• On March 4, 2026, a U.S. submarine torpedoed Iranian warship IRIS Dena off Sri Lanka’s coast, killing at least 84 sailors. The ship had participated in India’s International Fleet Review 2026 and Exercise MILAN 2026 in Visakhapatnam.
• The U.S.–Israel war on Iran began February 28, 2026, with the assassination of Supreme Leader Khamenei. Iran retaliated, drawing in 14+ countries including Bahrain, Azerbaijan, Lebanon.
• India has taken a cautious, measured position — sending condolences via Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri but not formally condemning the attack on the Iranian frigate.
• Sri Lanka evacuated 208 crew from a second stranded Iranian ship, IRINS Bushehr, on humanitarian grounds.

• Short-term: India must issue a clear statement calling for ceasefire, restraint, and respect for international law — as Finland and other nations have done.
• Diplomacy: Activate the Non-Aligned Movement and Global South voice through platforms like BRICS, SCO and G20 to mediate.
• Energy Security: Accelerate Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR) capacity, diversify oil imports beyond Gulf, fast-track renewable energy targets.
• IOR Institutions: Strengthen IFC-IOR, operationalise the Colombo Security Initiative, deepen MAHASAGAR partnerships to assert maritime sovereignty.
• Link to SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions demands India raise its voice against extra-territorial use of force.

🎯 Prelims Pointers:

• IRIS Dena: Iranian frigate torpedoed by U.S. submarine near Sri Lanka (March 2026)
• SAGAR: Security and Growth for All in the Region — India’s IOR doctrine
• MAHASAGAR: Upgraded IOR security doctrine by India
• IFC-IOR: India-hosted Maritime intelligence centre for Indian Ocean
• Exercise MILAN: India-hosted multilateral naval exercise (75 navies, Vizag, Feb 2026)
• Strait of Hormuz: ~20% global oil trade; controlled by Iran
• UNCLOS Article: Governs rights of ships in international waters

• JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar, Bihar’s longest-serving CM (since 2000 with brief intervals), filed nomination for Rajya Sabha in presence of Home Minister Amit Shah on March 5, 2026.
• Five NDA candidates filed for 5 Rajya Sabha seats from Bihar falling vacant on April 9, 2026.
• This effectively transfers Bihar’s CM post to a BJP leader for the first time. Names under consideration: Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary, Union MoS Nityanand Rai, and Industries Minister Dilip Jaiswal.
• Opposition (RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav) called it “betrayal of mandate” and “Maharashtra model” implementation in Bihar.

• End of an Era: Nitish Kumar’s exit represents the twilight of the post-Emergency socialist generation of politicians (Lalu, Mulayam, Nitish, Sharad Pawar).
• Caste Arithmetic Shift: Nitish built his vote bank from EBCs (Extremely Backward Classes), Mahadalits, Pasmanda Muslims — this coalition may fragment without him.
• “Maharashtra Model” Fear: BJP absorbed Shiv Sena and NCP in Maharashtra. Bihar could follow — JD(U) may lose identity as an independent force.
• Opposition’s Weakness: RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav is vocal but his party lacks the coalition numbers to destabilise NDA Bihar.
• RS Deputy Chairman Vacuum: Harivansh’s term ends April 9. Three scenarios — BJP keeps it, gives it to JD(U)/TDP/AIADMK, or leaves the post vacant (like Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha since 2019).

🎯 Prelims Pointers:

• RS elections: Single Transferable Vote (STV) by elected MLAs
• RS Deputy Chairman: Article 89(2) — chosen from among members
• Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha vacant since 2019 (17th Lok Sabha)
• RS is a permanent body under Article 83(1); cannot be dissolved
• RS Biennial elections: 37 seats across 10 states to be filled on March 16, 2026

• Karnataka Cabinet could not arrive at a decision on internal reservation within the 15% SC quota — the decision has been deferred to a special Cabinet meeting.
• Meanwhile, recruitment for 56,432 government posts will proceed with a 50% reservation cap but without internal sub-quota.
• The deadlock stems from legal challenges around the roster system and risk of litigation if sub-classification is implemented.
• CM Siddaramaiah consulted retired Judge H.N. Nagmohan Das (who recommended SC/ST reservation increase: SCs from 15%→17%, STs from 3%→7%) and Advocate-General on legal options.

