Important Days and Events Current Affairs MCQs

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The 12th annual National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day was celebrated on October 8, 2026, and was organised by the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA). On this occasion, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) organised an event at Atal Akshay Urja Bhawan, New Delhi, focusing on the safe use of hydrogen. Government officials, industry representatives, researchers and experts discussed hydrogen standards and safety measures. The discussions focused on safe production, storage, transportation and use of hydrogen in India. A report titled “India’s Hydrogen Standards: Gap Assessment and Preliminary Action Framework” was released in association with Boston Consulting Group (BCG).

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Recently, the 7th edition of the Madhya Pradesh Travel Mart (MPTM) 2026 was held from 7–10 October 2026 at the Kushabhau Thakre International Convention Centre (Minto Hall), Bhopal. The Travel Mart brought together more than 100 international delegates from more than 34 countries, along with more than domestic tourism operators from more than States/Union Territories and 355 local stakeholders. More than 10,000 pre-scheduled Business-to-Business (B2B) sessions were conducted to promote tourism partnerships and business opportunities. The event helped secure over ₹1,100 crore in investments in Madhya Pradesh’s tourism sector.

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World Food Day is observed annually on 16 October to commemorate the establishment of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in 1945. The day aims to raise awareness about hunger, malnutrition, food security and the need for sustainable food systems. It is recognised in more than 150 countries, encouraging governments, communities and individuals to work towards eliminating hunger. World Food Day highlights the importance of access to safe and nutritious food, agricultural development and international cooperation. The 2026 theme is “Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow.”, announced by the FAO. The theme emphasises innovation and collective action to build resilient food systems and ensure sustainable nutrition for future generations.

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Recently, India hosted the 61st Meeting of the International Committee of Legal Metrology for the first time in New Delhi. The three-day meeting aimed to promote international cooperation, harmonisation of measurement standards, fair trade, and consumer protection. More than 100 international delegates and legal metrology experts participated in the event. The meeting was organised by the Department of Consumer Affairs in association with the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML). The event showcased India’s reforms and advancements in legal metrology on an international platform.

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Recently, National Solidarity Day was observed on 20 October to promote national unity, patriotism and collective responsibility among Indian citizens. The day commemorates the beginning of the Sino-Indian War on 20 October 1962 and honours the sacrifices and bravery of Indian soldiers. National Solidarity Day was first observed in 1966, under the leadership of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The day highlights the importance of unity among citizens, irrespective of their cultural, linguistic, regional or religious differences. It pays tribute to the Indian Armed Forces for protecting the country’s borders and safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

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World Osteoporosis Day is observed on 20 October every year. The 2026 theme is “Build, Protect, Strengthen Your Bones for Life,” highlighting the importance of lifelong bone health. The campaign focuses on preventing fragility fractures and improving diagnosis and treatment after fractures. Around 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men aged 50 and above are estimated to experience an osteoporotic fracture during their lifetime. An estimated 80–90% of patients who experience a fragility fracture are never diagnosed or treated for the underlying osteoporosis. In India, more than 60 million people are affected by low bone mass or osteoporosis, and the condition may occur 10–20 years earlier than in Western populations.

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International Snow Leopard Day is observed annually on 23 October to raise awareness about snow leopard conservation and the protection of high-altitude mountain ecosystems. The snow leopard’s scientific name is Panthera uncia, and it is popularly known as the “Ghost of the Mountains” because of its elusive nature. The observance commemorates the Bishkek Declaration, adopted on 23 October 2013 in Kyrgyzstan during the first Global Forum on the Conservation of the Snow Leopard. Representatives from 12 snow leopard range countries participated in the initiative. The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 23 October as the International Day of the Snow Leopard to strengthen international cooperation for its conservation.

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The Indian Navy will host the 2026 Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue (IPRD) from 3 to 5 November 2026 at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi. The theme of the dialogue is “Science, Technology and Academic Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.” The event is organised by the Indian Navy in collaboration with the National Maritime Foundation (NMF), which serves as its knowledge partner. Experts from 18 countries are expected to participate in discussions on regional maritime cooperation and security.

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The 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum was held on 26–27 October 2026 at the Parliament House Complex in New Delhi, India. The forum was hosted by the Parliament of India under India’s BRICS Presidency in 2026. The overarching theme was “Strengthening Parliaments for People-Centric Development.” The discussions focused on four key areas: Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.

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The 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) was held in Cebu, Philippines, on 28–29 October 2026. Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh led the Indian delegation to the meeting. The meeting focused on regional and international security issues and strengthening defence cooperation. ADMM-Plus brings together ASEAN member states and eight dialogue partners: India, the United States, China, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. The ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) is ASEAN’s highest defence consultative and cooperative mechanism. The first ADMM-Plus meeting was held in Hanoi, Vietnam, on 12 October 2010.