Antyodaya Diwas 2025 is observed on 25 September 2025 to mark the 109th birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, a visionary political thinker, philosopher, and proponent of Integral Humanism. The term Antyodaya means the rise of the last person, symbolizing the goal of ensuring that the poorest and most marginalized sections of society are uplifted. Instituted in 2014, Antyodaya Diwas is a reminder that development is meaningful only when it reaches the weakest sections, promoting compassion, social responsibility, and fairness.
History of Antyodaya Diwas
- Born: 25 September 1916, Nagla Chandrabhan, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh
- Early Life: Faced hardships, losing both parents at a young age, yet excelled in academics and later pursued political science.
- Political Journey: Became a pracharak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and co-founder of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the forerunner of today’s BJP.
- Philosophy: Advocated Integral Humanism, focusing on holistic development — of the body, mind, intellect, and soul.
- Vision: Believed that true governance must prioritize the poor, ensuring their dignity and self-reliance.
In 2014, the Government of India declared 25th September as Antyodaya Diwas in his honour, institutionalizing his philosophy as a guiding principle of public policy.
Importance of Antyodaya Diwas 2025
- Antyodaya Diwas spreads awareness about inclusive development and welfare schemes designed to uplift the poor. Its significance lies in,
- Reminding society that growth is incomplete without uplifting the weakest
- Promoting government schemes such as the Antyodaya Anna Yojana and Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana
- Emphasizing compassion, empathy, and fairness in governance
- Highlighting that development must be people-centric, not wealth-centric
- Inspiring youth to adopt values of social justice and equity
Antyodaya-Linked Schemes
1. Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY)
- Launched in 2000 to ensure food security for Below Poverty Line (BPL) families.
- Provides subsidized wheat and rice to ensure no family sleeps hungry.
2. Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana (DAY)
- Covers both rural and urban poor, focusing on livelihoods and self-reliance.
- DAY-NRLM (National Rural Livelihoods Mission):
- Organizes rural women into Self-Help Groups (SHGs)
- Encourages savings, micro-businesses, and financial independence
DAY-NULM (National Urban Livelihoods Mission)
- Provides skill training, employment support, and small loans to urban poor
- Aims at sustainable livelihoods and entrepreneurship
- Together, these programs reflect Deendayal Upadhyaya’s vision of Antyodaya, where no citizen is left behind.
Key Takeaways
- Observed on: 25 September 2025
- Commemorates: Birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya (1916–1968)
- Introduced in: 2014
- Key Philosophy: Antyodaya – upliftment of the last person
- Related Schemes: Antyodaya Anna Yojana (2000), Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana (NRLM & NULM)