-+News 1 :U.S., Israel Launch Strikes on Iran; Tehran Retaliates; India Calls for Restraint
Preliminary Facts (For Mains Answer Introduction)
- Escalation to Open Conflict: The U.S. and Israel launched a major attack on Iran on Saturday, targeting sites including areas around the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran retaliated by firing missiles and drones toward Israel and U.S. military bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar .
- High-Profile Casualties: Iran’s Defence Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammed Pakpour were killed in Israeli attacks. Israeli PM Netanyahu stated there are “many signs indicating Khamenei is no longer,” without explicit confirmation. Iranian Red Crescent reported at least 201 killed and 747 wounded in the strikes .
- Trump’s Call for Regime Change: President Trump urged Iranians to “seize control of your destiny” and take over their government, calling this “probably your only chance for generations.” Netanyahu echoed, saying the operation would “create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their fate into their own hands” .
- Strategic Waterway Threatened: Iran’s Revolutionary Guards radioed ships to indicate the Strait of Hormuz was shut, according to the EU’s naval mission—threatening global oil supplies .
- India’s Response: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement calling for “dialogue and diplomacy,” urging all sides to “exercise restraint, avoid escalation, and prioritise the safety of civilians.” It emphasized that “sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states must be respected” .
- Indian Diaspora at Risk: Over 10 million Indian workers and professionals live in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, plus significant numbers in Israel and Iran. Indian missions issued urgent advisories asking citizens to remain vigilant and follow local security guidance .
Prelims 360
Chabahar Port Project?
- Chabahar is a deep-water port in southeastern Iran on the Gulf of Oman.
- For India, Chabahar is vital because it provides a direct maritime route to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan.
- This aligns with India’s “Connect Central Asia” and “Act West” strategies.
Agreements and Development
- India and Iran signed a long-term (10-year) agreement for Indian operations at the port, especially at the Shahid Beheshti terminal.
- Under this, an Indian state firm, India Ports Global Limited (IPGL), has been involved in operating and equipping port facilities.
- India has supplied infrastructure like mobile harbour cranes and plans further upgrades, with commitments of investment + a line of credit from New Delhi.
Multimodal Connectivity
- Chabahar is planned to link with rail and road networks inside Iran, including the Chabahar–Zahedan railway, which will boost connectivity to Afghanistan and central Asia.
- It is also a complementary route to India’s involvement in the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC) — a major Eurasian trade corridor.
🇺🇸 Impact of Sanctions and Global Politics
U.S. Sanctions Dynamics
- India’s involvement has been complicated by U.S. sanctions on Iran.
- At times, waivers allowing Indian engagement at Chabahar have been extended temporarily, but the future remains uncertain amid sanctions pressures.
- India has worked diplomatically to maintain its interests without triggering penalties.
Current Challenges
- Recent budget allocations in India show zero direct funds for Chabahar in the latest budget, raising questions about project pace.
- Tehran has expressed disappointment over funding slowdowns, stressing Chabahar’s regional importance.
News 2 :20 Burnt Alive in A.P. Firecracker Unit Blast
Preliminary Facts (For Mains Answer Introduction)
- The Tragedy: Twenty workers, including nine women, were burnt alive and nine are battling for their lives with severe burns in a blast at the Sri Surya Firecrackers complex at Vetlapalem village, Samarlakota mandal, Kakinada district, Andhra Pradesh, on Saturday afternoon .
- Timing and Scale: The explosion occurred around 2:30 p.m. when 31 workers were present. Nineteen workers who attended the morning shift had left during lunch break. Four firecracker units within the same premises were gutted .
- Preliminary Cause: According to Fire Department officials, the blast might have been caused by the storage of a large quantity of explosive material in a small, confined space. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu stated the owner is believed to have stored a huge quantity of explosives after receiving substantial orders .
- Casualties: All deceased and injured belong to nearby villages. Two of the injured are reported out of danger. Bodies were scattered in surrounding paddy fields; some workers who jumped into an irrigation channel died before rescue .
- Administrative Action:
- Officials suspended: Peddapuram Revenue Divisional Officer, Peddapuram Deputy Superintendent of Police, District Labour Officer, District Fire Officer
- Proprietor absconding: Adabala Veerababu, owner of the unit, is on the run
- Ex Gratia:
- State: ₹20 lakh to families of deceased
- Centre: ₹2 lakh from PM Relief Fund
Prelims 360
Fireworks Regulation in India
1️⃣ Legal & Institutional Framework
1. Explosives Act, 1884
- Parent legislation regulating manufacture, possession, use, sale, transport, import & export of explosives.
