World Students Day 2025 (15 October)

World Students’ Day is observed in 2025 on 15 October in commemoration of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s wonderful contributions to education and science-dreaming with youth to achieve greatness through willpower and study.

Why in the News?

World Students’ Day 2025 is in the news for commemorating the birth anniversary of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the former President of India, who was a visionary scientist and instrumental in India’s missile and space programs.
The day is observed every year on October 15 and serves as a commemoration of philosophy inculcated by Dr. Kalam who underlined education and inspired the youth as a mentor and role model.
However, this year, the day celebrates education as such, asking students to innovate and be leaders and confronting the challenges education systems face in both India and the world at large.
Both physical and virtual activities will swear by Dr. Kalam’s belief that students are the architects of the nation’s future and witness his legacy through motivational adventures, conversations on access to quality education, as well as demands for student empowerment.

Early Life, Biography and Carrier of Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was born on October 15, 1931, in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, into a modest Tamil Muslim family.
His father was a boat owner and the imam of a small local mosque; his mother was a devoted housewife. Financial hardships notwithstanding, Kalam grew up in a nurturing and value-imbibing environment.
He was an average student because of his overburden; however, he was very inquisitive and had a definite love for learning, especially mathematics and science.
He completed his schooling at Schwartz Higher Secondary School, Ramanathapuram, and graduated in physics from St. Joseph College, Tiruchirappalli, in 1954.
Kalam did aerospace engineering at the Madras Institute of Technology from 1955.
He started career at DRDO in 1958 and served at ISRO after that and helped in launching India’s first satellite vehicle.
He was involved in the development of the Agni and Prithvi missiles and deemed worthy of being called the “Missile Man of India”.
He also served as a scientific advisor to the Defence Minister during the nuclear tests in India.
He then served as the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007 and inspired the nation to work toward technology for development.

A timeline of major events in the life of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

Year	Event
1931	Born on October 15 in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, India
1954	Graduated in Physics from St. Joseph’s College, Tiruchirappalli
1960	Graduated in Aeronautical Engineering from Madras Institute of Technology
1960	Joined Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
1969	Transferred to Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), became project director of SLV-III
1980	Successfully launched Rohini satellite into near-earth orbit via SLV-III
1982	Returned to DRDO to lead Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme
1980s-1990s	Developed missiles like Agni and Prithvi, earning title “Missile Man of India”
1992-1999	Served as Chief Scientific Adviser to Defence Minister and Secretary of DRDO
1998	Key role in Pokhran-II nuclear tests
1999-2001	Principal Scientific Adviser to Government of India
2002-2007	Served as 11th President of India, known as “People’s President”
2015	Passed away on July 27 during a lecture at Indian Institute of Management, Shillong

Significance of World Students’ Day

Commemorates the birthday of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the 11th President of India, considered the Patriarch of Indian Missile Programme.
Celebrates the life and dedication of Dr. Kalam to education and inspiring youth to excel and lead.
Recognizes students as future leaders, innovators, and agents of change for society.
Views education as a means of real development for both the individual and society.
In Kalam’s remembrance, students are encouraged to pursue their dreams with endless hard work, a sense of responsibility, and upright ethical values.
Acts as an advocacy platform for educational issues and student rights all across the world.
Inspires students through empowerment workshops, seminars, essay competitions, and social media campaigns.
Contributes to the continuous education of the student body by stressing resilience and the necessity of embracing failure in order to succeed.
The student body herein is inspired to assist the country and the world in becoming better, just as Dr. Kalam wished them to.

Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s Contribution

A phenomenal teacher, great scientist and a people’s President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam has been the driving force behind many technologies in India. There are some prominent contributions are as follows-
He helps to develop India’s First Indigenous Satellite Launch Vehicle.
He became the project director for two ‘Missile Projects’ whose aim was to develop ballistic missiles from the technology of the successful SLV programme.
He took up the responsibility of developing indigenous guided missiles at DRDO.
He was the behind many nuclear test. For instance, a test carried out at pokhran (1998) which made India a nuclear weapon state.
He helped design a cost-effective coronary stent known as ‘kalam-raju-stent’ making healthcare accessible to all.
He was sincerely involved in the India’s Light Combat Aircraft project.
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Dr. Soma Raju, came up with a rough tablet computer in 2012 to take care of underprivileged people’s health of rural India.

