The Hindu Editorial Analysis : 13th January 2026

The Hindu Editorial Analysis

We understand the significance of reading The Hindu newspaper for enhancing reading skills, improving comprehension of passages, staying informed about current events, enhancing essay writing, and more, especially for banking aspirants who need to focus on editorials for vocabulary building. This article will explore today’s editorial points, along with practice questions and key vocabulary.

Centre asks for access to mobile phone source codes

• The Central government is thinking about legally enforcing a new set of rules on smartphone companies that sell their devices in India. These rules are being planned as part of wider “security measures”. However, this move has quietly faced resistance from big technology companies like Apple and Samsung.
• One of the most sensitive points in the proposed Indian Telecom Security Assurance Requirements, which were drafted in 2023, is related to “vulnerability analysis”. Under this rule, the government wants access to the source code — which is the basic programming that makes smartphones work. This source code is usually kept highly confidential by companies because it is their proprietary and secret information.
• As per the documents, this source code would be examined and possibly tested in special laboratories located in India.
• In the past, Apple had refused a similar request from China between 2014 and 2016, where Chinese authorities had asked for access to its source code. Attempts by U.S. law enforcement agencies to get access to Apple’s source code have also been unsuccessful.
• The proposed rules also require smartphones to automatically and regularly scan for malware. In addition, they say that records of a phone’s activities must be stored on the device for at least one year.
• Sources said that senior executives from technology companies and officials from the Ministry of Information Technology are expected to meet on Tuesday to continue discussions on this issue.
• IT Secretary S. Krishnan said that “any genuine concerns raised by the industry will be considered with an open mind”. At the same time, he added that it was “too early to draw conclusions”.
• Technology companies have argued that the proposed set of 83 security standards — which also includes informing the government about major software updates — has no example anywhere else in the world. They believe this could put their confidential and proprietary information at risk. This view is based on discussions known to four people involved and a review of confidential government and industry documents by Reuters.
• In the past too, Indian government rules have caused concerns for technology companies. Last month, the Centre withdrew an order that required smartphones to have a government cyber safety app called Sanchar Saathi installed. This decision came after worries were raised about possible surveillance.
• The new proposal is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts to improve the safety of user data. This comes at a time when cases of online fraud and data leaks are increasing, especially in India, which is the world’s second-largest smartphone market with nearly 750 million mobile phones.
• Under these rules, smartphone makers would also have to make software changes so that users can remove pre-installed apps. They would also need to stop apps from secretly using cameras and microphones in the background. The government says this is meant to prevent misuse and malicious activities.
• Device manufacturers would be required to inform the National Centre for Communication Security about major software updates and security fixes before releasing them to users. The centre would also have the power to test these updates.
• Companies such as Apple, Samsung, Google, and Xiaomi, along with the Manufacturers’ Association for Information Technology (MAIT), did not respond to requests for comments.
• However, a source who is directly aware of the matter said that MAIT had requested the Ministry last week to withdraw the proposal.
• In a confidential document prepared in response to the government’s proposal and reviewed by Reuters, MAIT said that reviewing and analysing source code “is not possible… because of secrecy and privacy concerns”.
• The MAIT document also pointed out that major regions like the European Union, North America, Australia, and Africa do not have such requirements.
• According to MAIT, regular malware scanning would use up a lot of battery power on smartphones. It also said that getting government approval before releasing software updates would be “impractical” because updates often need to be sent out quickly to fix issues.
• The document further said that smartphones do not have enough storage space to save one full year of activity logs.

PM calls on investors to capitalize on India’s opportunities

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India is the fastest-growing economy in the world and is quickly moving towards becoming the third-largest economy globally. He said this at a time when expectations from India are rising internationally.
• He made these comments on Sunday after inaugurating the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference for the Saurashtra and Kutch regions in Rajkot.
• Talking about the global situation, the Prime Minister said that while there is uncertainty in many parts of the world, India is currently experiencing a period of strong stability and certainty.
• He said that India has made fast progress in recent years and that Gujarat has played an important role in this development.
• Once again expressing confidence, he said that India is steadily on its way to becoming the world’s third-largest economy.
• He invited investors to take advantage of the many opportunities available in Gujarat and across India. He added that if they come late and miss these chances, they should not blame him.
• He said that inflation in the country is under control.
• He highlighted that India is the world’s largest producer of milk and vaccines. He also mentioned that India produces many other goods, including automobiles.
• The Prime Minister said that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has recognised India as a major driver of global economic growth.
• He added that India is the world’s largest user of mobile data.
• He also said that the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has become the leading real-time digital payment system in the world.
• He explained that the growing middle class and their increasing spending power are some of the main reasons why India offers so many opportunities.
• He pointed out that while India used to import mobile phones earlier, it is now the world’s second-largest manufacturer of mobile phones.
• It was stated that more than 1,500 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) are expected to be signed during the event.
• More than 110 international buyers from 16 countries are taking part, including buyers from the United States and several European countries.
• Earlier in the day, while speaking at Somnath, Mr. Modi said that the forces that opposed the rebuilding of the Somnath temple in Gujarat after Independence are still active today.
• He said that India must stay alert, united, and strong to defeat such forces.
• He described the history of Somnath as a story of strength and victory, rather than one of destruction and defeat.
• He said that while extremist invaders have become part of history books, the Somnath temple continues to stand strong.
• He was speaking at the “Somnath Swabhiman Parv”, which was organised to mark 1,000 years since Mahmud of Ghazni’s attack on the Somnath Temple in 1026.
• Earlier at the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference, he said that every region of Gujarat has its own strengths.
• He added that Gujarat continues to be a preferred place for investors.
• He said that India’s first semiconductor manufacturing plant is being set up in Dholera, Gujarat.
• Talking about future needs, he said that along with infrastructure, the country also needs a workforce that is ready for industry.
• He added that Gujarat has the skills needed to meet this demand.
• He encouraged investors to invest in the Saurashtra and Kutch regions.
• He said that these regions are emerging as important centres for boosting the Atmanirbhar Bharat campaign.

