Important Days & Dates — February 2026 (SSC CGL/CHSL/MTS & RRB NTPC/Group D Special)
Every year, the "Important Days" section quietly decides 2–4 marks in the General Awareness paper of SSC CGL, CHSL, MTS and RRB NTPC/Group D — and February is one of the densest months on the calendar, packing in health days, UN social-cause observances, a science day, and a departmental day unique to the Indian tax administration. Examiners rarely ask "what is the date" in isolation; they test the theme for the current year, the founding year, and the custodian organisation (which UN agency or Indian ministry runs it) — so each date below should be treated as a mini case-study rather than a one-line fact. Knowing that World Cancer Day is anchored to the UICC (not WHO directly), or that Central Excise Day traces back to the Central Excise and Salt Act of 1944 rather than GST, is exactly the kind of nuance that separates a correct answer from a guess. This post walks through every nationally and internationally significant day in February 2026 in chronological order, closes with a quick-reference table for last-minute revision, and ends with a 12-question practice quiz.
1–3 February: World Wetlands Day (2 February)
World Wetlands Day is observed every year on 2 February, marking the date in 1971 when the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands was signed in the Iranian city of Ramsar, on the shores of the Caspian Sea. The convention is the oldest of the modern global intergovernmental environmental agreements and entered into force in 1975. World Wetlands Day itself was first observed in 1997, and in 2015 the UN General Assembly formally designated it as a UN International Day.
Wetlands — marshes, peatlands, mangroves, floodplains, and coral reefs — cover about 6% of the Earth's land surface but support an outsized share of biodiversity and provide critical ecosystem services: flood control, groundwater recharge, carbon storage, and livelihoods for fishing and farming communities. The Ramsar Convention maintains the "List of Wetlands of International Importance" (Ramsar Sites); India is a major contributor to this list, and its Ramsar site count is a frequently tested current-affairs number (it crossed 80+ sites in recent years, making India the country with the highest number of Ramsar sites in Asia).
About the Ramsar Convention: Its secretariat is hosted by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in Gland, Switzerland, and it operates independently of the UN Environment Programme, though it works closely with it. India ratified the convention in 1982.
2026 focus: This year's observance builds on the theme of celebrating the deep, centuries-old link between wetlands, indigenous knowledge, and cultural heritage — recognising that many wetlands (like India's Chilika Lake and Sundarbans) are inseparable from the traditional livelihoods and cultural practices built around them.
Exam-relevant facts: Signed 2 February 1971 at Ramsar, Iran; entered into force 1975; first observed as a day in 1997; UNGA resolution in 2015; nodal Indian ministry is the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
4 February: World Cancer Day
World Cancer Day is observed on 4 February every year, led globally by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), headquartered in Geneva. It was established following the World Summit Against Cancer for the New Millennium, held in Paris on 4 February 2000, where the Charter of Paris Against Cancer was adopted — hence the date.
The day aims to raise awareness of cancer prevention, detection, and treatment, reduce stigma, and press governments to strengthen cancer-control policies in line with the UICC's long-term "World Cancer Declaration" targets. Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, and the day is used to highlight inequities in access to cancer care between high-income and low-and-middle-income countries.
2026 theme: The multi-year campaign theme "United by Unique" continues into 2026 — this is the second year of a three-year (2025–2027) campaign that puts the patient at the centre, emphasising that every person's cancer journey is unique and that care must be personalised rather than one-size-fits-all.
About the UICC: Founded in 1933, the UICC is a Geneva-based, non-governmental umbrella organisation with over 1,100 member organisations across more than 170 countries, working in official relations with the WHO and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), among others. It should not be confused with the WHO itself — a common distractor in SSC-level MCQs.
Exam-relevant facts: Date: 4 February; established 2000 (Charter of Paris); lead body: UICC (not WHO); 2026 theme: "United by Unique" (Year 2 of 2025–27 cycle); in India, the nodal agency for cancer-control programmes is the National Programme for Prevention & Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases & Stroke (NPCDCS) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
6 February: International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
Observed annually on 6 February, this day was first marked in 2003 following a declaration at a conference organised by the Inter-African Committee (IAC) on harmful traditional practices, and it was formally recognised by the UN General Assembly in 2012 through a resolution intensifying global efforts to eliminate FGM.
