National Education Day 2025: Honouring Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Vision

• Every year on November 11 , India observes National Education Day to commemorate the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (1888–1958) — the country’s first Minister of Education and one of the foremost architects of independent India’s education system. The day serves as a reminder of his vision for inclusive, accessible, and transformative education that shapes responsible citizens and drives national progress.

Legacy of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad

• A freedom fighter, scholar, and statesman, Maulana Azad played a defining role in building India’s educational and cultural foundations after independence. Serving as Minister of Education from 1947 to 1958 , he believed that education must develop critical thinking, moral values, and civic responsibility , not merely academic achievement. His philosophy emphasised the democratization of knowledge and lifelong learning opportunities for all sections of society.

Institutional Foundations and Recognition

• Under his leadership, India saw the creation of several premier institutions that continue to define its academic excellence, including the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) , the University Grants Commission (UGC) , and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) . To honour his enduring contribution, the Ministry of Human Resource Development (now Ministry of Education) declared November 11 as National Education Day in 2008 . The day is marked by seminars, workshops, and essay competitions across schools and universities.

National Observance and Social Awareness

• This year, educational institutions nationwide held programmes highlighting the broader meaning of education — from civic sense and traffic discipline to environmental and social responsibility . Organisations such as the Punjab Police conducted awareness drives to underscore that learning extends beyond classrooms into community life.

Exam Pointers

• Occasion: National Education Day – November 11

• Honours: Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (1888–1958)

• First Education Minister: 1947–1958

• Institutions Established: IITs, UGC, CSIR

• Declared by: Ministry of HRD in 2008