12 January 2026 Current Affairs (With PDF)

We bring you the most relevant and important news updates from around the world and India, specially curated for competitive exams and different entrance exams. Today's Current Affairs cover all significant national and international headlines, legal updates, economic news, and environmental highlights to boost your preparation. With our crisp, to-the-point coverage, you can confidently tackle current affairs questions in your exams

DRDO Tests Full-Scale Scramjet Engine for Hypersonic Missiles

DRDO’s Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) successfully ground-tested a full-scale, actively cooled Scramjet engine for over 12 minutes, marking a key step in India’s Hypersonic Cruise Missile Development Program.

India joins a select group of nations capable of scramjet testing: USA, Russia, China, Australia, France

About Scramjet Engine

1. Full Form:

• Supersonic Combustion Ramjet

2. Purpose:

• Air-breathing engine capable of hypersonic flight (>Mach 5)

3. Difference from Ramjet:

• Ramjet: Compresses incoming air for combustion at supersonic speeds but below Mach 5
• Scramjet: Enables supersonic combustion, efficient at hypersonic speeds

4. Key Characteristics:

• Air-breathing: Uses forward motion to compress incoming air
• Actively cooled combustor: Sustains long-duration high-temperature operations
• Assisted Take-off Required: Cannot produce thrust at zero speed
• Fuel Efficiency: Lighter and more fuel-efficient than conventional rockets

Hypersonic Weapons Overview

• Speed: Mach 5+ (>6,100 km/h)
• Advantages: Rapid global reach; Evades conventional air defence systems; Flies lower than ballistic missiles, making detection difficult

Significance for India

• Strengthens strategic deterrence and aerospace capability
• Lays the foundation for indigenous hypersonic cruise missile program
• Enhances India’s technological and defense credibility in aerospace and missile tech
• Complements DRDO’s missile portfolio (Agni, BrahMos, Nirbhay, etc.)

Param Shakti Supercomputing Facility Launched

Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) launched Param Shakti, a 3.1 Petaflop supercomputing system, at IIT Madras under the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM).

About Param Shakti

• Type: High-performance supercomputer (3.1 Petaflop)
• Indigenously Developed: Built using C-DAC’s RUDRA series servers
• Software: Runs on open-source stack, including AlmaLinux
• Purpose: Supports complex research in Aerospace engineering, Materials science, Climate modelling, Drug discovery, Advanced manufacturing
• Significance: Now among the most powerful computational systems in Indian academia

National Supercomputing Mission

• Launch Year: 2015
• Objective: Network over 70 high-performance computing facilities across national academic & R&D institutions
• Connectivity: Supercomputers linked via National Knowledge Network (NKN)
• Steering: Jointly by Department of Science & Technology (DST) and MeitY
• Implementation: C-DAC (Pune), Indian Institute of Science (Bengaluru)

Shaksgam Valley: India Objects to China’s Projects

India has formally objected to China’s infrastructure development projects in the Shaksgam Valley, citing territorial sovereignty concerns.

About Shaksgam Valley

1. Location:

Northern Ladakh, north of the Karakoram watershed

2. Strategic Importance:

• Close to Siachen Glacier
• Lies between Kunlun Mountains and Karakoram range
• Alternate Name: Trans-Karakoram Tract

3. Historical Background:

• Occupied by Pakistan since 1947
• Ceded to China in 1963 via the China–Pakistan Boundary Agreement (illegal as per India)
• Geography: Traversed by the Shaksgam River, mountainous terrain

Significance

• Geopolitical: Sensitive area due to proximity to India-Pakistan-China borders
• Security: Potential impact on defense logistics and border surveillance
• Infrastructure Concerns: Chinese projects could alter terrain control and strategic balance

National IED Data Management System (NIDMS) Inaugurated

National Security Guard (NSG) has inaugurated the National IED Data Management System (NIDMS), a secure digital platform for monitoring and analyzing Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and related incidents.

About NIDMS

• Type: Secure national digital platform
• Purpose: Organizes and analyzes data on IEDs and bomb explosions
• Functions: Pattern analysis of IED attacks, Inter-agency data sharing, Faster investigation and threat response
• Significance: Strengthens counter-terrorism and public safety operations

Access to NIDMS

• National Investigating Agencies: NIA
• State Level Units: Anti-Terrorism Squads (ATS), state police forces
• Central Security Forces: All Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs)
• Security Features: Secure access to sensitive explosive-related intelligence

Strategic Importance

• Enhances national security through centralized data
• Facilitates collaboration among multiple agencies
• Improves forensic analysis of explosions and preventive measures
• Contributes to faster response in terror-related incidents

National Environmental Standard Laboratory (NESL) Established

CSIR-National Physical Laboratory (NPL) has established National Environmental Standard Laboratory (NESL), an apex-level facility for testing, calibration, and certification of air pollution monitoring instruments.

About NESL

• Type: Apex national facility for environmental metrology
• Purpose: Calibration and certification of air pollution monitoring instruments
• Global Standing: Considered the world’s second NESL (first in the UK)
• Related Facility: National Primary Standard Facility for Solar Cell Calibration – places India among global leaders in photovoltaic measurement standards

Benefits and Significance

• Develops India-specific environmental standards
• Ensures credible data for programs like National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)
• Supports industrial emission audits and environmental compliance
• Strengthens scientific and technological sovereignty in environmental monitoring

Weimar Triangle: India Engages for the First Time

The Indian Minister of External Affairs participated in India’s first engagement with the Weimar Triangle, marking a step in strengthening ties with key European powers.

About Weimar Triangle

• Members: France, Germany, Poland
• Founded: 1991, in Weimar, Germany
• Original Purpose: Support German–Polish reconciliation post-Cold War
• Current Objectives: Promote European integration, Facilitate political dialogue, Strengthen security and defense cooperation

Significance for India

• Strategic Diplomacy: Enhances India’s political and economic engagement in Europe
• Security Cooperation: Opens avenues for discussions on regional and global security issues
• Multilateral Outreach: Strengthens India’s role in Europe-centric alliances without formal membership

All Set with 12 January Current Affairs? Let’s Quiz!

Ready to put your knowledge to the test? Take our daily quiz now and reinforce what you learned!

 12 January 2026 Current Affair Quiz
 

Why is 12 January 2026 Current Affairs Important for You?

• Essential for Exams: The Current Affairs of 12 January 2026 cover topics that are often asked in competitive exams.
• Boosts Your Knowledge: Helps you stay informed about the latest events and updates.
• Improves Accuracy: Daily practice with Current Affairs of 12 January 2026 improves your speed and accuracy in exams.
• Quick Revision: Acts as a daily revision tool for upcoming exams.
• Saves Time: You don’t need to search multiple sources; everything is here in one place!
• Helps in Interviews: Being updated with Current Affairs of 12 January 2026 gives you confidence for personal interviews and group discussions.

How to Use 12 January 2026 Current Affairs for Exam Preparation? 

• Read Properly: Go through the 12 January 2026 Current Affairs to stay updated.
• Make Notes: Summarize key points and important updates in your own words.
• Link with Syllabus: Identify topics relevant to your exam and connect them with your syllabus.
• Practice Daily Quizzes: Test your knowledge by taking daily quizzes based on 12 January 2026 Current Affairs.
• Revise Often: Review the updates multiple times to boost your recall and confidence.
• Discuss with Peers: Join discussions and share insights to deepen your understanding.

Get Daily Updates and Stay Ahead!

Law Prep Tutorial is committed to giving you the best daily current affairs updates to help you excel in various exams. Our platform is trusted by thousands of toppers for timely, accurate, and concise updates that matter most for your exams. Explore our dedicated sections below: