RAS question
Siddha Day commemorates the birth anniversary of which ancient sage, and on which date?
Correct answer: (A) Sage Agathiyar — January 6.
Siddha Day commemorates the birth anniversary of Sage Agathiyar and is observed annually on January 6.
Explanation
Siddha Day is associated with Sage Agathiyar, not with the other sages listed in the options. The Ministry of Ayush release on the 9th Siddha Day says the 2026 celebrations, themed "Siddha for Global Health", commemorate the birth anniversary of Sage Agathiyar, who is revered as the father of Siddha medicine. It also states that Siddha Day is observed annually on January 6 to mark this occasion. The Chennai event context helps identify the current-affairs frame: the Vice President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, was to preside over and inaugurate the celebrations at Kalaivanar Arangam, Chennai.
Why the other options are wrong
- (B) Sage Patanjali is not named in the explanation or the Ministry of Ayush release as the figure commemorated by Siddha Day, and January 12 is not the stated date.
- (C) Sage Charaka is not the sage linked to Siddha Day in the official release; the release names Sage Agathiyar and gives January 6, not January 19.
- (D) Sage Dhanvantari is not associated with this Siddha Day observance in the source, and January 1 is not the annual date stated by the Ministry of Ayush.
Concept
This tests AYUSH and traditional Indian medicine within Science and Technology current affairs. RAS often asks such commemorative-day items because they link institutions, themes and foundational figures in one compact fact.