Important Days and Events Current Affairs MCQs

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The 11th Ajanta-Ellora International Film Festival (AEIFF) has been launched in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra on 28 January. Ilaiyaraaja, legendary music composer and Padma Vibhushan awardee, was honoured with the Padmapani Award for his contribution to Indian cinema. The festival opened with the screening of the Spanish film ‘Siret’ and will continue until Sunday, showcasing national and international films. It is organised with support from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Maharashtra’s Department of Cultural Affairs.

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World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day is observed every year on 30 January by the World Health Organization. It highlights the impact of Neglected Tropical Diseases on poor and underserved communities. Neglected Tropical Diseases affect about one billion people worldwide but are preventable and treatable. In 2024, around 1.4 billion people needed interventions, showing a 36 percent decline since 2010. By early 2026, 58 countries eliminated at least one Neglected Tropical Disease.

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World Peace and Understanding Day 2026 is observed on 23 February 2026. It marks anniversary of first Rotary meeting held in Chicago in 1905. That meeting led to foundation of Rotary International, a global humanitarian organisation. The day is celebrated during World Understanding Month in February. It promotes service, ethical leadership and international cooperation. It highlights role of goodwill and dialogue in building harmony. It reminds that lasting peace needs justice, empathy and collective action at all levels of society.

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World Obesity Day (WOD) is observed every year on 4 March across the world to raise awareness about the global obesity crisis and its growing impact on public health. The day aims to promote public health reforms, reduce stigma associated with obesity, and encourage coordinated global action to prevent and manage obesity. March 4, 2026 marked the 12th observance of World Obesity Day since the global campaign was launched. The observance highlights the need for stronger policies, better healthcare systems, and healthier lifestyle choices to tackle obesity at both individual and societal levels.

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United Nations observes the International Day of Women Judges (IDWJ) every year on 10 March. The day promotes full and equal participation of women in judicial systems worldwide. It also recognises the contribution of women judges in strengthening justice, rule of law and gender equality. The observance highlights the need for greater representation of women in courts and legal institutions. 10 March 2026 marks the 5th observance of this international day. The theme for 2026 is “Women Judges on the Bench and Beyond: Protecting Access to Justice.”

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World Health Day is observed every year on 7 April. The theme for 2026 is “Together for health. Stand with science.” The campaign emphasizes the importance of science-based solutions and global collaboration to protect the health of people, animals, plants, and the environment. It promotes the One Health approach, highlighting the interconnection between human, animal, and environmental health. The observance launches a year-long global campaign focusing on scientific achievements and the role of multilateral cooperation in turning evidence into action.

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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.

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Operation Meghdoot completed 42 years on April 13, which is observed as Siachen Day to honour India’s control over the Siachen region. The operation was launched in 1984 by the Indian Army with support from the Indian Air Force to secure the strategically important Siachen Glacier, the world’s highest battlefield. It involved airlifting troops and supplies to high-altitude glacial peaks using transport aircraft and helicopters under extreme weather conditions. The operation was initiated to counter Pakistan’s attempts to assert control over the uncharted Siachen region through cartographic claims and expeditions.

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World Chagas Disease Day is observed on 14 April to raise awareness about this neglected tropical disease and its impact. Chagas disease, also called American trypanosomiasis, is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. It is a chronic infectious disease that can lead to severe heart and digestive system complications. It spreads mainly through triatomine bugs (kissing bugs), which transmit the parasite via their feces. It is prevalent in Latin America, especially South and Central America and Mexico.

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April is observed as Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and support systems for patients and caregivers. Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder, often diagnosed late as early symptoms are overlooked or misunderstood. The three main motor symptoms are tremors (shaking), slowness of movement, and rigidity (muscle stiffness). Non-motor symptoms such as constipation and sleep disorders may appear years before motor symptoms, contributing to delayed diagnosis. There is no cure, but early detection and treatment can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.