🎯 Prelims Pointers:

• Davinder Singh case 2024: Supreme Court allowed sub-classification within SC/ST quotas
• Article 341: Presidential list of Scheduled Castes
• Article 16(4): Enables reservation in services for backward classes
• 50% cap on reservation: From Indra Sawhney vs Union of India (1992)
• Karnataka SC quota: currently 15%, proposed increase to 17% by Nagmohan Das Commission

• Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was assassinated in U.S.–Israel strikes on February 28, 2026, triggering Iran’s search for its third Supreme Leader since the 1979 revolution.
• Iran’s Assembly of Experts (88 members) is constitutionally mandated to elect the next Supreme Leader.
• Iran’s system is a hybrid theocracy — elected President and Parliament, but unelected clerical bodies hold ultimate authority.
• The current President, Masoud Pezeshkian, is from the reformist camp — but the Supreme Leader, not the President, controls the armed forces, foreign policy, and judiciary.

• Theocracy vs Democracy: Iran’s system is often described as a “Guided Democracy” or “Islamic Republic” — combining democratic forms (elections) with theological substance (clerical veto).
• Circular Power: Supreme Leader appoints Chief Justice → Chief Justice nominates 6 Guardian Council members → Guardian Council vets Assembly of Experts candidates → Assembly of Experts elects Supreme Leader. This is a self-perpetuating clerical loop.
• Reformists vs Principalists: Reformists (Khatami, Rouhani, Pezeshkian) push for social liberalisation but can’t override the Supreme Leader. Principalists (Khamenei, Raisi) maintain hardline policies.
• IRGC’s Extra-Constitutional Role: The IRGC is a state within a state — it controls ~20–30% of Iran’s GDP, runs military operations, and acts independently of the elected government.

🎯 Prelims Pointers:

• Vilayat-e Faqih: “Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist” — Khomeini’s doctrine of clerical governance
• IRGC: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps — designated as terrorist organisation by the U.S.
• Assembly of Experts: 88-member body that elects the Supreme Leader
• Guardian Council: 12-member body that vets laws and candidates
• Iran’s 1979 revolution: February 1, 1979 — Khomeini returned to Iran; Shah fled in January 1979
• Iran has had only two Supreme Leaders since 1979: Khomeini (d. 1989) and Khamenei (assassinated Feb 28, 2026)

• The Women’s Reservation Act (Constitution 106th Amendment Act, 2023) reserves one-third of Lok Sabha and State Assembly seats for women, applicable from the 2029 general elections (after delimitation and census).
• The editorial argues that mere numerical representation is insufficient — women MPs must arrive with a policy agenda, especially on elder care and dignified ageing.
• India has 10 crore+ people above 60 (will be 25 crore by 2040). Women disproportionately bear eldercare burden and are more vulnerable due to lower savings, broken employment histories, and lack of assets.
• Maharashtra’s January 2026 launch of menopause clinics across 580 facilities — over 31,000 women responded in 5 weeks — shows state action is possible.

• Representation ≠ Agency: Women’s reservation guarantees presence in Parliament but not voice on women’s issues. Examples: Many women MPs voted along party lines on issues like Triple Talaq, NRC without a distinct women’s caucus perspective.
• Elder Care Invisibility: Parliamentary Questions database has virtually no questions on ageing women — a major policy blind spot.
• Data Gap: India lacks age-and-gender-disaggregated data essential for targeted elder care programmes. Census 2027 (first digital, first to allow self-enumeration and caste enumeration) must capture this.
• Rotation Clause Risk: Reserved constituencies will rotate after each election — this may discourage women from building long-term political careers and constituency connections.

• Preconception counselling + mandatory antenatal registration by 8 weeks to prevent gestational diabetes → intergenerational health equity.
• Launch National Elder Care Policy with gender mainstreaming — modelled on Maharashtra’s menopause clinics initiative.
• Political parties must build women candidate pipelines with policy training, not just fielding women for reserved seats.
• Census 2027 must capture age-and-gender-disaggregated data for evidence-based elder care budgeting.
• Budget transparency: Introduce Gender-Responsive Budgeting for elder care (extend beyond IGNOAPS).

