Current Affairs 12 January 2026

Content

1. Centre Seeking Smartphone Source Code
2. Should the Age of Consent Be Lowered?
3. Bhairav Battalions
4. PSLV-C62 / EOS-N1 Mission
5. HPV Vaccine and Herd Protection
6. Zehanpora Stupas, Kashmir

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Centre Seeking Smartphone Source Code 

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Why in News?

• Government is considering legally mandating security requirements for smartphones sold in India.
• Draft framework: Indian Telecom Security Assurance Requirements (ITSAR), 2023.
• Most contentious proposal:
  • Access to smartphone source code for vulnerability analysis.
• Strong behind-the-scenes resistance from global manufacturers like Apple and Samsung.
• Ongoing consultations between IT Ministry and tech companies.

Relevance

GS II – Governance & Polity

• State regulation vs individual privacy.
• Role of executive rule-making.
• Digital sovereignty.

GS III – Internal Security & Science & Tech

• Cybersecurity.
• Supply-chain security.
• Technology regulation.

Basics: What is Source Code?

• Source code:
  • Human-readable programming instructions that define how software functions.
• Considered:
  • Core intellectual property (IP).
  • Central to:
    • Security architecture.
    • Commercial competitiveness.
• Access risks:
  • IP leakage.
  • Reverse engineering.
  • Loss of proprietary advantage.

What Are the Proposed Security Measures?

Under ITSAR (Drafted 2023):

1. Source Code Access

• Smartphone makers must:
  • Share source code (or parts) with designated Indian testing labs.
• Purpose:
  • Vulnerability analysis
  • Detection of hidden backdoors or security flaws.

2. Mandatory Malware Scanning

• Automatic and periodic malware scans on devices.
• Applies even after sale to consumers.

3. Data & Activity Logs

• Smartphones must:
  • Store device activity records for at least one year.
• Raises concerns on:
  • User privacy.
  • Surveillance architecture.

Government’s Rationale

• Smartphones now:
  • Handle critical personal, financial, and strategic data.
• Rising concerns:
  • Cyber espionage.
  • Supply-chain vulnerabilities.
  • Embedded malware or backdoors.
• India’s position:
  • Large digital population.
  • Increasing reliance on foreign hardware/software.
• Seen as:
  • National security and cyber sovereignty measure.

Industry Concerns

• IP Protection:
  • Source code disclosure risks trade secrets.
• Global Precedent:
  • Fear India becoming a high-compliance market.
• Trust Deficit:
  • Storage and handling of code by government labs.
• Privacy Risks:
  • Mandatory logging could violate:
    • Data minimisation principles.
    • User consent norms.

Legal & Policy Dimensions

Cybersecurity

• Aligns with:
  • National Cyber Security Strategy (proposed).
• Moves India towards:
  • Pre-market security certification for devices.

Data Protection

• Potential conflict with:
  • Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023:
    • Purpose limitation.
    • Storage limitation.
• Malware scanning and logging raise:
  • State vs individual privacy tension.

Trade & WTO Issues

• Possible violation of:
  • TRIPS Agreement (IP protection).
  • Non-tariff trade barriers.
• Risk of:
  • Retaliatory measures.

Global Comparison

• China:
  • Extensive source-code audits for foreign tech.
• EU / US:
  • Prefer:
    • Security certification.
    • Independent third-party audits.
  • Do not routinely demand source code access.
• India’s approach:
  • More state-centric and interventionist.

Strategic Implications

• Positives:
  • Enhanced device-level cybersecurity.
  • Reduced dependence on opaque foreign systems.
• Risks:
  • Reduced investor confidence.
  • Higher device costs.
  • Slower tech diffusion.
• Key question:
  • Can security be ensured without intrusive code access?

Takeaway

• India’s proposal to seek smartphone source code reflects a shift towards assertive digital sovereignty, raising complex trade-offs between cybersecurity, privacy, and intellectual property rights.

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Should the Age of Consent Be Lowered? 

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Why in News?

• Supreme Court (Jan 10, 2026) in State of Uttar Pradesh vs Anurudh & Anr.:
  • Acknowledged misuse of POCSO, 2012 in consensual adolescent relationships.
  • Urged the Union government to consider corrective measures.
• Rising number of POCSO cases involving 16–18-year-olds where the relationship is claimed to be consensual.
• Renewed debate on the conflict between adolescent autonomy and child protection.

Relevance

GS II – Polity & Governance

• Child rights vs individual liberty.
• Judicial interpretation of social legislation.
• Role of Parliament vs judiciary.

