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National Festival of India: Background, List & Significance - UPSC Notes

Last Updated on Feb 26, 2025
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The phrase 'national festival of India' fills the heart of every citizen of this diverse nation with pride and oneness. Having a rich cultural heritage and historical legacy, India celebrates numerous national festivals that mark memorable events in its freedom struggle, affluent the spirit of its democracy, and remember with gratitude the services of its great leaders. These festivals show the unity in diversity of India and therefore remind one of the shared historical heritage and the collectivity of aspirations that have kept the nation together.

This topic forms a part of the General Studies Paper I of the UPSC exam which includes subjects related to Indian culture, the history of the Indian independence movement, and significant events and personalities that shaped contemporary India. Understanding the national festivals of India is essential for comprehending the cultural and historical fabric of the country, and their role in fostering national unity and patriotism.

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General Studies Paper I

Topics for UPSC Prelims

National Integration, Constitutional Articles Related to National Festivities

Topics for UPSC Mains

Role of national festivals in promoting national integration

About the National Festivals of India

National festivals of India are celebrated with great joy and patriotic fervor. These are non-religious festivals and are celebrated with the pride and spirit of oneness for the nation, cutting across regional, linguistic, and cultural diversities. The major national festivals are celebrated as Republic Day, Independence Day, and Gandhi Jayanti. Each of these festivals has historical significance as it remembers the incidents and the persons who had exceptional contributions to making India a sovereign democratic republic.

Background of Celebrating National Festivals

The celebration of national festivals in India holds a historical relation to the early years of freedom. As the country emerged from under the colonial rule of the British in 1947, the feeling of re-creating a national identity and bringing about unity among the multitudes of people became an urgent task. Commemorating anniversaries associated with landmarks in the freedom movement and significant values enshrined in the Constitution was realized through national festivals.

Republic Day on January 26 each year was adopted in the year 1950 with the coming into force of the Indian Constitution, marking the birth of the Republic of India. Independence Day is celebrated on the 15th day of August, acknowledging the freedom of the nation from British rule in the year 1947. In observance of the 2nd of October, Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated on the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, the man who led the movement for Indian independence from British rule and, for that matter, stood across borders as a worldwide icon of nonviolent resistance.

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List of National Festivals of India

The major national festivals celebrated across the length and breadth of India include:

List of National Festivals of India

National Festival

Date

Significance

Republic Day

January 26

Marks the adoption of the Indian Constitution in 1950.

Independence Day

August 15

Commemorates India's independence from British rule in 1947.

Gandhi Jayanti

October 2

Celebrates the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

Republic Day

Celebrated on the 26th of January every year to commemorate the adoption of the Indian Constitution in the year 1950, marking the official birth of the Republic of India. The occasion is celebrated with much pomp and show in the national capital city of New Delhi and throughout the country. The highlight is the Republic Day Parade at Rajpath, where India's military power is showcased along with the rich cultural life of the country, and the country's achievements. Marching contingents consist of the armed forces, paramilitary forces, schoolchildren, and cultural activities from the various states. The President, as the Supreme Commander of the armed forces, takes the salute and confers the Padma Awards and gallantry medals.

Independence Day

On this day, August 15, the country received its independence from the British Empire in 1947 and though Independence Day was filled with fervor of patriotism, it has feathered the entire atmosphere with nationwide celebration. It is usually celebrated in the famous fort of India, Red Fort, located in the capital city of New Delhi, where the Prime Minister unfurls the national tricolor and addresses the nation. It contains a summary of Parliamentary accomplishments and the key issues-and the plans for the future. This is then followed by cultural programs, flag-hoisting ceremonies, reminding one of activities by which everyone can imbibe the spirit of independence throughout the country.

