Important Days in 2026: National & International List
Feb, 2026
•6 min read
Important Days in 2026 play a crucial role in building awareness about key issues related to health, environment, education, science, culture, human rights, and national pride. This article provides a month-wise list of Important National and International Days in 2026, allowing candidates to track observances throughout the year.
These days commemorate major historical events, independence movements, social reforms, scientific achievements, and global cooperation initiatives. The detailed month-wise list of Important Days in 2026 is presented below to support quick revision and effective exam preparation.
Important Days in January 2026
Important Days in January focus on patriotism, youth empowerment, cultural heritage, and social awareness.
| Date | Important Day | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan | English New Year | Marks beginning of Gregorian calendar year |
| 1–31 Jan | National Road Safety Month | Awareness on traffic safety |
| 4 Jan | World Braille Day | Highlights Braille’s importance for visually impaired |
| 5 Jan | National Birds Day | Promotes bird conservation |
| 6 Jan | World War Orphans Day | Focus on children orphaned due to wars |
| 9 Jan | Pravasi Bharatiya Divas | Celebrates Indian diaspora’s contribution |
| 10 Jan | World Hindi Day | Promotes Hindi globally |
| 11 Jan | Lal Bahadur Shastri Death Anniversary | Remembers former PM of India |
| 12 Jan | National Youth Day | Birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda |
| 13 Jan | Lohri | Harvest festival (North India) |
| 14 Jan | Makar Sankranti | Marks sun’s transition into Capricorn |
| 15 Jan | Army Day | Commemorates establishment of Indian Army leadership |
| 23 Jan | Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti | Honors freedom fighter |
| 25 Jan | India Tourism Day | Promotes tourism |
| 25 Jan | National Voters Day | Encourages democratic participation |
| 26 Jan | Republic Day | Adoption of Indian Constitution |
| 28 Jan | Lala Lajpat Rai Jayanti | Birth anniversary of leader |
| 28 Jan | Data Protection Day | Awareness on data privacy |
| 28 Jan | K.M. Cariappa Day | Honors first Indian Field Marshal |
| 30 Jan | Martyrs’ Day | Death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi |
| 30 Jan | World Leprosy Day | Leprosy awareness |
| 31 Jan | International Zebra Day | Conservation of zebras |
Also read: 77th Republic Day 2026: Theme, History, Significance & Parade
Important Days in February 2026
Important Days in February highlight health, science, equality, language, and social justice themes.
| Date | Important Day | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Feb | Indian Coast Guard Day | Honors maritime security force |
| 2 Feb | World Wetlands Day | Wetlands conservation |
| 4 Feb | World Cancer Day | Cancer awareness and prevention |
| 13 Feb | World Radio Day | Importance of radio communication |
| 20 Feb | World Social Justice Day | Promotes fairness and equality |
| 21 Feb | Mother Language Day | Protects linguistic diversity |
| 24 Feb | Central Excise Day | Formation of Excise Department |
| 28 Feb | National Science Day | Commemorates discovery of Raman Effect |
Important Days in March 2026
Important Days in March focus on equality, women’s empowerment, sustainability, health, and youth.
| Date | Important Day | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Mar | Zero Discrimination Day | Promotes equality |
| 3 Mar | World Wildlife Day | Wildlife conservation |
| 8 Mar | International Women’s Day | Women empowerment |
| 14 Mar | Pi Day | Mathematical awareness |
| 15 Mar | Consumer Rights Day | Protects consumers |
| 20 Mar | Happiness Day | Focus on well-being |
| 21 Mar | World Forestry Day | Forest conservation |
| 22 Mar | World Water Day | Sustainable water management |
| 23 Mar | Shaheed Diwas | Martyrdom of Bhagat Singh |
| 24 Mar | World TB Day | Tuberculosis awareness |
Important Days in April 2026
Important Days in April underline health, environment, culture, heritage, and governance.
