List of Important Days in October 2023

General Awareness section is one of the important section in any competitive exam. The static part of General Knowledge weighs more than 50% of the General Awareness section. Therefore, one has to focus on its various sub-topics and Important Days is one such sub-topic. Have a look at the detailed list of Important Days in October 2023.

1. International Day of Older Persons 2023: 1 October

• The day highlights the contributions of older people to society and raises awareness about the opportunities and challenges of aging in the present century.
• On 14 December 1990, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution to designate 1 October as the International Day of Older Persons.
• In 1991, the UN General Assembly adopted the United Nations Principles for Older Persons.
• In 2019, there were 703 million persons aged above 65 years. 
• The number of people aged 60 and above is expected to increase from 901 million to 1.5 billion between 2019-50.
• On the International Day of Older Persons, Minister for Health Dr. Harsh Vardhan launched Decade of Healthy Ageing (2020-2030).
• Theme 2019: “The Journey to Age Equality”
• Theme 2020: “Pandemics: Do They Change How We Address Age and Ageing?”.
• Theme 2021: "Digital Equity for All Ages"
• Theme 2022: "Resilience of Older Persons in a Changing World"
• Theme 2023: "Fulfilling the Promises of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for Older Persons: Across Generations"

2. World Postcard Day 2023: 1 October

• The first World Postcard Day was celebrated on 1 October 2020.
• The first postcard recommended by Dr. Emanuel Herrmann started on 1 October 1869.
• General Postal Union (now Universal Postal Union) was formed in 1874 in Bern, Switzerland.
• Deltiology: Collection and study of postcards
• 2023 Theme: "Together for Trust: Collaborating for a safe and connected future"

3. 154th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi /Gandhi Jayanti: 2 October 2023

• Mahatma Gandhi, Father of the Nation, was a lawyer, political ethicist, activist, and writer.
• He was an ardent follower of Satyagraha and Ahimsa. 
• The day is marked as ‘Gandhi Jayanti’ in India and the ‘International Day of Non-violence’ worldwide.
• Notable Works: Hind Swaraj, My Experiments with Truth, Harijan (Gujarati Newspaper), Young India (English Newspaper)
• He founded the Harijan Sevak Sangh in 1932.
• Times Magazine named Mahatma Gandhi as the Man of the Year in 1930.
• On 15 June 2007, UNGA passed a resolution to mark 2^nd October as International Day of Non-Violence to disseminate the message of non-violence through education and public awareness. 
• Mahatma Gandhi:
  • His full name was Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi.
  • He was born in Porbandar, Gujarat on 2^nd October 1869.

4. Birth Anniversary of Lal Bahadur Shashtri: 2 October 2023

• Lal Bahadur Shashtri was born on 2 October 1904 in Mughalsarai.
• He was the second Prime Minister of India.
• He also served as the Minister of External Affairs, Minister of Home Affairs, and Minister of Railways. 
• He gave the famous slogan “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan” in 1965.
• He promoted the white revolution to increase the production of milk in the country.
• He was awarded the Bharat Ratna posthumously in 1966 and became the first person to be awarded Bharat Ratna posthumously.
• Many important institutions are named after him, such as Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management, etc.

5. World Animal Welfare Day 2023: 4 October

• World Animal Welfare Day is celebrated every year on 4 October to raise the awareness regarding status of animals and to improve their welfare standards. 
• It was first celebrated in 1925 in Berlin, Germany.
• The day reminds us of the different ways in which animals contribute to our lives.
• The theme for World Animal Day 2022 is "Share Planet".
• Theme 2023: "Great or Small, Love Them All"
• Areas of Focus:
  • Drawing attention to Endangered Species
  • Protecting Natural Habitats
  • Supporting Animal Welfare

6. World Habitat Day 2023: 3 October

• It is celebrated on the first Monday of October every year.
• In 1985, United Nations designated the first Monday of October as World Habitat Day.
• The day was first celebrated in 1986 in Nairobi, Kenya and the theme was “Shelter is my Right”.
• Theme 2020: “Housing for All- A Better Urban Future”
• Theme 2022: "Mind the Gap. Leave No One and Place Behind"
• Theme 2023: "Resilient urban economies. Cities as drivers of growth and recovery"
• This year the global observance was hosted by Balikesir, a city in Turkiye.
• SDG-11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• Sustainable Cities mean cities with career and business opportunities, safe and affordable housing, and resilient societies and economies.

