Important Days in October 2025: National and International Dates List

October, the tenth month of the year, holds great cultural, religious, and historical importance. With 31 days, October is filled with festivals, international observances, and national events. Interestingly, the word October comes from the Latin word Octo, meaning “eight,” because it was the eighth month in the ancient Roman calendar before January and February were added in 153 BCE.

In Anglo-Saxon tradition, October was called Winterfylleth, meaning “fullness of winter,” as it marked the beginning of the cold season. Today, October continues to be a vibrant month with global awareness days, Indian festivals, and key commemorations.

This article provides a complete list of important days and dates in October 2025, useful for competitive exam preparation (UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railways) as well as for general awareness.

List of Important National and International Days in October 2025

Date	Event/Observance
1 October 2025	International Day of the Older Persons
2 October 2025	Gandhi Jayanti & Lal Bahadur Shastri Jayanti
4 October 2025	World Animal Welfare Day
6 October 2025	World Cerebral Palsy Day, & World Habitat Day
7 October 2025	World Cotton Day, & Valmiki Jayanti
8 October 2025	Indian Air Force Day
10 October 2025	National Postal Day
10 October 2025	World Mental Health Day
13 October 2025	International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction
14 October 2025	World Standards Day
16 October 2025	World Food Day, World Anaesthesia Day,
17 October 2025	International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
21 October 2025	Police Commemoration Day
24 October 2025	United Nations Day, World Polio Day, World Development Information Day
24–30 October 2025	Global Media and Information Literacy Week 2025 Disarmament Week 2025
28 October 2025	International Animation Day
30 October 2025	World Thrift Day (India)
31 October 2025	Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day), Halloween

List of Important National and International Days in October 2025

1 October

• International Day of Older Persons – Raises awareness about issues faced by senior citizens.
• International Coffee Day – Celebrates coffee growers, roasters, and the global coffee community.
• World Vegetarian Day – Promotes vegetarianism for health and environmental sustainability.
• Mahanavami – Celebrated as the ninth day of Navratri, dedicated to Goddess Durga.

2 October

• Gandhi Jayanti – Birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
• International Day of Non-Violence – Commemorates Gandhi’s principles of peace and non-violence.
• Dussehra – Symbolises the victory of good over evil, marking Lord Rama’s triumph over Ravana.
• Lal Bahadur Shastri Jayanti – Birth anniversary of India’s second Prime Minister.

3 October

• German Unity Day – Marks Germany’s reunification in 1990.

4 October

• World Animal Welfare Day – Focuses on animal rights and welfare.

5 October

• World Teachers’ Day – Celebrates teachers and their role in shaping societies.

6 October

• German-American Day – Celebrates German-American heritage.
• World Cerebral Palsy Day – Advocates inclusion and awareness for people with cerebral palsy.
• World Habitat Day (First Monday of October) – Highlights the importance of sustainable cities.

7 October

• World Cotton Day – Recognises cotton’s global importance.
• Valmiki Jayanti – Birth anniversary of sage Valmiki, author of the Ramayana.

8 October

• Indian Air Force Day – Marks the foundation of the Indian Air Force in 1932.

9 October

• World Postal Day – Observes the role of postal services globally.
• World Sight Day (Second Thursday of October, falls on 9th in 2025) – Raises awareness about blindness and vision impairment.
• Karva Chauth (9–10 October) – Festival where married women fast for the well-being of their husbands.

10 October

• National Post Day (India) – Recognises the contribution of the Indian Postal Department.
• World Mental Health Day – Spreads awareness about mental health issues.

11 October

• International Day of the Girl Child – Promotes girls’ rights and gender equality.

13 October

• International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction – Encourages disaster preparedness.
• Breast Cancer Awareness Day – Highlights the importance of early detection and treatment.

14 October

• World Standards Day – Recognises the role of standardisation in global trade and safety.

15 October

• Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day
• Global Handwashing Day
• World White Cane Day – For the empowerment of visually impaired individuals.
• World Students’ Day – Celebrated on A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s birth anniversary.

16 October

• World Food Day – Marks the founding of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation.
• World Anaesthesia Day
• Boss Day – Appreciates employers and workplace leaders.
• World Spine Day

17 October

• International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

18 October

• Dhanteras – Marks the beginning of Diwali festivities.

20 October

• World Statistics Day – Celebrates the importance of credible data.

21 October

• Police Commemoration Day – Pays tribute to martyrs in the police force.
• Diwali (Deepavali) – Festival of lights symbolising victory of good over evil.

22 October

• Govardhan Puja – Celebrates Lord Krishna’s protection of Vrindavan villagers.

23 October

• Bhaidooj – Festival celebrating the brother-sister bond.
• Mole Day – Celebrates Avogadro’s number in chemistry.

24 October

• United Nations Day – Marks the establishment of the UN in 1945.
• World Development Information Day – Highlights global development challenges.

25–28 October

• Chhath Puja – Dedicated to the Sun God and observed mainly in Bihar, UP, and Jharkhand.

28 October

• International Animation Day – Celebrates the art of animation.

30 October

• World Thrift Day (India) – Promotes the habit of saving.

31 October

• Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day) – Birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
• Halloween – Western festival marking the end of harvest and onset of winter.