Daily GK Update- 12th Jan, 2026

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India’s Coal Sector at 250: From Colonial Fuel to Next-Generation Energy Backbone: As India steps into 2026, a long view of its coal sector reveals a rare story of reinvention. Few sectors have travelled such a sweeping arc — from colonial extraction to nationalisation-induced stagnation, and now to a technologically modern, policy-driven reset. Over the last 11 years in particular, coal has been reimagined not as a sunset fuel, but as a strategically upgraded pillar of India’s energy and industrial system.The recent launch of India’s first-ever auction of underground coal gasification blocks captures this shift. Alongside renewable integration by coal PSUs, washed coal, carbon-capture pilots, digital mine monitoring and advanced logistics, it signals that coal’s future role will look very different from its past.Coal’s story in India is inseparable from the country’s economic history. Commercial mining began in 1774 at the Raniganj coalfields, when Sumner and Heatley extracted coal despite scepticism from colonial authorities about its quality. The turning point came in 1853 with the Howrah–Raniganj railway link, which connected scattered mines to markets and laid the foundation for scale.By the late 19th century, coal powered steam engines, factories and railways, anchoring India’s early industrial base. The Bengal Coal Company emerged as the first joint-stock coal enterprise, signalling coal’s transition from a local resource to a systemic industrial input.

 

2. Aralam Renamed Kerala’s First Butterfly Sanctuary: The Kerala government has officially renamed the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary as the Aralam Butterfly Sanctuary, making it the first butterfly sanctuary in the State. The decision reflects Kerala’s growing emphasis on species-specific conservation and recognises Aralam’s unique ecological significance as a major butterfly habitat. The renaming was notified through SRO No. 1407/2025 under Section 18(1) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. This notification amends the original 1984 order that declared the Aralam Farm area as a wildlife sanctuary. The change follows a recommendation by the State Board for Wildlife, which highlighted the area’s exceptional butterfly diversity and sustained ecological value. Declared a sanctuary in 1984, Aralam spans about 55 square kilometres of evergreen and semi-evergreen forests in Kannur district. The sanctuary is known for large-scale butterfly migration and mud-puddling behaviour. It is also a special habitat for the Schedule I Slender Loris, underlining its broader conservation importance. Aralam shares boundaries with the Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka, the Kottiyoor Wildlife Sanctuary, and the North Wayanad forest division.

 

3. India Post Launches Speed Post 24 and 48: Union Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia has announced two new premium postal services, Speed Post 24 and Speed Post 48, aimed at ensuring time-bound delivery within 24 and 48 hours respectively. The announcement marks a significant step in the modernisation and service upgradation of India Post to meet evolving logistics and communication needs. The announcement was made during a public programme at Pichhor in Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh. On the occasion, the Union Minister inaugurated the renovated Pichhor sub-post office, developed at a cost of ₹2 lakh. He also laid the foundation stone and conducted ground-breaking ceremonies for a new sub-post office building, estimated to cost ₹1.11 crore, signalling enhanced infrastructure investment in rural and semi-urban regions. Addressing the gathering, Scindia stated that Speed Post 24 and Speed Post 48 would establish new benchmarks in punctuality, reliability, and delivery speed. These services are expected to strengthen India Post’s competitive position in the logistics sector, particularly for documents and parcels requiring assured and time-sensitive delivery across major routes.

 

4. Amit Shah Chairs Ninth NCORD Apex-Level Meeting : Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah chaired the 9th Apex-Level Meeting of the Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, reaffirming the Government of India’s commitment to eliminating the drug menace. On the occasion, he also inaugurated the Narcotics Control Bureau office at Amritsar. The meeting, organised in hybrid mode by the Narcotics Control Bureau, saw participation from central ministries, state governments, and drug law enforcement agencies. Addressing the gathering, the Home Minister called for all departments to prepare a comprehensive roadmap extending up to 2029, supported by a time-bound review mechanism. He stressed that the drug problem is closely linked to narco-terrorism rather than merely a law-and-order issue, describing it as a conspiracy targeting India’s future generations. He announced that from March 31, 2026, a three-year nationwide collective campaign will be launched to define clear targets, working methodologies, and review systems.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India–Oman CEPA Explained: What the Trade Pact Delivers for Exports, Services and Jobs: The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between India and Oman marks a decisive upgrade in bilateral economic ties. Rather than a narrow tariff-cutting deal, the CEPA creates a single, predictable framework covering goods, services, investment, professional mobility and regulatory cooperation. With bilateral trade reaching “$10.61 billion in FY 2024–25”, the agreement seeks to convert steady growth into sustained, diversified expansion—while protecting sensitive domestic sectors through calibrated safeguards. A CEPA goes beyond trade in goods. It brings together market access for services, investment facilitation, mobility of professionals, dispute settlement and cooperation on regulations. Crucially, it also allows for mutual recognition arrangements—acknowledging different regulatory systems where outcomes are equivalent. For businesses, this translates into lower compliance friction, faster approvals and greater certainty over long-term market access.