GS I – Society

• Adolescence, sexuality, social norms.
• Gender and family dynamics.

Basics: What Is the Age of Consent?

• Age of consent: Legally defined age at which a person can consent to sexual activity.
• In India:
  • 18 years (gender-neutral).
  • Anyone below 18 is a “child” → consent is legally irrelevant.
• Sexual activity with a minor = statutory rape, irrespective of consent.

Legal Framework in India

POCSO Act, 2012

• Defines all persons under 18 years as children.
• Section 19:
  • Mandatory reporting of suspected offences.
• No distinction between:
  • Consensual adolescent relationships.
  • Exploitative sexual abuse.

IPC / Criminal Law

• Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013:
  • Raised age of consent from 16 → 18.
• Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023:
  • Section 63: Sexual acts with a woman under 18 constitute rape, with or without consent.

Distinction to Note

• Age of consent ≠ Age of marriage:
  • Marriage: 18 (female), 21 (male).
  • Consent law deals with sexual autonomy, not marital validity.

Historical Evolution of Age of Consent

• 1860 IPC: 10 years
• 1891: 12 years
• Later raised to 14, then 16
• 2012 (POCSO): Raised to 18
• Trend reflects:
  • Increasing emphasis on child protection, not autonomy.

Arguments in Favour of Lowering the Age (to 16)

1. Criminalisation of Consensual Adolescence

• Large share of POCSO cases involve romantic relationships.
• Enfold study (2016–2020):
  • 7,064 POCSO judgments analysed.
  • 24.3% involved romantic relationships.
  • 82% victims refused to testify against the accused.

2. Ground Reality of Adolescent Sexuality

• NFHS-4 (2015–16):
  • 11% girls had first sexual experience before 15.
  • 39% before 18.
• Law ignores biological and social realities.

3. Judicial Concerns

• Bombay HC (2023):
  • Sexual autonomy includes both:
    • Right to engage.
    • Right to protection.
• Justice B.V. Nagarathna (SC, 2025):
  • Romantic relationships near majority age should be treated differently.
  • POCSO often used by parents to criminalise elopement.

4. Comparative Practice

• Many democracies (UK, Canada, EU):
  • Age of consent: 16.
  • Use “close-in-age” (Romeo–Juliet) exemptions.

Arguments Against Lowering the Age

1. Risk of Weakening Child Protection

• Majority of abuse cases involve:
  • Known persons (family, neighbours, caregivers).
• MWCD Study (2007):
  • Over 50% of abusers known to the child.
• Consent in such power-imbalanced relationships is often illusory.

2. Deterrence Against Exploitation

• Bright-line rule (under 18 = no consent):
  • Avoids subjective interpretation.
  • Simplifies enforcement.
• Dilution may:
  • Enable trafficking.
  • Mask coercion as “consent”.

3. Parliamentary & Expert Consensus

• Justice Verma Committee: Recommended 16, but Parliament chose 18.
• Standing Committees (2011, 2012):
  • Rejected recognising minor consent.
• Law Commission (283rd Report, 2023):
  • Lowering age would make POCSO a “paper law”.

Judicial Tightrope

• Courts acknowledge:
  • Harsh impact of blanket criminalisation.
• Yet repeatedly affirm:
  • Consent is legally immaterial under POCSO.
• Example:
  • SC (Aug 2024):
    • Overturned Calcutta HC acquittal in a POCSO case involving a 14-year-old.
    • Conviction upheld; sentence waived under Article 142 (not precedent).

The Core Policy Dilemma

• Adolescent autonomy vs Child protection.
• Binary choice (18 vs 16) is inadequate.
• Real issue:
  • Distinguishing consensual peer relationships from exploitative abuse.

Middle-Path Solutions

• No blanket reduction of age of consent.
• Introduce:
  • Close-in-age exemption for 16–18-year-olds (e.g., ≤3–4 years gap).
  • Mandatory judicial scrutiny for coercion or abuse.
• Complement legal reform with:
  • Comprehensive sex education.
  • Adolescent-friendly reproductive health services.
  • Gender-sensitive policing and counselling.

Takeaway

• The age-of-consent debate is not about lowering protection, but about recalibrating the law to distinguish adolescent autonomy from exploitation without diluting the core safeguards of child protection.

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Bhairav Battalions 

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Why in News?

• Bhairav Battalions will debut in the Army Day Parade (15 January, Jaipur).
• Two units participating:
  • 2 Bhairav Battalion (Southern Command) – “Desert Falcons”.
  • 4 Bhairav Battalion (South Western Command).
• Marks India Army’s visible shift towards modern, technology-driven warfare.

