UPSC Mains Current Affairs for 27 January 2026

Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) Communication – A New Frontier in Road Safety in India

January 27, 2026

Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) Communication Latest News

India records the highest number of road accident fatalities globally, far exceeding China and the United States.
In this backdrop, the Government of India, through the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), is planning to introduce Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication technology as part of its broader road safety and Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) initiative.
The move aligns with India’s commitment to reduce road deaths and improve traffic management through technology-driven solutions.

Road Accident in India

Calendar year 2023: A total number of 4,80,583 road accidents have been reported by Police Departments of States and UTs in the country, claiming 1,72,890 lives and causing injuries to 4,62,825 persons.
2024 data given by MoRTH in Parliament: The number of road accident fatalities in India rose 2.3% to over 1.77 lakh in 2024, resulting in the death of 485 persons every day.
Comparison with other countries: As per the World Road Statistics 2024, the fatality rate per lakh population is 4.3 in China, and 12.76 in the United States of America, as compared to India, where it is 11.89.
International obligation: The Stockholm Declaration on Road Safety, adopted at the 3rd Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety (in 2020), sets a new global target to reduce road traffic deaths and injuries by 50% by 2030.

What is Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) Technology

V2V is a wireless communication system that allows vehicles to exchange real-time data such as speed, location, acceleration, braking patterns.
It is a sub-set of Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) technology and falls under the Intelligent Transport System (ITS) framework.
The system is inspired by aviation safety technology, where aircraft continuously broadcast their position and speed to nearby aircraft and ground stations.

Institutional and Policy Developments in India

30 GHz radio frequency spectrum has been allocated by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) under the National Frequency Allocation Plan.
A Joint Task Force has been constituted between MoRTH and DoT.
Standards are being developed in collaboration with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).
V2V is identified as a key initiative under MoRTH’s road safety programme.

Working of V2V

On-board unit (OBU): Vehicles will be fitted with an OBU costing approximately ₹5,000–₹7,000. OBUs enable wireless data exchange between nearby vehicles within a 300-metre range.
Functional benefits:
- Alerts drivers about sudden braking by vehicles ahead; black spots and accident-prone zones; fog, obstacles, or parked vehicles; potential collision risks.
- Example: If a vehicle brakes suddenly, surrounding vehicles receive an early warning, helping prevent pile-ups and crashes.

Phased Rollout Strategy

First phase: Mandatory installation in new vehicles.
Second phase: Retrofitting in older vehicles.
Spectrum cost: It will be provided free of cost, reducing compliance burden on OEMs.
Targeted implementation: Within the current year, post notification of standards.

Global Experiences with V2V Systems

United States: Global leader in V2V research and regulation.
Europe: Germany, France, UK integrating V2V in smart city and mobility projects.
Japan: ITS Connect programme providing real-time traffic and emergency alerts.
China: Major adopter with strong integration into smart mobility.
Pilot stages: Like India, countries like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Mexico, etc., are in early pilot stages to roll out V2V communication systems.
Examples of V2V-enabled vehicles: Volkswagen Golf 8, Cadillac models (USA).

Challenges and Concerns

Technological limitations: Frequency bands may not support all vehicle categories uniformly. Risk of miscommunication or signal failure, potentially causing accidents.
Data privacy and surveillance: Large-scale collection of data related to vehicle movement, driver behaviour, location tracking. Raises concerns under data protection and privacy frameworks.
Cybersecurity risks: Vulnerability to cyberattacks. Possibility of system hijacking leading to large-scale security threats.
Regulatory gaps: Need for robust legal and regulatory framework; clear standards on data ownership, liability, and accountability.

Way Forward

Comprehensive standards: Formulation of comprehensive V2V standards aligned with global best practices.
Integration: With India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and upcoming Data Protection laws.
Periodic audits: To strengthen cybersecurity architecture.
Phased and inclusive adoption: To cover commercial and private vehicles.
Capacity building: Of enforcement agencies and public awareness campaigns.

Conclusion

The introduction of Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication technology marks a significant step towards technology-enabled road safety governance in India.
While the initiative has the potential to substantially reduce road accidents and fatalities, its success will depend on effective implementation.
If executed prudently, V2V can become a cornerstone of India’s transition to smart, safe, and sustainable mobility, aligning with broader goals of Vision Zero and intelligent transport ecosystems.

