In Current Affairs for 12 January 2026, we will see the latest national and international current affairs news. These important current affairs will be beneficial for your upcoming NDA, CDS, CDS OTA, AFCAT, TA, Agniveer Army, Agniveer Navy, Agniveer Air Force, Women Military Police, INET, MNS, ACC exams, SCO, PCSL, CAPF, and SSB interviews, and direct entries for Army, Navy, and Air Force like SSC Tech, TGC, JAG, NCC, TES, 10+2 Cadet. Download a PDF file about current events at the end of this article. Let us now see the Current Affairs.
Current Affairs 12 January 2026
National Youth Day 2026: Celebrating the Spirit of Swami Vivekananda
National Youth Day is observed every year on 12 January across India to honour the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, one of the most inspiring thinkers and spiritual leaders of modern India. In 2026, the nation commemorates his 164th birth anniversary, remembering his powerful vision for a strong, confident, and enlightened youth.
The Government of India declared January 12 as National Youth Day in 1984 with the objective of motivating young Indians to adopt Vivekananda’s ideals of self-belief, discipline, service, and national pride. The day serves as a reminder that the country’s progress depends heavily on the energy, ethics, and leadership of its youth.
Born as Narendra Nath Dutta in Kolkata on 12 January 1863, Swami Vivekananda was raised in an intellectually open and socially aware family. His life changed profoundly after meeting Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, who became his spiritual guide. Vivekananda gained global recognition after his historic address at the Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago in 1893, where his opening words, “Sisters and Brothers of America,” won hearts worldwide and introduced Indian philosophy to the global stage.
Italy Honours Goa Industrialist Shrinivas Dempo
Italy has bestowed one of its prestigious civilian awards, the Cavaliere dell’Ordine della Stella d’Italia, on renowned Goa-based industrialist Shrinivas Dempo. The honour recognises his sustained efforts in assisting Italian citizens living in India and strengthening cooperation between the two countries.
Shrinivas Dempo has played an important role in enhancing India–Italy relations across business, cultural exchange, and community engagement. His initiatives have helped deepen people-to-people ties and encouraged collaboration between institutions of both nations.
The award was presented during a formal ceremony in Goa by Walter Ferrara, the Consul General of Italy in Mumbai, representing the Italian government. The occasion highlighted Dempo’s significant contribution at both regional and international levels.
Union Minister Annpurna Devi Launches PANKHUDI Portal
Reinforcing its commitment to women and child welfare, the Government of India has launched PANKHUDI, a new digital initiative by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. The portal was inaugurated on 8 January 2026 by Union Minister Smt. Annpurna Devi.
PANKHUDI is a single-window online platform designed to connect citizens, Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), NGOs, corporates, and government bodies. Its goal is to create a transparent and collaborative ecosystem for supporting women and child development programs.
Through the portal, contributors can register themselves, identify development initiatives, submit proposals, track project progress, and make contributions exclusively through non-cash modes, ensuring accountability and financial transparency.
Major Swathi Shantha Kumar Receives UN Secretary-General’s Award
Indian Army officer Major Swathi Shantha Kumar has earned global recognition by winning the UN Secretary-General’s Award 2025 for gender-inclusive peacekeeping. She was honoured in the Gender Category for her impactful project titled “Equal Partners, Lasting Peace.”
While serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, Major Swathi’s initiative empowered over 5,000 women, encouraging their active participation in community activities and peace-building processes. Her work strengthened trust between local communities and UN peacekeeping forces.
The project demonstrated how inclusive leadership and gender equality can contribute to sustainable peace, improved security, and long-term stability in conflict-affected regions.
Virat Kohli Becomes Second-Highest Run-Scorer in International Cricket
Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli has become the second-highest run-scorer in international cricket, overtaking Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara. He achieved this milestone during the first ODI against New Zealand in Vadodara.
Kohli crossed Sangakkara’s tally of 28,016 runs with a composed 93-run innings off 91 balls, taking his overall international run count to 28,068 across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. He now trails only Sachin Tendulkar, who remains the all-time leader.
His match-winning knock helped India chase a target of 301 runs, securing victory with four wickets in hand. Kohli was named Player of the Match, and India took a 1–0 lead in the three-match ODI series.
Uttar Pradesh to Host Regional AI Impact Conference 2026
Uttar Pradesh is set to host the Regional AI Impact Conference 2026 in Lucknow on 12–13 January 2026. The event is being jointly organised by IndiaAI, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), and the Government of Uttar Pradesh.
Announced by PIB Delhi on 11 January 2026, the conference aims to promote responsible, inclusive, and scalable use of artificial intelligence across Indian states. A key focus will be on applying AI at a population level to improve governance, public service delivery, and social welfare.
The conference will emphasise ethical and transparent AI, while encouraging collaboration among governments, industry leaders, startups, academic institutions, and global organisations to drive innovation and policy alignment.
Review Questions
1. National Youth Day is observed in India on which date?
A. 10 January
B. 11 January
C. 12 January
D. 13 January
✅ Correct Answer: C
2. National Youth Day commemorates the birth anniversary of which personality?
A. Mahatma Gandhi
B. Rabindranath Tagore
C. Aurobindo Ghosh
D. Swami Vivekananda
✅ Correct Answer: D
3. In which year did the Government of India officially declare January 12 as National Youth Day?
A. 1975
B. 1980
C. 1984
D. 1990
✅ Correct Answer: C
4. Swami Vivekananda gained worldwide recognition after his speech at which event in 1893?
A. United Nations Assembly
B. World Peace Conference
C. Asian Religious Meet
D. Parliament of the World’s Religions, Chicago
✅ Correct Answer: D
5. Which Italian civilian honour was conferred on Goa-based industrialist Shrinivas Dempo?
A. Order of Merit of Italy
B. Order of the Italian Crown
C. Cavaliere dell’Ordine della Stella d’Italia
D. Knight of Roman Honour
✅ Correct Answer: C
6. The PANKHUDI portal was launched by which Union Ministry?
A. Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
B. Ministry of Education
C. Ministry of Home Affairs
D. Ministry of Women and Child Development
✅ Correct Answer: D
7. Who inaugurated the PANKHUDI digital portal in January 2026?
A. Smriti Irani
B. Nirmala Sitharaman
C. Annpurna Devi
D. Renuka Chowdhury
✅ Correct Answer: C
8. Major Swathi Shantha Kumar received the UN Secretary-General’s Award 2025 for her service in which country?
A. Congo
B. Lebanon
C. Mali
D. South Sudan
✅ Correct Answer: D
9. Virat Kohli became the second-highest run-scorer in international cricket by surpassing which player?
A. Ricky Ponting
B. Mahela Jayawardene
C. Kumar Sangakkara
D. Jacques Kallis
✅ Correct Answer: C
10. The Uttar Pradesh Regional AI Impact Conference 2026 will be held in which city?
A. Noida
B. Varanasi
C. Kanpur
D. Lucknow
✅ Correct Answer: D
