General Knowledge is a part of every competitive exam, a few questions are asked related to important dates and days that are observed in India and beyond. In competitive exams like banking, SSC, UPSC, railways etc., usually 3-4 questions can be found related to important dates.
Here we have compiled a month-wise list of special days in january and dates that can be a question in your next exam. For those preparing for government jobs, this list will be of great value. Bookmark this page so you can easily comeback to the page for revision.
List of Important International days observed in January
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New Year’s Day (January 1): A global holiday that marks the start of the new year.
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World Braille Day (January 4): A day to celebrate and recognize the contributions of Louis Braille, the inventor of braille, and the important role that braille plays in the lives of people who are blind or visually impaired.
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International Day of Education (January 24): A day to celebrate the role of education in promoting peace, sustainable development, and human rights.
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International Holocaust Remembrance Day (January 27): A day to remember the victims of the Holocaust and to reaffirm the commitment to combatting hatred, bigotry, and prejudice.
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International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust (January 27): A day to honor the victims of the Holocaust and to reaffirm the commitment to prevent future genocides.
List of Important National Days Observed in January
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Republic Day (January 26): A national holiday that marks the day when the Constitution of India came into effect in 1950, establishing India as a sovereign republic.
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Army Day (January 15): A day to honor the soldiers of the Indian Army and to recognize their service and sacrifices.
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National Youth Day (January 12): A day to celebrate the birthday of Swami Vivekananda, a spiritual leader and social reformer, and to recognize the contributions of young people to the nation.
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Indian Coast Guard Day (January 1): A day to recognize the role of the Indian Coast Guard in protecting the country’s maritime interests and to honor its personnel.
Important Days observed in January
1 January – Global Family Day
Global Family Day is observed as international day of peace and sharing celebrated across the world. This day is observed on January 1 every year with an aim to unite and spread peace on Earth, considering and promoting Earth as one Global family.
8 January – African National Congress Foundation Day
South African Native National Congress (SANNC) was founded on 8 January 1912 by John Langalibalele Dube in Bloemfontein, South Africa. The primary mission of SANNC was to bring all Africans together as one people, to defend their freedom and rights.
9 January – NRI (Non-Resident Indian) Day or Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
NRI or Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is observed on 9 January every year to mark the contributions made by the overseas Indian community towards the development of India. The Pravasi Bhartiya Divas also commemorates Mahatma Gandhi’s return from South Africa to Mumbai on January 9, 1915.
11 January – Death Anniversary of Lal Bahadur Shastri
Lal Bahadur Shastri was the second Prime Minsiter of Independent India and a leader of Indian National Congress. He gave the slogan of ‘Jai Jawan Jai Kisan’ and was key member of the India’s freedom struggle. He was an admirer of Mahatma Gandhi. He died due to cardiac arrest on Jan 11, 1966.
12 January – National Youth Day
The birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda (Swami Vivekananda Jayanti) is celebrated on January 12 every year. He was born on January 12, 1863. In the year 1984, The government though that Swami ji’s philosophy and the ideals for which he lived and worked could be a source of inspiration for the youth of the nation and since then, his birth anniversary is being celebrated as National Youth Day.
15 January – Indian Army Day
Indian Army Day is observed on January 15 every year because on this day in the year 1949 field Marshal Kodandera M Cariappa took over as the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army from the last British Commander-in-Chief General Sir Francis Butcher.
23 January – Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti
Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose was born on January 23, 1897 in Cuttack, Orissa. He earned the title ‘Netaji’ by people after he left Indian National Congress in a fight of ideologies with Mahatma Gandhi and decided to led the Azad Hind Fauj against the British oppression. The army formed by Netaji Subash Chandra Bose was known as Indian National Army (INA) or Azad Hind Fauj. Not only he was a prominent freedom fighter but he also led the Indian national force from abroad against the Western powers during World War II.
24 January- National Girl Child Day
The National Girl Child Day is celebrated every year on January 24 to increase awareness about the inequalities faced by a majority of the girls in India society. The Government of India has also stated the National Girl Child Day as national girls development mission. This day aims to eradicated the inequalities against girls in Indian society including inequalities in education, nutrition, medical care, legal rights, honor, protection, child marriage and safety etc.
25 January- National Voters Day
National Voter’s Day also called as Rashtriya Matdata Diwas is celebrated every year on January 25 to spread awareness about importance of voting and encourage young voters to take part in the voting process. This day was celebrated for the first time in the year 2011 to mark the foundation day of the Election Commission of India (ECI). Before the year 1988, the eligibility age for voting was 21 years, but with the introduction of the 61st Amendment bill of 1988 the eligibility age of voter was lowered to 18 years.
25 January- National Tourism Day
National Tourism Day is observed every year on January 25. This day is celebrated in India to spread the awareness and educate people about tourism and its importance in Indian economy. The day is celebrated to raise the awareness about the social, cultural, financial and political worth of tourism. You must also know that the World Tourism Day is celebrated on 27 September.
26 January- Republic Day of India
Republic Day of India is celebrated on January 26, it is a day when the Constitution of India officially came into force on January 26 in the year 1950. On November 26, 1949 Indian Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution and replaced the Government of India Act 1935. The Constitution of India came into effect on 26 January 1950 along with a democratic government system.
26 January – International Customs Day
Every year on 26 January, International Customs Day (ICD) is observed by Custom Organisation to recognise the role played by custom officials and agencies in maintaining border security. It also spreads awareness about the working conditions and challenges faced by custom officers while performing their jobs.
28 January- Birth Anniversary of Lala Lajpat Rai
Lala Lajpat Rai was born on January 28, 1865 in Punjab. He was a prominent nationalist leader who played an unforgettable role in the freedom struggle of the country. He was also a member of the ‘Lal Bal Pal’ firebrand trio during the Independence movement. His patriotism and vocalism against the British also earned him the title of ‘Punjab Kesari‘ or ‘the Lion of the Punjab‘. He died of heart attack on November 17, 1928, while facing serious injuries which were due to lathi-charge by British force during the peaceful protest opposing the arrival Simon Commission in Lahore.
30 January – Shaheed Diwas or Martyr’s Day
Martyr’s Day or Shaeed Diwas is celebrated in 30 January every year in the memory of Mahatma Gandhi. This day marks the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi by Nathuram Godse on 30 January, 1948. Martyr’s day is also observed ion 23 March, 21 October, 17 November and 19 November remembering other heroes of the nation.
23rd March is also observed as Martyr’s Day because on this day three great revolutionaries namely Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru and Sukhdev Thapar were hanged to death by British.
Last Sunday of January – World Leprosy Eradication Day
Every year on the last Sunday of the month of January, World Leprosy Day is observed to spread awareness about leprosy with a target to reduce cases of leprosy-related disabilities in children to zero. In India, the day is observed on 30 January every year to commemorate death of Mahatma Gandhi, who had a great affection for people affected by leprosy.
Wrapping Up
So, these are the National and International Days of importance observed/celebrated in January. These could be a question in your next competitive exam. We will share a list of important dates for other months as well, stay tuned and bookmark the page for later reference.
Let us know if we have missed any day, we would love to update this list.