 

2. Israel Recognises Somaliland: Why Beijing Faces Its Sharpest Strategic Test in the Horn of Africa: Israel’s decision in December 2025 to recognise Somaliland as an independent sovereign state has redrawn diplomatic fault lines in the Horn of Africa. While attention has largely focused on Israel’s maritime interests and regional reactions from West Asia and Türkiye, the most profound strategic dilemma triggered by this move lies elsewhere — in Beijing. For China, Somaliland’s recognition strikes at the heart of its core doctrines on sovereignty, regional security, and great-power competition. Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991, has functioned as a de facto state for over three decades, with its own institutions, elections, currency and security apparatus. Yet, until now, it has lacked formal international recognition. Israel’s decision is therefore not symbolic — it marks the first recognition by a major non-African power, potentially opening the door to wider diplomatic acceptance.This matters because the Horn of Africa is already an arena of intense geopolitical rivalry. Any shift in status here risks reviving proxy competition, heightening militarisation along the Red Sea corridor, and reshaping control over one of the world’s most critical maritime choke points.

 

3. EU–Mercosur Free Trade Deal Explained: Why a 25-Year Negotiation Is Finally Being Sealed — and Why It’s Still Contested: After nearly a quarter-century of negotiations, the European Union and Mercosur, South America’s largest trade bloc, are set to sign a landmark free trade agreement (FTA) in Paraguay next week. The deal, formally concluded in December 2024, marks the EU’s largest trade agreement in terms of tariff reductions. Yet, even as EU ambassadors voted 21–5 to back it, strong resistance from key member states — notably France — underscores how politically sensitive the agreement remains. Mercosur (short for “Mercado Común del Sur” or Southern Common Market) is a regional trade bloc comprising “Brazil”, “Argentina”, “Paraguay”, “Uruguay”, and “Bolivia”, its newest member. Brazil dominates the bloc by population, economic size and territory. Venezuela, once a member, has been suspended indefinitely over democratic backsliding.Formed in 1991, Mercosur has often struggled with internal divisions, protectionism and uneven integration — factors that partly explain why negotiations with the EU, launched in 1999, dragged on for so long.

 

4. India, Australia Invited to G7 Talks on Critical Minerals: The United States has invited India and Australia to participate in a meeting of G7 finance ministers focused on securing critical minerals supply chains. The talks, hosted in Washington, come amid growing concerns among advanced economies over heavy dependence on China for minerals essential to defence, technology, and clean energy transitions. US Treasury Secretary “Scott Bessent” said the meeting would bring together finance ministers of the “Group of Seven” along with select partner countries. He noted that he had been advocating a focused discussion on critical minerals since the G7 leaders’ summit last year, with finance ministers already holding a virtual meeting on the issue in December. The in-person talks aim to translate commitments into coordinated policy action. India was invited to attend the meeting, though it was not immediately clear whether New Delhi had confirmed participation. Australia’s presence is considered pivotal given its resource base and recent alignment with Western efforts to diversify mineral supplies. Canberra signed an agreement with the United States in October to counter China’s dominance, outlining an $8.5 billion project pipeline and leveraging Australia’s proposed strategic reserve for rare earths and lithium. The initiative has since drawn interest from Europe, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore.

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. Indian Army Conducts Exercise Sanjha Shakti in Maharashtra: The Indian Army on Saturday conducted Exercise “Sanjha Shakti”, a joint Military–Civil Fusion exercise, at the Dighi Hills Range. The exercise was organised under the aegis of the Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa Area of the Southern Command, with the objective of strengthening coordination between the armed forces and civilian agencies in responding to complex security challenges and emergency situations. More than 350 personnel participated in the drill, bringing together the Indian Army and 16 key civilian agencies. These included the Maharashtra Police, Force One, and various fire and emergency services. The large-scale participation highlighted the importance of integrated planning and execution among diverse stakeholders involved in public safety and disaster response. The exercise involved realistic, mission-oriented scenarios designed to test interoperability, communication protocols, decision-making processes, and rapid response mechanisms. The Southern Command stated that Exercise Sanjha Shakti successfully validated seamless coordination between civil and military stakeholders, particularly in situations involving disaster management and public safety operations.