Source: IE

Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) Communication FAQs

Q1: How does Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication contribute to road safety in India?

Ans: By enabling real-time exchange of speed, location, and braking data between vehicles.

Q2: What is the significance of V2V technology?

Ans: V2V is a core component of ITS that enhances traffic efficiency, situational awareness.

Q3: What institutional measures have been taken to implement V2V communication systems?

Ans: The government has allocated 30 GHz spectrum, constituted a MoRTH–DoT joint task force, etc.

Q4: What are the major challenges associated with the rollout of V2V technology in India?

Ans: Spectrum limitations, data privacy concerns, cybersecurity risks, and the absence of a comprehensive regulatory framework.

Q5: How can global experiences with V2V systems inform India’s implementation strategy?

Ans: Lessons from the US, Europe, Japan, and China highlight the need for strong regulation, cybersecurity safeguards, and phased adoption.

DRDO’s Hypersonic Missile: India’s Leap in Next-Gen Warfare

January 27, 2026

Hypersonic Missile Latest News

At the 77th Republic Day Parade on Kartavya Path, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) unveiled the Long Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Missile (LR-AShM) for the first time.
This draws attention to other hypersonic missile programmes under development, signalling India’s growing focus on next-generation strategic and tactical weaponry.

LR-AShM: India’s Hypersonic Glide Missile

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) showcased the Long Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Missile (LR-AShM) along with its launcher.
The system is tailored to meet the Indian Navy’s coastal battery requirements and can engage both static and moving targets at ranges of up to 1,500 km, carrying multiple payload options.

Quasi-Ballistic, Hypersonic Flight Profile

The LR-AShM follows a quasi-ballistic trajectory, beginning like a ballistic missile but flying at lower altitudes and manoeuvring mid-course.
It reaches hypersonic speeds of Mach 10 initially and sustains average speeds of Mach 5, using multiple atmospheric skips to evade interception.

Low Detectability and High Survivability

Flying at low altitude with extreme speed and manoeuvrability, the missile remains largely undetectable to enemy ground- and ship-based radars.
Its flight profile significantly reduces reaction time for adversary air-defence systems.

Two-Stage Propulsion and Glide Phase

The missile uses a two-stage solid rocket motor.
Stage I boosts the missile to hypersonic velocity and then separates.
After Stage II burnout, the vehicle enters an unpowered hypersonic glide phase, executing controlled manoeuvres within the atmosphere before striking the target.

High Aerodynamic Efficiency

According to DRDO scientists, the LR-AShM has high aerodynamic efficiency, enabling it to generate effective lift with minimal drag.
This allows the missile to travel farther, faster, and more accurately using the same energy, enhancing its operational effectiveness.

Strategic Significance and Road Ahead of LR-AShM

The hypersonic speed of the LR-AShM makes detection and interception extremely difficult.
Travelling at such velocities, it can cover a 1,500 km range in about 15 minutes, sharply reducing enemy reaction time.
- Extended-range variants of up to 3,500 km are already under development.

Boost to Sea Denial Capabilities

The missile can neutralise all classes of warships.
Current and future variants are expected to become a critical asset for sea denial operations, especially in the strategically vital Indian Ocean Region, limiting an adversary’s military and commercial use of maritime spaces.

Multi-Service and Multi-Platform Potential

Beyond the Navy’s coastal batteries, Army and Air Force versions are under consideration, along with ship-launched variants.
This versatility across platforms could firmly place India among a small group of nations with advanced hypersonic weapons capability.

Leveraging Proven Missile Technologies

The LR-AShM draws on key technologies from India’s existing missile programmes, including the K-15 (Sagarika) from the K-missile family and the BrahMos Aerospace supersonic cruise missile.
This reflects a convergence of proven propulsion and guidance systems into a next-generation hypersonic platform.