| Date | Important Day | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Apr | Odisha Foundation Day | Marks formation of Odisha state |
| 1 Apr | April Fools’ Day | Light-hearted fun and humor |
| 1 Apr | Prevention of Blindness Week | Eye care awareness |
| 2 Apr | World Autism Awareness Day | Spreads autism awareness |
| 5 Apr | National Maritime Day | India’s maritime heritage |
| 7 Apr | World Health Day | Global public health awareness |
| 10 Apr | World Homoeopathy Day | Birth anniversary of Hahnemann |
| 11 Apr | National Safe Motherhood Day | Focus on maternal health |
| 13 Apr | Vaisakhi/Baisakhi/Vishu | Harvest festivals |
| 13 Apr | Jallianwala Bagh Massacre | Remembering 1919 tragedy |
| 14 Apr | Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Jayanti | Constitution architect’s birth anniversary |
| 15 Apr | Bengali New Year/Bihu | Regional New Year celebrations |
| 17 Apr | World Haemophilia Day | Awareness of bleeding disorders |
| 18 Apr | World Heritage Day | Protects global heritage sites |
| 21 Apr | National Civil Service Day | Recognises civil servants |
| 22 Apr | World Earth Day | Environmental protection |
| 23 Apr | World Book and Copyright Day | Promotes reading and IP rights |
| 24 Apr | National Panchayati Raj Day | Marks constitutional status of PRIs |
| 25 Apr | World Malaria Day | Malaria prevention |
| 26 Apr | World IP Day | Innovation and intellectual property |
| 30 Apr | World Veterinary Day | Recognises vets and animal health |
Important Days in May 2026
Important Days in May emphasise technology, families, health, and anti-terrorism.
| Date | Important Day | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 1 May | International Labour Day | Workers’ rights and contributions |
| 3 May | World Press Freedom Day | Importance of free press |
| 8 May | Red Cross/Red Crescent Day | Humanitarian services |
| 12 May | International Nurses Day | Recognises nurses |
| 15 May | International Day of Families | Celebrates family importance |
| 4 May | Coal Miners’ Day | Honors coal miners |
| 11 May | National Technology Day | India’s technological achievements |
| 21 May | Anti-Terrorism Day | Promotes peace and security |
| 31 May | World No Tobacco Day | Tobacco use prevention |
Important Days in June 2026
Important Days in June focus on environmental protection, health awareness, child rights, and international cooperation.
| Date | Important Day | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jun | World Milk Day | Highlights importance of milk and dairy sector |
| 3 Jun | World Bicycle Day | Promotes eco-friendly transport |
| 4 Jun | International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression | Protects children affected by conflict |
| 5 Jun | World Environment Day | Global awareness on environmental protection |
| 8 Jun | World Oceans Day | Conservation of oceans |
| 12 Jun | World Day Against Child Labour | Eliminates child labour |
| 14 Jun | World Blood Donor Day | Encourages voluntary blood donation |
| 15 Jun | World Elder Abuse Awareness Day | Protects senior citizens |
| 20 Jun | World Refugee Day | Supports displaced people |
| 21 Jun | International Day of Yoga | Promotes physical and mental well-being |
| 21 Jun | World Music Day | Celebrates universal language of music |
| 26 Jun | International Day Against Drug Abuse | Prevents drug trafficking and abuse |
| 29 Jun | National Statistics Day | Birth anniversary of P.C. Mahalanobis |
Important Days in July 2026
Important Days in July highlight medical services, population issues, environment, and national security.
| Date | Important Day | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jul | National Doctors’ Day | Honours doctors |
| 11 Jul | World Population Day | Population awareness |
| 18 Jul | Nelson Mandela International Day | Promotes peace and freedom |
| 26 Jul | Kargil Vijay Diwas | Victory in Kargil War (1999) |
| 28 Jul | World Hepatitis Day | Hepatitis awareness |
| 29 Jul | International Tiger Day | Tiger conservation |
| 30 Jul | International Day of Friendship | Promotes global friendship |
Important Days in August 2026
Important Days in August focus on the freedom movement, youth, sports, and humanitarian efforts.
