Rashtriya Ekta Diwas 2025: Sardar Patel @150 - A Legacy of Unity

• 31 Oct 2025

Source: PIB

Why in News? 

Rashtriya Ekta Diwas 2025  (National Unity Day) marks the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the architect of India’s political integration. Observed every year on 31st October, the day celebrates his legacy through events like the Run for Unity and Unity March, reaffirming the spirit of national cohesion.

What is Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day)?

• About: Rashtriya Ekta Diwas instituted in 2014 by the Government of India to recognise Sardar Patel’s role in unifying India.
  • It symbolises the ideals of national integration, peace, and unity in diversity.
  • It encourages citizens to reaffirm their commitment to national integrity and collective strength.
  • The day also serves as a platform to promote the ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (EBSB)’ initiative, announced by PM Modi in 2015.
• Statue of Unity: Inaugurated on 31st October 2018 at Kevadia, Gujarat, the Statue of Unity is the world’s tallest statue at 182 metres, dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
• It is located on Sadhu Bet hillock overlooking the Narmada River and the Sardar Sarovar Dam, it symbolises national unity and pride.
• In 2020, it was recognised among the “Eight Wonders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).”

What was Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s Contribution to National Integration?

• Post-independence Consolidation of India: At Independence, 17 British provinces were directly ruled by the British, while 40% of territory was under princely states.
  • The Indian Independence Act, 1947 ended British paramountcy, allowing princely states to join India, Pakistan, or remain independent, a major challenge to unity.
    • Many rulers considered independence or accession to Pakistan, threatening India’s territorial and political integrity.
  • Vallabhbhai Patel as India’s first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, led the integration of 560 princely states into a united India after 1947.
    • He created a States Department, headed by V. P. Menon, to handle princely state negotiations.
    • Patel used persuasion and firmness to integrate princely states. He assured rulers of autonomy and privy purses, stressing unity’s benefits. 
    • His balanced diplomacy led most to sign the Instrument of Accession, ensuring peaceful integration.
• Handling Resistant States: Patel used decisive action where persuasion failed.
  • Junagadh: Ordered police action when the Nawab chose to accede to Pakistan, later confirmed accession through a plebiscite.
  • Hyderabad: Conducted “Operation Polo” in 1948 to quell the Razakar militia and integrate the state.
  • Kashmir: Though not directly handled by Patel, his firm stance and administrative support aided integration after Maharaja Hari Singh’s accession.
  • These actions established the precedent of a strong, unified Indian state.
• Institutional Integration: Patel established the All India Services (AIS) under Article 312 to ensure administrative unity and efficiency.
  • He called the AIS the “Steel Frame of India”, crucial for maintaining national integrity in a federal setup.
  • His address to the first batch of IAS officers in 1947 remains foundational to the ethos of public service.
• Legacy and Long-term Impact: His leadership during the turbulent post-Partition years earned him the title “Iron Man of India.”
  • His model of cooperative federalism with strong national unity continues to guide India’s governance.
  • The integration of Pondicherry (1954) and Goa, Daman, and Diu (1961) followed the foundation laid by Patel.
• Comparative Perspective: Often compared to Otto von Bismarck of Germany, but Patel’s methods were democratic and persuasive, not militaristic.
  • Patel emphasised consensus-building, respect for diversity, and rule of law, aligning with India’s democratic values.

What is Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (EBSB) Initiative?

• About: Launched on 31st October 2015, the EBSB initiative seeks to carry forward Patel’s vision of national unity and integration through cultural, linguistic, and social exchange among States and Union Territories.
• Key Objectives: Strengthen emotional bonds among citizens across regions.
  • Promote cultural exchange and linguistic appreciation between states.
  • Foster national integration through structured inter-state partnerships.
  • Highlight India’s diverse art, heritage, and traditions.
  • Encourage mutual learning and sharing of best practices.
• EBSB Events and Initiatives Promoting Unity:
  • State and UT Pairing: EBSB promotes the idea of “unity in diversity” by pairing different States and Union Territories to strengthen emotional bonds through linguistic, cultural, and educational exchanges. 
  • Bhasha Sangam App: It is an initiative of the Ministry of Education under EBSB, to teach basic sentences of everyday usage in 22 Indian languages, encouraging linguistic inclusion.
  • Yuva Sangam & EBSB Clubs: Promote student exchanges and inter-state youth engagement to build understanding.
  • Kashi Tamil Sangamam: Celebrates the cultural and spiritual bond between Kashi and Tamil Nadu, promoting unity through art, language, and tradition exchange.
  • Cultural & Food Festivals: Enhance inter-regional appreciation and tourism.
  • Digital Outreach: Platforms like My Bharat Portal and EBSB Quiz encourage civic participation and cultural awareness online.
• Impact: It extends the spirit of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas beyond a single day, transforming it into a continuous movement for national unity.
  • With millions of participants, it supports initiatives like Dekho Apna Desh (Tourism) and indigenous sports promotion, reinforcing India’s collective identity.

Conclusion

Rashtriya Ekta Diwas 2025 is not just a tribute to the “Iron Man of India” but a renewed call to strengthen unity in diversity. The observance, combined with the EBSB initiative, continues to transform Patel’s ideals into a living national ethos, promoting unity, diversity, and collective responsibility in a rapidly changing world.

Drishti Mains Question:

Q. Critically examine Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s strategy of “persuasion with firmness” in integrating the princely states.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is Rashtriya Ekta Diwas?
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day) is observed on 31st October to commemorate Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birth anniversary and his role in integrating princely states into the Indian Union.

2. What was the Instrument of Accession?
The Instrument of Accession was a legal document by which princely states ceded specified subjects (defence, foreign affairs, communications) to the Indian Union.

3. Why were All India Services created and under which constitutional provision?
All India Services were created to ensure a unified, merit-based civil administration across Centre and States, preserving administrative cohesion; their creation is authorised under Article 312 of the Constitution.

4. What is Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (EBSB)?
Launched in 2015, EBSB pairs States/UTs for cultural and educational exchange (Bhasha Sangam, Yuva Sangam, festivals), strengthening emotional bonds and sustaining “unity in diversity”.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs) 

Prelims

Q. For the Karachi Session of Indian National Congress in 1931 presided over by Sardar Patel, who drafted the Resolution on Fundamental Rights and Economic Programme? (2010)

(a) Mahatma Gandhi  

(b) Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru  

(c) Dr. Rajendra Prasad  

(d) Dr. B. R. Ambedkar

Ans: (b)