India’s Other Hypersonic Cruise Missile Efforts

Amid intense global competition, the DRDO is pursuing two parallel hypersonic paths: hypersonic glide and hypersonic cruise.
- A Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGV) is launched via rocket into high altitudes, then detaches to glide and maneuver through the atmosphere at speeds exceeding Mach 5.
- Unlike glide vehicles, hypersonic cruise missiles fly within the atmosphere at hypersonic speeds and rely on scramjet engines for sustained, powered flight and high manoeuvrability.
The LR-AShM represents the glide vehicle track, showcasing major indigenous advances in materials and control systems for sustained hypersonic flight.

Ramjets vs Scramjets

Ramjets are air-breathing engines that compress incoming air using forward motion; they need assisted take-off and work best around Mach 3, losing efficiency at hypersonic speeds.
Scramjets keep airflow supersonic in the combustion chamber, enabling efficient operation above Mach 5, but are far more complex to design and operate.

Recent Breakthrough: Full-Scale Scramjet Testing

Earlier this month, DRDO achieved a major milestone by conducting ground tests of an Actively Cooled Scramjet Full-Scale Combustor, recording a run time of over 12 minutes.
This built on a successful subscale test conducted on April 25 last year that ran for more than 1,000 seconds.
DRDO had earlier demonstrated hypersonic air-breathing scramjet technology with the Hypersonic Technology Demonstration Vehicle flight test in September 2020 from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Launch Complex.
This marked a foundational step toward operational hypersonic cruise missiles.

Source: IE

Hypersonic Missile FAQs

Q1: What is DRDO’s hypersonic missile LR-AShM?

Ans: DRDO’s hypersonic missile LR-AShM is a long-range anti-ship system designed for naval strike missions, capable of engaging moving targets at extreme speeds and ranges.

Q2: Why is the hypersonic missile difficult to intercept?

Ans: The hypersonic missile flies at low altitude with high manoeuvrability and Mach-5-plus speeds, reducing radar detection time and overwhelming existing missile defence systems.

Q3: What is the range and speed of the hypersonic missile?

Ans: The hypersonic missile can strike targets up to 1,500 km away within about 15 minutes, with advanced variants under development for ranges up to 3,500 km.

Q4: How does the hypersonic missile support sea denial?

Ans: The hypersonic missile can neutralise all classes of warships, enabling effective sea denial operations by preventing adversaries from using key maritime zones.

Q5: What technologies power India’s hypersonic missile programme?

Ans: India’s hypersonic missile programme integrates technologies from K-15 and BrahMos, alongside indigenous advances in propulsion, materials, aerodynamics, and scramjet research.

Trump, De-Dollarisation, and the Global Gold Rush Explained

January 27, 2026

De-Dollarisation Latest News

Gold prices have surged past the $5,000 per ounce mark for the first time, even as the US dollar slid to a four-month low. The rally is being driven not just by households, but by aggressive buying from central banks worldwide.
Major central banks have emerged as key buyers of gold, signalling a strategic shift in reserve management.
While households traditionally buy gold as a hedge, it is the actions of central banks that underline a deeper structural change in the global financial system.
The underlying driver of this trend is Donald Trump. His trade wars, sanctions-heavy foreign policy, and use of the US dollar as a geopolitical weapon have prompted many countries to reduce reliance on dollar-denominated assets.
As trust in the dollar’s neutrality weakens, gold—being politically neutral and free from sanctions risk—has regained prominence as a reserve asset.

RBI’s Gold Holdings Drive Forex Reserve Growth

India’s central bank, Reserve Bank of India, reported a sharp rise in foreign exchange reserves, with nearly one-third of the increase coming from gains in the value of its gold holdings.
Although the RBI added only a small quantity of gold, the 70% rise in gold prices over the past year significantly boosted the value of its reserves, far outpacing gains from foreign currency assets.

Gold’s Rising Share in Reserves

What matters more than absolute purchases is gold’s share in total reserves.
In India’s case, gold now accounts for 17% of forex reserves, up from 12% a year ago. Similar shifts are visible across several emerging and advanced economies.

Global Central Banks Buy More Gold

The RBI is not alone. Central banks in Poland, Kazakhstan, and Brazil were among the world’s largest gold buyers in 2025, according to data from the World Gold Council.
This highlights a coordinated global trend rather than isolated national decisions.

