Important Days and Events Current Affairs MCQs

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World Bee Day is observed every year on May 20. The 2026 theme is “Bee together for People and the Planet.” The day highlights the importance of bees and other pollinators in biodiversity, ecosystem balance, agriculture, and global food security. It also marks the birth anniversary of Anton Janša, regarded as a pioneer of modern beekeeping. The observance promotes sustainable beekeeping practices and awareness about pollinator conservation.

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World Turtle Day is observed every year on 23 May to promote the protection of turtles and tortoises. The observance began in 2000 and is sponsored by American Tortoise Rescue. The day aims to raise awareness about the conservation of turtles, tortoises, and their disappearing habitats. It encourages people to take action for the survival and protection of these reptile species. World Turtle Day promotes global efforts toward biodiversity conservation and wildlife protection.

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World Thyroid Day is observed every year on May 25. The day aims to raise awareness about thyroid disorders, their growing disease burden, patient experiences, and the importance of diagnosis and treatment. Thyroid Disorders are among the most common endocrine disorders worldwide. In India, around 4.2 crore people are estimated to be affected by thyroid diseases. The observance encourages early detection, better healthcare support, and public awareness regarding thyroid health.

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A missile and drone strike on the Belgorod Region caused casualties and damaged critical energy infrastructure. The Belgorod Region was established on 6 January 1954. It is located in southwestern Russia and shares a border with Ukraine. The region lies along the upper Donets River and the city of Belgorod serves as the administrative centre of the oblast. The region is an important industrial and agricultural hub, producing nearly one-third of Russia’s iron ore.

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World No Tobacco Day 2026 is observed on 31 May with the theme “Unmasking the appeal – countering nicotine and tobacco addiction.” On the occasion, Punya Salila Srivastava, Union Health Secretary, launched the pilot version of the Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions Application under the National Tobacco Control Programme.  The launch took place at Kartavya Bhawan in New Delhi. The application is a digital initiative designed to strengthen implementation and monitoring of tobacco-free norms in schools and colleges across India.

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International Day of Potato is observed globally every year on 30 May. The observance was established by the United Nations and is led by the Food and Agriculture Organization. The 2026 theme is “Where potatoes grow, livelihoods flourish.” The day highlights the importance of potatoes in food security, poverty reduction, and sustainable agriculture.

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CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine will organise the 4th Lavender Festival 2026 on 6–7 June at Government Degree College Bhaderwah, Jammu and Kashmir, under the theme “Lavender goes global.” The festival celebrates the success of the Purple Revolution and lavender-based rural entrepreneurship in Jammu and Kashmir. The initiative is being promoted through the CSIR Aroma Mission under the Ministry of Science & Technology. Bhaderwah has emerged as a major lavender cultivation hub under the Purple Revolution initiative.

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13th BRICS Urbanisation Forum will be hosted by India in New Delhi on 11–12 June 2026 under India’s BRICS Chairship. The Forum is guided by the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability” and follows the Prime Minister’s vision of “Humanity First.” The Urbanisation Forum will be organised under the theme “Cities for People: BRICS Cooperation for Inclusive and Resilient Urban Futures.” India first hosted the BRICS Urbanisation Forum in 2013 in New Delhi and later hosted it in Visakhapatnam in 2016 and virtually in 2021.

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The Ministry of Ayush has announced “Yoga for Healthy Ageing” as the theme for the 12th International Day of Yoga 2026 to be observed on June 21. The theme highlights yoga’s role in promoting physical, mental, and emotional well-being amid rising global life expectancy. It focuses on improving both lifespan and “healthspan,” meaning the years spent in good health. Yoga is recognised globally as a holistic approach that supports healthy and active living through physical postures, breathing exercises, meditation, and mindfulness practices.

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World Bicycle Day is observed every year on June 3 to promote bicycles as an affordable, clean, and sustainable mode of transportation. The observance was declared by the United Nations to highlight the social, environmental, and health benefits of cycling. The 2026 theme is “Cycling for a Greener Future.” The theme emphasises reducing carbon emissions, promoting sustainable urban mobility, and encouraging eco-friendly transportation.