In India, on which date is Navy Day celebrated each year?

Introduction / Context:
India observes several days to honour its armed forces. Navy Day specifically celebrates the achievements and role of the Indian Navy, especially its contributions during wartime. It is celebrated on December 4 every year, commemorating Operation Trident during the 1971 Indo Pakistan war. For exams, differentiating between Army Day, Air Force Day and Navy Day is a frequent test of static general knowledge related to defence services.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The question clearly refers to Navy Day in India.
- It asks for the specific date of celebration, not the year or background details.
- The options include dates associated with other Indian defence related observances, making elimination important.

Concept / Approach:
The key is to associate each branch of the armed forces with its dedicated day and date. Navy Day is tied to December 4, Air Force Day to October 8 and Army Day to January 15. Republic Day, an entirely different national occasion, falls on January 26. Once you remember this mapping, it becomes easy to select the correct option even when many similar dates are presented together.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify that the question is asking specifically about Navy Day, not a general armed forces celebration. Step 2: Recall that Navy Day commemorates Operation Trident of the 1971 war, which took place on the night of December 4. Step 3: Look at the options and locate December 4 among them. Step 4: Remember that October 8 is linked with Air Force Day and January 15 with Army Day, which helps rule them out. Step 5: Confirm that December 4 uniquely corresponds to Navy Day in India and select it as the answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
To double check, mentally list the three services and their days: Army Day (January 15), Air Force Day (October 8) and Navy Day (December 4). Then recall that Republic Day, which is January 26, honours the Constitution coming into effect and is not dedicated to a single service. This quick internal cross check reaffirms that December 4 is the correct date for Navy Day.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
October 8: This date is celebrated as Air Force Day in India, recognizing the Indian Air Force, not the Navy.
February 1: Not associated with any major pan India armed forces commemorative day in the usual exam syllabus.
January 15: Observed as Army Day in India, honouring the Indian Army, not the Navy.
January 26: Celebrated as Republic Day, marking the adoption of the Constitution, and is not a service specific day.

Common Pitfalls:
Students often mix up the three service days because they try to memorize them mechanically without linking them to key historical events. Another pitfall is assuming that Republic Day or Independence Day must be the answer whenever the armed forces are mentioned. A better strategy is to tie each date to a story: Operation Trident for Navy Day, the formation of the Indian Air Force for Air Force Day and the first Indian Commander in Chief for Army Day. Stories make dates easier to recall under exam pressure.

Final Answer:
Correct option: December 4