Important Days and Events Current Affairs MCQs

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Maharashtra’s Nashik hosts the ‘Yoga Mahotsav 2025’ as part of the countdown to International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2025. It was organised by Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY), Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (Ayush). The event took place at Gauri Maidan, Panchavati, celebrating India’s Yoga heritage and launching the Yoga Sangam Portal for online registrations. Yoga Sangam is a major initiative under International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2025 to enable synchronized Yoga practice at 1,00,000 locations across India on June 21. The event promoted the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP), focusing on practices like Pranayama and Dhyana to improve health and harmony.

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International No Diet Day is observed annually on May 6th. International No Diet Day is a global event celebrated to promote body positivity and self-acceptance. It challenges harmful social norms that link beauty only with thinness and fights against fatphobia and weight discrimination. The day also raises awareness about the dangers of extreme dieting and encourages people to focus on overall well-being. It was started in 1992 by British feminist Mary Evans Young, who struggled with anorexia and later founded the Diet Breakers organization.

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The 2nd Tri-Service Future Warfare Course was held in New Delhi from April 21 to May 9, 2025, at the Manekshaw Centre. It focused on how technology impacts warfare and aimed to prepare senior officers for modern warfare complexities, fostering jointness and integration among the services. The course was conducted under the aegis of Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff and coordinated by the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS).

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The International Day of Families is observed on 15 May every year. The United Nations General Assembly declared this day in 1983 following recommendations from the Commission for Social Development and the Economic and Social Council. The 2025 theme is “Family-Oriented Policies for Sustainable Development: Towards the Second World Summit for Social Development.” The theme highlights the role of family-focused policies in dealing with global changes like technology, migration, climate change, urbanisation, and population shifts. The day aims to raise awareness about family-related issues and promote their role in achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

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The International Day of Light 2025 is observed globally on May 16 with the theme “Light, Innovation, Society.” Events were held at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Headquarters and worldwide to highlight light’s role in science and sustainability. The day was first celebrated in 2018 after being proposed by Ghana, Mexico, New Zealand, and Russia, and approved by UNESCO in 2017. It aims to raise awareness about light-based technologies and promote science, innovation, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

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International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) is observed every year on May 22 to raise awareness and take action to protect biodiversity. In 2025, the theme is “Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development,” showing the link between biodiversity and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The theme also connects with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) and the recently adopted Pact for the Future. IDB was first established in 1993, and initially celebrated on December 29, marking the entry into force of the Convention on Biological Diversity. In 2000, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) changed the date to May 22, to mark the 1992 adoption of the convention in Nairobi.

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Every year on May 29, the United Nations (UN) observes the International Day of UN Peacekeepers to honour those who work for peace in difficult areas. India is the fourth largest contributor of uniformed personnel to UN Peacekeeping missions. India currently sends over 5,300 military and police personnel to United Nations peace operations in Abyei and the Central African Republic. Two Indian peacekeepers, Brigadier General Amitabh Jha and Havildar Sanjay Singh will be honoured posthumously with the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal. This ceremony takes place at the UN headquarters on May 29, 2025, to mark Peacekeepers Day.

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The 11th BRICS Parliamentary Forum concluded in Brasilia, Brazil, on June 5 with strong condemnation of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India. The Indian delegation was led by Lok Sabha Speaker and included senior parliamentarians and officials. The forum included 10 member countries—India, Brazil, Russia, China, South Africa, Iran, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt, Ethiopia, and Indonesia. India was given the chairmanship to host the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in 2026.

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Recently, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reported that global drug users reached 292 million by 2022, showing a 20% rise over the past decade. On June 26, 2025, the world observed International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, also known as World Drug Day. This day, first declared by the United Nations General Assembly on December 7, 1987, promotes global action for a drug-free world. The 2025 theme, “Break the Cycle. #StopOrganizedCrime,” highlights the need to stop organized crime linked to drug trafficking.

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Recently, the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti and UNICEF India organized the National Rural Sanitation Workshop at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. The event reviewed Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin (SBM-G) progress and set priorities for its next phase. Two publications were launched: Standard Operating Procedures for Sanitation Workers’ Safety and Dignity, and Protocol for Climate Resilient Sanitation Designs. 80% of targeted villages achieved Open Defecation Free (ODF) Plus Model status, but only 54% were verified. Grey Water Management reached 91% coverage nationally, with 20 States/UTs crossing 95%.