CM Samrat Choudhary Pays Tribute to Maulana Azad on National Education Day
Synopsis
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary marked National Education Day on 11 November 2026 by honouring Bharat Ratna Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, India's first Education Minister, crediting his vision of education as the foundation of a progressive nation.
Key Takeaways
Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary posted a tribute on 11 November 2026 to mark National Education Day .
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was India's first Education Minister, serving from 1947 to 1958 .
Azad was instrumental in founding the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) .
He was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna , India's highest civilian honour.
National Education Day is observed every year on 11 November , Azad's birth anniversary.
On the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Maulana Abul Kalam Azad — freedom fighter, scholar, and independent India's first Education Minister — Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary offered tribute on Wednesday, 11 November 2026, marking National Education Day with a message of remembrance and national purpose.
Posting on X in Hindi, CM Choudhary wrote: 'महान स्वतंत्रता सेनानी, प्रखर शिक्षाविद् एवं देश के प्रथम शिक्षा मंत्री भारत रत्न मौलाना अबुल कलाम आज़ाद जी की जयंती पर उन्हें कोटि-कोटि नमन।' — 'Countless salutations to the great freedom fighter, eminent educationist, and India's first Education Minister, Bharat Ratna Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, on his birth anniversary.' He added that Azad's vision of building an empowered and progressive nation through education 'will always guide us.'
Who Was Maulana Abul Kalam Azad?
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad served as India's Education Minister from 1947 until his death in 1958 — a tenure that laid the institutional skeleton of modern Indian higher education. He was the driving force behind the establishment of the University Grants Commission (UGC) and played a foundational role in setting up the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), institutions that would go on to shape India's scientific and technological identity for generations. He was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour.
Why 11 November Is Observed as National Education Day
National Education Day is observed every year on 11 November — Azad's birth anniversary — to honour his transformative contribution to education policy and to reaffirm education's role as the backbone of national development. Across India, political leaders, educators, and students mark the day with tributes, seminars, and institutional events. CM Choudhary's post follows this established annual tradition, extending wishes to citizens and invoking Azad's legacy as a continuing compass for the country's educational journey.
Point of View
Particularly the IITs and the UGC, has transcended partisan ownership. With the National Education Policy 2020 still in active rollout across states including Bihar, the day also carries a quiet policy undertone, as the Centre and state governments seek to associate present-day education reform with Azad's founding vision.
NationPress
11 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 11 November celebrated as National Education Day in India?
11 November is observed as National Education Day to mark the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad , India's first Education Minister, in recognition of his pivotal role in shaping the country's education system after independence.
Who was Maulana Abul Kalam Azad?
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was a prominent freedom fighter, Islamic scholar, and educationist who served as India's first Education Minister from 1947 to 1958 . He was awarded the Bharat Ratna posthumously and is credited with establishing institutions such as the UGC and the IITs .
What institutions did Maulana Abul Kalam Azad establish?
During his tenure as Education Minister, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was instrumental in founding the University Grants Commission (UGC) and setting up the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) , which became cornerstones of India's higher education and research landscape.
What did Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary say on National Education Day 2026?
Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary paid tribute to Maulana Abul Kalam Azad on his birth anniversary, saying Azad's vision of building an empowered and progressive nation through education 'will always guide us,' and extended greetings to all on National Education Day .
What award did Maulana Abul Kalam Azad receive?
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna , India's highest civilian honour, in recognition of his extraordinary contribution to the nation as a freedom fighter and educationist.
