Current Affairs

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS (12 JANUARY 2026)

by | Jan 12, 2026

Daily Current Affairs - Congress protest against MGNREGA renaming, Indian Army monitoring drones near LoC, and Union Education Minister leading Samagra Shiksha 3.0 consultation.

India’s current developments: Congress protests MGNREGA renaming, suspected Pakistani drones along borders, and Samagra Shiksha 3.0 reforms for holistic education.

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS (12 JANUARY 2026)

CONGRESS PROTESTS RENAMING OF MGNREGA AMID RURAL EMPLOYMENT REFORMS

Summary of the News

The Congress party has opposed the Centre’s decision to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 (MGNREGA) with the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025. Protests, including a hunger strike, were held alleging that the move undermines Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy and dilutes a rights-based rural employment guarantee

The Union Government argues that rural India has evolved over the past two decades, requiring a modern employment framework aligned with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. Critics, however, fear weakening of statutory employment guarantees, uncertainty in funding, and delays in wage payments, demanding retention of MGNREGA’s identity and legal protections.

Legal Perspective 

MGNREGA is a rights-based welfare law rooted in the Directive Principles of State Policy. While Parliament may replace or amend such laws, any reform must preserve social justice goals and enforceable employment rights, failing which it may invite constitutional scrutiny.

  • Law Involved: MGNREGA, 2005; VB-G RAM G Act, 2025
  • Constitutional Articles: 14, 21, 38, 39, 41
  • Core Issue: Dilution of a statutory employment guarantee
  • Impact: Possible judicial review of welfare dilution
Why This News Is Important

  • For Exams: Illustrates constitutional principles governing welfare legislation and legislative competence
  • For Aspirants: Relevant for polity, governance, and social justice topics in UPSC and state PSC exams
  • For Legal Practice: Highlights issues of statutory repeal, rights-based schemes, and judicial review
  • For Policy Understanding: Demonstrates tension between reform-oriented governance and protection of social welfare rights

SOURCE – PIB

SUSPECTED PAKISTAN DRONE INTRUSIONS ALONG LOC & IB RAISE SERIOUS NATIONAL SECURITY CONCERNS

Summary of the News

Security forces detected multiple suspected drones hovering over forward areas along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Samba, Rajouri, and Poonch districts on January 11, 2026. According to officials, all flying objects originated from Pakistan, briefly hovered over Indian territory, and returned. Army personnel opened fire at certain locations after spotting drone movements with blinking lights. Ground search operations were launched as a precautionary measure. The incident follows a recent recovery of arms and ammunition in Samba district, allegedly dropped by a Pakistan-origin drone, including pistols, magazines, live rounds, and a grenade. The repeated sightings have heightened concerns over cross-border terrorism, arms smuggling, and the use of drones as tools for hostile activities against India.

Legal Perspective 

The incident raises serious legal issues relating to sovereignty, border security, and national security under Indian law. Unauthorized drone intrusions violate India’s airspace and may constitute acts supporting terrorism. The use of drones for arms drops attracts stringent provisions under anti-terror and arms control laws. Security forces are legally empowered to use force, conduct search operations, and seize material under special security statutes applicable to border areas. Such incidents also engage international legal principles concerning territorial integrity and state responsibility in preventing cross-border hostile acts.

  • Relevant Laws: Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967; Arms Act, 1959; Aircraft Rules, 1937; Indian Penal Code
  • Legal Principle: Protection of sovereignty and national security
  • Interpretation: Drone-based infiltration treated as terror facilitation
  • Impact: Strengthens surveillance, counter-drone policy, and border enforcement
Why This News Is Important

  • For Exams: Illustrates legal provisions governing national security, anti-terrorism, and border management
  • For Aspirants: Relevant for polity, internal security, and defence topics in UPSC and state PSC exams
  • For Legal Practice: Highlights statutory powers of security forces, arms control, and anti-terror enforcement
  • For Policy Understanding: Demonstrates challenges of technological threats in border security and national defence

SOURCE – ANI

SAMAGRA SHIKSHA 3.0 ‘REIMAGINED’ TO STRENGTHEN SCHOOL EDUCATION: UNION EDUCATION MINISTER CHAIRS NATIONAL CONSULTATION

Summary of the News

Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan chaired a consultation meeting on Samagra Shiksha 3.0 titled ‘Reimagining Samagra Shiksha’ in New Delhi on January 9, 2026. The meeting brought together stakeholders from States, Union Territories, Ministries, and education experts to develop a strategic roadmap for the next phase of the scheme. Discussions focused on enhancing governance, infrastructure, teacher training, student entitlements, digital integration, and learning outcomes. Shri Pradhan emphasized aligning Samagra Shiksha 3.0 with the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047, promoting holistic development, bridging learning gaps, reducing dropouts, and fostering critical skills. He stressed the need to entrust schools to society, integrate technology, and implement a nationwide, unified plan for the academic year 2026–27. The initiative represents a key step in operationalizing NEP 2020 and preparing students for a rapidly evolving global economy.

Legal Perspective

Samagra Shiksha 3.0 engages multiple legal and policy frameworks related to education in India. The scheme is governed under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 (RTE Act) and aligns with constitutional provisions under Article 21A (Right to Education) and Article 51A(k) (fundamental duties of citizens to promote education and development of human potential). The consultative process exemplifies federal collaboration, ensuring compliance with state-centric educational governance under India’s constitutional scheme. Integration of technology and vocational education under Samagra Shiksha also requires adherence to data protection, curriculum standards, and regulatory frameworks under the National Education Policy, 2020.

  • Relevant Laws: RTE Act 2009, NEP 2020, Constitution of India (Articles 21A & 51A)
  • Principle: Right to free and quality education, equitable access, and inclusive development
  • Interpretation: Collaborative, outcome-based education policy as legal obligation of state and central governments
  • Impact: Strengthens governance, teacher capacity, digital integration, and holistic student development
Why This News Is Important

  • For Exams: Illustrates constitutional and statutory provisions governing school education and the Right to Education
  • For Aspirants: Relevant for polity, governance, education policy, and social development topics in UPSC and state PSC exams
  • For Legal Practice: Highlights statutory frameworks, policy alignment with NEP 2020, and regulatory oversight in school education
  • For Policy Understanding: Demonstrates collaborative, outcome-oriented reforms to achieve equitable, technology-integrated, and globally competitive education

SOURCE – PIB

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Written By Nancy Sharma

I am Nancy Mahavir Sharma, a passionate legal writer and a judicial service aspirant who is interested in legal researching and writing. I have completed Latin Legum Magister degree. I have been writing from past few years and I am excited to share my legal thoughts and opinions here. I believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference.

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