Daily Current Affairs- 12th January 2026

Daily Current Affairs- 12th January 2026

India and Germany Various Pacts On German Chancellor Visit To India

In the News:  German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited India for high-level bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The visit, which marked Merz's first trip to an Asian country since assuming office, resulted in the signing of multiple agreements and declarations across migration, security, clean energy, and cultural cooperation.

Key Points:

• Migration and Skills Partnership: India and Germany issued a Joint Declaration of Intent on the Global Skills Partnership, aimed at facilitating structured mobility of skilled workers with special focus on healthcare professionals.
• Visa-Free Transit Facility: A major facilitation measure was announced providing visa-free transit for Indian citizens traveling through Germany.
• Security Cooperation Agreements: India and Germany signed agreements to strengthen security cooperation, reflecting shared concerns over global and regional stability.
• India-Germany Centre of Excellence: Both leaders announced the establishment of an India-Germany Centre of Excellence focused on advancing green technologies, innovation, and climate solutions. This initiative institutionalizes collaboration in clean and sustainable energy, aligning with India's energy transition goals and Germany's global leadership in clean technology.
• Bilateral Trade Milestone: India-Germany bilateral trade reached specifically USD 51.23 billion, reflecting the growing economic partnership between the two nations. Both countries are also working to finalize a long-pending Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that could further expand trade, investment, and supply chain integration.
• Maritime Heritage Cooperation: A partnership was announced between the German Maritime Museum and India's National Maritime Heritage Complex being developed at Lothal in Gujarat. Prime Minister Modi described this collaboration as a historic step connecting the maritime histories of both nations through cultural diplomacy.

Census 2027

In the News: The Government of India has announced plans to conduct the Census 2027, marking the country's first digital census. This will be India's 16th national census since independence and the first to be conducted entirely through digital means, representing a significant modernization of the census process that was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key Points:

• Digital Census Initiative: Census 2027 will be India's first completely digital census, with data collection conducted using mobile applications and tablets. This marks a departure from the traditional paper-based method used in all previous censuses.
• Timeline and Phases: The census exercise is expected to commence in 2027, with the reference date likely to be set for early 2027. The process will be conducted in two phases: house listing and housing census, followed by the population enumeration phase.
• Delayed Exercise: The census was originally due in 2021 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent logistical challenges. The last census was conducted in 2011, making this the longest gap between two censuses in independent India's history.
• NPR Integration: The National Population Register (NPR) exercise may be conducted alongside the census. The NPR is a comprehensive database of usual residents of the country and contains demographic and biometric information.
• Caste Census Debate: There has been significant political discourse regarding the inclusion of caste-based enumeration beyond Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Various state governments and political parties have demanded a comprehensive caste census to inform policy decisions.

Indian Army Major Swathi Shantha Kumar Wins UN Secretary-General’s Award 2025

In the News: Indian Army Major Swathi Shantha Kumar has been honored with the prestigious UN Secretary-General's Award 2025 in the Gender Category for her exceptional work in gender-inclusive peacekeeping. Serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS),

Key Points:

• Award Recognition: Major Swathi Shantha Kumar received the UN Secretary-General's Award 2025 in the Gender Category, announced by UN Secretary-General António Guterres. The award recognizes initiatives that promote gender parity and gender-responsive peacekeeping, with Major Swathi's project emerging as the top choice through a UN-wide voting process involving personnel from different peacekeeping missions.
• Project "Equal Partners, Lasting Peace": Major Swathi led this transformative initiative under the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), focusing on gender-inclusive peacekeeping practices.
• Leadership Role: As head of the Indian Engagement Team under UNMISS, Major Swathi demonstrated exemplary leadership in implementing gender-responsive peacekeeping strategies. Her work ensured that women peacekeepers were effectively integrated into operations, improving the mission's ability to engage with local communities and address gender-specific security concerns.
• Global Recognition for India: Major Swathi's achievement brings international recognition to India's contributions to UN peacekeeping operations. India is one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping, having deployed over 275,000 personnel since 1950, with an increasing number of women peacekeepers serving in challenging conflict zones worldwide.
• Setting a Global Example: The "Equal Partners, Lasting Peace" project sets a global benchmark for gender-inclusive peacekeeping practices. Major Swathi's work demonstrates how inclusive leadership and gender-responsive approaches can improve peacekeeping effectiveness, build community trust, and contribute to long-term peace and stability in conflict-affected regions.

ICJ Hearings Begin in Rohingya Genocide Case Against Myanmar

In the News: The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague has commenced substantive hearings in the landmark genocide case against Myanmar concerning the treatment of the Rohingya Muslim minority. The case, originally filed by The Gambia in 2019, examines allegations of genocide and violations of the Genocide Convention during Myanmar's military crackdown in Rakhine State in 2016-2017.