Relevance

GS III – Internal Security

• Modernisation of armed forces.
• Emerging warfare domains (drones, hybrid warfare).

Basics: What are Bhairav Battalions?

• Newly raised, high-speed offensive units of the Indian Army.
• Designed to:
  • Execute Special Forces–like tasks.
  • Operate from tactical to operational depth.
• Intended to bridge the gap between:
  • Para Special Forces (elite, limited numbers).
  • Regular infantry (large but less specialised).

Why Were Bhairav Battalions Raised?

Changing Nature of Warfare

• Modern conflicts are:
  • Hybrid (conventional + irregular + cyber + drones).
  • Technology-intensive.
• Lessons drawn from:
  • Global conflicts (Ukraine, West Asia).
  • India’s operational experience, including Operation Sindoor.

Operational Gaps Identified

• Need for:
  • Faster, more lethal units than regular infantry.
  • Wider availability of special-operations capability without overstretching Para SF.

Key Features of Bhairav Battalions

• High-speed offensive orientation.
• Capable of:
  • Precision strikes.
  • Deep penetration missions.
  • Disruption of enemy bases and formations.
• Flexible employment:
  • Tactical raids.
  • Operational-level missions.

Technology & Drone Warfare Focus

• Integral to Army’s unmanned warfare push.
• Indian Army creating:
  • Pool of over 1 lakh drone operatives.
• Bhairav units trained to:
  • Operate UAVs.
  • Conduct drone-based reconnaissance, targeting, and strikes.
• Reflects shift from:
  • Man-centric → man–machine teaming.

Force Restructuring Context

Bhairav Battalions

• 15 battalions raised so far.
• Target: ~25 battalions in near future.
• Deployed across border formations.

Rudra Brigades (Parallel Reform)

• Integrated all-arms formations.
• Combine:
  • Infantry.
  • Mechanised units.
  • Tanks.
  • Artillery.
  • Special Forces.
  • Unmanned systems.
  • Dedicated logistics and combat support.
• Aim:
  • Faster mobilisation.
  • Higher lethality.
  • Integrated battlefield response.

Place in India’s Military Doctrine

• Aligns with:
  • Theatre-level readiness.
  • Integrated Battle Groups (IBGs) concept.
• Enhances:
  • Offensive deterrence.
  • Rapid response along borders.
• Reduces dependence on:
  • Limited Para SF units for routine special operations.

Strategic Significance

• Signals:
  • Transition to next-generation land warfare.
• Improves India’s:
  • Offensive capability without escalation dominance.
  • Ability to respond swiftly in grey-zone conflicts.
• Supports:
  • Credible deterrence against both western and northern adversaries.

Challenges & Cautions

• High training and technology costs.
• Command and control integration with:
  • Infantry.
  • Special Forces.
  • Air and drone assets.
• Avoiding dilution of Para SF’s elite role.

Takeaway

• Bhairav Battalions represent the Indian Army’s shift towards agile, technology-enabled offensive forces, bridging the gap between conventional infantry and Special Forces in an era of hybrid warfare.

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PSLV-C62 / EOS-N1 Mission  

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Why in News?

• ISRO commenced the 22.5-hour countdown for PSLV-C62 / EOS-N1 mission.
• Launch scheduled at 10:17 a.m. from Sriharikota.
• Mission highlights:
  • Strategic Earth Observation satellite (EOS-N1).
  • 15 co-passenger satellites from Indian start-ups, academia, and foreign partners.
  • Commercial launch by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL).
  • PSLV-DL variant with PS4 stage restart and controlled re-entry.

Relevance

GS III – Science & Technology

• Space technology.
• Launch vehicles.
• Earth observation satellites.

GS III – Security

• Strategic surveillance.
• Dual-use space assets.

Basics: What is PSLV?

• Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV):
  • ISRO’s workhorse launch vehicle.
  • Optimised for Sun-Synchronous Orbits (SSO) and LEO.
• Known for:
  • High reliability.
  • Multi-satellite launch capability.

PSLV Variants

• PSLV-CA: Core Alone.
• PSLV-DL: Dual strap-on motors.
• PSLV-QL: Four strap-ons.
• PSLV-XL: Six strap-ons (heavy-lift PSLV).

Mission Profile: PSLV-C62

• 64th PSLV flight.
• 5th PSLV-DL mission.
• 105th launch from Sriharikota.
• Launch pad: First Launch Pad.
• Orbit:
  • Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO).

