Science calendar

Environment, science and scientist days

Observances and anniversaries for 2026–27, in India and worldwide. Search, filter, pick a day to read its significance, or add it to your own calendar. The day’s entry appears in the homepage slider from midnight India time.

All Environment Science and technology Scientist: birth anniversary Scientist: death anniversary

April 2026

7 Apr 2026, Tuesday · International · Science and technology

World Health Day

Marks the founding of the World Health Organization in 1948 and the importance of health research and care for all.
14 Apr 2026, Tuesday · International · Scientist: death anniversary

Rachel Carson: 62nd death anniversary

Died on this day in 1964. Marine biologist and author of Silent Spring (1962), which helped start the modern environmental movement.

Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
16 Apr 2026, Thursday · International · Scientist: death anniversary

Rosalind Franklin: 68th death anniversary

Died on this day in 1958. X-ray crystallographer whose Photo 51 gave key evidence for the double-helix structure of DNA.
18 Apr 2026, Saturday · International · Scientist: death anniversary

Albert Einstein: 71st death anniversary

Died on this day in 1955. Theoretical physicist who developed the theory of relativity and won the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics for the photoelectric effect.

Photo: Possibly Herman Mishkin, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
19 Apr 2026, Sunday · International · Scientist: death anniversary

Charles Darwin: 144th death anniversary

Died on this day in 1882. English naturalist whose theory of evolution by natural selection, set out in On the Origin of Species (1859), transformed biology.

Photo: Julia Margaret Cameron, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
22 Apr 2026, Wednesday · International · Environment

Earth Day

Mobilises action on climate change, pollution and biodiversity. First observed in 1970.
25 Apr 2026, Saturday · International · Science and technology

World Malaria Day

Commemorates efforts to control malaria, a disease that still causes hundreds of thousands of deaths each year.

Photo: James D. Gathany, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
26 Apr 2026, Sunday · India · Scientist: death anniversary

Srinivasa Ramanujan: 106th death anniversary

Died on this day in 1920. Self-taught mathematician whose work on number theory and infinite series continues to influence research.

Photo: Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

May 2026

9 May 2026, Saturday · International · Environment

World Migratory Bird Day

Promotes the conservation of migratory birds and the habitats they depend on across borders.

Photo: H. K. Job, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
11 May 2026, Monday · India · Science and technology

National Technology Day

Celebrates India’s technological achievements and self-reliance, and commemorates the 1998 Pokhran tests.
16 May 2026, Saturday · International · Science and technology

International Day of Light

Recognises the role of light and optics in science, art, education and technology.

Photo: ESO/Yuri Beletsky (ybialets at eso.org), CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
17 May 2026, Sunday · International · Science and technology

World Telecommunication and Information Society Day

Highlights how information and communication technologies drive development. Marks the founding of the ITU in 1865.

Photo: Peter Harrison from Auckland, New Zealand, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
20 May 2026, Wednesday · International · Environment

World Bee Day

Highlights pollinators and their role in food production. Adopted by the UN in 2017.

Photo: John Severns (Severnjc), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
22 May 2026, Friday · International · Environment

World Biodiversity Day

Marks the adoption of the Convention on Biological Diversity in 1992 and the variety of life on Earth.
27 May 2026, Wednesday · International · Scientist: birth anniversary

Rachel Carson: 119th birth anniversary

Born on this day in 1907. Marine biologist and author of Silent Spring (1962), which helped start the modern environmental movement.

Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

June 2026

5 Jun 2026, Friday · International · Environment

World Environment Day

The UN’s principal day for environmental action, first held in 1974 and celebrated worldwide.

Photo: K.I. Aroon Joshva Rusewelt, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
7 Jun 2026, Sunday · International · Scientist: death anniversary

Alan Turing: 72nd death anniversary

Died on this day in 1954. Mathematician and computer scientist who founded theoretical computer science and worked on wartime codebreaking.

