October 2026 Important Days
October 2 - Gandhi Jayanti & International Day of Non-Violence
- Gandhi Jayanti is observed on 2 October to commemorate the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, who was born on 2 October 1869 at Porbandar, Gujarat.
- Gandhi promoted the principles of Satya (Truth) and Ahimsa (Non-Violence) and played a major role in India's freedom struggle.
- The United Nations observes 2 October as the International Day of Non-Violence in honour of Gandhi's philosophy of non-violence.
- The UN General Assembly established the International Day of Non-Violence in 2007 to promote peace, tolerance and non-violence worldwide.
October 5 - World Teachers' Day
- World Teachers' Day is observed every year on 5 October to recognise the contribution of teachers to education and society.
- It commemorates the adoption of the 1966 ILO/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers.
- The day highlights the importance of teachers and the need to support and strengthen the teaching profession.
October 7 - World Cotton Day
- World Cotton Day is observed every year on 7 October to highlight the importance of cotton and the cotton industry.
- Cotton provides livelihoods to millions of farmers, workers and communities around the world.
- The day promotes sustainable cotton production, trade and economic development.
- Cotton is an important commercial crop in India and is popularly known as “White Gold.”
October 8 - Indian Air Force Day
- Indian Air Force Day is celebrated every year on 8 October to honour the service and achievements of Indian Air Force personnel.
- The Indian Air Force (IAF) was officially established on 8 October 1932.
- The President of India serves as the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces.
October 10 - World Mental Health Day
- World Mental Health Day is observed every year on 10 October to raise awareness about mental health issues worldwide.
- The day encourages better access to mental health care, support and awareness while helping reduce stigma.
- It was first observed in 1992 following an initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health.
October 11 - International Day of the Girl Child
- The International Day of the Girl Child is observed every year on 11 October to promote the rights and empowerment of girls.
- The United Nations General Assembly declared the observance in 2011, and it was first observed in 2012.
- It focuses on issues such as girls' education, health, safety, equal opportunities and ending discrimination.
- The observance is closely connected with SDG 5 – Gender Equality.
October 13 - International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction
- The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is observed every year on 13 October.
- It promotes awareness about reducing disaster risks and building resilient communities.
- The observance encourages governments and communities to take preventive measures against natural and human-induced disasters.
- It is closely associated with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030.
October 16 - World Food Day
- World Food Day is observed every year on 16 October to promote awareness about hunger, nutrition and food security.
- The date commemorates the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 1945.
- FAO is a specialised agency of the United Nations working towards achieving food security and eliminating hunger.
- The FAO headquarters is located in Rome, Italy.
October 17 - International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
- The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is observed every year on 17 October.
- The day highlights global efforts to eliminate poverty and protect human dignity.
- The United Nations General Assembly officially designated 17 October as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty in 1992.
- The observance is closely connected with SDG 1 – No Poverty.
October 21 - Police Commemoration Day
- Police Commemoration Day is observed in India every year on 21 October to honour police personnel who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.
- The day commemorates the sacrifice of 10 policemen at Hot Springs in Ladakh in 1959.
- The policemen lost their lives while defending India's borders against Chinese troops.
- The day pays tribute to police personnel across India who have sacrificed their lives while protecting the country and its citizens.
October 24 - United Nations Day & World Polio Day
- United Nations Day is observed on 24 October to mark the anniversary of the entry into force of the UN Charter in 1945, officially establishing the United Nations.
- The United Nations headquarters is in New York, USA, and the organisation works for international peace, security, human rights and sustainable development.
- World Polio Day is also observed on 24 October to raise awareness about global efforts to eradicate poliomyelitis (polio).
- The day highlights the importance of vaccination and global immunisation programmes in achieving a polio-free world.
October 31 - National Unity Day (Rashtriya Ekta Diwas)
- National Unity Day (Rashtriya Ekta Diwas) is observed every year on 31 October to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
- Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was born on 31 October 1875 and is popularly known as the “Iron Man of India.”
- He played a major role in the integration of princely states into the Indian Union after independence.
- The Government of India began observing 31 October as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas in 2014 to promote national unity, integrity and security.