Debasement of the US Dollar: What’s Driving the Shift

Experts argue that a combination of trade protectionism, sanctions, and the emergence of a multipolar world is gradually pushing global investors away from the US dollar.
US President Trump has repeatedly asserted the need to preserve the dollar’s global dominance, even threatening BRICS countries with punitive tariffs if they pursue alternatives to the dollar.
Ironically, his aggressive use of tariffs, sanctions, and economic coercion has accelerated doubts about the dollar’s neutrality and reliability.
These dynamics have contributed to a sharp weakening of the US dollar—down about 9% in 2025, its steepest fall in nearly a decade.
As confidence in the greenback erodes, investors and central banks have increasingly turned to gold as a safe-haven asset.

Why It Matters

De-dollarisation threatens to dilute US financial power, reducing Washington’s ability to shape global trade and financial systems.
At the same time, policy uncertainty and geopolitical sabre-rattling have boosted demand for gold, reinforcing its role as a hedge against currency debasement and geopolitical risk.

Weaponising Capital Flows: De-Dollarisation Accelerates

De-dollarisation is most visible in commodities, with a growing share of global energy trade now priced in non-dollar contracts, weakening the dollar’s traditional dominance.
The trend is extending to government bond holdings.
- The Reserve Bank of India has steadily reduced its US Treasury exposure, with holdings falling to $186.5 billion in November 2025 from $234 billion a year earlier.
- China’s US government bond holdings have also dropped to a 16-year low.

Institutional Investors Start Exiting US Treasuries

Concerns are no longer limited to states.
Denmark’s major pension funds announced plans to exit US Treasuries, citing geopolitical uncertainty, including comments by Donald Trump, andDanish pension funds have taken similar positions.
Earlier this month, Deutsche Bank warned that US threats against Europe could prompt the continent to cut holdings of US debt, effectively weaponising capital flows.
The European Union holds about $10.4 trillion in US portfolio assets, accounting for nearly 29% of foreign ownership.
Trump has warned of “big retaliation” if Europe sells US bonds, underscoring how financial flows are becoming tools of geopolitical leverage.

The Past: How De-Dollarisation Gained Momentum

The move away from the US dollar gathered pace after United States Government froze Russia’s foreign exchange reserves following its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
This action heightened concerns among countries about the safety of holding dollar-denominated assets.
De-dollarisation has been gradual but persistent. Data from the IMF show that the US dollar’s share in global foreign exchange reserves fell to a 30-year low of 58.5% in 2024, down from 71% in 1999, reflecting steady diversification by central banks.

The Future: Dominance for Now, Uncertainty Ahead

Despite these shifts, the US dollar remains overwhelmingly dominant, accounting for 89% of global over-the-counter foreign exchange turnover.
However, if current US policies and rhetoric continue, especially under the Trump administration, the pace of diversification away from the dollar could accelerate, leading to more visible structural change in the global monetary system.

Source: IE

De-Dollarisation FAQs

Q1: How is Trump contributing to de-dollarisation?

Ans: Trump’s tariffs, sanctions, and economic coercion have undermined confidence in the dollar, accelerating de-dollarisation as countries diversify reserves away from US assets.

Q2: Why is de-dollarisation boosting gold demand?

Ans: De-dollarisation increases gold demand because gold is politically neutral, sanction-proof, and a reliable store of value during currency volatility and geopolitical uncertainty.

Q3: What role do central banks play in de-dollarisation?

Ans: Central banks are driving de-dollarisation by increasing gold reserves and reducing exposure to US Treasuries, signalling long-term diversification strategies.

Q4: How has the US dollar performed amid de-dollarisation?

Ans: Amid de-dollarisation pressures, the US dollar weakened nearly 9% in 2025, its sharpest decline in a decade, reinforcing gold’s appeal as a safe haven.

Q5: Is de-dollarisation ending dollar dominance?

Ans: De-dollarisation has not ended dollar dominance yet, but sustained policy uncertainty and geopolitical tensions could gradually erode the dollar’s central role in global finance.

