Education 11 November 2026
National Education Day 2026: Honoring India's First Education Minister Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
Why in the News?
**National Education Day** is observed annually across India on **November 11** to commemorate the birth anniversary of independent India’s first Education Minister (1947–1958), **Maulana Abul Kalam Azad**.
Key Features / Major Points:
- Establishment & Origins:
- The Ministry of Human Resource Development (now the Ministry of Education) announced the observance on **September 11, 2008**, with the inaugural celebration held later that year in 2008.
- Foundational Contributions of Maulana Azad:
- Born on November 11, 1888, Maulana Azad was a stalwart freedom fighter, scholar, and visionary educationist.
- He played a pivotal role in shaping India's modern educational framework, championing universal literacy, and establishing premier institutions like the **Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs)** and the **University Grants Commission (UGC)**.
- How the Day is Observed:
- Educational institutions nationwide mark the occasion through academic seminars, debates, essay competitions, and awareness programs emphasizing inclusive and quality learning.
---
Static GK Facts:
- Ministry of Education, Government of India:
- Formerly known as the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD until 2020).
- Union Minister of Education: **Dharmendra Pradhan**.
- Bharat Ratna Honor:
- Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was posthumously conferred with India’s highest civilian honor, the **Bharat Ratna**, in **1992**.
One-Liner Quiz (All Competitive Exams):
Q: When is National Education Day celebrated in India every year?
A: November 11
Q: Who served as independent India’s first Union Minister of Education from 1947 to 1958?
A: Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
Q: In which year was Maulana Abul Kalam Azad posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna?
A: 1992
#NationalEducationDay #MaulanaAbulKalamAzad #MinistryOfEducation #IIT #UGC #CurrentAffairs #StaticGK