7. Birth anniversary of Shyamji Krishna Varma: 4 October

• Prime Minister Modi has paid tribute to Shyamji Krishna Varma on his 166^th birth anniversary.
• Shyamji Krishna Varma was a freedom fighter who devoted his life to India’s freedom.
• Shyamji Krishna Varma:
  • He was born on 4 October 1857 in Gujarat.
  • He was an Indian revolutionary fighter, lawyer, and Journalist.
  • He published the first issue of “The Indian Sociologist” in 1905.
  • He founded the Indian Home Rule Society, India House, and The Indian Sociologist in London.
  • He passed away on 30 March 1930 in Geneva, Switzerland. 

8. World Teachers’ Day 2023: 5 October

• Every year on 5 October, World Teachers’ Day is celebrated to recognize the achievements of the teaching profession and address the issues that restrict young and talented minds from adopting teaching as a profession.
• The day has been celebrated by UNESCO since 1994.
• Theme 2019: “Young Teachers: The future of the Profession”
• Theme 2020: “Teachers: Leading in Crisis, Reimagining the Future”.
• Theme 2021: "Teachers at the heart of education recovery"
• Theme 2022: "The Transformation of Education Begins with Teachers"
• Theme 2023: "The Teachers We Need for the Education We Want: The Global Imperative to Reverse the Teacher Shortage"
• The day is held by UNESCO in partnership with UNICEF, UNDP, ILO, and Education International. 
• SDG-4: Quality Education

10. World Cotton Day 2023: 7 October

• World Cotton Day was first initiated on 7 October 2019. 
• In August 2021, the UN General Assembly recognised the unique benefits of cotton by proclaiming 7 October of each year as World Cotton Day.
• The top five cotton producing countries are China, India, the United States of America, Brazil and Pakistan.
• According to the data, India is the second-largest cotton producer and the largest consumer of cotton in the world.
• India produces about 23% of the world’s cotton every year and 51% of the total organic cotton production in the world.
• A mobile app Cott-Ally has been developed by Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) for providing the latest news regarding weather condition, crop situation and best farm practices of cotton.
• Theme 2022: "Leaving a better future for Cotton"
• Theme 2023: 'Making cotton fair and sustainable for all, from farm to fashion'

11. National Wildlife Week 2023: 2-8 October 

• National Wildlife Week is celebrated every year between 2^nd October and 8^th October.
• The government has formed an Indian Board of Wildlife that spread awareness regarding wildlife conservation. 

12. Air Force Day 2023: 8 October

• Indian Air Force celebrated its 91^st anniversary this year.
• The Indian Air Force (IAF) Day is celebrated every year on 8 October.
• The final celebration of the Indian Air Force day was held in Prayagraj on October 8.
• The Indian Air Force Day ceremony was held over Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh in 2022. 
• Indian Air Force was formerly known as Royal Indian Air Force.

13. World Post Day 2023: 9 October

• World Post Day is celebrated annually on 9 October to mark the anniversary of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) formation in 1874.
• In 1969, Universal Postal Congress in Tokyo declared 9 October as World Post Day.
• The day aims to create awareness regarding the role of Post in our everyday lives.
• Three strategic pillars of UPU are- Innovation, Integration and Inclusion.
• Theme 2022: "Post for Planet"
• Theme 2023: "Together for Trust: Collaborating for a safe and connected future"

14. National Postal Week 2023: 9-13 October 

• National Postal Week celebration begins with World Post Day, which is celebrated every year on 9 October. World Post Day is followed by banking day, PLI day, Philately day, Business Development day, and mails day.
• World Post Day is celebrated on the anniversary of the establishment of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) in 1874 in Berne.
• It aims to create awareness of the role of the postal sector in people’s and everyday lives and its contribution to the social and economic development of countries.

