National Unity Day 2024

National Unity Day, or Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, is observed on 31 October, the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. As independent India's first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, Patel played a central role in integrating hundreds of princely states into the Indian Union after 1947.

National Unity Day, or Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, falls on 31 October, the birthday of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. As India's first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister after independence, Patel played a leading role in integrating princely states into the Indian Union. The end of British paramountcy in 1947 left hundreds of rulers facing political choices. Working with V. P. Menon, Patel helped negotiate instruments of accession and administrative agreements, while some cases involved sharper political and military pressure.

This was a complicated historical process, not the achievement of one person acting alone. The integration of Junagadh and Hyderabad involved different circumstances, as did Jammu and Kashmir. Institutions, local populations, the Constituent Assembly and multiple political leaders shaped the emerging republic. In 2014 the Government of India instituted Rashtriya Ekta Diwas on Patel's birth anniversary to honour the importance of unity and integrity.

Official activities include unity pledges, Run for Unity events, commemorations and educational programmes. Unity should be understood alongside India's constitutional diversity of languages, cultures and communities. The date is fixed on 31 October, separate from other days remembering individual leaders.

National Unity Day helps remember an important person, institution, event or public value in India.

Unity pledge, Run for Unity and educational events honoring Patel and India's constitutional integration.

National observance across India on 31 October.