About Ambedkar Jayanti
Ambedkar Jayanti, also called Bhim Jayanti, marks the birth of Dr B. R. Ambedkar on 14 April 1891 in Mhow. He chaired the committee that drafted the Constitution and led the movement against caste discrimination. In 2027 it falls on Wednesday, 14 April 2027, a holiday for central government offices and in most states.
Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was born into the Mahar community, which was treated as untouchable, and as a schoolboy had to sit on a gunny sack he carried from home, because untouchable children were not allowed to sit with the others. He went on to earn doctorates from Columbia University and the London School of Economics, to chair the committee that drafted India's Constitution, and in the last weeks of his life to lead one of the largest religious conversions in modern history. Ambedkar Jayanti marks his birth on 14 April 1891.
What does Ambedkar Jayanti commemorate?
Ambedkar Jayanti commemorates the birth of B. R. Ambedkar and honours his life and work: the fight against untouchability and caste, his role as chairman of the Constitution's Drafting Committee, and the Buddhist revival he began. The first public celebration of his birthday was held on 14 April 1928 in Pune, organised by Janardan Sadashiv Ranapisay, while Ambedkar was still alive and in the middle of his campaigns.
The day now has several names. Many people call it Bhim Jayanti. Maharashtra has observed it as Dnyan Din, Knowledge Day, since 2017, a nod to his view of education as the way out of caste. Tamil Nadu declared it a day of equality in 2022. The United Nations held events for it in 2016, 2017 and 2018.
- 1891Birth in Mhow
Born on 14 April in the military cantonment town of Mhow, now Dr Ambedkar Nagar, in Madhya Pradesh.
- 1915–1923Degrees abroad
MA from Columbia in 1915, DSc from the London School of Economics and the bar at Gray's Inn in 1923; a Columbia PhD followed in 1927.
- 1927Mahad Satyagraha
Leads Dalits to drink from the Chavdar tank at Mahad; on 25 December, copies of the Manusmriti are burnt publicly.
- 1932Poona Pact
Signs the agreement with Madan Mohan Malaviya that reserves seats for the depressed classes in legislatures.
- 1936Annihilation of Caste
Publishes his searing critique of the caste system.
- 1947–1950The Constitution
Becomes India's first Law Minister and chairs the Drafting Committee from 29 August 1947.
- 1951Resignation
Leaves the cabinet on 27 September after the Hindu Code Bill is stalled.
- 1956Dhamma Diksha
Converts to Buddhism in Nagpur on 14 October with about five lakh followers; dies in Delhi on 6 December.
- 1990Bharat Ratna
Awarded India's highest civilian honour, posthumously.
In politics we will have equality and in social and economic life we will have inequality.
He said this the day before the Constitution was adopted, warning that political equality would not last unless social and economic equality followed. It is the line many people quote on this day.
How is Ambedkar Jayanti celebrated?
Ambedkar Jayanti is celebrated with processions, blue flags, garlands at his statues, readings of the Preamble, and gatherings at the places tied to his life. In many towns the celebrations begin at midnight, and neighbourhoods put up blue flags and arches days in advance.
Blue is the colour of the day. It was the colour of the flag of the Scheduled Castes Federation, the party Ambedkar founded, and the blue flag with his portrait is now the movement's emblem. Book stalls selling his writings are as much a part of the day as food stalls. "Jai Bhim" is said as hello and goodbye. In Parliament House, national leaders pay tributes at his statue.
| Place | Link to Ambedkar | What happens on 14 April |
|---|---|---|
| Mhow (Dr Ambedkar Nagar), Madhya Pradesh | His birthplace; the Bhim Janmabhoomi memorial opened here on 14 April 2008 | Visitors arrive from across India; the state holds a Samajik Samrasta Sammelan |
| Chaitya Bhoomi, Dadar, Mumbai | Where he was cremated in 1956; his ashes are kept here | Queues from midnight, blue candles and flowers, Buddhist chanting |
| Deekshabhoomi, Nagpur | Where he converted to Buddhism in 1956 | Processions and gatherings at the stupa |
| Pune | Site of the first public birthday celebration, in 1928 | Processions and public meetings |
For Ambedkarite Buddhists the day is also religious: at Chaitya Bhoomi the Tisarana, the Buddhist refuges, is chanted over loudspeakers, and some add "Bhimam saranam gacchami". Hindus, Sikhs, Christians and others who revere him mark it in their own ways, and many do not tie it to religion at all.
Why do people say "Jai Bhim" on Ambedkar Jayanti?
People say "Jai Bhim" on Ambedkar Jayanti because it is the greeting of the movement he led; it means "victory to Bhim", after his given name, Bhimrao. It is credited to Babu Hardas L. N., a follower of Ambedkar and secretary of the Samata Sainik Dal, who promoted it as a greeting in 1935. Today it is a greeting, a political slogan and a statement of identity. In 2024 several newly elected MPs ended their oaths in the Lok Sabha with it.
