Every year, November 11 is celebrated as National Education Day across India to honor Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the country’s first Education Minister. The day recognizes his pivotal role in shaping modern India’s education framework and promoting equality through learning. National Education Day 2025 continues this legacy, encouraging reflection on how education drives national progress.
Why National Education Day is Celebrated?
National Education Day was first declared in 2008 by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (now the Ministry of Education). The date was chosen to commemorate the birth anniversary of Maulana Azad, whose visionary policies transformed India’s post-independence education system. Since its inception, educational institutions across the country — from schools to universities — have marked the occasion through seminars, workshops, essay competitions, and awareness drives focused on literacy, innovation, and skill development. The observance aims to reinforce the message that accessible and quality education is the foundation of a strong and progressive nation.
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad: The Architect of Modern Indian Education
Born on November 11, 1888, in Mecca, Maulana Azad was a scholar, freedom fighter, and reformer. His family later settled in Calcutta, where he immersed himself in Arabic, Persian, and Islamic studies, while also embracing Western philosophy and science. A prominent journalist and nationalist thinker, Azad launched the Urdu journals Al-Hilal and Al-Balagh to challenge British rule and spread awareness about freedom and reform. His leadership earned him the distinction of being the youngest president of the Indian National Congress in 1923, and later, a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi. Following independence in 1947, he became India’s first Education Minister, shaping the intellectual backbone of the newly formed nation.
Key Contributions to India’s Education System
During his tenure, Maulana Azad laid the groundwork for institutions and reforms that continue to define Indian education today:
- Established the University Grants Commission (UGC) to monitor and maintain higher education standards.
- Founded the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and strengthened institutions like IISc Bengaluru and AICTE.
- Promoted universal primary education, adult literacy, and vocational training.
- Encouraged Indian languages as mediums of instruction to preserve cultural roots.
- Created national academies such as the Sahitya Akademi, Lalit Kala Akademi, and Sangeet Natak Akademi.
His enduring message — “Education should be the foundation for a free, progressive, and united India” — remains relevant even today. In 1992, he was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor.
Relevance and Global Context
National Education Day 2025 not only commemorates Azad’s legacy but also reinforces education’s role in building an equitable society. Schools and colleges use this occasion to promote critical thinking, creativity, and digital literacy among students. Globally, the International Day of Education is observed on January 24, with the 2025 theme “AI and Education: Preserving Human Agency in a World of Automation.” It underlines the need for education systems that balance technological progress with ethical and human-centered learning. Follow KollegeApply for the latest updates on College Admissions, Courses, Exam Dates, Results, Scholarships, Career Guidance, Education News, and Policy Changes — everything needed to stay ahead in the education journey.
