International Yoga Day is observed worldwide on which date?

Introduction / Context:
International Yoga Day is a global observance highlighting the physical, mental and spiritual benefits of practicing yoga. Proposed by India and adopted by the United Nations, it is celebrated on 21 June each year, which is also the day of the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. For competitive exams, this date is extremely important because it connects India's cultural heritage with a widely recognized UN day.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The observance is International Yoga Day, recognized by the UN General Assembly.
- The question asks for the specific date on which it is observed worldwide.
- Options include nearby dates in May and June to test whether candidates know the exact day.

Concept / Approach:
The key concept is associating yoga with 21 June. A useful memory aid is to remember that yoga emphasizes balance, and the summer solstice is a symbolic moment of balance in terms of daylight. Since the solstice in the Northern Hemisphere occurs around 21 June, this date was chosen for International Yoga Day. Connecting yoga, balance and the longest day of the year makes it easier to recall that 21 June is correct.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Read the phrase “International Yoga Day” and recall that it is a UN endorsed observance initiated by India. Step 2: Remember that the UN resolution fixed the date as 21 June, coinciding with the summer solstice. Step 3: Look at the answer choices and identify 21 June among them. Step 4: Note that dates such as 21 May or 11 June do not correspond to any official yoga related observance in the UN calendar. Step 5: Select 21 June as the answer, confident that it correctly matches International Yoga Day.

Verification / Alternative check:
As an alternative, recall that large public yoga events in India and worldwide, often attended by leaders and covered by media, always occur on 21 June. These repeated visual images from news coverage create a strong association with that date. Moreover, if you remember that the day is close to the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, you can quickly reject dates in May or early June as incorrect.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
21 May: Not recognized as International Yoga Day and does not coincide with the summer solstice.
11 June: Has no special status in the UN observance calendar regarding yoga.
23 May: Associated with other international or national observances but not with yoga in the standard GK list.
1 June: Sometimes used for unrelated events but not for International Yoga Day in the exam context.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners misremember whether the date is in May or June, and under time pressure, they may choose 21 May simply because it looks similar to 21 June. Another pitfall is ignoring the connection to the solstice, which is a helpful clue. To avoid confusion, always repeat the association: “Yoga Day, 21 June, summer solstice.” Rehearsing this triad a few times during revision ensures that the correct date is firmly anchored in your memory.

Final Answer:
Correct option: 21 June