Important Days and Events Current Affairs MCQs

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The 24th Vasant Utsav 2026 was celebrated on 1 February at Sai Ka Aangan, Gurugram, Haryana, highlighting traditional arts amid the digital age. Rajasthan was the theme state. The event focused on traditional Rajasthani music, dance, and storytelling. The celebration, organized in association with the CBS Cultural Foundation, aimed to preserve traditional art forms.

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The International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is observed on 6 February each year. This observance highlights the harmful effects of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and promotes human rights and women’s health. About 4.5 million girls, many under five, are at risk each year, with 22.7 million more projected by 2030. Ending Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) requires community engagement, strong health and education systems, and sustained investment.

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World Unani Day is observed annually on February 11th to commemorate the birth anniversary of Hakim Ajmal Khan, an eminent Indian Unani physician, scholar, and social reformer. The theme for World Unani Day 2026 is “Innovation and Evidence in Unani Practice,” highlighting the integration of classical Unani wisdom with modern scientific research. The Ministry of Ayush, through the Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM), is organizing a two-day national conference in Mumbai on February 14–15, 2026, in hybrid mode.

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Indian Army is hosting first United Nations Fellowship Training Programme on Small Arms and Light Weapons Control in Asia for Asia Pacific region. The programme is held from 16 February to 6 March 2026 at Military College of Materials Management, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. It is organised under Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Defence with United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs. Delegates from 13 Asia Pacific countries are participating. The fellowship builds capacity to implement United Nations Programme of Action and International Tracing Instrument. It aims to prevent illicit trade and misuse of Small Arms and Light Weapons.

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Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises organised National SC-ST Hub Mega Awareness Programme on 23 February 2026 at Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh. Aim was to promote entrepreneurship and awareness about National SC-ST Hub Scheme and other MSME schemes. 4% public procurement mandated for SC-ST owned Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) and 3% for Women MSEs. MSME sector is second largest employer after agriculture and contributes over 30% to Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Entrepreneurs received Udyam Registration support.

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Rare Disease Day is observed globally every year on the last day of February (28 February or 29 February in leap years). It was first held on 29 February 2008 and is now observed in more than 100 countries. The day raises awareness for over 300 million people worldwide living with rare diseases and promotes equitable access to diagnosis, treatment, research, and social care. In India, rare diseases affect a small proportion of the population, often requiring specialised diagnosis and care. More than 6,000 rare diseases have been identified, with nearly 72% being genetic.

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No Smoking Day 2026 is observed on 11 March 2026 to encourage people to quit tobacco and adopt healthier lifestyles. The campaign spreads awareness about the harmful effects of smoking and supports people overcoming nicotine addiction. It was first launched in 1984 in the United Kingdom and is now observed every year on the second Wednesday of March. Governments and health organisations use the day to promote tobacco cessation programmes and public health awareness campaigns.

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Ordnance Factory Day 2026 is celebrated across India on 18 March to honour the country’s legacy in defence manufacturing and self-reliance. The day commemorates the beginning of production at India’s first ordnance factory in Cossipore, Kolkata, in 1802, highlighting its historical importance in strengthening national security. India’s ordnance manufacturing network consists of 41 factories employing over 70,000 personnel, contributing significantly to defence preparedness. These factories produce a wide range of defence equipment, including small arms, artillery, armoured vehicles, parachutes, and military electronics, and also export products to more than 30 countries.

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World Puppetry Day is celebrated on March 21 every year. The day recognizes puppetry as a global art form and honors puppeteers worldwide. Puppetry involves making and manipulating puppets for theatrical performances on stage, television, or film. A puppet is a human, animal, or abstract figure moved by human effort, not mechanical aid. In India, puppetry is an ancient performing art used for storytelling, entertainment, and social commentary.

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The Ministry of AYUSH launched the 75-day countdown to International Day of Yoga 2026 with Yoga Mahotsav–2026 in Lonar, Maharashtra. The event was organised by the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga at Chhatrapati Shri Shivaji Maharaj Udyan in Buldhana district. Around 5,000 participants performed Trikonasana together, creating a record in the Asia Book of Records for the largest gathering performing the pose. The mass performance symbolised collective participation and a global movement towards holistic health and harmony.