Primary Payload: EOS-N1

• Earth Observation Satellite.
• Purpose:
  • Strategic surveillance and imaging.
• Users:
  • National security.
  • Strategic planning.
• Reinforces:
  • India’s space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capability.

Co-Passenger Satellites: Key Features

• 15 small satellites.
• Developed by:
  • Indian start-ups (Dhruva Space, TakeMe2Space, OrbitAid).
  • Academic institutions.
  • Foreign partners (Thailand-UK, Brazil, Nepal, Spain-France).
• Examples:
  • Theos-2 (Thailand-UK EO satellite).
  • CGUSAT, DSUSAT, MOI-1, LACHIT (Indian start-ups).
  • Munal (Nepal–India collaboration).
  • KID Capsule (Spain–France re-entry experiment).

What is Special About This Mission?

1. Commercialisation via NSIL

• Mission operated by NewSpace India Limited.
• Reflects:
  • Shift from ISRO as operator → ISRO as enabler.
• Supports:
  • India’s space economy expansion.

2. Start-up & Academic Participation

• Strong representation of:
  • Indian private space ecosystem.
• Encourages:
  • Innovation.
  • Indigenous space manufacturing.

3. PS4 Stage Restart & Re-entry

• PS4 stage restarted post satellite deployment.
• Purpose:
  • Controlled de-orbiting.
  • Space debris mitigation.
• Both PS4 stage and KID Capsule:
  • Re-enter Earth’s atmosphere.
  • Impact zone: South Pacific Ocean.

What is Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO)?

• Near-polar orbit.
• Satellite passes over same location at same local solar time.
• Ideal for:
  • Earth observation.
  • Remote sensing.
  • Environmental monitoring.

Strategic & Policy Significance

• Enhances:
  • National security surveillance.
  • Space situational responsibility (debris mitigation).
• Aligns with:
  • Indian Space Policy 2023.
  • IN-SPACe–driven private participation.
• Strengthens India’s:
  • Position as reliable global launch service provider.

Takeaway

• PSLV-C62 reflects India’s mature space capabilities, combining strategic surveillance, commercial launches, start-up participation, and responsible space operations in a single mission.

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HPV Vaccine & Herd Protection 

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Why in News?

• A large Swedish population-based study shows school-based HPV vaccination provides herd protection, reducing cervical cancer even among unvaccinated women.
• Evidence strengthens the case for including HPV vaccine in India’s Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP).
• Relevant as India is planning school-based HPV vaccination (ages 9–14).

Relevance

GS II – Governance & Social Justice

• Public health policy.
• Universal Immunisation Programme.
• Women’s health.

GS III – Science & Technology / Health

• Preventive healthcare.
• Vaccine science.
• Disease elimination strategies.

Basics: What is HPV?

• Human Papillomavirus (HPV):
  • Sexually transmitted virus.
  • >200 types identified.
  • High-risk strains (notably HPV-16, HPV-18) cause:
    • ~95% of cervical cancer.
• Also linked to:
  • Anal, oropharyngeal, penile cancers.
  • Genital warts (low-risk strains).

Cervical Cancer: India Burden

• 2nd most common cancer among Indian women.
• Annual impact:
  • ~1.25 lakh new cases
  • ~75,000 deaths
• Disproportionately affects:
  • Low-income, low-screening populations.

What is Herd Protection?

• When high vaccination coverage reduces overall virus circulation.
• Protects:
  • Unvaccinated individuals.
• Especially relevant for sexually transmitted infections when transmission chains are disrupted.

Key Findings of the Swedish Study

• Cohort:
  • Women born 1989–2000.
• Vaccination coverage:
  • Rose from 25% → 80% via school-based programmes.
• Results:
  • Significant reduction in precancerous cervical lesions.
  • Even unvaccinated women benefited if community coverage was high.
• Critical thresholds:
  • ≥70% coverage → visible herd effects.
  • ~90% coverage → optimal protection.

Why School-Based Vaccination Works ?

• Early age (9–14):
  • Vaccination before sexual debut → maximum efficacy.
• School-based delivery:
  • Higher coverage.
  • Lower dropout.
  • Equity across socio-economic groups.
• Cost-effective at population scale.

HPV Vaccine: Scientific & Medical Aspects

• Type: Preventive, not therapeutic.
• Effectiveness:
  • Nearly 100% protection against HPV-16/18-related precancerous lesions.
• Limitation:
  • Does not eliminate need for screening (Pap smear / HPV DNA test).
• No proven herd immunity evidence yet in India, but established in:
  • Sweden
  • UK
  • Australia.

