National Education Day, observed annually on November 11, serves to commemorate the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.
Every year on November 11, India observes National Education Day to commemorate the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the nation's first Education Minister. This day serves as a reminder of his leadership and the role education plays in building an equitable and progressive society.
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad: Architect of Modern Indian Education
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was a scholar, freedom fighter, and statesman who shaped independent India's educational landscape. He founded the Urdu weekly Al-Hilal in 1912 and later Al-Balagh, both platforms for anti-colonial ideas. After Independence, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad served as India's first Education Minister from August 15, 1947, to February 2, 1958.
Under his leadership, the first Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) was established in 1951. He also played a key role in strengthening the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and promoting the growth of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bangalore. To coordinate and maintain standards across the higher education system, he oversaw the establishment of the University Grants Commission (UGC) in 1953.
His commitment to cultural and literary development led to the formation of the Sahitya Akademi, Lalit Kala Akademi, and Sangeet Natak Akademi, institutions tasked with preserving and promoting India's cultural heritage. In 1992, he was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honor, recognizing his contributions to the nation.
Educational Philosophy: Inclusion and Empowerment
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad's educational philosophy extended beyond academic achievement or securing employment. His policy framework prioritized three areas:
- Universal Primary Education: Maulana Abul Kalam Azad advocated for free and compulsory primary education for all children. He ensured that knowledge became accessible regardless of social standing or geographic location.
- Girls' Education: He insisted that the education of girls must be designated a national priority, recognizing that societal progress was impossible without empowering half the population.
- Adult Literacy: Maulana Abul Kalam Azad emphasized adult literacy programs to ensure that knowledge reached every demographic. He believed that a nation could only thrive when educational opportunities were universal.
The foundation laid by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad continues to shape India's educational trajectory, with his vision of universal access now manifesting in unprecedented expansion across all levels of learning.
India’s Education Ecosystem
Education as a Constitutional Right: RTE Framework
The role of education was enshrined in India's legal framework through the 86th Amendment to the Constitution, which inserted Article 21A, establishing free and compulsory education as a Fundamental Right for all children aged 6 to 14. This constitutional guarantee was operationalized by the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, which came into effect on April 1, 2010.
A mechanism within the RTE Act is Section 12(1)(c), which mandates that all private unaided schools reserve 25% of their entry level seats for children from Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) and Disadvantaged Groups. This provision aims to promote social inclusion through a public-private partnership model where the government reimburses tuition fees.
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, launched on July 29, 2020, represents a framework for transforming India into a knowledge society. Replacing the National Policy on Education (NPE) 1986, NEP 2020 aims to make India a global knowledge superpower by 2047.
The policy is constructed upon five pillars: Access, Equity, Quality, Affordability, and Accountability. It introduces several features, including a new curricular structure (5+3+3+4) replacing the older 10+2 system, and the elimination of rigid separations between arts and sciences, promoting holistic, multidisciplinary education.
Current Educational Landscape: Progress and Infrastructure
India's education system serves 24.8 crore students across 14.72 lakh schools with 98 lakh teachers. Primary enrollment has reached 93%, advancing toward NEP 2020's target of universal education by 2030.
Similarly, higher education has grown 26.5% to 4.33 crore students, while universities have expanded to 1,213. Medical education now includes 780 colleges and 1.1 lakh new seats, expanding access to healthcare training.
Budget 2025-26 supports AI learning centers and 10,000 additional medical seats. The 1,290 Kendriya Vidyalayas and 662 Navodaya Vidyalayas educate 16.81 lakh students, with 1,533 PM SHRI schools leading implementation of NEP 2020's vision, demonstrating that every child has potential to succeed.
Persistent Challenges
Despite the legal guarantees and improvements in access, systemic inequalities continue to plague India's education system. According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2023-24, the adult illiteracy rate stands at 19.1%, with a higher rate of 22.5% in rural areas.
A gender gap remains evident, with female literacy at 69.4% compared to 84.7% for males. This disparity of 15.3 percentage points is driven by cultural norms and socioeconomic pressures.
The digital divide represents another challenge, exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to UDISE+ 2024-25 data, while regions like Chandigarh, Delhi, and Lakshadweep have 100% internet access in schools, states like West Bengal report only 18.6% connectivity. This disparity means that digital content platforms like PM e-VIDYA and DIKSHA, designed to benefit 25 crore students, remain inaccessible to the most disadvantaged populations.
To address the above challenges, it is important to acknowledge the central government's initiatives to promote education for all:
- PM Vidyalaxmi Scheme: Launched to provide financial support to meritorious students for quality higher education. The scheme offers education loans for students admitted to the top 860 institutions across India, benefiting over 22 lakh students with a budget allocation of Rs. 3,600 crore from 2024-25 to 2030-31.
- NIRF Ranking: Launched on September 29, 2015, the National Institutional Ranking Framework introduced a structured and transparent system for assessing and ranking universities, fostering competition and encouraging institutional improvements.
- SWAYAM Plus: Launched on February 27, 2025, by Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to revolutionize higher education by implementing a credit recognition system for industry relevant courses, emphasizing skill development and employability.
Other initiatives like Samagra Shiksha Abhiyaan, PM SHRI Schools (PM Schools for Rising India), Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram (New India Literacy Programme - NILP), ULLAS and National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy (NIPUN Bharat) are ensuring a holistic, 360-degree approach towards education in India.
Conclusion
As we commemorate National Education Day 2025, the challenge is clear: India possesses a constitutional framework through the RTE Act and a policy roadmap in NEP 2020, both reflecting Maulana Azad's commitment to scientific advancement, cultural integrity, and inclusion. However, the persistence of disparities in retention, literacy, and digital access confirms that implementing legislative goals must remain a priority for achieving equitable resources and outcomes.
National Education Day is not just a day of remembrance. It is a call to action for every stakeholder in India's educational ecosystem to commit to building a system that educates, empowers, and elevates every child, regardless of their background or circumstances.
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National Education Day FAQs
1. When is National Education Day celebrated in India?
Ans. November 11 annually.
2. Who was India's first Education Minister?
Ans. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.
3. When was the first IIT established in India?
Ans. 1951
4. What is the full form of RTE Act?
Ans. Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act.
5. When was the National Education Policy 2020 launched?
Ans. July 29, 2020.