Photo: Possibly Arthur Reginald Chaffin (1893-1954), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
8 Jun 2026, Monday · International · Environment

World Oceans Day

Highlights the importance of healthy oceans for climate, food and livelihoods.

Photo: Malene Thyssen, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
16 Jun 2026, Tuesday · India · Scientist: death anniversary

Prafulla Chandra Ray: 82nd death anniversary

Died on this day in 1944. Chemist and founder of Bengal Chemical, often called the father of Indian chemistry.
17 Jun 2026, Wednesday · International · Environment

World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought

Draws attention to land degradation and drought and the need for sustainable land management.

Photo: Luca Galuzzi (Lucag), CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons
20 Jun 2026, Saturday · India · Scientist: death anniversary

Salim Ali: 39th death anniversary

Died on this day in 1987. Ornithologist known as the “Birdman of India” for his bird surveys and his work on conservation.
23 Jun 2026, Tuesday · International · Scientist: birth anniversary

Alan Turing: 114th birth anniversary

Born on this day in 1912. Mathematician and computer scientist who founded theoretical computer science and worked on wartime codebreaking.

Photo: Possibly Arthur Reginald Chaffin (1893-1954), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
28 Jun 2026, Sunday · India · Scientist: death anniversary

Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis: 54th death anniversary

Died on this day in 1972. Statistician who founded the Indian Statistical Institute and developed the Mahalanobis distance.
29 Jun 2026, Monday · India · Science and technology

National Statistics Day

Honours P. C. Mahalanobis, whose work built India’s statistical system. Observed on his birthday.
29 Jun 2026, Monday · India · Scientist: birth anniversary

Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis: 133rd birth anniversary

Born on this day in 1893. Statistician who founded the Indian Statistical Institute and developed the Mahalanobis distance.

July 2026

4 Jul 2026, Saturday · International · Scientist: death anniversary

Marie Curie: 92nd death anniversary

Died on this day in 1934. Pioneer of radioactivity research, the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and the only person to win in two different sciences.

Photo: Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
10 Jul 2026, Friday · International · Scientist: birth anniversary

Nikola Tesla: 170th birth anniversary

Born on this day in 1856. Inventor and electrical engineer whose work on alternating current and induction motors shaped modern power systems.

Photo: Vilma Lwoff-Parlaghy, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
25 Jul 2026, Saturday · International · Scientist: birth anniversary

Rosalind Franklin: 106th birth anniversary

Born on this day in 1920. X-ray crystallographer whose Photo 51 gave key evidence for the double-helix structure of DNA.
27 Jul 2026, Monday · India · Scientist: death anniversary

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam: 11th death anniversary

Died on this day in 2015. Aerospace scientist and former President of India, known for the satellite and missile launch programmes.

Photo: Vipul5491 (talk), CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
29 Jul 2026, Wednesday · International · Environment

World Tiger Day

Raises awareness of tiger conservation. India is home to a large share of the world’s wild tigers.

Photo: Luis Miguel Bugallo SÃ¡nchez (Lmbuga), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

August 2026

2 Aug 2026, Sunday · India · Scientist: birth anniversary

Prafulla Chandra Ray: 165th birth anniversary

Born on this day in 1861. Chemist and founder of Bengal Chemical, often called the father of Indian chemistry.
7 Aug 2026, Friday · India · Scientist: birth anniversary

M. S. Swaminathan: 101st birth anniversary

Born on this day in 1925. Agricultural scientist who led India’s Green Revolution and the development of high-yield wheat and rice.
10 Aug 2026, Monday · International · Environment

World Lion Day

Celebrates lions and supports their conservation, including the Asiatic lions of Gir in Gujarat.

Photo: Kevin Pluck, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
12 Aug 2026, Wednesday · International · Environment

World Elephant Day

Highlights the threats to elephants from habitat loss, conflict and poaching.

Photo: Unknown author, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
12 Aug 2026, Wednesday · India · Scientist: birth anniversary

Vikram Sarabhai: 107th birth anniversary

Born on this day in 1919. Founder of India’s space programme and of the Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad.