 

SPORTS

 

1. Delhi CM Inaugurates National Junior Boys Handball Championship: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday inaugurated the 47th National Junior Boys Handball Championship at a government school in Pitampura, New Delhi. The national-level sporting event has brought together young handball players from across the country, reflecting the growing emphasis on grassroots sports development in the capital. The championship is being jointly organised by the Handball Federation of India and the Delhi Handball Association. The inaugural ceremony was attended by HFI President Mahesh Kumar and several local officials. Addressing the participants, the Chief Minister interacted with athletes and officials, underlining the importance of discipline and dedication in competitive sports. During her address, Rekha Gupta announced a cash prize of ₹1 lakh for the winning team. She also highlighted recent changes in Delhi’s sports policy, stating that allowances for state-level athletes had been increased. The move aims to reduce financial constraints faced by young players and ensure uninterrupted training and participation in tournaments.

 

2. Operation Hawkeye Strike Targets ISIS Across Syria: The United States and allied forces have conducted large-scale airstrikes across Syria under Operation Hawkeye Strike, targeting multiple Islamic State positions. The strikes, confirmed by US Central Command, were carried out around midday local time and marked a significant escalation in counter-ISIS operations following a deadly attack on American personnel last month. According to US Central Command, American forces, working alongside partner nations, struck several ISIS targets across Syrian territory. The operation was described as precise and intelligence-driven, aimed at degrading ISIS leadership, logistics, and operational capabilities. Military officials stated that the strikes were part of a broader effort to prevent future attacks on US and coalition forces stationed in the region. Operation Hawkeye Strike was launched on December 19, 2025, following an ISIS ambush on December 13 in Palmyra. That attack killed two US soldiers and a civilian interpreter, and injured several others. It marked the first fatal attack on American personnel in Syria since the fall of former president Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. The ambush underscored the continued threat posed by ISIS despite territorial losses.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. India’s AI Challenge Is Not Technology — It Is How Fast Workers Can Adapt: As 2025 draws to a close, a quiet but uncomfortable truth has become clear for India: global competitiveness will not be determined by how quickly artificial intelligence is adopted, but by how fast Indian workers can adapt to it. The disruption AI is causing is not primarily about jobs disappearing — it is about jobs changing faster than India’s education, certification and hiring systems can respond.

Globally, the skills required for AI-exposed roles are evolving 66% faster than those in less-exposed jobs, according to “PwC”. For India, with one of the world’s youngest and largest workforces, this velocity poses a unique challenge. Degrees, once a near-permanent signal of employability, are rapidly losing their shelf life. Today, relevance often lasts no more than two or three years.India produces over 1.5 million engineering graduates every year. Yet industry surveys repeatedly show that fewer than half are immediately employable in emerging digital roles such as AI, cybersecurity or cloud computing. This is not a failure of ability or effort. It is a failure of alignment — between what people learn, what employers need, and how skills are formally recognised.Traditional credentials were designed for an era when skills changed slowly. In today’s labour market, roles mutate continuously, and workers must reskill repeatedly across their careers. The result is a paradox: India has abundant talent on paper, but acute shortages in practice.

 

2. India’s Push for Vehicle-to-Vehicle Communication: How V2V Tech Could Transform Road Safety by 2026 : India is preparing to introduce Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication technology across its road network by the end of 2026 — a move the government believes could significantly reduce accidents, especially those caused by poor visibility, high speeds and human error. The plan, announced after a meeting of State Road Transport Ministers, signals a shift from passive safety measures to real-time, preventive road safety systems. Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication allows cars, buses and trucks to “talk” directly to each other by exchanging signals in real time. Unlike navigation apps or cloud-based systems, V2V does not rely on mobile networks or internet connectivity. Instead, each vehicle will be fitted with a dedicated device — similar in form to a SIM card — that constantly broadcasts and receives safety-related data.This includes information on speed, direction, braking and proximity. When another vehicle comes dangerously close, the system instantly sends alerts to the driver, allowing precious seconds to react and avoid a collision.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Odisha Clears ₹10,000 Crore Tata Power Solar Plant in Ganjam: The Odisha cabinet has approved a major renewable energy investment with Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited set to establish an integrated solar manufacturing facility in Ganjam district. Valued at ₹10,000 crore, the project marks one of the state’s largest clean energy investments and is expected to significantly strengthen Odisha’s industrial and employment landscape. The state government cleared the proposal to set up the facility within the Tata Special Economic Zone in Ganjam. The project will be implemented in two phases and represents a substantial commitment to green manufacturing. Officials said the investment reflects growing investor confidence in Odisha’s industrial policy framework and infrastructure readiness. Once operational, the facility will have a production capacity of 10 GW for ingot and wafer manufacturing and 5 GW for solar cells. This will make it the first upstream solar manufacturing unit of its kind in Odisha. By covering critical stages of the solar value chain, the plant is expected to reduce India’s dependence on imported solar components and support domestic manufacturing goals.

