The two-day PESA Mahotsav (23–24 December 2025) concluded at Visakhapatnam through a video message on the occasion of PESA Day (24 December 2025). 

The Mahotsav witnessed enthusiastic participation of Panchayat representatives, sportspersons, artisans, craftsmen and cultural artists from tribal communities across all ten PESA States.

These states were  Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan and Telangana. 

Participants showcased their talents in sports events such as Kabaddi, Archery, PESA Run and tribal demo games, along with exhibitions of tribal food, crafts, art, culture, dance and traditions, providing a vibrant national platform to tribal heritage.

The second day of the Mahotsav, coinciding with PESA Day, witnessed the launch of several key initiatives, including the PESA Portal, PESA Indicators, training modules on PESA in tribal languages, and the E-book on Kinnaur District of Himachal Pradesh. 

These were jointly unveiled by Shri Vivek Bharadwaj and Shri Shashi Bhushan Kumar in the presence of senior officials of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the Government of Andhra Pradesh. These initiatives mark an important step towards institutional strengthening, monitoring and capacity building for effective PESA implementation across States.

A rich cultural programme showcased India’s diverse tribal and folk heritage, including Kuchipudi classical dance of Andhra Pradesh and State-wise performances such as Gussadi (Telangana), Gavari (Rajasthan), Dhemsa (Odisha) and folk dances from Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh. Selected tribal demo games were also presented, followed by felicitation of participating teams.

The valedictory session saw the distribution of prizes to winners of the PESA Run, Kabaddi and Archery competitions, along with certificates and mementos to participants of tribal demo games. In a symbolic gesture, the PESA Mahotsav Baton was handed over to Chhattisgarh, marking it as the next host State.

In the PESA Run (Men’s category), Shri Atul Chidhade (Maharashtra) secured first place, followed by Shri Suraj Mashi and Shri Manoj Hillin (both from Maharashtra). In the Women’s category, Ms. Raj Kumari (Rajasthan) won first place, followed by Ms. Hira Sanga (Jharkhand) and Ms. Priya (Himachal Pradesh).

In Women’s Archery, Ms. Khushi Nanoma (Rajasthan) won the Gold Medal, Ms. Anuradha Kumari (Jharkhand) the Silver, and Ms. Ambika (Odisha) the Bronze.

In Men’s Archery, Shri Krishna Pingua (Jharkhand) won Gold, Shri Badrilal Meena (Rajasthan) Silver, and Shri Dinesh Murmu (Jharkhand) Bronze.

In the Kabaddi competitions held on 23 December 2025, Madhya Pradesh emerged victory in the Men’s category, while Jharkhand secured victory in the Women’s category at the Visakhapatnam Port Authority Indoor Stadium.

PESA Day is being observed across all ten PESA States with people’s participation through Gram Sabhas, in accordance with the constitutional mandate of the PESA Act. On the occasion, the Chief Ministers of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Odisha conveyed their greetings through video messages. Members of Parliament from the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, along with Panchayat representatives, also appreciated the PESA Mahotsav as an initiative that deepens people’s participation, reinforces grassroots self-governance and celebrates the occasion as a lok utsav rooted in lok sanskriti.

The two-day PESA Mahotsav, organised on 23–24 December 2025 at Visakhapatnam Port Authority Stadium, ended on the occasion of PESA Diwas, reaffirming the commitment towards effective implementation of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, and strengthening grassroots self-governance in Scheduled Areas.