Photo: Jigneshnat, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
23 Aug 2026, Sunday · India · Science and technology

National Space Day

Marks Chandrayaan-3’s landing near the Moon’s south pole on 23 August 2023, and India’s space achievements.
25 Aug 2026, Tuesday · International · Scientist: death anniversary

Michael Faraday: 159th death anniversary

Died on this day in 1867. Experimental physicist who discovered electromagnetic induction and laid the foundations of electromagnetism.

Photo: Henry Roscoe, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

September 2026

7 Sep 2026, Monday · International · Environment

International Day of Clean Air for blue skies

Calls for action on air pollution, which contributes to millions of premature deaths each year.
9 Sep 2026, Wednesday · India · Scientist: death anniversary

Verghese Kurien: 14th death anniversary

Died on this day in 2012. Architect of India’s White Revolution and the cooperative dairy movement led by Amul.
16 Sep 2026, Wednesday · International · Environment

International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer

Marks the 1987 Montreal Protocol, which phased out ozone-depleting substances.

Photo: Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
22 Sep 2026, Tuesday · International · Environment

World Rhino Day

Raises awareness of the threat to rhinos from poaching and habitat loss.

Photo: Komencanto, modified by ArtMechanic, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
22 Sep 2026, Tuesday · International · Scientist: birth anniversary

Michael Faraday: 235th birth anniversary

Born on this day in 1791. Experimental physicist who discovered electromagnetic induction and laid the foundations of electromagnetism.

Photo: Henry Roscoe, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
28 Sep 2026, Monday · India · Scientist: death anniversary

M. S. Swaminathan: 3rd death anniversary

Died on this day in 2023. Agricultural scientist who led India’s Green Revolution and the development of high-yield wheat and rice.
28 Sep 2026, Monday · International · Scientist: death anniversary

Louis Pasteur: 131st death anniversary

Died on this day in 1895. Microbiologist who developed pasteurisation and vaccines against rabies and anthrax.

Photo: Albert Edelfelt, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

October 2026

6 Oct 2026, Tuesday · India · Scientist: birth anniversary

Meghnad Saha: 133rd birth anniversary

Born on this day in 1893. Astrophysicist who developed the Saha ionisation equation, which is central to understanding stellar spectra.
15 Oct 2026, Thursday · India · Scientist: birth anniversary

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam: 95th birth anniversary

Born on this day in 1931. Aerospace scientist and former President of India, known for the satellite and missile launch programmes.

Photo: Vipul5491 (talk), CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
30 Oct 2026, Friday · India · Scientist: birth anniversary

Homi J. Bhabha: 117th birth anniversary

Born on this day in 1909. Physicist who founded India’s atomic energy programme and the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research.

November 2026

7 Nov 2026, Saturday · International · Scientist: birth anniversary

Marie Curie: 159th birth anniversary

Born on this day in 1867. Pioneer of radioactivity research, the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and the only person to win in two different sciences.

Photo: Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
7 Nov 2026, Saturday · India · Scientist: birth anniversary

C. V. Raman: 138th birth anniversary

Born on this day in 1888. Indian physicist who won the 1930 Nobel Prize in Physics for the scattering of light, known as the Raman effect.

Photo: Nobel Foundation, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
9 Nov 2026, Monday · India · Scientist: death anniversary

Hargobind Khorana: 15th death anniversary

Died on this day in 2011. Biochemist who helped decode the genetic code and shared the 1968 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

Photo: Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
10 Nov 2026, Tuesday · International · Science and technology

World Science Day for Peace and Development

Recognises the role of science in peace and sustainable development. Proclaimed by UNESCO.

Photo: Harriet Jane Moore, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
12 Nov 2026, Thursday · India · Scientist: birth anniversary

Salim Ali: 130th birth anniversary

Born on this day in 1896. Ornithologist known as the “Birdman of India” for his bird surveys and his work on conservation.
21 Nov 2026, Saturday · International · Environment

World Fisheries Day

Recognises the contribution of fisheries and aquaculture to food security and livelihoods.

