President Droupadi Murmu is set to interact with students and teachers from government schools across India at Rashtrapati Bhavan on August 28, 2026, as part of the Raksha Bandhan celebrations. The programme will bring together school students from different regions and backgrounds for an interaction with the President of India. The Ministry of Education has announced the programme and described it as an occasion to celebrate the values of affection, care and togetherness associated with Raksha Bandhan.
President to interact with students and teachers
According to the Ministry of Education, the interaction will involve students and teachers from government schools across the country. The programme is intended to provide young students with an opportunity to meet the President at Rashtrapati Bhavan and participate in an interaction centred on the broader values represented by Raksha Bandhan.
Students from several states have already shared their excitement about the upcoming meeting. The event is expected to bring together children from different educational and regional backgrounds, providing an opportunity to highlight India's diversity and the importance of national unity.
Focus on affection and togetherness
Raksha Bandhan is traditionally associated with the bond between brothers and sisters. However, the programme at Rashtrapati Bhavan is being presented in a broader context of affection, care and togetherness.
The Ministry of Education said the interaction will bring together young minds from diverse backgrounds in the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. The initiative therefore goes beyond the festival itself and focuses on the values of social harmony, mutual respect and unity among young citizens.
Students from different parts of India
The participation of government school students from different parts of the country is significant because government schools serve children from a wide range of social and geographical backgrounds.
An interaction with the President can give students an opportunity to share their experiences, understand the functioning of the country's highest constitutional office and gain exposure to national institutions.
The event also provides a platform for students and teachers to interact outside their usual educational environment. Such programmes can help students develop greater awareness of India's cultural diversity and the responsibilities associated with citizenship.
Similar programme held in 2025
The proposed 2026 programme follows a similar Raksha Bandhan interaction held by President Murmu in 2025. On August 9, 2025, the President met students from diverse educational institutions at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The 2025 participants included students from government schools, Kendriya Vidyalayas, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas and Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas, along with Children with Special Needs from different states and Union Territories.
During that interaction, the President highlighted the cultural diversity of India and the spirit of unity. She also spoke about Raksha Bandhan as a bond of love that can extend beyond traditional family relationships and include care for elders, peers and the environment.
Importance for government school students
For many participating students, the August 28 programme will offer an opportunity to visit Rashtrapati Bhavan and meet the President in person.
Such interactions can have an educational value beyond classroom learning. Students can gain exposure to national institutions and understand the importance of public service and constitutional responsibilities.
Teachers participating in the programme will also have an opportunity to represent government schools and interact in a national-level setting.
Raksha Bandhan 2026
Raksha Bandhan will be observed on August 28, 2026, according to current festival calendars and reports. The date has attracted some discussion because the relevant lunar period spans two calendar dates this year.
The President's programme is therefore scheduled around the festival and is expected to combine its traditional message of affection and care with a wider emphasis on unity and togetherness.
Spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat
The Ministry of Education has linked the interaction with the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. The idea focuses on strengthening connections between people from different parts of India and encouraging greater appreciation of the country's linguistic, cultural and regional diversity.
Bringing students from government schools across different regions together with the President provides a national platform for that message.
The programme also underlines the importance of giving students opportunities to participate in activities connected with national institutions. Such experiences can encourage curiosity, confidence and a stronger understanding of India's democratic and constitutional framework.
What to expect from the programme
The August 28 interaction is expected to focus primarily on students, teachers and the values associated with Raksha Bandhan. Details regarding the complete schedule and participating schools may be announced through official channels.
The programme is part of the President's broader engagement with students and educational institutions. President Murmu has previously interacted with students from different parts of the country and educational backgrounds at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The upcoming event is therefore expected to continue that engagement by bringing government school students and teachers together during an important Indian festival.
The interaction at Rashtrapati Bhavan will provide participating students with a memorable educational experience while highlighting themes of affection, care, unity and national integration.