Daily Current Affairs Quiz 12th January, 2026, Attempt Important GK Questions

By solving daily current affairs quizzes, candidates can track their preparation progress and identify areas that need improvement. This consistent practice enhances accuracy, builds confidence, and improves overall performance in time-bound competitive exams.

Daily Current Affairs: 12 January, 2026

Q1. The Indian Army recently conducted Exercise “Sanjha Shakti” to enhance preparedness against complex security and emergency scenarios. What was the primary nature of this exercise?

(a) Joint maritime warfare exercise
(b) Counter-terrorism field training exercise
(c) Joint Military–Civil Fusion exercise
(d) Multinational peacekeeping drill
(e) Air defence combat exercise

Answer: c

Solution:

• The Indian Army conducted Exercise “Sanjha Shakti”, a joint Military–Civil Fusion (MCF) exercise, on 10 January, 2026.
• The exercise was held at the Dighi Hills Range, located at the Khadki Military Station.
• It was conducted under the aegis of the Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa Area of the Southern Command of the Indian Army.
• The primary objective of Exercise Sanjha Shakti was to strengthen coordination between the armed forces and civilian agencies while dealing with complex security challenges and emergency situations.
• Personnel from the Indian Army and several key civilian agencies participated, including:
  • Maharashtra Police
  • Force One
  • Fire and Emergency Services
• The exercise tested interoperability, communication protocols, decision-making processes, and rapid response mechanisms through realistic, mission-oriented scenarios.
• It also validated seamless civil–military coordination, particularly in situations related to disaster management and public safety.

Q2. In a significant step towards species-specific conservation, the Kerala government has renamed an existing protected area to recognise its ecological uniqueness. Which sanctuary has been renamed as the Aralam Butterfly Sanctuary?

(a) Silent Valley Wildlife Sanctuary
(b) Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary
(c) Periyar Tiger Reserve
(d) Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
(e) Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary

Answer: b

Solution:

• The Kerala government has officially renamed the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary as the Aralam Butterfly Sanctuary.
• With this renaming, Aralam Butterfly Sanctuary has become the first butterfly sanctuary in Kerala.
• The decision has been notified under Section 18(1) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
• The renaming amends the original 1984 notification, which had declared the Aralam Farm area as a wildlife sanctuary.
• The change was made following a recommendation by the State Board for Wildlife.
• The recommendation was based on the region’s exceptional diversity and abundance of butterfly species, highlighting its ecological significance.

Q3. In a strategic move to strengthen its retail and digital banking operations, Kotak Mahindra Bank has appointed a new Consumer Banking Head. Who among the following has been appointed to this position?

(a) Anup Kumar Saha

(b) Amitabh Chaudhry
(c) Rajesh Kumar
(d) Sanjay Agarwal
(e) Shanti Ekambaram

Answer: a

Solution:

• Kotak Mahindra Bank has appointed Anup Kumar Saha as its new Consumer Banking Head.
• Prior to this appointment, Anup Kumar Saha was associated with Bajaj Finance.
• In addition to consumer banking, he will also oversee marketing and data analytics functions at the bank.
• Saha brings extensive experience in retail finance and digital innovation, which is expected to strengthen Kotak Mahindra Bank’s growth strategy.
• The appointment aims to enhance customer value, improve data-driven decision-making, and reinforce the bank’s competitive position in the financial services sector.

Q4. In a landmark move related to intellectual property rights in the hospitality sector, Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) has secured trademark protection for a non-visual brand element. What exactly has been registered as a trademark by IHCL?

(a) Taj logo design
(b) Taj brand colour scheme
(c) Taj architectural style
(d) Taj sonic sound
(e) Taj hospitality slogan

Answer: d

Solution:

• Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), a Tata Group-owned company, has secured trademark registration for the ‘Taj’ sonic sound.
• This marks the first sound mark registration for a brand in India’s hospitality sector.
• The registration legally protects the distinctive sonic identity of the Taj brand as a trademark.
• With this recognition, sound has been acknowledged as a core brand asset, expanding the scope of intellectual property protection beyond visual elements.
• IHCL, India’s largest hospitality company, stated that the move reinforces the brand recall and legacy of the iconic Taj brand.

Q5. At the fourth edition of the 1 Billion Followers Summit held in Dubai, a Tunisian filmmaker won the world’s largest AI Film Award for his creative work. Who among the following won this prestigious award?

(a) Ahmed El Gendy
(b) Karim Moussa
(c) Zoubeir Jlassi
(d) Walid Ben Salah
(e) Hichem Ben Ammar

Answer: c

Solution:

• Tunisian filmmaker Zoubeir Jlassi won the world’s largest AI Film Award for his film “Lily”.
• He received a prize money of one million US dollars, presented by Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
• The award was conferred during the 1 Billion Followers Summit, held in Dubai.
• The AI Film Award is organised in collaboration with Google Gemini.
• The award ceremony took place at the fourth edition of the summit, held from 9 to 11 January 2026.
• The theme of the summit was “Content for Good”.
• The event was organised by the UAE Government Media Office.
• The summit brought together over 15,000 participants, including content creators, influencers, CEOs, and global experts, to discuss the future of the content creation economy.