15. World Mental Health Day 2023: 10 October

• Every year on 10 October, World Mental Health Day is celebrated to raise awareness regarding mental health issues and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health.
• The day was celebrated for the first time on 10 October 1992.
• The day is organized by the World Federation for Mental Health.
• The World Health Organization (2018) states that every 40 seconds, someone dies by suicide.
• A day for “40 seconds of action” to raise awareness of the increasing cases of suicide and the role that everyone can play in preventing it.
• Theme 2020: “Mental Health for All: Greater Investment – Greater Access”
• Theme 2021: "Mental Health in an Unequal World"
• Theme 2022: "Make mental health & well-being for all a global priority"
• Theme 2023: "Mental health is a universal human right"

16. International Day of the Girl Child 2023: 11 October

• Every year on 11 October, International Day of the Girl Child is observed to recognize girls’ rights.
• The day aims to highlight and address the needs and challenges faced by girls worldwide and focus on promoting girls’ empowerment.
• In 2011, the UN General Assembly adopted the resolution to declare 11 October as the International Day of the Girl Child.
• Theme 2019: “Girl Force: Unscripted and Unstoppable”
• Theme 2020: “My voice, our equal future”
• Theme 2021: "Digital Generation"
• Theme 2022: "Our time is now-our rights, our future"
• Theme 2023: "Invest in Girls' Rights: Our Leadership, Our Well-being"
• Globally, nearly 1 in 4 girls aged 15–19 years is neither employed nor in education or training compared to 1 in 10 boys of the same age.
• More than 60% of countries discriminate against daughters’ rights to inherit the property in either law or practice.
• SDG-5: Gender Equality

17. World Arthritis Day 2023: 12 October

• World Arthritis Day is celebrated every year on 12 October to raise awareness about Arthritis.
• WAD was initially established by Arthritis and Rheumatism International (ARI) in 1996.
• Time2Work was the theme for World Arthritis Day 2020.
• It's in Your Hands Take Action is the theme for World Arthritis Day 2022.
• Theme 2023: “Living with an RMD at all stages of life"
• Arthritis refers to any disorder affecting joints. It is the inflammation (swelling) of joints.
• Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are common forms of arthritis.
• Common symptoms of Arthritis are pain in joints, stiffness and swelling.
• Arthritis can be managed through medications and lifestyle changes. 

18. International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2023: 13 October

• It was started in 1989 by the United Nations General Assembly to promote a global culture of risk-awareness and disaster reduction.
• The day is celebrated for raising awareness and how people around the world are reducing their exposure to disasters.
• Theme 2023: "Fighting inequality for a resilient future"
• Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030):
  • It was adopted at the Third United Nations World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in 2015.
  • It was the first major agreement of the post-2015 development agenda and provides the member states with concrete actions to protect development gains from the risk of disaster.

19. International E-waste Day 2023: 14 October

• On 14 October, International E-waste Day (IEWD) is being celebrated every year since its start by Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) forum in 2018.
• It is celebrated to increase public awareness about e-waste recycling and encourage consumers to recycle e-waste.
• Theme 2022: "Recycle it all, no matter how small!"
• Theme 2023: “You can recycle anything with a plug, battery or cable!” 
• As per UN’s Global E-waste Monitor 2020, 53.6 million metric tonnes electronic waste was produced all over the world in 2019.
• Globally, around 8% of all e-waste is thrown in waste bins, and a large part of it is small items.
• Indian, US and China together contribute 38% to volume of E-waste generated worldwide. In 3 years, India’s E-waste generation increased by 43%. 
• WEEE Forum is a not for profit association. It consists of 40 WEEE producer responsibility organisations.

20. World Standards Day 2023: 14 October

• World Standards Day is celebrated every year on 14 October by the members of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
• The day is intended to show gratitude to many experts worldwide who evolve the voluntary technical norms that are issued in the form of international standards.
• The day aims to raise awareness about the significance of implementing and evolving standards to the global economy among regulators, industry and consumers.
• Theme 2020: “Protecting the planet with standards”
• Theme 2021: "Standards for sustainable development goals - shared vision for a better world"
• Theme 2022: "Shared vision for a better world"
• Theme 2023: "Shared Vision for a Better World: Incorporating Sustainable Development Goal (SDG3) for Good Health and Well-Being."

