National Mathematics Day is observed every year on December 22 to honour the birth anniversary of Srinivasa Ramanujan, one of India’s most celebrated and internationally recognised mathematicians. The day is commemorated across schools, universities, research institutions and academic platforms to emphasise the significance of mathematics in scientific development and everyday life.
The Government of India officially introduced the observance in December 2011. December 22 was chosen as National Mathematics Day in recognition of Ramanujan’s exceptional and lasting contributions to the field of mathematics. To further strengthen mathematical awareness and research, the year 2012 was declared the National Mathematics Year across the country.
Why December 22 is nationally significant
December 22 marks the birth of Srinivasa Ramanujan, whose revolutionary work continues to shape modern mathematics even more than a century later. National Mathematics Day celebrates his original ideas, his ability to solve problems considered unsolvable during his time, and the worldwide influence of his discoveries.
According to official sources, the observance serves not only as a tribute to Ramanujan’s legacy but also as a platform to motivate students and researchers to pursue mathematics as a discipline vital to innovation, technology and scientific inquiry.
India’s rich mathematical heritage
India’s connection with mathematics dates back several centuries, long before the modern era. As noted by the Press Information Bureau, India’s contributions to mathematics can be traced to between 1200 BCE and 1800 BCE. Foundational concepts such as the decimal number system, the invention of zero and the use of negative numbers originated in the Indian subcontinent, along with major advancements in arithmetic, algebra and trigonometry.
The classical and golden periods of Indian mathematics, spanning roughly from the fourth to the sixteenth century, witnessed remarkable contributions from scholars such as Aryabhata, Varahamihira, Brahmagupta and Bhaskara II. National Mathematics Day also provides an opportunity to place Ramanujan within this long-standing intellectual tradition.
Srinivasa Ramanujan’s enduring legacy
Ramanujan is best remembered for his groundbreaking work in number theory, mathematical analysis, infinite series and continued fractions. Despite having limited formal education, he independently documented nearly 3,900 mathematical results, many of which were later proven to be original and profound.
His intuitive reasoning and unconventional methods transformed key areas of twentieth-century mathematics and continue to influence research in the twenty-first century. As highlighted in official references, Ramanujan’s ideas opened new directions in mathematical thought and inspired generations of mathematicians worldwide, making his legacy central to the importance of National Mathematics Day.
