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The International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies is observed on:
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Answer: Option B — 7 September
Detailed Solution
The International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies is observed every year on 7 September.
About the day:
- The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution in December 2019 to establish the day.
- It was first observed on 7 September 2020.
- It is coordinated by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
- It aims to raise awareness that clean air is important for health, productivity, the economy and the environment, and to encourage actions to improve air quality.
- It stresses the close link between air pollution and climate change.
About air pollution:
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that air pollution (outdoor and household together) causes millions of premature deaths each year, from diseases such as stroke, heart disease, lung cancer and chronic respiratory diseases.
Major pollutants include particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2), ozone at ground level (O3) and carbon monoxide (CO).
PM2.5 refers to fine particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less, which can enter deep into the lungs and the bloodstream.
In 2021, the WHO tightened its Air Quality Guidelines, setting the annual PM2.5 guideline at 5 micrograms per cubic metre.
Air quality measures in India:
National Clean Air Programme (NCAP): launched in January 2019 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. It aims to reduce particulate matter levels in over 130 cities ("non-attainment cities").
National Air Quality Index (AQI): launched in 2014; it has six categories, from "Good" to "Severe".
Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP): emergency measures for Delhi-NCR, used by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).
Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
Other environmental days:
- World Environment Day: 5 June.
- World Ozone Day: 16 September.
- National Pollution Control Day (India): 2 December.
Why not the other options?
- ✗5 June is World Environment Day.
- ✗16 September is the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer.
- ✗2 December is National Pollution Control Day in India.
Quick tip
Remember: International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies = 7 September (UN 2019, first observed 2020; UNEP); NCAP launched January 2019; World Ozone Day = 16 September.
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Important Days & Dates — Preparation
This question tests your understanding of Important Days & Dates, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.
This topic covers national and international days observed through the year, such as National Youth Day, World Environment Day and International Yoga Day, along with the themes announced for them and the events or people they commemorate. Questions ask for the date of a day, the day observed on a given date, or the person it honours (for example, National Sports Day on 29 August marks the birthday of Major Dhyan Chand). Revise days month by month in a calendar format. Themes change every year, so learn the current year's themes from current affairs. Practise the important days questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.