21. Global Handwashing Day 2023: 15 October

• Global Handwashing Day is celebrated every year on 15 October to raise awareness on handwashing with soap, motivate people worldwide to develop handwashing habits, and highlight the state of handwashing in countries worldwide.
• Theme 2020: “Hand Hygiene for All”
• Theme 2021: "Our Future is at Hand – Let's Move Forward Together"
• Theme 2022: "Unite for Universal Hand Hygiene"
• Theme 2023: "Clean Hands Are Within Reach"
• The day was founded by the Global Handwashing Partnership.
• First Global Handwashing Day was observed in 2008.

22. International Day of Rural Women 2023: 15 October 

• International Day of Rural Women is celebrated every year on 15 October.
• International Day of Rural Women was first observed almost a decade ago on 15 October 2008.
• The day identifies the importance and contribution of rural women and indigenous women in rural poverty eradication, ensuring food security, agricultural and rural development.
• Theme 2020: “Building rural women’s resilience in the wake of COVID-19”
• Theme 2021: "Rural Women Cultivating Good Food for All"
• Theme 2023: "The Invaluable Contribution of Rural Women to Development"
• The theme highlights the essential role played by rural women and girls in the food systems of the world. 

23. World Food Day 2023: 16 October

• World Food Day is celebrated every year on 16 October as the foundation day of FAO.
• FAO designated 16 October as World Food Day in 1979.
• The Theme of World Food Day 2020 was - “Grow, nourish, sustain. Together.”
• Theme 2022: "Leave No ONE behind"
• Theme 2023: "Water is Life, Water is Food. Leave No One Behind"
• Food and Agriculture Organization:
  • It was founded on 16 October 1945.
  • It is a specialized United Nations agency that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and improve nutrition and food security.
  • It aims to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. 
  • Its headquarters is in Rome, Italy.
  • The Director-General of FAO is Qu Dongyu.

24. International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2023: 17 October

• Every year on 17 October, International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is celebrated.
• On 22 December 1992, UN General Assembly declared 17 October as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
• The day also marks the anniversary of the call to action by Father Joseph Wresinski, which led to the celebration of the World Day for Overcoming Extreme Poverty on 17 October.
• Theme 2020: “Acting together to achieve social and environmental justice for all”
• Theme 2021: "Building Forward Together: Ending Persistent Poverty, Respecting all People and our Planet”
• Theme 2022: "Dignity for All in Practice"
• Theme 2023: "Decent Work and Social Protection: Putting Dignity in Practice for All."
• Poverty is not only an economic issue but is a multidimensional phenomenon. It comes with a lack of both income and the basic capabilities to live in dignity.
• The General Assembly proclaimed the Third UN Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (2018-2027) in its resolution 72/233.
• The first UN Decade for the Eradication of Poverty was from 1997 to 2006, while the second UN Decade for the Eradication of Poverty was from 2008 to 2017.
• Related facts:
  • 736 million people lived below the international poverty line of US $ 1.90 a day in 2015.
  • In 2018, around 8% of the world’s workers and their families lived on less than US $1.90 per person per day.
  • Most people living below poverty line live in Southern Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
  • SDG-1: NO POVERTY
  • People living in poverty experience many deprivations due to which they are unable to realize their rights and could not come out of poverty. These include:
    • Dangerous work conditions
    • Unsafe housing
    • Lack of nutritious food
    • Unequal access to Justice
    • Lack of political power
    • Limited access to health care

25. World Statistics Day 2023: 20 October

• World Statistics Day is celebrated every year on 20 October and in 2020, it was third World Statistics Day.
• Connecting the world with data we can trust is the theme for World Statistics Day 2020.
• World Statistics Day celebrations are held under the guidance of the United Nations Statistical Commission.
• First World Statistics Day was celebrated in 2010.

26. National Solidarity Day 2023: 20 October

• India celebrates National Solidarity Day every year on 20 October to honour the Indian Armed Forces.
• China attacked India on 20 October 1962. The war ended on 21 November 1962.
• National Solidarity Day reminds us of the importance of unity and integrity for nation.

