Category: International Organisations

Context:

• A US submarine sank Iran’s frigate IRIS Dena near Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka launched a rescue mission under the SAR Convention.

About International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR):

• Nature: The SAR Convention is an international agreement adopted in 1979 under the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

• Objective: It aims to ensure that people in distress at sea receive prompt rescue assistance.

• • Global Search and Rescue System: It divides the world’s oceans into Search and Rescue (SAR) regions, with each coastal state responsible for coordinating rescue operations in its area.
  • Obligation to Rescue: It requires ships and coastal states to assist persons in distress at sea, regardless of nationality or status.
  • Coordination Mechanism: It establishes Rescue Coordination Centres (RCCs) to organise and manage search and rescue operations.
  • International Cooperation: It encourages cooperation between neighbouring countries for swift rescue and evacuation.
  • India and SAR: India is a signatory to the SAR, 1979 (ratified in 2001). In India, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) coordinates rescue operations in the Indian Search and Rescue Region (ISRR), with the Director General ICG serving as the National Maritime Search and Rescue Coordinating Authority (NMSARCA). 
  • Significance: SAR ensures humanitarian assistance at sea. It strengthens maritime safety and international cooperation.

• Key pillar of global maritime laws: SAR forms a key pillar of global maritime law alongside conventions like International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974, and United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), 1982.

Source:

• • • The Hindu

Category: Science and Technology

Context:

• NHRC has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that over 2,600 people were evacuated due to a massive leak of oleum gas in Palghar district of Maharashtra.

About Oleum:

• Nature: Oleum is a powerful chemical solution composed of sulfur trioxide (SO₃) dissolved in sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄).

• • Other names: It is often referred to as “fuming sulfuric acid” due to its tendency to release SO₃  fumes upon exposure to air. 
  • Difference with sulfuric acid: Though oleum and sulfuric acid are closely related, they differ significantly in composition and reactivity. Sulfuric acid is a powerful acid in its own right, but oleum is even more reactive due to the additional dissolved SO₃.
  • Formation: The Contact Process is the primary industrial method for producing sulfuric acid, and by extension, oleum.

• Availability: Oleum is available in different concentrations, with the SO₃ content varying to suit industrial needs.

• • Appearance: In terms of appearance, oleum ranges from colorless to pale yellow, with an oily consistency. 

• Applications: Oleum’s high reactivity makes it a vital component for producing highly concentrated sulfuric acid and in synthesizing crucial chemicals like explosives, dyes, and pharmaceuticals.

• • Highly viscous: Oleum’s high viscosity contributes to its “oily” appearance and influences its handling requirements in industrial applications.
  • Dehydrating agent: It is also an efficient dehydrating agent and can strip water from organic compounds, which is essential in certain industrial reactions.

• Concerns: It is highly corrosive, meaning it can burn and damage skin, eyes, and other materials very quickly. Because it releases toxic fumes, it can also be harmful if inhaled.

Source:

• • • Free Press Journal

Category: History and Culture

Context:

• UNESCO has voiced concerns about the Golestan Palace, a world heritage site in the Iranian capital, which was reportedly damaged due to an airstrike in its vicinity.

About Golestan Palace:

• • Nature: Golestan Palace is a historic royal complex that served as the official residence of the Qajar dynasty and is one of the oldest historic monuments in Tehran.

• Location: It is located in Tehran (Iran).

• Status: It was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (inscribed in 2013).
• Origin: The origins of the site date back to the Safavid era (16th century) when Tehran’s royal citadel was developed.
• Prominence: The complex gained prominence when the Qajar dynasty (1794–1925) made Tehran the capital and adopted Golestan Palace as the royal residence.
• Reconstruction: Major reconstruction occurred during the reign of Naser al-Din Shah in the 19th century, giving the palace its current form. During the Pahlavi era (1925–1979), it was mainly used for formal state ceremonies, including royal coronations. Today, the complex functions as a museum and cultural heritage site.
• Architectural Complex: The palace consists of 17 structures, including palaces, museums, halls, and gardens built largely during the Qajar period.
• Blend of Architectural Styles: It combines traditional Persian architectural design with European decorative elements, reflecting Iran’s interaction with the West in the 19th century.
• Major Structures: Important buildings include Marble Throne (Takht-e Marmar), Mirror Hall, Brilliant Hall, Salam Hall, Diamond Hall, and the Edifice of the Sun (Shams-ol-Emareh).
• Cultural Archives: The complex houses photographic archives, manuscript libraries, and historical documents, representing early photography in Iran.
• Royal Ceremonial Site: It has been historically used for coronations, royal receptions, and diplomatic ceremonies.
• Significance: It symbolises the political and cultural history of the Qajar dynasty and Iran’s transformation into a modern state. It also represents a rare fusion of Persian and European artistic traditions.

Source:

• • • NDTV

Category: Environment and Ecology

Context:

• Researchers at Nagaland University highlighted genetic richness of wild banana Musa sikkimensis for climate-resilient farming.

About Musa Sikkimensis:

• Nature: It is a wild banana species.

• • Location: It is native to the Eastern Himalayas and Northeast India.
  • Other Names: It is commonly known as the ‘Darjeeling banana’ or ‘Sikkim banana’.
  • Perennial: It is a tall, evergreen perennial plant that belongs to the banana family.
  • Structure: It has large, paddle-shaped leaves that can grow up to 10 feet (3 meters) long and 2 feet (60 cm) wide.
  • Flowers: The plant produces beautiful, pendulous flowers that have a deep maroon colour and can grow up to 2 feet (60 cm) long.

• Crop resilience: It is not widely cultivated for edible fruit; it plays a crucial role in strengthening crop resilience and ensuring sustainable production.

• Adaptive: Its germplasm exhibits strong adaptive potential across diverse environmental conditions.

• Genetic reservoir: It is a wild-seeded species that serves as a crucial genetic reservoir.
• Required Climatic Conditions: It prefers high humidity levels, around 50-60%. It also prefers warm temperatures between 20-30°C. It can tolerate cooler temperatures, but not below 10°C.
• Significance:  It possesses traits linked to disease resistance, environmental stress tolerance and climate adaptability, making it an invaluable resource for future banana breeding and crop improvement programmes.

Source:

• • • DD News

Category: Miscellaneous

Context:

• The Prime Minister reaffirmed India’s commitment to wildlife conservation and sustainable practices on the occasion of World Wildlife Day.

About World Wildlife Day:

• Observance: It is observed every year on March 3.

• Objective: It aims to celebrate wild animals and plants and recognize the unique roles and contributions of wildlife to people and the planet. 

• • Establishment: It was established by the United Nations in 2013 after Thailand proposed to dedicate a day to raise awareness about wildlife conservation. 

• Recognition by UN: On December 20, 2013, the UN General Assembly officially declared March 3 as World Wildlife Day, with the first celebration taking place in 2014.

• Reason behind the date: This date was chosen because, in 1973, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was signed on the same day. 

• About World Wildlife Day 2026:

• Its theme was “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods”

• • • It highlights the importance of plants used for medicine, their role in preserving cultural traditions, and the income they provide to local communities. 
    • Across the world, 70–95% of people in developing countries depend on traditional medicine for basic healthcare, much of it derived from plant-based resources. 

• Medicinal and aromatic plants form the foundation of traditional systems of medicine and also contribute significantly to modern pharmaceuticals. 

• • India is one of 17 megabiodiversity-rich countries with around 15,000 medicinal plant species, of which 8,000 are used in Indian medicine, making it one of the world’s most important hubs for medicinal and aromatic plants.

Source:

• • • DD News