Key Points:

• Case Background: The Gambia filed the case at the ICJ in November 2019 on behalf of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), accusing Myanmar of violating the 1948 Genocide Convention. The allegations focus on the Myanmar military's brutal campaign against the Rohingya population in Rakhine State.
• Rohingya Crisis Overview: In August 2017, Myanmar's military launched a violent crackdown in response to attacks by Rohingya militants, resulting in mass killings, sexual violence, and the burning of hundreds of villages. Over 740,000 Rohingya fled to neighboring Bangladesh, creating one of the world's largest refugee crises.
• Genocide Allegations: The case alleges that Myanmar committed acts including mass murder, rape, torture, and destruction of Rohingya communities with the intent to destroy the Rohingya ethnic group in whole or in part. Evidence includes eyewitness testimonies, satellite imagery, and reports from UN investigators.
• International Support: Multiple countries have intervened in the case or filed declarations of support, including Canada, the Netherlands, and the Maldives. Civil society organizations and Rohingya advocacy groups have also submitted evidence and amicus briefs to support the proceedings.
• Parallel Proceedings: Separately, the International Criminal Court (ICC) is conducting its own investigation into crimes against humanity committed against the Rohingya. Argentina has also initiated criminal proceedings under universal jurisdiction against Myanmar officials.
• Refugee Situation: Meanwhile, approximately one million Rohingya refugees remain in camps in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, living in difficult conditions with limited prospects for return. The international community continues to seek durable solutions for the displaced population.

After a month on the sidelines, US brings India into Pax Silica: What changed, why does it matter?

In the News: Newly appointed US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor announced that India will be invited to join the Pax Silica initiative, approximately one month after India was notably excluded when the US-led strategic framework was launched on December 12, 2025. This reversal marks a significant shift in US-India technology cooperation and comes amid ongoing negotiations for a bilateral trade deal.

Key Points:

• Pax Silica Initiative Overview: Pax Silica is a US-led strategic initiative focused on securing AI and technology supply chains by bringing together "friendly and trusted" countries. According to the US State Department, the framework aims to ensure key technologies are safe, reliable, and not controlled by hostile players, serving as a counter to China's grip on global manufacturing supply chains.
• Initial Exclusion of India: When Pax Silica was formally launched on December 12, 2025, India was surprisingly left out despite being a key technology partner. The founding members included US allies such as Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia.
• India's Invitation After One Month: US Ambassador Sergio Gor extended the invitation to India on January 13, 2026, approximately one month after the initiative's launch.
• Technology and Infrastructure Benefits: The initiative will help India build trusted technology ecosystems, including Information and Communication Technology (ICT) systems, fiber-optic cables, data centers, foundational models, and applications.

DRDO Successfully Tests Indigenous MPATGM with Top-Attack Capability

In the News: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) recently achieved a major milestone by successfully testing the indigenously developed Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) with advanced top-attack capabilities. This achievement marks a significant step toward India's self-reliance in defense technology and enhances the Indian Army's anti-armor warfare capabilities.

Key Points:

• Successful Test Fire: DRDO conducted successful flight tests of the MPATGM from a man-portable launcher at the Ahmednagar field firing range in Maharashtra. The missile demonstrated precision strike capability and successfully engaged simulated armored targets.
• Top-Attack Feature: The MPATGM is equipped with a unique top-attack mode, allowing it to strike tanks and armored vehicles from above where their armor is weakest. This capability significantly increases the missile's lethality against modern battle tanks with heavily armored fronts and sides.
• Indigenous Development: The missile has been indigenously designed and developed by DRDO in collaboration with industry partners. It features a state-of-the-art Imaging Infrared Radar (IIR) seeker with advanced target acquisition and tracking algorithms for day and night operations.
• Operational Advantage: The weapon system enhances infantry capabilities against enemy armored formations in diverse terrain conditions. Its man-portable nature makes it ideal for deployment in mountainous regions and difficult terrain where heavier anti-tank systems cannot be easily positioned.
• Self-Reliance in Defense: The successful development of MPATGM aligns with the government's 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (Self-Reliant India) initiative in the defense sector. It reduces dependence on imported anti-tank guided missiles and strengthens indigenous defense manufacturing capabilities.

Swami Vivekananda’s 164th Birth Anniversary: A Tribute to His Vision and Wisdom

In the News: India celebrated the 164th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, one of the nation's most revered spiritual leaders and philosophers. The day is also observed as National Youth Day across the country, honoring Swami Vivekananda's profound influence on India's youth and his timeless teachings on spirituality, education, and social reform.

Key Points:

• National Youth Day Observance: January 12 is celebrated as National Youth Day in India since 1984, commemorating Swami Vivekananda's birthday. The day aims to inspire young people with his ideals of courage, strength, and selfless service to humanity.
• Historic Chicago Address: Swami Vivekananda gained international recognition with his iconic speech at the Parliament of World Religions in Chicago on September 11, 1893. His address beginning with "Sisters and Brothers of America" introduced Hindu philosophy and Indian spirituality to the Western world.
• Philosophical Contributions: He emphasized the unity of all religions and promoted Vedanta philosophy globally. His teachings focused on the inherent divinity of the soul, self-realization, and the importance of service to humanity as worship to God.
• Educational Vision: Swami Vivekananda advocated for a holistic education system that develops both the mind and character. He believed education should build self-confidence and enable individuals to stand on their own feet while serving society.
• Ramakrishna Mission: In 1897, he founded the Ramakrishna Mission, a philanthropic organization that continues to work in areas of education, healthcare, disaster relief, and rural development across India and internationally.