- Gives rule-making power to Central Government.
2. Explosives Rules, 2008
- Framed under the Explosives Act.
- Regulates licensing, storage limits, safety distances, packaging, and transport of fireworks.
3. Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO)
Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation
- Under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
- Grants licenses for manufacture, storage and sale.
- Ensures compliance with safety standards.
2️⃣ Supreme Court Guidelines (Air Pollution Angle)
The Supreme Court of India has issued several directions:
- Ban on barium salts in crackers.
- Only “green crackers” allowed (reduced emission crackers).
- Restricted bursting time (e.g., 8–10 PM on Diwali).
- Complete ban during severe AQI in some states (based on local conditions).
These orders are based on:
- Article 21 (Right to Life – clean environment).
- Precautionary Principle.
- Public health concerns (especially post-COVID).
3️⃣ Environmental & Health Aspects
Fireworks release:
- PM2.5 and PM10
- SO₂, NOx
- Heavy metals (Aluminium, Copper, Strontium, etc.)
Linked Laws:
- Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
- Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) monitors pollution levels.
4️⃣ Manufacturing Hub (Prelims Fact)
- Sivakasi (Tamil Nadu) → Major firecracker hub.
- Safety issues: frequent factory explosions due to improper storage or mixing of chemicals.
🚨 Fireworks & Disaster Management (Industrial + Public Safety Angle)
Firecracker accidents fall under:
- Industrial disasters
- Chemical accidents
- Fire hazards
1️⃣ National Disaster Management Framework
Disaster Management Act, 2005
- Provides statutory backing for disaster response.
Established:
- National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)
- National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)
- State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs)
2️⃣ NDMA Guidelines (Relevant for Prelims)
NDMA issues guidelines on:
- Chemical (Industrial) Disasters
- Crowd management
- Fire safety
Key principles:
- Prevention
- Mitigation
- Preparedness
- Response
- Recovery
3️⃣ Chemical Disaster Management
Fireworks accidents involve:
- Highly flammable compounds
- Oxidizing agents (e.g., potassium nitrate)
- Static electricity risks
Relevant mechanism:
- On-site emergency plan (by factory owner)
- Off-site emergency plan (District Collector)
- District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA)
4️⃣ Disaster Classification (Prelims Concept)
Disasters are classified as:
- Natural
- Man-made
Fireworks-related accidents → Man-made (Industrial/Technological Disaster)
News 3 :West Bengal Electorate Drops 8.09% to 7.04 Crore
Preliminary Facts (For Mains Answer Introduction)
- Final Electorate: After four months of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), the number of electors in West Bengal stands at 7.04 crore as of February 28, 2026—an 8.09% decline from the 7.66 crore electorate frozen in October 2025 .
- Pending Adjudication: This figure includes approximately 60 lakh electors whose status remains under adjudication by 501 judicial officers, in compliance with the Supreme Court’s February 20 order .
- Gender Composition:
- Males: 3,60,22,642
- Females: 3,44,35,260
- Third Gender: 1,382
- Gender Ratio: 956 females per 1000 males (unchanged from October 2025)
- Deletions and Additions:
- Deletions (Form 7): 5,46,053 post-draft roll (December 16, 2025)
- Additions (Form 6/6A/8): 1,88,707 post-draft roll
- Notices Issued: 1.36 crore for logical discrepancies; 31.68 lakh unmapped voters summoned
- CEO’s Assurance: “Errors during SIR were minuscule and a very small percentage” compared to overall electors; rectified, and action taken against officials where necessary .
- Election Imminent: With the revised electoral roll published, the EC is likely to announce dates for the West Bengal Assembly election in the next few days .
Prelims 360
SIR (Special Intensive Revision) – Election Commission of India
1️⃣ What is SIR?
Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is a comprehensive door-to-door verification of the electoral roll conducted by the Election Commission of India to:
- Remove duplicate entries
- Delete names of dead/shifted voters
- Add eligible new voters
- Correct demographic details
It is more rigorous than routine annual revisions.
2️⃣ Constitutional & Legal Basis
🔹 Constitutional Provision
- Article 324 → Superintendence, direction & control of elections vested in ECI.
🔹 Statutory Basis
- Representation of the People Act, 1950
- Deals with preparation and revision of electoral rolls.
- Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.
3️⃣ When is SIR Conducted?
SIR is conducted:
- When large-scale errors or migration are suspected.
- Before major elections (if required).
- After delimitation or major demographic changes.
It is not conducted every year.
4️⃣ Step-by-Step Process of SIR
1. Announcement
ECI notifies the schedule for Special Intensive Revision.
2. Appointment of Officials
- Electoral Registration Officer (ERO)
- Assistant ERO
- Booth Level Officers (BLOs)
3. House-to-House Verification
- BLO visits each household.
- Verifies:
- Identity
- Age (18+ eligibility)
- Residence status
- Death/migration status
4. Draft Electoral Roll Publication
- Draft roll published.
- Available for public inspection.
5. Claims and Objections
Citizens can:
- File claims for inclusion
- Seek corrections
- Object to wrongful inclusion
6. Disposal of Claims
ERO conducts inquiry and passes orders.
7. Final Publication
Final electoral roll is published.
5️⃣ Forms Used (Prelims Important)
- Form 6 → New voter registration
- Form 7 → Objection to inclusion / deletion
- Form 8 → Correction of details
- Form 8A → Transposition within constituency (now merged into Form 8 in updated system)
News 4 :Nine Botswana Cheetahs Released into Kuno Park
Preliminary Facts (For Mains Answer Introduction)
- New Arrivals: Nine cheetahs—six females and three males—translocated from Botswana were released into their enclosures at Kuno National Park (KNP) in Madhya Pradesh on Saturday by Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav .
- Total Cheetah Population: With this release, India’s total cheetah population has reached 48, comprising:
- 28 Indian-born cubs
- 20 adults translocated from African nations
- Third Batch: This is the third batch of cheetahs brought from Africa under Project Cheetah:
- Batch 1 (Namibia): 8 cheetahs (September 2022)
- Batch 2 (South Africa): 12 cheetahs (February 2023)
- Batch 3 (Botswana): 9 cheetahs (February 2026)
- Donation and Transport: The cheetahs were officially donated to India during President Droupadi Murmu’s visit to Botswana in November 2025. They were quarantined at Botswana’s Mokolodi nature reserve, airlifted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) to Gwalior Air Base, and then flown to KNP on two IAF helicopters .
- Mortality Challenge: Since the programme began, 21 cheetahs (nine translocated adults and 12 Indian-born cubs) have died at Kuno from various causes .
- Monitoring Protocol: The new cheetahs will undergo a mandatory one-month quarantine in special enclosures. Tracking collars have been fitted, and special teams (veterinarians and staff) will monitor them twice daily .
Prelims 360
What is Project Cheetah?
Project Cheetah is India’s wildlife translocation initiative to reintroduce cheetahs into the country after their extinction in 1952.
It is implemented by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
2️⃣ Why Reintroduce Cheetahs?
- Cheetahs were declared extinct in India in 1952.
- Last recorded individuals were hunted in present-day Chhattisgarh.
- Aim:
- Restore grassland ecosystems
- Re-establish a top predator
- Promote biodiversity conservation
3️⃣ Source of Cheetahs
India signed agreements with:
- Namibia (first batch, 2022)
- South Africa (second batch, 2023)
Species introduced:
- African cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus)
⚠️ Note: The Asiatic cheetah survives only in Iran (critically endangered, very small population).
4️⃣ Release Site in India
📍 Kuno National Park
Kuno National Park
- Located in Madhya Pradesh
- Previously prepared for lion translocation
- Selected due to:
- Adequate prey base
- Suitable habitat (savanna & grasslands)
- Low human density in core area
5️⃣ Legal & Institutional Framework
- Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
- Supreme Court allowed introduction of African cheetahs in 2020 (experimental basis).
- NTCA is the nodal agency.
6️⃣ Objectives of Project Cheetah
✔ Restore open forest & grassland ecosystems
✔ Increase prey population
✔ Promote eco-tourism
✔ Develop model for future reintroductions
7️⃣ Ecological Importance (Prelims Angle)
Cheetah:
- Fastest land animal
- Diurnal predator
- Prefers open grasslands (unlike tigers)
Grasslands are often misclassified as “wastelands” → ecological correction effort.
8️⃣ Challenges
- High mortality due to:
- Climate adaptation
- Territorial conflicts
- Disease
- Need for genetic diversity
- Human-wildlife conflict risk
- Large home range requirement
