Every year on November 11, India celebrates 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 architects of independent India’s education system. Declared by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (now Ministry of Education) in 2008, this day is not just a tribute to a freedom fighter but a reminder of his timeless vision: education that is free, compulsory, scientific, secular, and accessible to every child.
For millions of Indian students, teachers, and parents, National Education Day 2025 is an occasion to reflect on how far we have come – from the first IIT in 1951 to the New Education Policy 2020 – and how much of that journey still carries Maulana Azad’s fingerprints.
Who Was Maulana Abul Kalam Azad?
| Key Facts (Verified) | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Abul Kalam Ghulam Muhiyuddin Ahmed bin Khairuddin Al-Hussaini Azad |
| Born | 11 November 1888, Mecca, Ottoman Empire (now Saudi Arabia) |
| Died | 22 February 1958, Delhi |
| Education Minister of Independent India | 15 August 1947 – 2 February 1958 (longest-serving in Indian history) |
| Highest Civilian Honour | Bharat Ratna (1992, posthumous) |
| Notable Literary Works | Ghubar-e-Khatir (1942–1946), India Wins Freedom (1957) |
A brilliant Islamic scholar, poet, journalist, and independence activist, Azad taught himself multiple languages including Arabic, Persian, English, Urdu, and Bengali. By age 13 he was editing his own literary journal Nairang-e-Aalam. At 25 he launched the iconic Urdu weekly Al-Hilal (1912) to awaken Muslim youth against British rule – a publication so powerful that the British banned it multiple times.
Despite never attending a formal university, he became one of the most erudite leaders of the freedom movement and was elected Congress President at the young age of 35 in 1923 and again in 1940–1946 – the longest tenure in that office.
Azad’s Enduring Contributions to Indian Education
As India’s first Education Minister for over a decade, Maulana Azad laid the foundation of modern Indian education:
| Institution / Initiative | Year Established | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| University Grants Commission (UGC) | 1956 | Statutory body for coordination, determination, and maintenance of standards |
| Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur | 1951 | First IIT; Azad personally pushed for technical education on par with MIT |
| Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) | 1950 | Promotes cultural exchange and scholarships for foreign students |
| Sahitya Akademi | 1954 | National academy for literature in 24 Indian languages |
| Sangeet Natak Akademi | 1953 | National academy for music, dance, and drama |
| Lalit Kala Akademi | 1954 | National academy for fine arts |
| National Education Policy Framework | 1948–1950 | Emphasised free & compulsory education up to age 14 (later Article 45) |
| Secondary Education Commission | 1952–1953 | Headed by Dr. A. Lakshmanaswami Mudaliar; shaped the 10+2+3 pattern |
He famously declared in 1948:
“Education should be a tool for national integration and scientific temper. It must be free from communalism and accessible to the poorest child.”
National Education Day – How India Celebrates
Since 2008, November 11 is observed across schools, colleges, and universities with:
- Seminars and lectures on Azad’s vision and the importance of scientific education
- Essay competitions, quizzes, and debates on topics like “Education for All” and “Role of Technology in Learning”
- Book exhibitions featuring Azad’s works such as India Wins Freedom and Ghubar-e-Khatir
- Special programmes on Doordarshan and All India Radio
- Awards and scholarships announced in his name by various state governments and institutions
In 2025, the Ministry of Education has urged institutions to focus on the theme “Education for Innovation and Inclusion”, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 – a policy many experts see as the closest modern successor to Azad’s original vision of multilingual, flexible, and skill-based learning.
Why Azad’s Vision Remains Relevant in 2025
| Azad’s Dream (1947–1958) | India’s Progress in 2025 |
|---|---|
| Free & compulsory education till 14 | Article 21A (2009); RTE Act; 96%+ primary enrolment |
| Scientific and technical education | 23 IITs, 31 IIITs, 25 IIITs-PPP, 7 IIMs, NISER, IISERs |
| Promotion of arts & culture | National School of Drama, 7 Zonal Cultural Centres |
| Secular & inclusive education | Common Civil Code debates, multi-faith campuses |
| Adult literacy | Saakshar Bharat, Padhna Likhna Abhiyan, ULLAS (New India Literacy Programme) |
Even today, the Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF), Maulana Azad Education Foundation, and hundreds of schools and colleges named after him continue his legacy of supporting minority and economically weaker students.
A Quote to Remember
On the eve of independence, Azad said:
“We must not for a moment forget, it is a birthright of every individual to receive at least the basic education without which he cannot fully discharge his duties as a citizen.”
As India aims to become a $5 trillion economy and a global knowledge superpower, National Education Day reminds us that the foundation was laid by a scholar-freedom fighter who believed education is the greatest equaliser.
Let us celebrate November 11 not just as a holiday, but as a renewed pledge: to learn, to teach, and to build an India that Maulana Azad dreamed of – enlightened, inclusive, and innovative.
Last Updated on: Friday, November 21, 2025 1:35 pm by Sakethyadav | Published by: Sakethyadav on Friday, November 21, 2025, 1:35 pm | News Categories: Latest News India: Breaking News & Top Headlines | News Trail
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