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Gandhi Jayanti

October 2nd, is the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, who is popularly known as the Father of the Nation. Mahatma Gandhi's humane philosophy of non-violence and his role in India's independence struggle stamped itself onto the national and the global arena. Indeed, this day has become the International Day of Non-Violence throughout the world. These programs will also include paying homage at Gandhiji's statues and memorials all over the country, including Raj Ghat in the national capital. It is conducted through several programmes like prayer meetings, commemorative ceremonies, and awareness campaigns on Gandhian principles.

Other Nationally Important Days

Some of the other nationality important days include:

Here is the information arranged in a table:

Other Nationally Important Days

Event

Date

Significance

Ambedkar Jayanti

April 14

The birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Indian Constitution.

Children's Day

November 14

The birth anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India. The day emphasizes the cause of children and their education.

Teacher's Day

September 5

Celebrated on the birthday of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the second President of India, to emphasize the role of teachers in society.

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Importance of National Festivals

National festivals in India are the prime promoters of patriotism, unity, and social agenda. They are moments for public reflection about the journey of the country, its achievements, and its aspirations. The importance of these festivals can be understood through the following points:

  • National festivals nurture a sense of pride and belonging within citizens towards their nation. They inculcate a sense of togetherness into all linguistic, cultural, and regional groups through common expressions of shared national identity and values.
  • These festivals remember and commemorate key events and figures in the history of India that keep the freedom struggle and sacrifices of national heroes alive. They provide an understanding and appreciation of the nation's past and principles that brought it into existence.
  • National festivals are celebrated with the theme of culture programs, exhibitions, parades, and et cetera that bring out the diversity and richness of Indian culture. It allows appreciating the traditional arts, music, dance, and crafts of different regions within the nation.
  • The idea behind the national festivals is to integrate people from all walks of life into the mainstream celebration. National festivals cut across the social, economic, and regional differences and hence add value to the concept of 'unity in diversity.'
  • These festivals underline the democratic ideals enshrined in the Indian Constitution. They motivate the citizens to rededicate themselves to the spirit of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity.

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Key Takeaways on National Festival of India for UPSC Aspirants

  • Importance of National Festivals: National festivals are an essential measure in India from cultural and political angles. They are those occasions when national integration, unity, and pride can be fostered on a plane above regional, linguistic, and religious barriers.
  • Republic Day (January 26): On January 26, 1950, the Constitution of India came into effect, and the day transformed India from a British Dominion to a Republic. A massive parade is held in New Delhi in celebration of the event to showcase India's cultural diversity, military power, and advancements in technology.
  • Independence Day (August 15): Independence Day celebrates India's freedom from British colonial rule on August 15, 1947. This day is, therefore, a matter of national pride and celebration throughout the country, with the flag-hoisting ceremony by the Prime Minister at the Red Fort in New Delhi. It epitomizes India's hard-won freedom and the sacrifices made to achieve independence.
  • Gandhi Jayanti (October 2): Gandhi Jayanti commemorates October 2 as the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation. The day marks his contribution during the country's freedom struggle via the path of non-violence and becomes an international day for Non-violence observance.

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National Festival of India UPSC FAQs

The national festivals of India are Republic Day (January 26), Independence Day (August 15), and Gandhi Jayanti (October 2).

Independence Day is often considered the main national festival of India, marking the country's freedom from British colonial rule on August 15, 1947.

No, Holi is not a national festival. It is a popular religious and cultural festival celebrated primarily by Hindus.

No, Teacher's Day (September 5) is not officially a national festival, but it is widely celebrated to honor the contribution of teachers.

A religious festival celebrates events and traditions specific to a particular religion, while a national festival commemorates significant events and figures of national importance, fostering unity and patriotism among all citizens regardless of their religious affiliations.

A national festival is a celebration that holds national significance, commemorating important historical events or figures and fostering a sense of unity and patriotism among citizens.

Republic Day (January 26), Independence Day (August 15), Gandhi Jayanti (October 2), Ambedkar Jayanti (April 14) & Children’s Day (November 14) are some of the national festivals of India.

You can find a chart of national festivals of India on Government Websites & Educational Platforms.
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