Important Days and Events Current Affairs MCQs

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National Siddha Day is observed every year in India on January 6 to mark the birth anniversary of Sage Agathiyar, regarded as the father of the Siddha system of medicine. The day coincides with the Ayilyam star in the Tamil month of Margazhi. The first National Siddha Day was observed on 4 January 2018. The 9th National Siddha Day falls on 6 January 2026.

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SARAS Mela 2026 is held in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, from 6–18 January 2026, marking the first time the national-level event is hosted there. The Mela brings together Women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs) from all States and Union Territories, with around 300 women artisans and entrepreneurs participating. The objective of event is to promote economic empowerment of women SHG members through sustainable livelihoods and provide national-level exposure and market access.

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Indian Army Day is celebrated annually on 15 January to honour 1949, when Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa became India’s first Commander-in-Chief. The Indian Army originated from the East India Company armies, later became the British Indian Army and the Princely States Army, and merged into the National Army of India after independence in 1947. Its units have fought many battles, earning honor for the nation through bravery. The Indian Army’s primary role is to protect India from foreign aggression and ensure national security. It also addresses internal threats and maintains peace within the country.

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National Startup Day in India is celebrated annually on January 16. National Startup Day on 16 January 2026 marks a decade of the Startup India Initiative, launched in 2016 to energize entrepreneurship in India. Startup India has transformed into one of the world’s largest and most diverse startup ecosystems, driving innovation, job creation, and inclusive economic growth. The initiative aligns with India’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, combining economic modernization with regional uplift and social equity.

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Recently, the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India, organised PM Vishwakarma Haat 2026 at Dilli Haat, INA, New Delhi from 18–31 January 2026. It celebrated and showcased India’s traditional craftsmanship and provided a platform for artisans to market their products to national and international buyers. More than 117 artisans from all States and Union Territories participated, representing diverse traditional skills. The event featured live craft demonstrations, cultural experiences, and promoted sustainable livelihoods for PM Vishwakarma Scheme beneficiaries. Foreign mission representatives were also invited, highlighting international engagement.

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The 2026 World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting was held in Davos, Switzerland, from January 19–23, 2026. The 56th annual meeting focused on the theme “A Spirit of Dialogue,” bringing together global leaders to address economic, geopolitical, and technology-driven risks. It was established in 1971 and promotes the stakeholder theory for inclusive and sustainable growth. The Davos meeting provides a platform for dialogue and exchange of ideas, not formal trade negotiations. It discusses key global issues like climate change, economic stability, and global security.

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International Data Privacy Day is observed annually on 28 January. The day highlights the importance of safeguarding personal data in an increasingly digital world and commemorates the signing of Convention 108 in 2006, the first legally binding international treaty on data protection. The day reminds governments, digital platforms, and citizens of their shared responsibility to build a secure, trusted, and inclusive digital ecosystem.

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The 12th edition of Smile International Film Festival for Children and Youth (SIFFCY) has begun in New Delhi. The seven-day festival is organised by Smile Foundation in collaboration with the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. Smile International Film Festival for Children and Youth (SIFFCY) 2026 focuses on diversity, equity, and inclusion, encouraging children and youth to engage with personal, social, moral, and global issues. The festival showcases films highlighting disability inclusion, equity, and diversity, including productions made by disabled children for the first time.

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The International Day of Human Fraternity is observed every year on 4 February and was established by the United Nations (UN) in 2020. The 2026 theme is “Dialogue Over Division,” urging people to choose conversation instead of conflict. Dialogue means listening with care, speaking responsibly, and recognising shared humanity, not forced agreement. The observance calls individuals, communities, and nations to embrace diversity through understanding.

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The 17th Tribal Youth Exchange Programme was held in Kancheepuram district of Tamil Nadu. It is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in coordination with the Ministry of Home Affairs. Around 200 tribal youth from Left Wing Extremism-affected districts of Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and Maharashtra participated in the event. The week-long camp promotes national integration and cultural understanding.