 

2. India Tightens Crypto Rules, Targets Anonymity-Enhancing Tokens: India has strengthened its regulatory framework for virtual digital assets (VDAs) by updating anti-money laundering and counter-terror financing norms. The move, led by the Finance Ministry’s Financial Intelligence Unit of India, signals a sharper risk-based approach towards cryptocurrencies, particularly those designed to enhance user anonymity. On January 8, the Financial Intelligence Unit of India updated its guidelines for entities dealing in VDAs. The revised framework clarifies organisational responsibilities, operational preparedness, reporting standards, and compliance mechanisms for reporting entities engaged in crypto-related activities. The objective is to align India’s crypto oversight with global AML/CFT standards while addressing domestic risks. The guidelines categorise anonymity-enhancing crypto tokens as “unacceptably high risk” due to their elevated money laundering and terror financing potential. Reporting entities have been instructed not to permit deposits or withdrawals involving tokens or VDAs that obscure transaction origin, ownership, or value. Similar restrictions apply to crypto mixers, tumblers, and other services that facilitate transaction obfuscation. Entities must deploy monitoring tools to detect such activity and block it immediately.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Italy Honours Shrinivas Dempo with Prestigious Civilian Award: Italy has conferred one of its most respected civilian honours, the Cavaliere dell’Ordine della Stella d’Italia, on Goa-based industrialist Shrinivas Dempo in recognition of his services to Italian citizens and bilateral interests in India. The honour highlights Dempo’s role in strengthening people-to-people and institutional ties between India and Italy. The award was formally presented to Shrinivas Dempo at a ceremony held in Goa. The honour was conferred by Walter Ferrara, the Consul General of Italy in Mumbai. The event was attended by senior officials and members of the local business and diplomatic community, underlining the importance of Dempo’s contribution to Indo-Italian relations at the regional level. The Cavaliere dell’Ordine della Stella d’Italia is a prestigious Italian civilian decoration awarded to individuals who have promoted friendly relations with Italy or contributed significantly to its international cooperation. It is often conferred on foreign nationals who have rendered exceptional service in cultural, economic, or diplomatic spheres, enhancing Italy’s engagement abroad.

 

2. Nobel Committee Rejects Machado’s Offer to Share Peace Prize: The Norwegian Nobel Committee has clarified that the Nobel Peace Prize cannot be shared, transferred, or revoked, responding to remarks by Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado that she wished to dedicate her award to former US President Donald Trump. The statement has put to rest speculation surrounding the legal status of the prize and reaffirmed the permanence of Nobel decisions. In an official statement, the Norwegian Nobel Committee said that once a Nobel Prize is announced, the decision stands for all time. The committee stressed that the prize itself cannot be shared or reassigned to another individual, regardless of the laureate’s intentions. While prize money may be used at the discretion of the recipient, the Nobel Peace Prize title remains exclusively with the declared laureate. María Corina Machado, who won the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her role in opposing authoritarianism in Venezuela, said she wished to dedicate the award to Donald Trump. Speaking to US media, she credited Trump for actions she claimed contributed significantly to political change in Venezuela. Her comments followed a US military operation in Caracas and the subsequent transfer of Nicolás Maduro to the United States to face criminal charges.

 

3. One Battle After Another Leads 2026 BAFTA Longlist : The 2026 British Academy Film Awards longlist has placed “One Battle After Another” at the forefront, with the film securing an impressive 16 mentions across major categories. Headlined by “Leonardo DiCaprio”, the politically charged thriller has emerged as the most recognised title in this year’s preliminary race, setting the tone for a fiercely competitive awards season. Set against a deeply polarised American backdrop, “One Battle After Another” follows a seasoned father racing against time to rescue his kidnapped daughter as past enemies resurface. The film blends high-octane action with sharp national satire and emotional depth, a combination that has resonated strongly with critics and BAFTA voters alike. DiCaprio’s intense central performance anchors the narrative and dominates the acting longlist. Close behind with 14 mentions each are “Hamnet”, directed by “Chloé Zhao”, and “Sinners” by “Ryan Coogler”. “Hamnet” explores personal loss in Elizabethan England, while “Sinners” blends supernatural horror with the racial tensions of Jim Crow-era America. “Marty Supreme”, starring “Timothée Chalamet”, follows with 13 mentions and is widely viewed as a potential dark horse.