FGM refers to procedures that intentionally alter or injure female genital organs for non-medical reasons and is recognised internationally as a violation of the human rights of girls and women. The day is jointly led by UNFPA (UN Population Fund) and UNICEF through their Joint Programme on FGM, launched in 2007, which works across more than a dozen countries — mostly in Africa and parts of Asia and the Middle East — to accelerate the abandonment of the practice. FGM is targeted for elimination by 2030 under Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 5.3.
2026 theme: The 2026 theme centres on "Investment" — framed under the banner #Invest2EndFGM — calling for sustained financial and political investment in girls, communities, and prevention systems to achieve a future free from FGM, especially as the world approaches the 2030 SDG deadline.
About UNFPA & UNICEF: UNFPA is the UN's sexual and reproductive health agency, established in 1969; UNICEF is the UN's children's agency, established in 1946. Their joint programme on FGM is one of the largest UN programmes dedicated to a single harmful practice.
Exam-relevant facts: Date: 6 February; first observed: 2003; UNGA recognition: 2012; joint custodians: UNFPA + UNICEF; linked SDG: Goal 5 (Gender Equality), Target 5.3; 2026 theme keyword: "Investment" / #Invest2EndFGM.
10 February: Safer Internet Day (2nd Tuesday of February)
Safer Internet Day does not fall on a fixed calendar date — it is observed on the second Tuesday of February every year, which makes it 10 February in 2026. This floating-date structure is itself a common exam trap, since aspirants often confuse it with a fixed date.
The day originated as part of the EU SafeBorders project in 2004 and was later taken over and expanded worldwide by the Insafe network, coordinated by European Schoolnet and supported by the European Commission. It has since grown into a global campaign celebrated in over 170 countries, promoting the safe and responsible use of digital technology, especially among children and young people.
The day typically focuses on issues such as cyberbullying, online privacy, misinformation, and digital well-being, bringing together schools, tech companies, NGOs, and governments to run awareness campaigns. In India, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and various state education departments run parallel digital-safety awareness drives around this day.
About Insafe/European Schoolnet: Insafe is a European network of Safer Internet Centres established in 2005 to promote safe, responsible use of the internet among young people; European Schoolnet is a consortium of 30+ European Ministries of Education.
Exam-relevant facts: Date rule: second Tuesday of February (10 February 2026); origin year: 2004 (EU SafeBorders project); coordinating network: Insafe (European Schoolnet); scope: 170+ countries; theme for recent years has generally revolved around "creating a better internet together."
11 February: International Day of Women and Girls in Science
Observed on 11 February, this day was established by a UN General Assembly resolution in December 2015 and first celebrated on 11 February 2016. It recognises the critical role women and girls play in science and technology and aims to promote full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls.
The day is coordinated by UNESCO together with UN-Women, in partnership with institutions and civil-society organisations working on gender equality in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). Despite progress, women remain underrepresented in STEM fields globally — a gap the observance seeks to spotlight through global forums, scholarships, and mentorship programmes.
2026 theme: This year's theme is "From Vision to Impact: Redefining STEM by Closing the Gender Gap", focusing on translating years of advocacy and policy commitments into measurable, on-the-ground impact for women and girls entering and staying in scientific careers.
About UNESCO: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, founded in 1945 and headquartered in Paris, is the specialised UN agency mandated to promote international collaboration in education, science, culture, and communication. UNESCO also runs the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science programme, closely associated with this day.
Exam-relevant facts: Date: 11 February; UNGA resolution: December 2015; first observed: 2016; lead agencies: UNESCO + UN-Women; 2026 theme: "From Vision to Impact: Redefining STEM by Closing the Gender Gap."
13 February: World Radio Day
World Radio Day is observed on 13 February, the date on which UN Radio was established in 1946. The day itself was proposed by Spain to UNESCO, adopted by UNESCO's General Conference in 2011, and later endorsed by the UN General Assembly in 2012 as an official UN International Day.
Radio remains one of the most accessible and cost-effective mass-communication mediums globally, particularly valuable for reaching remote and rural populations, and the day celebrates radio as a medium for democracy, education, and disaster communication.
2026 theme: The 2026 theme is "Strengthening Radio in the Age of AI", addressing how artificial intelligence is reshaping content creation, audience personalisation, and misinformation risks in radio broadcasting — while affirming that human hosts and local, trusted voices remain irreplaceable.
About UNESCO's role: UNESCO is the lead UN agency for this day (as it is for World Radio Day, Mother Language Day, and Women and Girls in Science Day — all three fall in February, a useful memory hook for exams). In India, All India Radio (AIR), part of Prasar Bharati, is the nodal broadcaster that marks the day with special programming across its regional stations (Akashvani Imphal, Kohima, and others regularly feature in PIB/news coverage of the day).
