Daily Top Current Affairs of the day for 12th January 2026
1. India Post Launches Speed Post 24 and Speed Post 48
Union Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia launched two new postal services, Speed Post 24 and Speed Post 48, at a programme in Pichor, Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh. These services will ensure parcel delivery within 24 and 48 hours respectively, setting new benchmarks for fast, punctual, and reliable postal delivery in India. Scindia stated that the initiative strengthens the modernisation of India Post and enhances customer satisfaction. The launch marks a significant step toward transforming traditional postal services into a technology-driven and time-bound delivery system.
2. FIFA World Cup 2026 Trophy Begins Three-Day India Tour
Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, along with former Brazilian footballer Gilberto D’silva, unveiled the FIFA World Cup 2026 Trophy in India. The unveiling ceremony launched the trophy’s three-day nationwide tour, giving football fans a rare chance to witness the iconic silverware. The trophy will stay in Delhi for two days before travelling to Guwahati for one day. FIFA organised the tour to expand football engagement in India ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which the USA, Canada, and Mexico will jointly host with a new 48-team format.
3. PRAGATI Platform Completes 50th Meeting Milestone
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s flagship governance platform PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation) successfully conducted its 50th meeting. Since its launch in 2015, PRAGATI has strengthened real-time monitoring of key infrastructure projects and grievance redressal through direct Prime Ministerial review. The platform promotes cooperative federalism by connecting the Centre, States, and Union Ministries on a single digital interface. Over the years, PRAGATI has accelerated decision-making, resolved project delays, and fostered accountability in governance, significantly improving implementation efficiency across major national development initiatives.
4. Pariksha Pe Charcha 2026 Sets New Participation Record
Pariksha Pe Charcha 2026 registered more than 4 crore participants, surpassing last year’s Guinness World Record of 3.56 crore registrations. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan shared the achievement and highlighted the programme’s transformation into a nationwide movement promoting stress-free examinations. The initiative connects students, teachers, and parents with the Prime Minister, who provides guidance on confidence, focus, and mental well-being. The record-breaking participation reflects growing student engagement and reinforces the government’s commitment to creating a supportive academic environment for India’s “Exam Warriors.”
5. Mumbai Hosts Fifth Tri-Services Veterans Day Parade
Mumbai hosted the fifth Tri-Services Veterans Day Parade at Marine Drive, becoming the only Indian city to conduct a city-level parade for veterans. Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan flagged off the event, which featured over 500 veterans, including gallantry award winners and senior servicemen. The Navy Foundation Mumbai Chapter organised the parade with support from Western Naval Command. The event honoured India’s military veterans ahead of Veterans Day on 14 January, which commemorates the retirement of Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa, independent India’s first Army Commander-in-Chief.
6. National Youth Day Celebrated with Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue
India observed National Youth Day to commemorate the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the concluding session of the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2026 in New Delhi, interacting with around 3,000 youth and diaspora delegates. Participants presented innovative ideas across ten thematic tracks for national development. The Prime Minister also released an essay compilation written by young contributors. The dialogue aligns with the vision of engaging one lakh youth in nation-building and recorded participation from over 50 lakh young citizens nationwide.
7. NHAI Creates Four Guinness World Records on NH-544G Corridor
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) created four Guinness World Records on the under-construction Bengaluru–Kadapa–Vijayawada Economic Corridor of NH-544G. On the 6th of this month, NHAI achieved two major records near Puttaparthi in Andhra Pradesh. First, it completed the longest continuous laying of Bituminous Concrete over a 9.63-kilometre, three-lane stretch within 24 hours. Second, it laid a record 10,655 metric tonnes of Bituminous Concrete in the same duration. Consequently, these achievements highlight India’s rapid highway construction capacity.
08. PM Modi Leads Shaurya Yatra at Somnath Swabhiman Parv
Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the Shaurya Yatra during the Somnath Swabhiman Parv at Prabhas Patan in Gujarat to honour warriors who sacrificed their lives defending the Somnath Temple. Addressing a massive gathering, the Prime Minister urged citizens to remain united and defeat forces attempting to divide the nation. Moreover, he highlighted India’s resilience and cultural pride while paying tribute to historic bravery. Therefore, the event reinforced national unity and patriotism, making it a significant cultural and political gathering from a competitive examination perspective.
