who assumed office in July 2022, is the first person from a Scheduled Tribe community to hold the office of President of India. Her participation in state-level university convocations underscores the ceremonial and constitutional linkage between Rashtrapati Bhavan and higher education institutions across the country.
Policy Backdrop
Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya was originally established as the University of Jabalpur in 1956 and was renamed in 1983 in honour of the 16th-century Gond queen Rani Durgavati, a figure of regional historical significance. It is one of the principal state universities in eastern Madhya Pradesh, serving students across Jabalpur and surrounding districts.
The practice of inviting the President or state Governor as chief guest at public university convocations is a long-standing tradition in Indian higher education, dating to the mid-20th century. Such events serve both a ceremonial function and a platform for policy messaging on education, research, and national priorities.
Stakeholders and Impact
The primary beneficiaries of the event are the graduating students of RDV University who received their degrees at the 36th Convocation, along with faculty members and academic staff. The presence of the President lends national visibility to a university that primarily serves students from eastern Madhya Pradesh.
Jabalpur, a major administrative and educational hub in the state, hosts several public universities and research institutions. Events of this nature reinforce the city's standing as a centre of higher education in the region, alongside Bhopal and Indore.
What's Next
Observers will watch for the full text or video recording of President Murmu's convocation address, which may include references to the implementation of the National Education Policy 2020 at Madhya Pradesh universities. Any policy directions or calls to action from the President's speech would be of particular interest to the state's academic community and education administrators.
The event continues Madhya Pradesh's pattern of hosting senior constitutional functionaries at major public universities, a practice that signals the state government's engagement with the central government on education matters.
Point of View
A signal that resonates particularly in regions with significant tribal populations such as eastern Madhya Pradesh. The Madhya Pradesh government's decision to publicise the event prominently reflects its interest in associating state institutions with national leadership. Observers will note whether the President's address touches on the National Education Policy 2020, which remains a key benchmark for state-level higher education reform.
NationPress
21 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the chief guest at the 36th convocation of Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya?
President Draupadi Murmu was the chief guest at the 36th Convocation of Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya in Jabalpur, as announced by the Chief Minister's Office of Madhya Pradesh.
When was the 36th convocation of RDV University Jabalpur held?
The 36th Convocation of Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya was held on 21 June 2026, according to the announcement by the Chief Minister's Office of Madhya Pradesh.
What is Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya and where is it located?
Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya is a state university located in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. It was established in 1956 as the University of Jabalpur and renamed in 1983 after the 16th-century Gond queen Rani Durgavati.
Is Draupadi Murmu the first tribal President of India?
Yes, President Draupadi Murmu, who assumed office in July 2022, is the first person from a Scheduled Tribe community to hold the office of President of India.
Why does the President of India attend university convocations?
The President attending state university convocations is a long-standing constitutional tradition in India, linking Rashtrapati Bhavan with public higher education institutions and providing a platform for national-level messaging on education policy.