Countdown for PSLV-C62 Mission Launch Begins

• The 22.5-hour countdown for the launch of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), which will carry one earth observation satellite and 15 other smaller satellites, began at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on Sunday.
• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is scheduled to launch the PSLV-C62/EOS-N1 Mission at 10.17 a.m. on Monday from the first launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre.
• This mission will be the 105th launch from Sriharikota, the 64th flight of the PSLV rocket, and the fifth mission using the PSLV-DL version.
• The 15 co-passenger satellites on this mission have been developed by start-ups and educational institutions from India and other countries.
• The EOS-N1 satellite has been built for strategic and security-related purposes.
• ISRO said that this mission is a commercial mission carried out by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL).
• The EOS-N1 satellite and 14 of the co-passenger satellites will be placed into a Sun Synchronous Orbit. The KID Capsule will be sent on a path that will bring it back into Earth’s atmosphere.
• After placing EOS-N1 and the 14 satellites into orbit, the fourth stage of the rocket (PS4) will be restarted to reduce its height and move it into a re-entry path. After this, the KID Capsule will separate.
• ISRO also said that both the PS4 stage and the KID Capsule will re-enter Earth’s atmosphere, and they are expected to fall into the South Pacific Ocean.
• Among the 15 co-passenger satellites is Theos-2, an earth observation satellite jointly developed by Thailand and the United Kingdom.
• Other co-passenger satellites include CGUSAT by Dhruva Space (India) and DSUSAT by Dhruva Space.
• MOI-1 has been developed by Dhruva Space and TakeMe2Space (India), while LACHIT has been developed by Dhruva Space and Don Bosco University (India).
• Thybolt-3 has been developed by Dhruva Space.
• Munal has been developed by Nepal’s Antharkshya Pratishtan university along with the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.
• The KID Capsule has been developed by Orbital Paradigm (Spain) and RIDE! (France).
• Edusat has been developed by AlltoSpace (Brazil), and Uaisat has also been developed by AlltoSpace.
• Galaxy Explorer, Orbital Temple, and Aldebaran-1 have all been developed by AlltoSpace.
• Sanskarsat has been developed by Laxman Gyanpith (India).
• AyulSat has been developed by OrbitAid (India).

Important Questions

1. Why has the Centre’s proposal under the Indian Telecom Security Assurance Requirements to seek access to smartphone source code led to opposition from companies like Apple and Samsung?
2. How do the proposed requirements related to vulnerability analysis and malware scanning risk exposing proprietary information of smartphone manufacturers?
3. Why did Prime Minister Narendra Modi say at the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference that India is moving towards becoming the world’s third-largest economy?
4. How did the Prime Minister link Gujarat’s role in growth with investment opportunities in the Saurashtra and Kutch regions?
5. What is the significance of the PSLV-C62/EOS-N1 Mission being launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota?
6. Why will the PS4 stage and the KID Capsule re-enter Earth’s atmosphere after the EOS-N1 and co-passenger satellites are placed into Sun Synchronous Orbit?

Important Vocabulary

1. Vulnerability – a weakness that can be attacked or misused
2. Proprietary – legally owned and protected by a company
3. Surveillance – close monitoring of activities or behaviour
4. Impractical – not realistic or difficult to carry out
5. Unprecedented – never seen or done before
6. Inaugurating – formally opening an event or place
7. Fundamentalist – someone with extreme religious beliefs
8. Semi-conductor – material used to make electronic chips
9. Co-passenger – additional satellite travelling with the main payload
10. Strategic – related to national security or long-term planning
11. Trajectory – the path followed by an object in motion
12. Synchronous – moving at the same speed or time

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