Important Days and Events Current Affairs MCQs

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Earth Day is celebrated every year on April 22 and is one of the largest global movements for environmental protection. The theme for Earth Day 2025 is “OUR POWER, OUR PLANET,” calling for a major shift to renewable energy. It urges individuals, businesses, and governments to triple clean energy production by 2030. The first Earth Day was held on April 22, 1970, led by United States Senator Gaylord Nelson to raise awareness about environmental issues. Around 20 million Americans joined that day, making up 10% of the U.S. population. In 1990, Earth Day became a global event with over 200 million people from 141 countries participating. It reminds us of our shared duty to care for nature and tackle climate change.

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The National Zero Measles-Rubella Elimination Campaign 2025-26 was launched in New Delhi during World Immunisation Week. This campaign aims to eliminate Measles and Rubella from India by 2026 through 100 percent vaccination coverage. Health and Family Welfare Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda launched the campaign virtually and urged States to involve the public actively through Jan Bhagidari, meaning public participation. Two doses of the Measles-Rubella vaccine are given free under the Universal Immunisation Programme at 9–12 months and 16–24 months of age. So far, 332 districts reported zero Measles cases and 487 districts zero Rubella cases in early 2025.

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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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World Lupus Day is observed every year on May 10 to spread awareness about Lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease. In an autoimmune disease, the immune system fails to differentiate between harmful germs and healthy body tissue. As a result, it produces antibodies that attack and damage healthy parts of the body. Lupus can affect many organs, including the skin, joints, kidneys, brain, and heart. The aim of observing this day is to educate people and promote early diagnosis and proper care. The theme for World Lupus Day 2025 is “Let’s Make Lupus Visible Together”, highlighting the need for global awareness and support.

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International Nurses Day, observed annually on May 12th, the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale, recognizes the vital contributions of nurses worldwide. The theme for International Nurses Day 2025 is “Our Nurses. Our Future. Caring for nurses strengthens economies”. This year’s theme emphasizes the economic and societal importance of investing in nurses, their well-being, and their rights.

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Recently, the Government of India declared 23rd September as the new fixed date for celebrating Ayurveda Day each year. This decision replaces the earlier variable observance on Dhanteras, which followed the lunar calendar and created logistical challenges. The change was announced through a Gazette Notification dated 23rd March 2025 to ensure global visibility and consistent annual observance. Ayurveda Day promotes Ayurveda as a scientific and holistic system of preventive healthcare. The date 23rd September was chosen as it coincides with the autumnal equinox, symbolizing natural balance, aligning with Ayurveda’s core philosophy of harmony between mind, body, and spirit.

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The United Nations General Assembly has officially declared May 19 as World Fair Play Day starting from 2025. The day aims to recognize the role of sports in promoting peace, inclusion, and justice across the globe. It highlights how sports go beyond just competition and help build values like fairness, discipline, respect, and unity. World Fair Play Day encourages people to see sports as a way to break barriers of race, religion, and nationality. It promotes shared human values such as mutual respect and perseverance through sportsmanship and ethical behavior in all games.

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Commonwealth Day is observed on different dates worldwide and on May 24 in India. It celebrates the shared history and values of countries once part of the British Empire. The day was first linked to Queen Victoria’s birthday on May 24, 1819. The 2025 theme is ‘Together we thrive’, focusing on unity and strong communities. India joined the Commonwealth in 1950 under the London Declaration by Krishna Menon. New Delhi hosted the Commonwealth Games in October 2010. King Charles III is the current symbolic head after Queen Elizabeth II’s 70-year reign. The day promotes international cooperation for global peace and prosperity.

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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.