National Education Day 2025 – Honouring India’s Visionary of Knowledge and Unity

Celebration of Learning and Legacy

National Education Day 2025 – Honouring India’s Visionary of Knowledge and Unity: Every year, November 11 is celebrated as National Education Day in India to commemorate the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the nation’s first Education Minister. This day recognizes his immense contribution to shaping modern Indian education and his vision of unity through knowledge. The observance was first introduced in 2008 by the then Ministry of Human Resource Development, now the Ministry of Education.

Static GK fact: The Ministry of Education was earlier known as the Ministry of Human Resource Development until its name change in 2020.

Why November 11 is Celebrated

National Education Day marks the birth of Maulana Azad, born on November 11, 1888, in Mecca. Schools and universities nationwide organize seminars, essay competitions, and literacy awareness campaigns to emphasize the importance of education for all. The day also highlights India’s constitutional promise of education as a fundamental right under Article 21A.

Static GK Tip: The Right to Education (RTE) Act came into effect on April 1, 2010, making education a fundamental right for children aged 6–14 years.

Maulana Azad – The Scholar and Reformer

Maulana Azad was a multifaceted personality — a freedom fighter, journalist, scholar, and visionary. His Urdu weeklies, Al-Hilal (1912) and Al-Balagh, inspired unity and nationalism during the independence movement. At the age of 35, he became one of the youngest presidents of the Indian National Congress in 1923 and later served as Education Minister (1947–1958) in independent India.

Foundational Reforms in Indian Education

As Education Minister, Azad’s reforms built the foundation for modern higher education in India. He established the University Grants Commission (UGC) to regulate academic standards and supported the creation of the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) to boost technical learning. He also strengthened institutions like the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).

He envisioned culture as a vital part of education, leading to the creation of Sahitya Akademi, Lalit Kala Akademi, and Sangeet Natak Akademi. These institutions continue to nurture India’s art, literature, and performing traditions.

Static GK fact: The first IIT was established at Kharagpur in 1951, inaugurated by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad himself.

His Vision for Inclusive Education

Azad believed that true independence could only be achieved when every citizen had equal access to education. His philosophy focused on critical thinking, creativity, and scientific learning rather than rote memorization. His ideas later shaped India’s post-independence literacy and technical education policies.

For his lasting contributions, Maulana Azad was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1992, reaffirming his legacy as the architect of India’s educational framework.

India and the World: A Shared Educational Vision

While India observes National Education Day on November 11, the United Nations celebrates the International Day of Education on January 24. The 2025 theme, “AI and Education: Preserving Human Agency in a World of Automation,” emphasizes the balance between technology and human values in learning — echoing Azad’s vision of education for human development and unity.

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National Education Day 2025 – Honouring India’s Visionary of Knowledge and Unity: