Every year, November 11 is observed as National Education Day in India to commemorate the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the nation’s first Education Minister and a key architect of modern India’s education system. The day celebrates his lifelong dedication to education, knowledge, and nation-building. The observance was first announced in September 2008 by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (now the Ministry of Education) to honor Azad’s contribution to the field of education and learning.
National Education Day is celebrated annually on November 11, marking Maulana Azad’s birthday. Since its inception, schools, colleges, and universities across the country organize,
The celebration aims to spark discussions on improving the education system, addressing modern challenges, and reaffirming India’s constitutional commitment to education as a fundamental right.
Born on November 11, 1888, in Mecca, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was not only a freedom fighter but also a visionary scholar and reformer. Raised in a family rooted in Islamic scholarship, he later developed a strong interest in Western science, philosophy, and literature, shaping his broad and inclusive educational vision.
As a journalist, he founded the Urdu weeklies Al-Hilal (1912) and Al-Balagh, which became powerful platforms for nationalist thought and unity during the independence struggle.
At just 35 years old, Azad became one of the youngest presidents of the Indian National Congress (1923) and a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi.
After independence, Azad served as India’s first Minister of Education from 1947 to 1958, introducing foundational policies for the country’s educational framework. He believed education was central to social transformation, scientific progress, and national development.
Maulana Azad’s contributions were instrumental in shaping India’s education infrastructure. His initiatives include,
In 1992, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor, for his lasting impact on education and national unity.
National Education Day is named after Maulana Azad in recognition of his unparalleled vision for inclusive education. He believed that true independence meant empowering every citizen through knowledge, regardless of social or economic barriers.
His philosophy emphasized that education is not merely about academic success but about developing critical thinking, creativity, and social awareness — the foundations of a progressive nation.
While India celebrates National Education Day on November 11, the International Day of Education is observed globally on January 24, as proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly.
The theme for International Day of Education 2025 was “AI and Education: Preserving Human Agency in a World of Automation,” focusing on the balance between technology and human values in learning.
Both observances highlight the shared global mission to ensure inclusive, equitable, and quality education for all, in alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4).
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