Exam-relevant facts: Date: 13 February; UN Radio established: 1946; UNESCO adoption: 2011; UNGA endorsement: 2012; 2026 theme: "Strengthening Radio in the Age of AI"; Indian nodal broadcaster: All India Radio (Prasar Bharati).
20 February: World Day of Social Justice
World Day of Social Justice is observed on 20 February every year, established by a UN General Assembly resolution adopted in November 2007, with the first observance held on 20 February 2009. It grew out of the World Summit for Social Development held in Copenhagen in 1995, where countries committed to poverty eradication, full employment, and social integration as key pillars of development.
The day calls attention to issues such as poverty, exclusion, unemployment, gender inequality, and the rights of migrants and refugees, urging governments to pursue policies rooted in fairness, equity, and the "decent work" agenda championed by the International Labour Organization (ILO).
2026 theme: This year's theme is "Renewed Commitment to Social Development and Social Justice", reflecting on progress and gaps since the 1995 Copenhagen Declaration and calling for fresh, coordinated global action ahead of key 2030 SDG milestones.
About the observance's origins: The day is administered by the UN's Division for Inclusive Social Development (DISD), part of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA). It should not be confused with Human Rights Day (10 December) or International Human Solidarity Day (20 December), both frequently mixed up with this date in exam options.
Exam-relevant facts: Date: 20 February; UNGA resolution: 2007; first observed: 2009; conceptual origin: 1995 Copenhagen World Summit for Social Development; nodal UN body: DESA/DISD; 2026 theme: "Renewed Commitment to Social Development and Social Justice."
21 February: International Mother Language Day
International Mother Language Day is observed on 21 February, commemorating the Language Movement of 1952 in then East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), when students protesting for the recognition of Bangla as an official language were killed by police in Dhaka on this date. Following a proposal by Bangladesh, UNESCO's General Conference proclaimed the day in November 1999, and it has been observed worldwide since 2000. The UN General Assembly formally recognised it in 2008 as part of a resolution on multilingualism.
The day promotes awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism, and supports the preservation of endangered languages — UNESCO estimates that nearly 40% of the world's population does not have access to education in a language they speak or understand, and one language disappears roughly every two weeks.
2026 theme: The 2026 theme is "Youth Voices on Multilingual Education", spotlighting how young people are using and advocating for their mother tongues in digital spaces, education systems, and community life.
About UNESCO: As with Women and Girls in Science Day and World Radio Day, UNESCO is the lead custodian agency here too — reinforcing why UNESCO's Paris headquarters and 1945 founding year are worth memorising as a recurring exam anchor for February observances.
Exam-relevant facts: Date: 21 February; historical origin: 1952 Bengali Language Movement (Dhaka); UNESCO proclamation: November 1999; first observed: 2000; UNGA resolution: 2008; 2026 theme: "Youth Voices on Multilingual Education."
24 February: Central Excise Day
Central Excise Day is observed on 24 February every year to commemorate the enactment of the Central Excise and Salt Act, 1944 (now renamed the Central Excise Act, 1944), which received presidential assent on this date. This is a uniquely Indian observance with no international/UN linkage, making it a frequent standalone question in SSC CGL Tier-I and RRB papers.
The day honours the contribution of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) and its Central Excise wing in administering indirect taxation and curbing tax evasion. Although the Goods and Services Tax (GST), rolled out on 1 July 2017, subsumed most excise duties, central excise duty continues to apply to select items outside the GST net — notably petroleum products (petrol, diesel, ATF) and tobacco products — which is why the department and the observance still exist.
About CBIC: The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, functioning under the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, is the apex body for policy formulation on indirect taxes (customs, central excise, and erstwhile service tax) and administers the CGST law jointly with states. CBIC was earlier known as the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) before being renamed in 2018 post-GST implementation.
Exam-relevant facts: Date: 24 February; commemorates: Central Excise and Salt Act, 1944; administering body: CBIC (Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue); CBEC renamed to CBIC in 2018; post-GST excise duty still applies on petroleum & tobacco.
28 February: National Science Day
National Science Day is observed on 28 February every year in India to commemorate the discovery of the "Raman Effect" by physicist Sir C.V. Raman on 28 February 1928, for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930 — making him the first Asian and first non-white person to win a Nobel Prize in the sciences. The day has been observed since 1987, following a proposal by the National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC), accepted by the Government of India.