If you are not from the community, you can use "Jai Bhim" in a message on Ambedkar Jayanti, and many people will be glad you did. Use it sincerely, not as a joke or a trend.
- Bhim Jayanti
- Common name for Ambedkar Jayanti, from his given name Bhimrao.
- Babasaheb
- Respectful name for Ambedkar used by his followers; "respected father".
- Jai Bhim
- "Victory to Bhim"; greeting of the Ambedkarite movement.
- Chaitya Bhoomi
- His cremation memorial in Dadar, Mumbai.
- Deekshabhoomi
- The site in Nagpur where he and his followers became Buddhists in 1956.
- Dnyan Din
- Knowledge Day, Maharashtra's official name for 14 April since 2017.
What should you write on Ambedkar Jayanti?
An Ambedkar Jayanti message lands when it names a specific idea of his: education, equality before law, the dignity of every citizen. Keep it warm, not ceremonial; for many families this is a day of celebration, not a solemn anniversary.
Jai Bhim! Happy Ambedkar Jayanti to you and the whole family. Save me a plate from the procession.
Happy Ambedkar Jayanti. Every one of us works under a Constitution that promises equal treatment. That promise has a name, and today is his birthday.
Happy Bhim Jayanti. Babasaheb read his way from a gunny sack on a classroom floor to Columbia and the LSE. Keep reading.
On Ambedkar Jayanti, thank you for teaching us that education is how people claim their rights.
Jai Bhim. Happy Ambedkar Jayanti to Aai, Baba and everyone at home.
On Ambedkar Jayanti, we remember a man who insisted that equality in law means little without equality in daily life.
Do
- Say "Jai Bhim" or "Happy Ambedkar Jayanti"; both are welcome.
- Mention his work beyond the Constitution: economics, labour law, women's rights, the Hindu Code Bill.
- Share his own words from his books and speeches, and check the quote first.
Avoid
- Don't call him only a "Dalit leader" or only the "architect of the Constitution"; he was both and more.
- Never use caste names or slurs in a message, even in a well-meant line.
- Avoid using the day to score points against another party or community.
For the day the Constitution was adopted, see Constitution Day, and for the day it came into force, Republic Day. Many Ambedkarite Buddhists also mark Buddha Purnima.
How to wish someone on Ambedkar Jayanti
For many Indians, especially Dalit and Ambedkarite Buddhist families, Ambedkar Jayanti is the most important day of the year, closer to a festival than a civic anniversary. A good wish names what he fought for: equality, education, dignity, the Constitution. "Jai Bhim" is the greeting within the movement and is warmly received from allies who mean it. Avoid reducing him to one title, and never use caste labels in a message.
Write a few lines in your own words, pick a design and share it as one link on WhatsApp, Instagram or anywhere else. They open an animated card made just for them, with no app and no sign-up.
Language tip: English, Hindi + recipient language.
When is Ambedkar Jayanti in 2026 and 2027?
Ambedkar Jayanti is on 14 Apr every year. Only the weekday changes.
- 2026
- 2027
Frequently asked questions
When is Ambedkar Jayanti in 2027?
Ambedkar Jayanti 2027 falls on Wednesday, 14 April 2027.
Why is Ambedkar Jayanti celebrated on 14 April?
Ambedkar Jayanti is celebrated on 14 April because B. R. Ambedkar was born on that date in 1891 in Mhow, in present-day Madhya Pradesh. The day honours his fight against caste discrimination and his role in drafting the Constitution.
What does Jai Bhim mean?
Jai Bhim means "victory to Bhim", after Ambedkar's given name Bhimrao. It was promoted as a greeting in 1935 by his follower Babu Hardas L. N. and is now the common greeting of the Ambedkarite movement.
Who started the Ambedkar Jayanti celebration?
The first public celebration of Ambedkar's birthday was held in Pune on 14 April 1928, organised by Janardan Sadashiv Ranapisay. Ambedkar was 37 at the time.
Is Ambedkar Jayanti a holiday for central government offices?
Yes. The Department of Personnel and Training declares 14 April a holiday for all central government offices, including industrial establishments, through an order issued each year. It is also a public holiday in more than 25 states and union territories.
Where was B. R. Ambedkar born?
B. R. Ambedkar was born in Mhow, a cantonment town near Indore in Madhya Pradesh, now renamed Dr Ambedkar Nagar. The Bhim Janmabhoomi memorial there was inaugurated on 14 April 2008.
What is Dnyan Din?
Dnyan Din, or Knowledge Day, is the name the Maharashtra government has used for Ambedkar Jayanti since 2017. It reflects Ambedkar's belief that education was the path to dignity and equality.
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