09. Puri Becomes India’s First City with Drinkable Tap Water
Odisha’s Puri achieved a historic public health milestone by becoming India’s first city where residents can safely drink water directly from taps. The initiative ensures clean, treated, and continuously monitored water supply for all households. Moreover, this achievement reflects Odisha’s success in urban water management and sanitation reforms. Consequently, Puri sets a benchmark for other Indian cities to improve public health infrastructure. Therefore, this development holds high relevance for competitive exams under governance, urban development, and sustainable public service delivery topics.
10. Rare “Sandalwood Leopard” Discovered in Karnataka
Karnataka’s wildlife gained national and global attention with the discovery of an extremely rare leopard colour variant, nicknamed the “Sandalwood Leopard.” Forest officials documented this unique big cat for the first time in the state, highlighting India’s rich biodiversity. Moreover, experts believe this discovery will strengthen wildlife research and conservation awareness. Consequently, the finding adds significance to Karnataka’s ecological heritage. Therefore, this event becomes important for competitive examinations covering biodiversity, environmental conservation, and rare species documentation in India.
11. Justice Revati Mohite Dere Becomes First Woman Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court
Justice Revati Mohite Dere took oath as the first woman Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court at the Durbar Hall of Lok Bhavan in Shillong. This historic appointment holds special significance for Meghalaya, a matrilineal northeastern state. Moreover, her elevation strengthens gender representation in India’s higher judiciary. Consequently, the event marks progress toward judicial inclusivity and equality. Therefore, this development is important for competitive exams under constitutional bodies, judicial appointments, and women’s leadership in governance.
12. Supreme Court of India Signs Judicial Exchange MoU with Bhutan
In January 2026, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant announced that the Supreme Court of India signed an MoU with the Supreme Court of Bhutan to promote judicial cooperation. Under this agreement, two Bhutanese law clerks will work in Indian courts for three months to gain exposure to judicial functioning. Moreover, they will receive honorarium equivalent to Indian law clerks. Consequently, the MoU strengthens legal diplomacy and cross-border judicial learning. Therefore, it remains a key current affairs topic in international judicial cooperation.
13. Italy Honours Shrinivas Dempo with Civilian Award
Italy conferred one of its highest civilian honours, the Cavaliere dell’Ordine della Stella d’Italia, on Goa-based industrialist Shrinivas Dempo. The award recognises his contribution to Italian citizens and promotion of bilateral interests in India. Moreover, the honour strengthens India–Italy cultural and business relations. Consequently, this recognition highlights the role of Indian entrepreneurs in fostering international cooperation. Therefore, this news holds significance for competitive exams in international relations and prestigious foreign honours conferred on Indians.
14. Nalini Joshi Named New South Wales Scientist of the Year
Indian-origin mathematician Nalini Joshi received the title of New South Wales’ Scientist of the Year, becoming the first mathematician to earn the state’s highest science honour. Moreover, this recognition highlights her outstanding contributions to mathematical research and scientific excellence. Consequently, her achievement enhances India’s global reputation in advanced scientific fields. Therefore, this development becomes important for competitive exams covering awards, achievements of Indian-origin personalities, and global scientific recognition.
15. Indonesia Blocks AI Chatbot Grok Over Deepfake Concerns
Indonesia became the first country to block access to Grok, an artificial intelligence chatbot linked to Elon Musk, citing concerns over explicit and non-consensual sexual deepfakes. The government acted to address digital safety, human rights, and online governance challenges. Moreover, the decision reflects rising global anxiety over misuse of generative AI tools. Consequently, this move sets an international precedent in regulating artificial intelligence. Therefore, it remains an essential topic for competitive exams under technology governance and cyber regulation.
Daily Top Current Affairs MCQ of the day for 12th January 2026