Smartphone Security Overhaul & ISRO’s Landmark PSLV-C62 Mission
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the global tech industry, the Indian government has proposed a radical security overhaul under the Indian Telecom Security Assurance Requirements (ITSAR). As of early 2026, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is considering a framework that would require smartphone giants like Apple, Samsung, Google, and Xiaomi to disclose their proprietary source code for rigorous vulnerability analysis in designated Indian laboratories. This proposal, aimed at protecting over 750 million Indian smartphone users from sophisticated data breaches and state-sponsored surveillance, has met with intense resistance
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| ISRO PSLV-C62 mission carrying DRDO's EOS-N1 'Anvesha' Satellite |
Govt’s Contentious Proposal: Sharing Smartphone Source Code
Industry bodies, primarily MAIT, have voiced deep concerns, stating that sharing such highly sensitive intellectual property is "not possible" due to global secrecy and privacy protocols. Tech giants argue that such a mandate lacks global precedent and risks exposing proprietary details to third-party labs, potentially creating new security backdoors. While the government maintains that all legitimate concerns will be addressed with an "open mind," the proposal also includes requirements for one-year system log retention on devices and stricter controls over background app permissions. At TechFir, we believe this sets the stage for a major legal and diplomatic showdown between Silicon Valley and New Delhi.
ISRO PSLV-C62 Mission: Success or Setback?
Earlier in January 2026, ISRO initiated its first space mission of the year with the launch of the PSLV-C62 from Sriharikota. The mission's primary objective was to deploy the EOS-N1 satellite (Anvesha), a high-resolution hyperspectral imaging satellite developed by DRDO for strategic surveillance and border monitoring. Unlike conventional imaging satellites, Anvesha was designed to "see" in hundreds of wavelengths, providing India with a significant tactical edge in national security and urban mapping. The mission also carried 15 commercial co-passenger satellites, including Europe’s Kestrel Initial Demonstrator (KID).
However, reports from January 12 confirm that the mission faced a critical anomaly at the end of the third stage (PS3) operation. While the first and second stages performed normally, a deviation in the flight controls—specifically related to roll-rates—just prior to stage separation resulted in a flight failure. This marks a rare consecutive setback for the PSLV workhorse. ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan has initiated a detailed Failure Analysis Committee (FAC) report to investigate the deviation. At TechFir, we closely follow these developments as they impact India’s standing as a cost-effective satellite launch hub in the 2026 global space economy.
DRDO MPATGM Test: New Top-Attack Capability Validated
While the ISRO launch faced hurdles, India’s defense technology saw a major victory. The DRDO successfully flight-tested the indigenous third-generation Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) with a "Top-Attack" capability. The test, conducted at the KK Ranges in Ahilya Nagar, Maharashtra, on January 11, 2026, saw the missile hit a moving target with pinpoint precision. This "fire-and-forget" weapon system incorporates cutting-edge technologies like an Imaging Infrared (IIR) homing seeker, tandem warheads, and high-performance sighting systems developed by various DRDO labs.
The "Top-Attack" mode is particularly lethal because it allows the missile to strike the thinnest part of a tank's armor—the top turret—making it effective against even the most modern Main Battle Tanks (MBTs). Defense Minister Rajnath Singh complimented the team, describing it as a vital step towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat. This successful validation paves the way for the missile's final induction into the Indian Army, providing infantry units with unparalleled lethal capabilities in 2026's modern battlefield environments.
Semiconductor Milestone: Commercial Production Begins
Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has officially confirmed that India's dream of becoming a global semiconductor hub is becoming a 2026 reality. Four major plants—including those by Micron, Tata Electronics, CG Power, and Kaynes Technology—are on track to begin full-scale commercial production by mid-to-late 2026. This is a historic milestone for TechFir (www.techfir.com) readers to track, as it marks the transition from pilot production to a robust local manufacturing ecosystem. Tata’s plant in Assam is notably scheduled to begin its pilot runs by mid-year, with commercial output scaling by year-end.
India is now moving beyond 5-7 nanometre designs to advanced 2nm chip architectures, supported by the redesigned DLI 2.0 scheme. This local production will drastically reduce reliance on imports for critical chips used in smartphones, EVs, and indigenous defense systems. Minister Vaishnaw highlighted that total investment in India’s semiconductor and AI mission has now reached close to $90 billion, with expectations to grow to $150 billion soon. For India, 2026 is the year we stop just designing chips and start printing them for the world.
AI Robotics: Humanoids Take Center Stage at CES 2026
In the global arena, CES 2026 in Las Vegas has unveiled innovations that prove humanoid laborers are no longer a futuristic dream. Boston Dynamics stunned the tech world by unveiling the product version of its fully electric Atlas humanoid robot. This isn't a research prototype; it’s an enterprise-grade machine designed for industrial tasks like parts sequencing and heavy lifting in automotive factories. Atlas has already been committed for 2026 deployments at Hyundai’s Metaplant in Georgia and Google DeepMind facilities.
Simultaneously, AMC Robotics showcased 'Kyro', a quadruped robot powered by NVIDIA’s latest Physical AI models. Industry leaders are describing this as a "ChatGPT moment" for physical robotics, where robots can now reason, plan, and interact with complex physical environments autonomously. With 56 degrees of freedom and tactile sensing, the 2026 generation of robots is designed to partner with humans in smart factories. At TechFir, we see this as the beginning of a true humanoid era where AI software finally has a capable, human-shaped hardware home.
Conclusion
Today’s news landscape reflects two powerful forces: Extreme Security and Extreme Innovation. The Indian government’s push for source code access highlights the growing anxiety over digital sovereignty, while the successes of DRDO and the progress in semiconductors show a nation rapidly becoming self-reliant in critical tech. Despite the PSLV-C62 anomaly, ISRO’s roadmap for 2026 remains ambitious, with a return-to-flight mission expected by mid-year. For tech enthusiasts and businesses alike, 2026 is proving to be a year of high stakes and even higher rewards. Stay tuned to TechFir for the latest on how these stories unfold.