🎯 Prelims Pointers:

• 106th Constitutional Amendment: Women’s Reservation Act 2023
• Articles 330A and 332A: Reservation for women in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies
• Census 2027: First digital census; mascots Pragati (female) and Vikas (male)
• IGNOAPS: Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme
• National Policy for Older Persons: 1999
• Women in 17th Lok Sabha: ~15% (78 out of 543)

• President Droupadi Murmu appointed R.N. Ravi (erstwhile Tamil Nadu Governor) as Governor of West Bengal ahead of crucial State Assembly elections.
• Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar given additional charge of Tamil Nadu.
• C.V. Ananda Bose (WB Governor) and Kavinder Gupta (Ladakh LG) resigned.
• West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee expressed being “shocked” and accused the Centre of undermining federal structure and the Constitution’s spirit.
• R.N. Ravi’s tenure in Tamil Nadu was marked by confrontation with the DMK government — withheld Bills, walked out of Assembly addresses, Supreme Court invoked powers to declare 10 Bills “effectively approved” (April 2025).

• Governor as Agent of Centre: R.N. Ravi’s appointment to WB — ahead of crucial elections — raises concern about the Governor being used as a political tool rather than a constitutional functionary.
• Pre-election Timing: Changing Governors just before state elections can affect the pace of Bill passage, address to Assembly, and discretionary powers related to government formation.
• Federalism Concerns: Mamata Banerjee’s statement highlights the perception that the Governor is “positioning as a political rival.” The Sarkaria and Punchhi Commissions both recommended CM consultation before appointment.
• Article 200 Misuse: R.N. Ravi withheld assent for Bills in TN — the Supreme Court had to use Article 142 to declare them approved. This represents serious overreach.
• Ladakh Violence: Outgoing Ladakh LG Kavinder Gupta’s tenure saw 4 civilians killed in police firing during protests for constitutional safeguards (Sept 24, 2025) — raises accountability questions.

🎯 Prelims Pointers:

• Article 163: Council of Ministers to aid and advise Governor; Governor uses discretion in certain cases
• Article 200: Governor’s assent to state Bills
• Sarkaria Commission (1983): Recommended apolitical Governors, CM consultation
• Punchhi Commission (2010): Recommended Governor’s discretion be minimal
• Governor holds office at pleasure of President (Article 156) — no fixed tenure security
• SC (2025): Governor cannot indefinitely withhold assent to Bills — Article 142 used

• IndiGo’s entire widebody (Boeing 787) fleet grounded due to European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) blanket ban on overflying 11 West Asian countries. Pakistan’s airspace also closed to Indian airlines — making European routes via IndiGo’s Norwegian carrier impossible.
• 60,000 MT of basmati rice stuck at Indian ports; exporters demand government declare it “force majeure.”
• Kerala exporters losing heavily — 400–600 tonnes/day of perishable vegetables, fruits, seafood export disrupted. Air cargo rates shot from ₹60/kg to ₹215/kg on Emirates.
• Pharma exports at risk: Potential loss of ₹2,500–₹5,000 crore for March alone, says Pharmexcil.
• Brent crude surged to $84.36 (+4%); India lost 60 MMSCMD of natural gas supply due to Qatar infrastructure damage.

• Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR): India has SPR at Visakhapatnam, Mangaluru, and Padur. Current capacity (~5.33 million tonnes) covers ~9 days of consumption — needs to be expanded.
• Energy Diversification: India must accelerate renewable energy targets (500 GW by 2030) and reduce dependence on Gulf oil (currently ~45% of imports from Gulf).
• Export Resilience: APEDA should declare logistics disruption as “force majeure” — giving exporters legal protection for contract non-performance. Government must provide low-interest bridge credit.
• RBI Action: RBI has stepped up bond purchases (~₹202.85 billion on March 4) to shield bond market from oil shock — this is a prudent short-term measure.
• Insurance Cover: India is in talks with U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) for maritime insurance — shows dependence on U.S. even for commercial protection.

🎯 Prelims Pointers:

• EASA: European Union Aviation Safety Agency — issued blanket ban on overflying West Asia
• APEDA: Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority
• Pharmexcil: Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India
• SPR locations: Visakhapatnam, Mangaluru (Padur & Mangaluru) — managed by ISPRL
• Brent Crude: International benchmark oil price; India primarily imports from Gulf
• FADA: Federation of Automobile Dealers Association — auto retail surged 26% in Feb 2026
• Bank of Baroda: First Indian bank to issue domestic Green Infrastructure Bond (₹10,000 crore at 7.10%)