| Date | Important Day | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 7 Aug | National Handloom Day | Promotes handloom sector |
| 8 Aug | Quit India Movement Day | Launch of Quit India Movement |
| 9 Aug | Nagasaki Day | Remembers atomic bombing |
| 12 Aug | International Youth Day | Youth empowerment |
| 15 Aug | Independence Day | India’s freedom from British rule |
| 19 Aug | World Humanitarian Day | Humanitarian workers’ contribution |
| 20 Aug | Sadbhavana Diwas | Promotes harmony |
| 23 Aug | International Day for Remembrance of Slave Trade | Against slavery |
| 29 Aug | National Sports Day | Birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand |
Important Days in September 2026
Important Days in September emphasise education, democracy, language, peace, and equality.
| Date | Important Day | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Sep | Teachers’ Day | Birth anniversary of Dr. S. Radhakrishnan |
| 8 Sep | International Literacy Day | Literacy awareness |
| 14 Sep | Hindi Diwas | Promotion of Hindi language |
| 15 Sep | Engineers’ Day | Birth anniversary of M. Visvesvaraya |
| 21 Sep | International Day of Peace | Global peace |
| 22 Sep | World Rhino Day | Rhino conservation |
| 25 Sep | Antyodaya Diwas | Birth anniversary of Deendayal Upadhyaya |
| 27 Sep | World Tourism Day | Sustainable tourism |
Important Days in October 2026
Important Days in October highlight non-violence, health, food security, and national unity.
| Date | Important Day | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Oct | International Day for Older Persons | Elderly welfare |
| 2 Oct | Gandhi Jayanti | Birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi |
| 2 Oct | International Day of Non-Violence | Gandhian principles |
| 8 Oct | Indian Air Force Day | IAF foundation |
| 10 Oct | World Mental Health Day | Mental health awareness |
| 15 Oct | International Day of Rural Women | Rural women empowerment |
| 16 Oct | World Food Day | Food security |
| 24 Oct | United Nations Day | Formation of UN |
| 31 Oct | National Unity Day | Birth anniversary of Sardar Patel |
Important Days in November 2026
Important Days in November focus on children, education, media, law, and constitutional values.
| Date | Important Day | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 7 Nov | National Cancer Awareness Day | Cancer prevention |
| 11 Nov | National Education Day | Birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad |
| 14 Nov | Children’s Day | Birth anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru |
| 14 Nov | World Diabetes Day | Diabetes awareness |
| 16 Nov | National Press Day | Free and responsible press |
| 20 Nov | World Children’s Day | Child rights |
| 26 Nov | Constitution Day | Adoption of Indian Constitution |
| 29 Nov | International Day of Solidarity with Palestine | Global solidarity |
Important Days in December 2026
Important Days in December emphasise human rights, armed forces, environment, and science.
| Date | Important Day | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Dec | World AIDS Day | HIV/AIDS awareness |
| 2 Dec | National Pollution Control Day | Industrial safety |
| 3 Dec | International Day of Persons with Disabilities | Disability inclusion |
| 4 Dec | Indian Navy Day | Naval achievements |
| 5 Dec | World Soil Day | Soil conservation |
| 7 Dec | Armed Forces Flag Day | Welfare of armed forces |
| 10 Dec | Human Rights Day | Universal human rights |
| 14 Dec | National Energy Conservation Day | Energy efficiency |
| 16 Dec | Vijay Diwas | Victory in 1971 war |
| 18 Dec | International Migrants Day | Migrants’ rights |
| 22 Dec | National Mathematics Day | Birth anniversary of Ramanujan |
| 25 Dec | Good Governance Day | Birth anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee |
UPSC Prelims PYQs on Significant Days
QUESTION 1
GS
Medium
International Relations
Prelims 2021
Consider the following statements:
- 21st February is declared to be the International Mother Language Day by UNICEF.
- The demand that Bangla has to be one of the national languages was raised in the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Select an option to attempt
QUESTION 2
GS
Easy
Environment & Ecology
Prelims 2021
Consider the following statements:
Statement 1: The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and the Arbor Day Foundation have recently recognized Hyderabad as 2020 Tree City of the World. Statement 2: Hyderabad was selected for the recognition for a year following its commitment to grow and maintain the urban forests.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Select an option to attempt
Conclusion
The Important Days in 2026 (National & International) list is an essential resource for UPSC and other competitive exam aspirants. Learning these dates month-wise, along with their significance, helps strengthen current affairs, general awareness, and exam performance, making revision faster and more effective.
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