Important Days and Events Current Affairs MCQs

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The International Day of Happiness is celebrated every year on March 20 to promote happiness and well-being as universal goals. It was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012 to highlight that progress should focus on human well-being, not just economic growth. The 2025 theme is “Caring and Sharing”, focusing on building stronger communities and improving overall well-being.

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The United Nations has declared March 21 as the World Day for Glaciers. The International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation 2025 highlights the urgent need to protect glaciers from climate change. Glaciers are vast ice and snow formations that shape landscapes and serve as vital freshwater sources. They regulate sea levels and support biodiversity but are melting rapidly due to global warming. The 2025 initiative aims to promote scientific research, enhance global cooperation, mobilize resources for mitigation, and encourage community-led adaptation strategies.

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The 37th Kathak Mahotsav 2025, organized by Kathak Kendra, New Delhi, a unit of Sangeet Natak Akademi, concluded successfully. The six-day festival featured the world’s first-ever Kathak Literary Festival, along with seminars, exhibitions, and dance performances. All major Kathak gharanas—Lucknow, Jaipur, Banaras, and Raigarh—were showcased through performances by renowned artists. The event was a landmark celebration of Kathak, bringing together scholars, dancers, and art enthusiasts.

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Maharashtra Governor C P Radhakrishnan inaugurated the 62nd National Maritime Day and Merchant Navy Week at Raj Bhavan, Mumbai. National Maritime Day is celebrated in India every year on April 5. It marks the maiden voyage of SS Loyalty, the first Indian-owned ship, from Mumbai to London on April 5, 1919. Various ports and maritime organizations under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW) honored the bravery and dedication of seafarers. The event highlighted India’s maritime excellence and contribution to global shipping.

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International Mine Awareness Day is observed every year on April 4 to raise awareness about the dangers of landmines and promote demining efforts. The 2025 theme, “Safe Futures Start Here,” highlights the impact of landmines, especially in war-affected regions. Landmines, including Anti-Personnel Mines (APM), Anti-Vehicle Mines (AVM), and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), continue to cause civilian casualties long after conflicts end. First observed in 2006, the day emphasizes global efforts in mine clearance, victim support, and the use of new technologies to create a landmine-free world.

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World Homeopathy Day, observed on April 10, marks the birth anniversary of Dr. Christian Friedrich Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of homeopathy. The day honors homeopathy’s contributions to medicine and raises awareness about this alternative healing system. Homeopathy is based on the principle of “like cures like,” using highly diluted natural substances to stimulate the body’s healing abilities. In India, the Ministry of AYUSH observes the day to promote awareness and research in homeopathy. World Homeopathy Day emphasizes homeopathy’s natural healing methods, minimal side effects, and its integration into mainstream healthcare.

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Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) launched the Harit Yoga programme in Delhi as part of the 10 Signature Events of International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2025. The objective is to inspire people to plant trees as a symbol of caring for both personal well-being and the planet’s health. Over 5,000 medicinal plants were distributed to yoga enthusiasts to promote this green initiative. The programme combines yoga practice with environmental awareness. International Day of Yoga 2025 will be observed on 21st June with the theme ‘Yoga for One Earth One Health’.

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India recently hosted the 8th Meeting of the Joint Committee on ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) to boost regional trade. AITIGA was signed in 2009 and came into force in 2010, aiming to ease trade between India and ASEAN nations. The agreement ensures National Treatment for goods of each party, as per General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), 1994. India-ASEAN trade reached USD 121 billion in 2023–24, forming 11% of India’s global trade. The next meeting will be held in June 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

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April 12 is celebrated every year as the International Day of Human Space Flight to honour the achievements of space exploration. This day marks the anniversary of the first human space journey by Yuri Gagarin in 1961, who orbited Earth in the Soviet spacecraft Vostok 1. It was declared by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2011 to highlight the importance of human space travel. The day recognises both past accomplishments and the ongoing efforts to explore outer space for the benefit of humanity.

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The Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS), under the Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) and the Ministry of Defence, held the second Defence Literature Festival ‘Kalam & Kavach 2.0’ in New Delhi. The event was themed ‘Securing India’s Rise through Defence Reforms’ and focused on India’s journey to becoming a self-reliant and tech-driven military power. The festival supported the Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) goal through defence manufacturing and procurement reforms. It emphasized integration across land, air, sea, cyber, and space for national security. The event aligned with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s declaration of 2025 as the ‘Year of Reforms’. It highlighted stronger public-private partnerships and faster tech transfers to boost readiness. Kalam & Kavach 2.0 showed how literature, innovation, and strategy can together shape India’s defence future.