Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas, the day that honours the contribution of overseas Indians and marks the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa, is observed on which date each year?

Introduction / Context:
Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas is an important commemorative day in India that celebrates the contribution of the Indian diaspora to the development of the country. The date chosen has deep historical significance because it is linked to the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa, an event that eventually changed the course of India's freedom movement. Many general knowledge questions ask candidates to identify this exact date.

Given Data / Assumptions:

- The observance is specifically called Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas, also known as Non Resident Indian Day.

- The date is fixed in the calendar each year and does not shift the way some movable festivals do.

- The historical reference is to the day Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa in nineteen fifteen.

Concept / Approach:
To answer correctly, one needs to remember both the name of the day and the reason behind its selection. Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas is observed on nine January because this was the date on which Mahatma Gandhi came back to India in nineteen fifteen after spending many years in South Africa. That return eventually led to his leadership role in the independence struggle. Thus, nine January is recognised as a symbolic day to honour the impact of overseas Indians, and this date has been used consistently for the observance.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas is directly linked to Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian diaspora. Step 2: Remember that Gandhi returned to India from South Africa in January nineteen fifteen. Step 3: Note that the specific date of his return was nine January. Step 4: Connect the observance with this historical event and recognise that the government chose nine January each year for this purpose. Step 5: Among the options, select nine January as the correct date.

Verification / Alternative check:
Official information from the Ministry of External Affairs and government press releases about Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas clearly state that the day is celebrated on nine January. These sources also mention the link to Gandhi's return to India. General knowledge books and competitive exam guides repeat this date consistently. Checking multiple such references confirms that nine January is the correct choice and that the other dates are not associated with this observance.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Nineteen January, nine February, and nineteen February are not linked historically to the return of Mahatma Gandhi or to the formal observance of Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas. They are included only as distractors. Selecting any of these would ignore the clear historical event that nine January commemorates. Therefore, they do not satisfy the requirement of the question.

Common Pitfalls:
A common error is to remember the month correctly but confuse the date, or to mix up Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas with other national days or festivals. Some learners also think the event might be scheduled around Republic Day or Independence Day, which is not correct. The most reliable method is to associate the observance firmly with Gandhi's return from South Africa on nine January nineteen fifteen.

Final Answer:
Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas is observed each year on 9 January.