Photo: Dey.sandip, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
21 Nov 2026, Saturday · India · Scientist: death anniversary

C. V. Raman: 56th death anniversary

Died on this day in 1970. Indian physicist who won the 1930 Nobel Prize in Physics for the scattering of light, known as the Raman effect.

Photo: Nobel Foundation, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
23 Nov 2026, Monday · India · Scientist: death anniversary

Jagadish Chandra Bose: 89th death anniversary

Died on this day in 1937. Pioneer of radio and microwave research and of plant physiology, who showed that plants respond to stimuli.

Photo: w:Patrick Geddes, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
26 Nov 2026, Thursday · India · Scientist: birth anniversary

Verghese Kurien: 105th birth anniversary

Born on this day in 1921. Architect of India’s White Revolution and the cooperative dairy movement led by Amul.
27 Nov 2026, Friday · International · Scientist: death anniversary

Ada Lovelace: 174th death anniversary

Died on this day in 1852. Mathematician whose notes on Babbage’s Analytical Engine include what is often called the first computer programme.

Photo: Margaret Sarah Carpenter, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
30 Nov 2026, Monday · India · Scientist: birth anniversary

Jagadish Chandra Bose: 168th birth anniversary

Born on this day in 1858. Pioneer of radio and microwave research and of plant physiology, who showed that plants respond to stimuli.

Photo: w:Patrick Geddes, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

December 2026

2 Dec 2026, Wednesday · India · Environment

National Pollution Control Day

Observed in memory of the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy, to renew the commitment to controlling pollution.

Photo: NPS, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
5 Dec 2026, Saturday · International · Environment

World Soil Day

Highlights the importance of soil health for food security, water and ecosystems.
10 Dec 2026, Thursday · International · Scientist: birth anniversary

Ada Lovelace: 211th birth anniversary

Born on this day in 1815. Mathematician whose notes on Babbage’s Analytical Engine include what is often called the first computer programme.

Photo: Margaret Sarah Carpenter, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
11 Dec 2026, Friday · International · Environment

International Mountain Day

Highlights the importance of mountain ecosystems and the people who live in them.

Photo: NASA, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
22 Dec 2026, Tuesday · India · Science and technology

National Mathematics Day

Honours Srinivasa Ramanujan, born on 22 December 1887, and the value of mathematical thinking.

Photo: Unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
22 Dec 2026, Tuesday · India · Scientist: birth anniversary

Srinivasa Ramanujan: 139th birth anniversary

Born on this day in 1887. Self-taught mathematician whose work on number theory and infinite series continues to influence research.

Photo: Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
27 Dec 2026, Sunday · International · Scientist: birth anniversary

Louis Pasteur: 204th birth anniversary

Born on this day in 1822. Microbiologist who developed pasteurisation and vaccines against rabies and anthrax.

Photo: Albert Edelfelt, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
30 Dec 2026, Wednesday · India · Scientist: death anniversary

Vikram Sarabhai: 55th death anniversary

Died on this day in 1971. Founder of India’s space programme and of the Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad.

Photo: Jigneshnat, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

January 2027

1 Jan 2027, Friday · India · Scientist: birth anniversary

Satyendra Nath Bose: 133rd birth anniversary

Born on this day in 1894. Physicist whose work on quantum statistics led to Bose–Einstein statistics and the name “boson”.

Photo: Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
7 Jan 2027, Thursday · International · Scientist: death anniversary

Nikola Tesla: 84th death anniversary

Died on this day in 1943. Inventor and electrical engineer whose work on alternating current and induction motors shaped modern power systems.

Photo: Vilma Lwoff-Parlaghy, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
8 Jan 2027, Friday · International · Scientist: birth anniversary

Stephen Hawking: 85th birth anniversary

Born on this day in 1942. Theoretical physicist known for his work on black holes and Hawking radiation.