India’s Current Position

• Indigenous vaccine:
  • CERVAVAC developed by Serum Institute of India.
• Policy direction:
  • Govt considering routine immunisation inclusion.
  • Proposed age group: 9–14 years.
• Challenges:
  • Awareness gaps.
  • Vaccine hesitancy.
  • Need for adolescent health infrastructure.

Public Health Significance

• Shifts cervical cancer control from:
  • Late-stage treatment → Primary prevention.
• Reduces:
  • Screening burden.
  • Long-term oncology costs.
• Aligns with:
  • WHO Cervical Cancer Elimination Strategy:
    • 90% vaccination
    • 70% screening
    • 90% treatment.

Ethical & Social Dimensions

• Gender equity:
  • Protects women disproportionately affected.
• Intergenerational benefit:
  • Herd protection amplifies social returns.
• Justice argument:
  • Preventable cancer → moral obligation of the State.

Takeaway

• High-coverage, school-based HPV vaccination can generate herd protection, making cervical cancer a largely preventable disease and strengthening the case for its inclusion in India’s universal immunisation strategy.

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Zehanpora Stupas, Kashmir 

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Why in News?

• Archaeological discovery of ancient Buddhist stupas at Zehanpora, Baramulla (J&K).
• Site mentioned by Prime Minister in Mann Ki Baat.
• Excavations suggest structures dating back to the Kushan period (≈2,000+ years old).
• Reinforces Kashmir’s overlooked Buddhist heritage.

Relevance

GS I – Art & Culture / History

• Buddhism in India.
• Kushan period.
• Stupa architecture.

GS I – Indian Society

• Cultural pluralism.
• Historical continuity in Kashmir.

Basics: What are Stupas?

• Stupa:
  • Buddhist commemorative structure.
  • Houses relics of the Buddha or monks.
• Core elements:
  • Anda (hemispherical mound)
  • Harmika
  • Chhatra
• Functions:
  • Religious worship.
  • Symbol of Buddha’s enlightenment and Mahaparinirvana.

Location & Site Details

• Zehanpora village, near Baramulla town, north Kashmir.
• Spread across 10+ acres.
• Landscape:
  • Plateau-like mound.
  • Reduced over centuries due to:
    • Floods.
    • Canal digging (1970s).
• Long mistaken as natural earth mounds.

Archaeological Findings

• Multiple earthen mounds forming a stupa complex.
• Evidence suggests:
  • Wooden superstructure over stone base.
  • Site used as winter halt for monks.
• Methods used:
  • Modern archaeological tools.
  • Drones and remote sensing.

Dating & Historical Context

• Estimated age: ~2,000 years.
• Period:
  • Kushan Empire (1st–3rd century CE).
• Kushans known for:
  • Patronage of Buddhism.
  • Trade along Silk Route.
  • Gandhara art tradition.

Buddhism in Kashmir: Historical Background

• Introduced during:
  • Mauryan period (Ashoka) — traditional belief.
• Major expansion under:
  • Kanishka (Kushan ruler).
• Kashmir’s role:
  • Scholarly centre of Buddhism.
  • Transmission point to Central Asia and China.
• Buddhist councils:
  • 4th Buddhist Council traditionally associated with Kashmir (per some sources).

Why Zehanpora is Significant ?

• Adds to known Buddhist sites:
  • Harwan
  • Kanispora
  • Ushkur
  • Hutmur
  • Semthan
• Confirms:
  • Dense Buddhist settlement in north Kashmir.
• Shows:
  • Kashmir as a monastic and trade hub, not peripheral region.

Global Link: France Connection

• Photograph of Zehanpora site found in French museum archives.
• Indicates:
  • Colonial-era documentation.
  • Early European scholarly interest.
• Reflects:
  • Global dispersal of Indian archaeological records.

Cultural & Civilisational Significance

• Challenges narrative of Kashmir as only:
  • Shaivite or Islamic heritage region.
• Highlights:
  • Pluralistic religious history.
  • Cultural continuity across centuries.
• Strengthens:
  • Buddhist civilisational map of India.

Governance & Heritage Implications

• Need for:
  • Site protection.
  • Scientific excavation.
  • Heritage tourism integration.
• Aligns with:
  • Cultural revival initiatives.
  • Soft power diplomacy via Buddhism.

Takeaway

• The Zehanpora stupa complex reaffirms Kashmir’s role as a major Buddhist centre during the Kushan period, highlighting the region’s deep civilisational pluralism and strategic position in ancient trans-Asian networks.

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