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Daily Current Affairs – The Hindu Newspaper Analysis 1st march 2026 | UPSC Prelims Notes

UPSC Prelims Current Affairs Notes – 2 March 2026



West Asia Crisis – Key Facts


 Background

  • Conflict between Israel + USA vs Iran mainly due to Iran Nuclear Program.

  • Iran accused of pursuing nuclear weapons.

  • Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful.

 Important Timeline

  • 1957 → Iran starts nuclear program.

  • 2004 → IAEA questions Iran’s transparency.

  • 2006 onwards → UN sanctions.

  • 2015 → JCPOA Agreement signed.

  • 2018 → USA withdrew from JCPOA.

  • Feb 2026 → Nuclear talks failed.

 Important Operation

US Military Bases in West Asia (Prelims Map Points)

Countries hosting US bases:

  • Qatar → Al Udeid Air Base

  • Kuwait → Ali Al Salem Air Base

  • UAE → Al Dhafra Air Base

  • Bahrain → US Fifth Fleet HQ

  • Saudi Arabia & Jordan → US presence

 Iran targeting these bases during retaliation.

Strait of Hormuz – Extremely Important




4

 Location

  • Connects Persian Gulf ↔ Gulf of Oman ↔ Arabian Sea

 Countries Around It

  • Iran

  • Iraq

  • Kuwait

  • Saudi Arabia

  • Qatar

  • UAE

 Global Importance

 If Blocked → Impact

  • Oil price shock globally

  • Energy crisis

  • Inflation rise

  • India heavily affected (85% oil imports)

Most likely Prelims question topic

Impact on India

 1. Energy Security

  • India imports ~60% energy from West Asia

  • Oil prices ↑ → Inflation ↑ → Fiscal pressure

 2. Indian Diaspora

  • 8–9 million Indians in Gulf region

  • 41,000 in Israel

  • 10,000 in Iran

 Evacuation risk.

 3. Foreign Policy

  • India balancing relations with:

    • Iran

    • Israel

    • USA

    • Gulf countries

Example: Chabahar Port + Israel defence ties.

Iran Missile Arsenal (Prelims Important)





  Long-Range Missiles

  • Soumar → ~3000 km

  • Sejjil → ~2000 km

  • Ghadr → ~2000 km

 Short Range

  • Shahab-1 → ~300 km

  • Tondar-69 → Chinese origin (~150 km)

 Missile Types

  • Ballistic

  • Cruise

  • Hypersonic (>Mach 5)

 Iran stores missiles in underground bunkers.

Missile Defence Systems




 Israel

  • Iron Dome → Short range rockets

  • David’s Sling → Medium range

  • Arrow-2 / Arrow-3 → Ballistic missiles

  • Iron Beam → Laser defence

 USA

  • Patriot System

  • THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense)

 India

  • S-400 (Russia)

  • Barak-8 (India-Israel)

 UAE

  • Cheongung-II → South Korea system

 Iran Defence Systems

  • Bavar-373

  • Khordad-3 system

  • Sayyad interceptor missiles

 Defence missiles are very expensive (~$4 million per Patriot shot).

Coconut Cultivation Issues (Agriculture)



 Coconut Promotion Scheme – Budget 2026

Objectives:

  • Increase coconut productivity

  • Rejuvenate old plantations

  • Expand to new regions

 Coconut Development Board

  • Headquarters → Kochi, Kerala

 India’s Position

  • Largest producer & consumer of coconut.

  • High productivity per palm.

 Major Coconut States

  • Kerala

  • Tamil Nadu

  • Karnataka

  • Andhra Pradesh

  • Lakshadweep

 Major Problem

Root Wilt Disease

  • Major impact in Kerala & Tamil Nadu.

  • Leads to low yield.

Salar de Pajonales – Mars Analog Site




 Location

 Why Important

  • Similar to Mars surface.

  • Extremely dry & cold.

  • High UV radiation.

  • Gypsum present.

 Used to study possibility of life on Mars.

Gypsum – Quick Facts



 Chemical Formula

 Type

  • Sedimentary mineral.

 Uses

  • Cement

  • Plaster of Paris

  • Fertilizer

  • Soil improvement

  • Construction

 Found In India

  • Gujarat

  • Tamil Nadu salt pans

Most Expected Prelims Questions

  1. Strait of Hormuz connects which water bodies?
     Persian Gulf – Gulf of Oman

  2. Root Wilt Disease affects which crop?
    Coconut

  3. THAAD belongs to which country?
     USA

  4. Bavar-373 is related to?
     Iran air defence system

  5. Salar de Pajonales located in?
    Chile – Atacama Desert

One-Page Revision Keywords

  • Operation Epic Fury

  • Strait of Hormuz = 30% oil trade

  • Al Udeid Air Base – Qatar

  • Sejjil Missile – Iran (~2000 km)

  • Iron Dome – Israel

  • THAAD – USA

  • Coconut Board HQ – Kochi

  • Root Wilt Disease – Coconut

  • Salar de Pajonales – Mars Analog

  • Gypsum = CaSO₄·2H₂O


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