World Students’ Day (WSD) is celebrated every year on 15 October to mark the birth anniversary of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the 11th President of India (from 2002 to 2007) and “Missile Man of India,” honoring students and the transformative role of education in society.
- 15th October 2025 marks the 94th birth anniversary of Dr. A.P.J Abdul kalam.
Theme:
2025 Theme: “Empowering Students as Agents of Innovation and Change”.
Focus:This year’s theme reflects Dr. Kalam’s vision of students as catalysts for societal transformation through education, science, and technology.
Exam Hints:
- What: World Students’ Day 2025
- Date of Observance: 15th October (Annually)
- Commemoration: Birth anniversary of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
- Purpose: To inspire, motivate, and encourage students to pursue education and innovation like Dr. Kalam.
About Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam:
Birth: Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was Born on 15 October 1931 in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu (TN).
Scientific Contributions: He was a renowned aerospace scientist who contributed significantly to Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Political career: He served as the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007, nominated by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Academic Engagement: After his presidency, he worked as a visiting professor at prestigious institutions, including Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Shillong (Meghalaya), IIM Ahmedabad (Gujarat), and IIM Indore (Madhya Pradesh, MP).
Demise: He passed away on 27 July 2015 in Shillong, Meghalaya.
Significant Works:
Space and Nuclear Achievements: He played a crucial role in developing India’s first indigenous Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-III) in 1980 and in the Pokhran-II nuclear tests (1998).
Missile Program: During the role of Chief Executive of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) at DRDO, leading the development of ballistic missiles like Prithvi and Agni.
Vision 2020: As Principal Scientific Advisor(PSA) (1999–2001), he spearheaded Technology Vision 2020 and introduced the Providing Urban Amenities in Rural Areas (PURA) model to implement this vision at the grassroots level in 2004.
Awards and Honours:
Padma Awards: In 1981, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan in the field of Civil Service and in Padma Vibhushan in 1990 in the field of Science, and Engineering.
Bharat Ratna: In 1997, he was awarded Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, for contributions to Science and Engineering.
Others: Awarded the Veer Savarkar Award (1998) and Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration (1997) in recognition of notable achievements, service, and efforts to promote national unity.
Books:
Wings of Fire: An Autobiography (1999); India 2020 – A Vision for the New Millennium (1998); Evolution of Enlightened Societies (2006); My Journey: Transforming Dreams into Actions (2013); Turning Points: A Journey Through Challenges (2014); Reignited: Scientific Pathways to a Brighter Future (2015).
Tributes:
In 2017, Wheeler Island in Odisha was renamed APJ Abdul Kalam Island, and in 2023, Aurangzeb Lane in Delhi became Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Lane.
