National Education Day – Nov. 11, 2026

Expected National Education Day Deals

While National Education Day isn’t a retail holiday, it’s a prime opportunity for educational institutions and corporations to highlight their commitment to learning. In 2027, expect universities and EdTech platforms like BYJU’S and Coursera to launch scholarship drives and free course access. Non-profits such as Teach for India may see increased donation matching from corporate partners like Tata Trust. Publishers like Oxford University Press India could offer discounts on educational resources, while companies like Infosys might promote their skill development initiatives. Look for government bodies like the Ministry of Education, India to announce new policies and programs aimed at enhancing literacy and access. We will update this page with confirmed live initiatives as November 11 approaches.

History of National Education Day

In September of 2008, India’s Ministry of Human Resource Development declared the birthday of ‘the great son of India’ — Maulana Abul Kalam Azad — to be nationally recognized as Education Day. The day is also seen as an occasion to remember Abul Kalam’s contribution in laying the foundations of the education system in an independent India and evaluating and improving the country’s current performance in the field.

After its independence in 1947, India struggled to completely revamp and stabilize its institutions and sectors. Recognizing that education would be crucial for nation-building, the leaders of the country shifted their focus towards education. Abul Kalam, in particular, served as the flag bearer for this cause. Speaking in 1948 at All India Education, he highlighted the importance of this birthright of every person to receive basic education necessary for their well being, without foregoing their duties as a citizen.

As a freedom fighter and academician, Abul Kalam was the best fit for the role of Education Minister for independent India. Illiteracy was a major hurdle for the development of the country, which had already struggled and suffered through years of exploitation prior to it gaining status as a separate nation.

Understanding the integral role played by a healthy education system for the development of the country, as Chairman of the Central Advisory Board of Education, Maulana Abul Kalam was the driving force towards the eradication of illiteracy. He emphasised heavily on elementary education and propagated the expansion of secondary education, especially for girls.

But perhaps his largest contribution is the Indian Institutes of Technology. Under his leadership, the first IIT was inaugurated in 1951. Abul Kalam truly believed in the potential of establishing IITs for the progression of research and technological advancement in India. True enough, today IITs have created a niche for themselves. Whether nationally or internationally, IITs are looked as epitome of educational excellence. It is hence befitting to honour the memory of the man behind India’s educational might by celebrating his birthday as National Education Day every year.

How Businesses Can Celebrate National Education Day