President Droupadi Murmu visited Sikkim in May 2026 to join the celebrations commemorating the golden jubilee of the state’s integration with the Indian Union. During her three-day visit, she inaugurated several key developmental projects, flagged off citizen-centric transport initiatives, and recognized the state’s police force with its highest ceremonial honor. The visit emphasized the strategic, cultural, and ecological integration of the Himalayan state into the national mainstream.
Celebrating 50 Years of Sikkim’s Statehood
Sikkim commemorated the golden jubilee of its statehood, marking 50 years since it officially joined the Indian Union in 1975. Historically, the Himalayan region was governed as an Indian protectorate under the Indo-Sikkim Treaty of 1950, with the Chogyal dynasty managing internal matters. Following popular democratic movements, the Indian Parliament passed the 35th Constitutional Amendment Act in 1974, which designated Sikkim as an associate state. Shortly after, a referendum in April 1975 saw over 97 percent of the electorate voting to dissolve the monarchy and integrate fully with India. This culminated in the passage of the 36th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1975, which established Sikkim as the 22nd state of the country, effective from April 26, 1975. To protect the unique cultural identity, administrative customs, and socio-political rights of the local population, Article 371F was inserted into the Constitution of India.
President’s Police Colour Conferred on Sikkim Police
During a ceremonial parade at Palzor Stadium in Gangtok, the President presented the President’s Police Colour to the Sikkim Police. This award is the highest ceremonial honor that can be bestowed upon any police force in India. It recognizes decades of exceptional service, professional integrity, and dedication to maintaining peace and security. With this presentation, Sikkim became the 15th state in the nation and the third in the Northeast region, following Assam and Tripura, to receive this award. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs had approved this distinction for the state’s police force on January 16, 2026.
Flagging Off the ‘Pink City Runners’ Initiative
To enhance gender-inclusive public infrastructure, the President flagged off the ‘Pink City Runners’ transport service at Ridge Park in Gangtok. Also known as the Aama-Didi-Bahini Bus Sewa, this initiative consists of a dedicated fleet of public transit vehicles operated entirely by female drivers and conductors. The service offers a secure, reliable, and comfortable commuting experience exclusively for women. To encourage widespread adoption and reduce the financial burden on students and working women, the state government has instituted a 50 percent fare subsidy for all passengers using this service.
Educational and Cultural Engagements
The President participated in several key events designed to promote Sikkim’s cultural heritage and educational progress. At Manan Bhavan in Gangtok, she attended the 7th Convocation of Sikkim University as the Chief Guest. During her address, she commended the state for its developmental achievements, specifically highlighting Sikkim’s status as India’s first fully organic state. The convocation saw the conferment of 13,782 degrees to students across undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs, with a significant majority of the top merit medals awarded to female graduates.
Additionally, she toured the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, established in 1958 to research Tibetan language, history, and Mahayana Buddhism. She also visited the Swarna Jayanti Maitreya Manjari Orchidarium at Ridge Park, a climate-controlled greenhouse facility built to preserve and showcase Sikkim’s unique floral biodiversity, including native orchid species.
Historic Border Visit to Nathu La
The President visited the strategically significant Nathu La Pass, situated at the India-China border in East Sikkim. Situated at an altitude of over 14,000 feet, this high-altitude pass serves as one of the designated border personnel meeting points between the Indian Army and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army. During her tour of the forward post, the President, who serves as the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces, interacted with the deployed troops and commended their dedication to protecting the territorial integrity of the nation under challenging weather conditions.
Key Takeaways
- Sikkim commemorated the Golden Jubilee of its statehood, celebrating 50 years since its integration with the Indian Union as the 22nd state on April 26, 1975, under the 36th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1975.
- Article 371F of the Constitution of India contains special provisions that protect Sikkim’s local laws, customs, and political representation.
- The Sikkim Police became the 15th state police force in India, and the third in the Northeast, to receive the prestigious President’s Police Colour honor.
- The ‘Pink City Runners’ (locally known as the Aama-Didi-Bahini Bus Sewa) is an all-women operated public transport fleet featuring a 50 percent fare subsidy for female commuters.
- Established in 1958 in Gangtok, the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology is a renowned autonomous center for researching Tibetan culture and Mahayana Buddhism.
- Nathu La Pass, situated at an altitude of over 14,000 feet, functions as one of the active border personnel meeting points along the India-China border in East Sikkim.