2025 Theme and Present Scenario

The theme for 2025 for World Students’ Day is “Empowering Students as Agents of Innovation and Change,” reflecting Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s idea of youth propelled by education and technology to bring about national development.
The day thus makes a celebration of digital learning, student activism, and entrepreneurship, all being drivers of change for education across the world currently.
This day also recognizes the challenges to quality education, good mental health, and skill development in a post-pandemic world.
The celebrations hail from the nurturing of creativity, grit, and leadership qualities in students for them to contribute to society in the future, truly keeping the legacy of Kalam alive in today’s fast-changing educational unfolding.

Ways of Celebration and Digital Trends

World Students’ Day 2025, dedicated in the name of A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, saw celebrations across various institutions by way of seminars, workshops, essay competitions, and cultural programs.
Students can meet globally online, creating avenues for cross-cultural learning and working together.
Social media is at play here with campaigns and digital tributes carrying Dr. Kalam’s inspiring quotes and works.
#WorldStudentsDay stays at the top of the trending charts, making noise for students and their work.
Educational institutions also host TED talks and talent shows and arrange knowledge fairs where budding entrepreneurs are groomed.
The digital mix consists of virtual classrooms, webinars, and influencer campaigns that focus on holistic education, innovation, and the empowerment of students.
This combination of traditional and digital events brings to life Dr. Kalam’s idea of education as a means through which youth can enact positive change in society.
In the process of these activities, students pay tribute to Kalam’s legacy while embracing technology and global connectivity in their own educational journey, an evolution-oriented tribute to the “People’s President” on World Students’ Day 2025.

Dr. Kalam’s Inspirational Messages

Dr. Kalam’s motivating excerpts impart lessons on dreams and aspirations accompanied by hard work and perseverance.
He once said, “A dream is not that which you see while sleeping; it is something that does not let you sleep.”
He exhorted the youth: dream big, gain knowledge, work hard, and never give up, describing failure as “First Attempt In Learning”.
According to Kalam, excellence is a never-ending process, and achieving it includes dedication, humility, and ethical values.
Encouraging free thinking, he said, “If you want to shine like a sun, first burn like a sun.” He also emphasized the value of honesty and serving mankind while urging all to give back into society.
His quotations, such as “The ignited mind of the youth is the most powerful resource on the earth,” continue to inspire millions around the globe toward innovation and nation-building.

Relevance in Current Times

Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s vision has never been more relevant since education and innovation are intrinsically linked with global progress.
His notion of youth empowerment fits in with past and present discussions on digital literacy, skill development, and entrepreneurship, in order to prepare the youth for the challenges of a swiftly evolving world.
Kalam’s talks about staying strong, ethical leadership, and learning all your life act as encouragement to students and the working class; dirt under nails and in breakdowns is the mould of uncertainty and change.
His ideals welcome inclusive growth, scientific inquiry, and service to humanity in times of technological changes, climate change, and societal change.
More than ever before, there is a need for visionary leaders who combine knowledge and values, and hence, the heritage of Dr. Kalam acts as a guiding light for individuals and nations working towards sustainable development and peaceful coexistence.
Hence his birthday is celebrated worldwide as World Students’ Day to inspire successive generations.

Way forward

World Students’ Day ideally moves in the direction of strengthening global initiatives for imparting education, with a focus on equitable access, digital literacy, and skill development. Promoting student innovation, leadership, and mental well-being is important. Governments, educators, and communities must work together for the development of an inclusive education system based on values. In view of Dr. Kalam’s vision, if students are equipped to become change agents, such a future will be bright and sustainable for all.

Conclusion

The legacy of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam stands out as a beacon of hope and an inspiration. The Missile Man of India” or simply “The People’s President” had gifted his life to advance the fields of science and education while uplifting the youth. A present-day vision of a developed and technologically advanced India continues to inspire generations around the world.
Kalam extolled dreams, hard work, and the importance of moral values in leadership. He was still in the classrooms teaching youngsters and inspiring them right until his last moment of life.
His work in life inspiring one to seek knowledge, cultivate innovation, and serve the nation humbly. Hence, World Students’ Day occurs in his honor, standing as an ever-present reminder for students to dream big and work toward the advancement of society.

Read this article in Hindi: विश्व छात्र दिवस 2025 (15 अक्टूबर)