27. International Snow Leopard Day 2023: 23 October

• International Snow Leopard Day is celebrated every year on 23 October to protect and conserve snow leopards.
• They are mainly found in mountain ranges of Central and South Asia. They are also called the “ghost of the mountains”.
• In India, Snow Leopard is mainly found in the region of Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh, Nanda Devi region of Uttarakhand and Khangchendzonga – Tawang across Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.
• Initiatives by Government of India for conserving Snow Leopard:
  • India is also a member of the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection (GSLEP) Programme. It had hosted the 4^th Steering Committee of the GSLEP program in October 2019 in New Delhi.
  • Ministry of Environment had launched the First National Protocol on Snow Leopard Population Assessment in 2019 for monitoring the populations of Snow Leopard.
  • It will encourage states and UTs to adopt innovative strategies to resolve issues related to multi-stakeholder landscape management, human-wildlife conflicts, wildlife crime, trade in wildlife parts and products, etc

28. UN Day 2023: 24 October

• UN celebrates the anniversary of the commencement of the UN charter in 1945.
• The UN officially came into being on 24^th October 1945, and United Nations Day is being celebrated on 24^th October since 1948.
• In 1971, the United Nations General Assembly had advised and suggested that 24^th October be observed as a public holiday by all United Nations Member States.
• Theme 2023: "A symbol of hope for global unity"

29. World Polio Day 2023: 24 October

• World Polio Day is celebrated every year on 24 October to highlight global efforts towards a polio-free world and to honour the contribution made by frontline health workers in the fight against polio.  
• It was started by Rotary International to commemorate the birth of Jonas Salk, who had led the first team that made a vaccine against poliomyelitis.
• The Theme for World Polio 2020 Day is “Stories of Progress: Past and Present.”
• According to WHO, 99.9 % of cases of wild poliovirus cases have decreased since 1980 due to vaccination efforts.
• The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) has been started by the national government and WHO for monitoring the Polio situation globally.
• In Afghanistan and Pakistan, wild Poliovirus has been reported. They are the last stronghold of wild Poliovirus.
• In 2019 mutated version of Poliovirus has been reported in the Philippines, Malaysia, Ghana, Myanmar, China, Cameroon, Indonesia and Iran.

30. World Day for Audiovisual Heritage 2023: 27 October

• UNESCO officially agreed to commemorate World Day for Audiovisual Heritage in 2005.
• World Day for Audiovisual Heritage is an occasion to raise awareness about the need to keep important audiovisual material in good condition for future generations.
• It is also an opportunity to raise general awareness about the need for urgently required measures to keep audiovisual heritage away from harm and ensure its accessibility to the public now and to the coming generations.
• The theme for World Day for Audiovisual Heritage 2020 is Your Window to the World.
• Theme 2023: "Your Window to the World”

31. Homi Jehangir Bhabha Birth anniversary: 30 October

• Dr. Homi Jehangir Bhabha was Indian nuclear physicist and founding director of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre.
• He is known as the ‘Father of the Indian nuclear programme’. He was born on 30 October 1909 and died on 24 January 1966.
• He envisioned India’s three stage nuclear power programme and emphasized on use of India’s huge thorium reserve rather than its inadequate uranium reserves for power generation.
• He won Adams Prize (1942) and Padma Bhushan (1954). He was nominated for Nobel Prize for Physics in 1951 and 1953-1956.

32. World Cities Day 2023: 31 October

• World Cities Day is celebrated every year on 31st October.
• It aims to greatly support and actively encourage the international community’s interest in urbanization, increase cooperation to meet opportunities and address challenges of urbanization.
• Theme 2023: "Financing sustainable urban future for all"
• SDG 11: Inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and human settlements.
• The first World Cities Day was celebrated in 2014.
• Uskudar, the city of Turkiye, is the host city for global observance of the World Cities Day 2023.

The list of nicknames of Indian cities and nicknames of Indian states is very useful to improve your general knowledge.

33. National Unity Day 2023 (Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Jayanti): 31 October

• Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel was first Deputy Prime Minister of India and first Home Minister of India.
• He was given the title of Sardar by women of Bardoli for leading Bardoli Satyagraha of 1928.
• He successfully worked for integration of 565 princely states into India and played a key role in the establishment of the All India Services.
• Popularly known as Iron Man of India, patron saint of India's civil servants, Unifier of India, and Bismarck of India, Sardar Patel was posthumously awarded Bharat Ratna in 1991.
• His birth anniversary is annually commemorated as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day) since 2014. 
• World’s tallest statue, the Statue of Unity, was inaugurated and dedicated to Sardar Patel at his 143^rd birth anniversary on 31 October 2018.

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