Photo: NASA, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
9 Jan 2027, Saturday · India · Scientist: birth anniversary

Hargobind Khorana: 105th birth anniversary

Born on this day in 1922. Biochemist who helped decode the genetic code and shared the 1968 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

Photo: Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
24 Jan 2027, Sunday · India · Scientist: death anniversary

Homi J. Bhabha: 61st death anniversary

Died on this day in 1966. Physicist who founded India’s atomic energy programme and the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research.

February 2027

1 Feb 2027, Monday · India · Scientist: death anniversary

Kalpana Chawla: 24th death anniversary

Died on this day in 2003. Indian-American engineer and astronaut, the first woman of Indian origin in space.
2 Feb 2027, Tuesday · International · Environment

World Wetlands Day

Recognises wetlands as ecosystems that store water, filter pollution and support biodiversity. Marks the signing of the Ramsar Convention in 1971.

Photo: Harvinder Chandigarh, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
4 Feb 2027, Thursday · International · Science and technology

World Cancer Day

Promotes research, prevention and treatment of cancer and calls for wider access to care.

Photo: Nephron, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
4 Feb 2027, Thursday · India · Scientist: death anniversary

Satyendra Nath Bose: 53rd death anniversary

Died on this day in 1974. Physicist whose work on quantum statistics led to Bose–Einstein statistics and the name “boson”.

Photo: Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
11 Feb 2027, Thursday · International · Science and technology

International Day of Women and Girls in Science

Promotes equal access to and full participation of women and girls in science.

Photo: Smithsonian Institution/Science Service; Restored by Adam Cuerden, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
12 Feb 2027, Friday · International · Scientist: birth anniversary

Charles Darwin: 218th birth anniversary

Born on this day in 1809. English naturalist whose theory of evolution by natural selection, set out in On the Origin of Species (1859), transformed biology.

Photo: Julia Margaret Cameron, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
16 Feb 2027, Tuesday · India · Scientist: death anniversary

Meghnad Saha: 71st death anniversary

Died on this day in 1956. Astrophysicist who developed the Saha ionisation equation, which is central to understanding stellar spectra.
28 Feb 2027, Sunday · India · Science and technology

National Science Day

Marks C. V. Raman’s discovery of the Raman effect on 28 February 1928, and encourages scientific temper across India.

March 2027

1 Mar 2027, Monday · India · Scientist: birth anniversary

Kalpana Chawla: 66th birth anniversary

Born on this day in 1961. Indian-American engineer and astronaut, the first woman of Indian origin in space.
3 Mar 2027, Wednesday · International · Environment

World Wildlife Day

Celebrates wild animals and plants and raises awareness of the threat posed by illegal wildlife trade.

Photo: Richard Bartz, Munich Makro Freak, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons
14 Mar 2027, Sunday · International · Science and technology

International Day of Mathematics

Celebrates mathematics and its role in science, technology and everyday life.

Photo: Attributed to Meliacin Master, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
14 Mar 2027, Sunday · International · Scientist: birth anniversary

Albert Einstein: 148th birth anniversary

Born on this day in 1879. Theoretical physicist who developed the theory of relativity and won the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics for the photoelectric effect.

Photo: Possibly Herman Mishkin, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
14 Mar 2027, Sunday · International · Scientist: death anniversary

Stephen Hawking: 9th death anniversary

Died on this day in 2018. Theoretical physicist known for his work on black holes and Hawking radiation.

Photo: NASA, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
21 Mar 2027, Sunday · International · Environment

International Day of Forests

Highlights the role of forests in livelihoods, climate and biodiversity. Proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 2012.

Photo: Ruta Badina, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
22 Mar 2027, Monday · International · Environment

World Water Day

Focuses attention on freshwater and the people who depend on it, and on the case for safe water and sanitation.

Photo: Andreas Tille, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
23 Mar 2027, Tuesday · International · Science and technology

World Meteorological Day

Marks the founding of the World Meteorological Organization and the role of weather and climate science in safety and development.

Photo: USDA photo by Scott Bauer. Image Number K7688-7, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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