Draft IT (Digital Code) Rules, 2026 – Regulating Online Content

January 27, 2026

Online Content Latest News

The Union government has proposed the Draft IT (Digital Code) Rules, 2026, to regulate obscenity and introduce mandatory age-based classification for all digital content.

Background: Regulation of Online Content in India

India’s digital ecosystem has expanded rapidly with the growth of OTT platforms, social media, and user-generated content.
While this has strengthened freedom of expression, it has also raised concerns related to obscenity, hate speech, misinformation, and harmful content, particularly for children.
Online content regulation in India is primarily governed by the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
However, repeated controversies involving social media influencers and OTT content have highlighted regulatory gaps, prompting judicial scrutiny and policy reconsideration.
In this context, the proposed Draft IT (Digital Code) Rules, 2026 aim to introduce a more detailed content classification and compliance framework for digital platforms.

Legal Basis of the Draft IT (Digital Code) Rules, 2026

The draft rules have been proposed under Section 87(1) of the IT Act, 2000, read with Sections 67, 67A, and 67B, which deal with the publication and transmission of obscene, sexually explicit, and child sexual abuse material in electronic form.
The proposal follows a Supreme Court direction asking the government to strike a balance between:
- Freedom of speech under Article 19(1)(a), and
- Reasonable restrictions under Article 19(2), especially in matters of morality, public order, and decency.

Key Features of the Draft IT (Digital Code) Rules, 2026

Definition of Obscene Content
- The draft borrows heavily from the Programme Code under the Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994, defining obscene content as material that is lascivious, appeals to prurient interests, or tends to deprave and corrupt viewers.
List of Prohibited Content
- Attack religions, communities, caste, or nationality
- Promote communal attitudes or violence
- Contain defamatory or deliberately misleading material
- Denigrate women, children, or persons with disabilities
- Present criminality, obscenity, or violence as desirable
- Use explicit language or scenes when targeted at children
These provisions significantly widen the scope of content scrutiny.

Mandatory Age-Based Classification System

A major structural change proposed is compulsory age classification of all digital content, similar to film certification. The age categories include:
- U - Suitable for all ages
- 7+, 13+, 16+
- Adult-only content
- Specialised categories for professional audiences (e.g., doctors, scientists)
Each content item must display Age rating & Content descriptors (violence, sex, nudity, drugs, language, horror)

Parental Controls and Age Verification

The draft mandates:
- Parental control mechanisms for content rated 13+ and above
- Reliable age verification systems for adult-only content
This places additional compliance obligations on platforms, particularly OTT services and social media intermediaries.

Applicability and Enforcement Framework

All provisions of the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 will continue to apply alongside the new draft code.
The rules are expected to introduce civil consequences for violations, increasing regulatory accountability for Online Curated Content Providers (OCCPs).

Concerns Raised by Industry and Stakeholders

The rules blur the distinction between linear television broadcasting and on-demand digital content.
OTT platforms operate on a “pull” model, where users choose content actively, unlike TV’s “push” model.
Applying broadcast-era obscenity standards to age-gated, password-protected platforms may reduce creative freedom.
Broad and subjective terms could encourage arbitrary complaints and regulatory uncertainty.
These concerns highlight the tension between regulation and innovation in India’s digital economy.

Significance for Governance and Society

The draft rules reflect the government’s attempt to:
- Protect children and vulnerable audiences
- Standardise content classification across platforms
- Address judicial concerns regarding unregulated online obscenity

Source: IE

Online Content FAQs

Q1: What are the Draft IT (Digital Code) Rules, 2026?

Ans: They are proposed rules to regulate obscenity and introduce mandatory age classification for digital content in India.

Q2: Under which law are the draft rules proposed?

Ans: They are framed under the Information Technology Act, 2000.

Q3: What is the new age classification system proposed?

Ans: Content will be classified as U, 7+, 13+, 16+, adult-only, and professional categories.

Q4: Why are OTT platforms concerned about the draft rules?

Ans: They argue that broadcast-style obscenity standards are unsuitable for on-demand, age-gated digital platforms.

Q5: How do the draft rules relate to constitutional rights?

Ans: They attempt to balance free speech under Article 19(1)(a) with reasonable restrictions under Article 19(2).