Gandhi Jayanti for kids
Every year on 2 October, India remembers the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi. Learn who he was, why the day matters, and try some gentle activities about kindness and peace.
What is Gandhi Jayanti?
Gandhi Jayanti is marked on 2 October every year. It is the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, a leader of the Indian independence movement. In 2026, 2 October fell on a Friday.
The day is a national holiday in India, and Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday appears on the central government’s list of holidays. People remember the day in different ways, and many schools hold talks, songs and activities about peace.
Who was Mahatma Gandhi?
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on 2 October 1869 in Porbandar, India. When he grew up he became one of the leaders of the movement that worked for India’s independence from British rule. Many people called him “Mahatma”, which means “Great Soul”. He died in Delhi on 30 January 1948.
Many people in India and around the world admire him for satyagraha, a way of protesting without violence to work for fairness and change. Many other people also worked for India’s freedom, in many different ways. This page is only a short, gentle introduction. Your school books and library have the longer story, which is best read with a grown-up.
A day for peace around the world
2 October is not only special in India. In 2007 the United Nations General Assembly decided that 2 October would be the International Day of Non-Violence. The United Nations says it chose this date because it is the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, and that the day is a chance to spread the message of non-violence through education and public awareness.
So on 2 October, children in India and in many other countries can think about the same big question: how can we solve problems without hurting anyone?
Three simple ideas
Non-violence is the idea most closely linked with Gandhi’s birthday. Here it is, together with two more ideas that are good for children to talk about. Each one can mean something simple in your own day.
- Truth: being honest is something many families value. For you, it can mean telling the truth, even when it is hard, and owning up when you make a mistake.
- Non-violence: in Indian traditions this idea is called ahimsa, which means not causing harm. Gandhi grew up in a home that valued it. For you, it can mean using kind words, taking turns and finding a calm way to settle an argument.
- Simplicity: this is an idea for you to talk about with your family. Do we really need everything we ask for? What can we share, mend or reuse?
Try it: a kindness week
This activity works at home or in class. Choose one kind action for each day of the week, and keep a small chart.
- Take a sheet of paper and draw seven boxes, one for each day.
- Write one kind action in each box, for example: say thank you to someone who helps you, share a toy or a snack, include a classmate who is on their own, listen without interrupting, or help to tidy a room.
- Tick each box when you have done the action.
- On the last day, tell a friend or your family how it felt. Was it easy or hard? What surprised you?
More ideas for home and class
- Helping at home: pick one job to do without being asked, such as laying the table, watering plants or folding clothes. Notice how your family feels.
- Simple-living talk: sit together and each choose one thing you could reuse or share instead of buying something new. A box of old clothes to pass on is a good start.
- Peace circle: in class, sit in a circle and let each child finish the sentence “Peace is ...” in their own words. There are no wrong answers.
- Calm-down corner: make a quiet spot with paper and crayons where anyone can go to cool down before they speak.
For more everyday ways to practise kindness, see kindness activities for kids. Teachers can find more classroom ideas on our for teachers page.
Other days to remember
India has several national days. Gandhi Jayanti on 2 October remembers a birthday. Independence Day on 15 August remembers 1947, and Republic Day on 26 January marks the Constitution coming into force. Another special day in the year is Children’s Day. You can also meet the national symbols of India.
Test yourself
- On which date is Gandhi Jayanti marked? Answer: 2 October.
- What does the name “Mahatma” mean? Answer: Great Soul.
- What is the United Nations day on 2 October called? Answer: the International Day of Non-Violence.
Want more? Try the Indian national days quiz, the festival quiz or browse the festival calendar.
Questions
When is Gandhi Jayanti?
Gandhi Jayanti is marked on 2 October every year, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi. In 2026 it fell on a Friday.
Who was Mahatma Gandhi?
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on 2 October 1869 in Porbandar and became a leader of the Indian independence movement. Many people called him Mahatma, which means Great Soul.
What is the International Day of Non-Violence?
It is a United Nations day observed on 2 October, Gandhi's birthday. The UN General Assembly set it up in 2007 to spread the message of non-violence through education and public awareness.
Is Gandhi Jayanti a national holiday in India?
Yes. 2 October is a national holiday in India, and Mahatma Gandhi's birthday appears on the central government's holiday list.
This is a short, friendly overview, and we are not the authority on Indian history or on any official observance. Facts checked 1 November 2026 against the United Nations page on the International Day of Non-Violence and Encyclopaedia Britannica’s biography of Mahatma Gandhi for his birth date and place, the title Mahatma, satyagraha, ahimsa and his death, and against a Deccan Herald report on the central government’s 2026 holiday list and Wikipedia’s article on Gandhi Jayanti for the national holiday, the 2007 United Nations decision and how the day is observed. If you spot a mistake, please tell us and we will fix it.