• It is observed on 11^th November annually.
• This day honors Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, India’s first Education Minister and an eminent educationist.
• This day also underscores the critical role of education in shaping India's future, especially given that 65% of the country’s population is under the age of 35.
• Ensuring access to quality education and skill development is essential to empower youth to lead the nation towards progress.

Transforming India through Education

• The Government of India has launched various initiatives to promote accessible, inclusive, and equitable education.
• Key policies and schemes reflect India’s commitment to building a resilient educational system for all:
• Right to Education (RTE) Act: Through Article 21-A and the 86th Constitutional Amendment, India guarantees free and compulsory education for children aged six to fourteen. The RTE Act (2009) mandates quality elementary education in formal schools across the country.
• National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: Under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, the NEP 2020 introduces a transformative approach to education, aligning with the demands of the 21^st century by promoting inclusivity and modern learning methodologies.
• PM SHRI Schools: Launched on 7^th September 2022, PM SHRI Schools aim to enhance over 14,500 schools across India, integrating components of NEP 2020. With an investment of ₹27,360 crore, the initiative emphasizes quality education and 21^st -century skills for students.
• Samagra Shiksha: Commencing on 1^st April 2021, Samagra Shiksha addresses educational disparities, aiming to create an inclusive learning environment that respects diverse student backgrounds and enhances academic capabilities.
• PRERNA: This innovative program was piloted in January 2024, introducing selected students from across the country to an inspiring residential program. Blending heritage and technology, PRERNA provides an experiential learning environment.
• ULLAS - Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram: Launched for FY 2022-27, ULLAS supports adult literacy, enabling individuals aged 15 and above to enhance literacy and contribute to the nation's socio-economic growth.
• NIPUN Bharat: This initiative aims to ensure foundational literacy and numeracy for all children by the end of Grade 3, with a completion target of 2026-27.
• Vidya Pravesh: Introduced on 29^th July 2021, Vidya Pravesh provides a three-month school preparation module for Grade-I children, fostering a smooth transition to formal schooling.
• Vidyanjali: Launched on 7^th September 2021, Vidyanjali encourages community and corporate involvement in education through volunteer contributions to enhance school quality.
• DIKSHA Platform: Launched on 5^th September 2017, DIKSHA enables teacher training, offering customized support to meet diverse educational needs across states.
• SWAYAM Plus: Initiated on 27^th February 2024, SWAYAM Plus focuses on employability and skill development, enhancing higher education through industry-aligned courses.
• NISHTHA: A professional development program for teachers, launched on 21^st August 2019, NISHTHA now includes NISHTHA 2.0 for secondary teachers and NISHTHA 3.0 for foundational literacy and numeracy.
• NIRF Rankings: The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), introduced in 2015, provides a structured ranking system for higher education institutions, fostering healthy competition and quality improvement.
• PM-Vidyalaxmi Scheme: This initiative offers financial assistance for meritorious students to pursue higher education, providing loans through a fully digital platform. With an allocation of ₹3,600 crore from FY 2024-25 to 2030-31, the scheme aims to support over 22 lakh students annually.