All eyes on Dalai Lama’s 90th Birthday: Will the Tibetan spiritual leader announce his successor amid China row?

All eyes, in both India and China, will be on the Dalai Lama next week when he turns 90 on 6 July. Many believe he may use this important day to announce his successor. Celebrations for his 90th birthday will begin on that day in Mcleodganj, Dharamshala, the headquarters of the Tibetan government-in-exile, and will continue for a year, ending on 5 July 2026.

Several ministers from the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), including its elected head, Penpa Tsering, and deputy speaker Dolma Tsering, have hinted that the Dalai Lama might name his successor on his 90th birthday.

Successor talks likely during religious meet

Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, Speaker of the Tibetan parliament-in-exile, told TOI that a three-day religious conference starting 2 July in Mcleodganj may also discuss the issue of the Dalai Lama’s successor.


“Even though it’s not on the official agenda, there’s a strong chance the topic will come up, and we may even get an answer,” said Tenphel.

He also stressed that the Dalai Lama has clearly said his successor must be born in a free country, outside China. “The Tibetan people will only accept the successor chosen by the Dalai Lama himself,” Tenphel added.

Dalai Lama’s stand: Successor must be born in the free world

In his book Voice for the Voiceless, published in March 2025, the Dalai Lama made it clear for the first time that his successor would be born outside China, in the free world.

This statement is very important, especially because China insists it will name the next Dalai Lama, hoping to gain religious control over Tibet. But many Tibetans, especially those living in exile, have said they will never accept a successor chosen by China. The Dalai Lama too has said that any such choice made by China would not be accepted.

Dignitaries to attend celebrations

More than 300 guests from around the world are expected to gather in Dharamshala on 6 July to celebrate the Dalai Lama’s birthday. The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) hopes for a smooth handover of spiritual leadership to the Dalai Lama’s future successor, even as China continues to push its claim to name him.