The Raman Effect refers to the inelastic scattering of light, where the wavelength of a small fraction of scattered light changes when it passes through a transparent medium — a discovery that opened up "Raman spectroscopy" as a major tool in physics, chemistry, and material science.
2026 theme: The 2026 theme is "Women in Science: Catalysing Viksit Bharat", spotlighting the role of women scientists and researchers in India's push toward becoming a developed nation ("Viksit Bharat") by 2047.
About the nodal ministry: The day is coordinated by the Ministry of Science and Technology (Department of Science and Technology), Government of India, with major celebrations typically hosted at premier research institutes such as IISER Pune and other CSIR/DST laboratories, along with the National Award ceremonies for science communication.
Exam-relevant facts: Date: 28 February; commemorates: Raman Effect discovery (28 Feb 1928); Nobel Prize year: 1930; first observed as National Science Day: 1987; proposing body: NCSTC; nodal ministry: DST, Ministry of Science and Technology; 2026 theme: "Women in Science: Catalysing Viksit Bharat."
Quick-Reference Table
| Date / Observance | Custodian Body / Origin Year |
|---|---|
| 2 Feb — World Wetlands Day | Ramsar Convention (signed 1971; day observed since 1997; UNGA-designated 2015) |
| 4 Feb — World Cancer Day | UICC (established 2000, Charter of Paris) |
| 6 Feb — Intl. Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM | UNFPA–UNICEF Joint Programme (first observed 2003; UNGA recognition 2012) |
| 10 Feb — Safer Internet Day (2nd Tue of Feb) | Insafe / European Schoolnet (origin: EU SafeBorders project, 2004) |
| 11 Feb — Intl. Day of Women and Girls in Science | UNESCO + UN-Women (UNGA resolution 2015; first observed 2016) |
| 13 Feb — World Radio Day | UNESCO (UN Radio est. 1946; UNESCO adopted 2011; UNGA 2012) |
| 20 Feb — World Day of Social Justice | UN DESA/DISD (UNGA resolution 2007; first observed 2009) |
| 21 Feb — International Mother Language Day | UNESCO (proclaimed 1999; observed since 2000; UNGA 2008) |
| 24 Feb — Central Excise Day | CBIC, Ministry of Finance (Central Excise & Salt Act, 1944) |
| 28 Feb — National Science Day | DST, Government of India (Raman Effect, 28 Feb 1928; observed since 1987) |
Practice Quiz (12 Questions)
1. On what date is World Cancer Day observed, and which organisation leads the global campaign? 4 February; led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC).
2. What historic event in Paris gave World Cancer Day its founding year? The World Summit Against Cancer for the New Millennium (4 February 2000), where the Charter of Paris Against Cancer was adopted.
3. Which two UN agencies jointly lead the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM, and what is the 2026 theme keyword? UNFPA and UNICEF; the 2026 theme centres on "Investment" (#Invest2EndFGM).
4. Safer Internet Day does not have a fixed calendar date. What is the rule, and what date does it fall on in 2026? It falls on the second Tuesday of February every year; in 2026, that is 10 February.
5. In which year was International Day of Women and Girls in Science established by the UN General Assembly, and what is its 2026 theme? Established by UNGA resolution in December 2015 (first observed 2016); 2026 theme: "From Vision to Impact: Redefining STEM by Closing the Gender Gap."
6. World Radio Day commemorates the founding of which UN body, and in what year was it founded? UN Radio, founded in 1946.
7. Which UN agency adopted World Radio Day, and in which year did the UN General Assembly endorse it? UNESCO adopted it in 2011; the UN General Assembly endorsed it in 2012.
8. World Day of Social Justice traces its conceptual roots to which 1995 global summit? The World Summit for Social Development, held in Copenhagen in 1995.
9. International Mother Language Day commemorates a language movement in which city, and in what year? Dhaka (then East Pakistan, now Bangladesh), in 1952 — the Bengali Language Movement.
10. Central Excise Day, observed on 24 February, commemorates which legislation? The Central Excise and Salt Act, 1944 (now the Central Excise Act, 1944).
11. National Science Day commemorates the discovery of which scientific phenomenon, by whom, and on what date? The Raman Effect, discovered by Sir C.V. Raman, on 28 February 1928.
12. What is the 2026 theme of India's National Science Day? "Women in Science: Catalysing Viksit Bharat."
Bookmark this page and revise the Quick-Reference Table a day before your exam — most SSC/RRB questions on "Important Days" test exactly the date, founding year, and custodian body combinations covered above.
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