'Important days' questions are pure recall: a day and its date, often with the person or theme behind it. This page lists the ones that actually appear — India's national days and the world/international days — with a hook for each so the date sticks (Sports Day = Dhyan Chand's birthday; Science Day = the Raman Effect; Yoga Day = 21 June, the longest day). Learn these and you bank several easy marks every exam.
28 Feb
National Science Day
C. V. Raman / Raman Effect
29 Aug
National Sports Day
Major Dhyan Chand's birthday
21 Jun
International Yoga Day
Since 2015
National days of India
The Indian days — and the person behind each.
Days named for people
Major Dhyan Chand, the 'Hockey Wizard', at the 1936 Olympics. National Sports Day is his birthday, 29 August.
Unknown (pre-1947) · Public domain
Sir C. V. Raman, winner of the 1930 Nobel Prize in Physics. National Science Day (28 February) marks his discovery of the Raman Effect.
India Post · GODL-India
| Day | Date | Person / note |
|---|---|---|
| Republic Day | 26 January | Constitution came into force, 1950 |
| Independence Day | 15 August | 1947 |
| National Youth Day | 12 January | Swami Vivekananda's birthday |
| National Science Day | 28 February | C. V. Raman / Raman Effect |
| National Sports Day | 29 August | Major Dhyan Chand's birthday |
| Teachers' Day | 5 September | Dr. S. Radhakrishnan's birthday |
| Children's Day | 14 November | Jawaharlal Nehru's birthday |
| Gandhi Jayanti | 2 October | Also International Day of Non-Violence |
QUICK CHECK
PYQ · SSC — On which date is National Sports Day observed in India?
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Answer: C — 29 August
National Sports Day is on 29 August, the birthday of hockey wizard Major Dhyan Chand.
QUICK CHECK
PYQ · SSC — National Science Day, commemorating C. V. Raman's discovery, is celebrated on:
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Answer: A — 28 February
National Science Day is on 28 February, marking C. V. Raman's discovery of the Raman Effect (1928).
QUICK CHECK
PYQ · SSC — The National Youth Festival is celebrated on the birth anniversary of which personality?
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Answer: D — Swami Vivekananda
The National Youth Festival begins on 12 January, the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda (National Youth Day).
International / World days
The global observances the exam repeats most.
| Day | Date |
|---|---|
| World Wetlands Day (Ramsar) | 2 February |
| International Women's Day | 8 March |
| International Day of Happiness | 20 March |
| World Water Day | 22 March |
| Earth Day | 22 April |
| World Environment Day | 5 June |
| World Blood Donor Day | 14 June |
| International Yoga Day | 21 June |
| World Population Day | 11 July |
| World Ozone Day | 16 September |
| World AIDS Day | 1 December |
| Human Rights Day | 10 December |
QUICK CHECK
PYQ · SSC — When is World AIDS Day observed?
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Answer: B — 1 December
World AIDS Day has been observed on 1 December every year since 1988.
QUICK CHECK
PYQ · SSC — World Population Day is observed on:
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Answer: B — 11 July
World Population Day is observed on 11 July every year.
QUICK CHECK
PYQ · SSC — According to the Ramsar Convention, when is World Wetlands Day observed?
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Answer: C — 2 February
World Wetlands Day is observed on 2 February, the date the Ramsar Convention was signed (1971).
QUICK CHECK
PYQ · SSC — World Ozone Day is celebrated every year on ___ September.
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Answer: B — 16
World Ozone Day (International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer) is on 16 September.
QUICK CHECK
PYQ · SSC — Which date is observed as the International Day of Happiness?
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Answer: B — 20 March
The UN proclaimed 20 March as the International Day of Happiness in 2012.
QUICK CHECK
PYQ · SSC — When is International Olympic Day observed?
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Answer: D — 23 June
Olympic Day is observed on 23 June, marking the founding of the International Olympic Committee in 1894.
QUICK CHECK
PYQ · SSC — World Blood Donor Day is observed every year on:
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Answer: C — 14 June
World Blood Donor Day is on 14 June, the birth anniversary of Karl Landsteiner (who discovered blood groups).
QUICK CHECK
PYQ · SSC — On which date is the International Day for Biological Diversity celebrated?
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Answer: D — 22 May
The International Day for Biological Diversity is observed on 22 May.
COMMON TRAPS
- Science Day = 28 Feb (Raman); Sports Day = 29 Aug (Dhyan Chand); Youth Day = 12 Jan (Vivekananda).
- Teachers' Day = 5 Sep (Radhakrishnan); Children's Day = 14 Nov (Nehru). Don't swap.
- Environment Day = 5 Jun; Yoga Day = 21 Jun; Ozone Day = 16 Sep; AIDS Day = 1 Dec.
- Wetlands Day = 2 Feb (Ramsar); Water Day = 22 Mar; Earth Day = 22 Apr.
- Gandhi Jayanti (2 Oct) is also the International Day of Non-Violence.
FLASHCARDS
Quick revision
- National Science Day
- 28 February (C. V. Raman)
- National Sports Day
- 29 August (Dhyan Chand)
- World Environment Day
- 5 June
- International Yoga Day
- 21 June
- World Population Day
- 11 July
- World AIDS Day
- 1 December
CHECK YOURSELF
Which pair is correct? (a) World Environment Day – 5 July (b) National Science Day – 28 February (c) World Population Day – 11 June (d) Yoga Day – 21 July
Show answer
(b) is correct. Environment Day is 5 June, Population Day is 11 July, and Yoga Day is 21 June.