National Education Day (Rashtriya Shiksha Diwas)2026 · Date · History · Messages
India’s Press Information Bureau states that National Education Day is celebrated every November 11 in honour of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.
About National Education Day (Rashtriya Shiksha Diwas)
National Education Day, also called Rashtriya Shiksha Diwas, is observed in India every year on 11 November in honour of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, independent India’s first Education Minister.
Government records show that the Central Government decided to observe 11 November annually as National Education Day without declaring it a holiday. The first celebration was held on 11 November 2008.
Why National Education Day (Rashtriya Shiksha Diwas) matters
The day is intended to remember Maulana Azad’s contribution to education while encouraging institutions to reflect on literacy, educational access, quality and the wider role of education in national development.
Because National Education Day is commemorative rather than a public holiday designation, schools and institutions can mark it through educational programmes while ordinary holiday rules remain separate.
History of National Education Day (Rashtriya Shiksha Diwas)
Government of India records state that demands had been made to commemorate Maulana Abul Kalam Azad’s birthday in a fitting manner and that several State Governments supported the idea.
The Central Government decided to observe 11 November every year as National Education Day throughout India, without declaring it a holiday.
The first National Education Day was celebrated on 11 November 2008 at Vigyan Bhavan, with the President of India inaugurating the national function.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
Central Government of India / Ministry of Human Resource Development
The Ministry’s CABE agenda states that the Central Government decided to observe 11 November every year as National Education Day throughout the country.
First documented observance
Government records explicitly describe the 11 November 2008 event at Vigyan Bhavan as the first National Education Day celebration.
Ministry of Education, Government of India
The Ministry of Education continues to publish and support National Education Day programming and official material.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
5 fields not established in reviewed sources
Also known as
National Education Day
How to Observe National Education Day (Rashtriya Shiksha Diwas)
Read about Maulana Abul Kalam Azad’s role in the development of education and cultural institutions in independent India.
Organize a seminar, discussion, reading activity, essay or student presentation focused on education, literacy or access to learning.
Use the day to review a concrete education goal in your school or community and identify one practical way to improve participation or quality.
When sharing historical claims, rely on Government of India or other primary records rather than repeating unsourced lists of institutions or achievements.
National Education Day (Rashtriya Shiksha Diwas) Facts
National Education Day in India is observed on 11 November.
The date is Maulana Abul Kalam Azad’s birth anniversary.
The Central Government decided that the day would be observed annually across the country without making it a holiday.
The first National Education Day was celebrated on 11 November 2008.
The observance is also referred to as Rashtriya Shiksha Diwas.
National Education Day (Rashtriya Shiksha Diwas) Messages
Happy National Education Day—may learning continue to open doors, expand opportunity and strengthen communities.
Wishing students, teachers and education workers a meaningful National Education Day filled with curiosity and purpose.
On National Education Day, may we value the people and institutions that make learning possible throughout life.
Happy National Education Day—here’s to thoughtful teaching, eager learning and steady progress toward quality education for all.
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
Ministry of Education — CABE agenda recording the National Education Day decision (opens in a new tab)
Press Information Bureau / Ministry of Human Resource Development — first National Education Day, 11 November 2008 (opens in a new tab)
Government of India, Ministry of Education — National Education Day 2024 (opens in a new tab)
Press Information Bureau / Ministry of Education — National Education Day programme 2020 (opens in a new tab)
Press Information Bureau, Government of India — National Education Day (opens in a new tab)
National Government
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is National Education Day (Rashtriya Shiksha Diwas)?
11 November annually The documented recurrence rule is: 11 November.
Does National Education Day (Rashtriya Shiksha Diwas) fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is National Education Day (Rashtriya Shiksha Diwas) an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: India / national education commemoration. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes National Education Day (Rashtriya Shiksha Diwas)?
The reviewed sources identify Central Government of India / Ministry of Human Resource Development as the proclaiming or establishing body. Current facilitation or coordination is recorded as Ministry of Education, Government of India.
Is National Education Day (Rashtriya Shiksha Diwas) international or country-specific?
This observance is specific to India. Its fuller verified scope is: India / national education commemoration.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-09-08.
When is National Education Day in India?
It is observed every year on 11 November.
Whose birth anniversary does National Education Day commemorate?
It commemorates the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, independent India’s first Education Minister.
When was the first National Education Day celebrated?
Government records identify 11 November 2008 as the first National Education Day celebration.
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These observances are also listed on November 11, 2026.
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