News In Short 05-03-2026

Golestan Palace

Syllabus: GS1/ Art & Culture

In News

• Tehran’s Golestan Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, sustained damage from shockwaves and debris caused by US-Israel airstrikes.

About

• 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.
• The origins of the complex date back to the Safavid Dynasty, when Tehran first gained importance as a political centre. Later rulers expanded and renovated the palace complex.
• Golestan Palace reflects a blend of traditional Persian architecture and Western influences introduced during the 19th century.
• Inscribed by UNESCO in 2013, it preserves cultural archives, early Iranian photography, and sites of historic coronations.

Important Structures within the Complex

• Shams-ol-Emareh (Edifice of the Sun): One of the most famous buildings in the palace complex.
  • It was built in the 1860s by Naser al-Din Shah Qajar.
• Marble Throne Hall (Takht-e-Marmar): Used for royal coronations and official ceremonies.
• Mirror Hall: Famous for extensive mirror mosaics and luxurious decoration.
• Museum Buildings: The complex houses several museums displaying Qajar-era paintings & royal gifts and artefacts.

Source: TH

High Chances of El Niño After July: WMO

Syllabus: GS1/Geography

In News

• The World Meteorological Organization forecasts a high likelihood of El Niño developing in the latter half of 2026, following the fading of the current La Niña into ENSO-neutral conditions. 

El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO)

• It is a recurring natural phenomenon characterised by fluctuating ocean temperatures in the equatorial Pacific, coupled with changes in the atmosphere, which have a major influence on climate patterns in various parts of the world. 
• Phases  : 
  • El Niño: It refers to an abnormal Warming of the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. It is known to suppress monsoon rainfall.
    • It weakens easterly winds or reverses them; reduces rainfall over Indonesia and increases it over the tropical Pacific.
  • La Niña – Cooling of the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean; strengthens easterly winds; increases rainfall over Indonesia and decreases it over the central tropical Pacific.
  • Neutral – Sea surface temperatures are near average; neither El Niño nor La Niña dominates, though sometimes ocean and atmosphere conditions may not fully align.
• Impacts on India : In India, El Niño is associated with decreased rainfall and higher temperatures, while La Niña is associated with increased rainfall and hence lower temperatures.

Source :IE

United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)

Syllabus: GS2/IR

Context

• The Iranian frigate IRIS Dena was reportedly sunk off the south-western coast of Sri Lanka after a torpedo strike by a United States Navy submarine.

About About United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)

• UNCLOS is a comprehensive international treaty that establishes the legal framework for governance of oceans and seas.
• Adopted in 1982 at Montego Bay, Jamaica and entered into force in 1994.
• It defines:
  • Maritime boundaries of coastal states
  • Rights and duties of states in maritime zones
  • Rules for navigation, resource exploitation, and environmental protection
• Because of its extensive scope, it is commonly referred to as the “Constitution of the Oceans.”
• Membership: 168 parties, including the European Union.
  • Countries such as India, Japan, and China are parties.
  • The United States has signed but not ratified the convention.

Maritime Zones under UNCLOS

UNCLOS divides the oceans into several legal zones, each with different rights and responsibilities.

• Territorial Sea: Extends up to 12 nautical miles from a coastal state’s baseline. The coastal state has full sovereignty over these waters. Foreign ships enjoy the right of innocent passage.
• Contiguous Zone: Extends 12–24 nautical miles from the baseline. Coastal states can enforce laws relating to Customs, immigration, sanitation & security.
• Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): Extends up to 200 nautical miles. The coastal state has exclusive rights over natural resources. However, other states retain freedom of navigation and overflight.
• High Seas (International Waters): Areas beyond the EEZ of any state. No country has sovereignty over them. Governed by international law and UNCLOS principles.

Source: TH

India renews Bilateral Swap Arrangement with Japan

Syllabus: GS2/ International Relation

In News

• India has renewed its Bilateral Swap Arrangement (BSA) with Japan with effect from 28th February, 2026.

About

• A currency swap involves exchanging cash flows in one currency for another under predefined terms, here facilitating rupee-yen-USD conversions. It acts as a safety net, deterring speculative attacks on currencies and enhancing RBI’s exchange rate management.
• India maintains multiple Currency Swap Arrangements (CSAs) including the SAARC framework (2024-27, $2 billion total), India-UAE ($50 billion equivalent), and India-Sri Lanka ($4 billion). The Japan pact underscores deepening Indo-Japanese economic ties under their Special Strategic Partnership.
• Renewal complements IMF facilities, boosts investor confidence, and supports regional financial resilience without altering the original 75 billion USD limit from prior agreements.

Source: AIR

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

Syllabus: GS2/ International Organisation

In News

• The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA has said that there has been no evidence of Iran building a nuclear bomb.

About 

• It was established in 1957 as the world’s “Atoms for Peace” organisation within the UN, and governed by its own founding treaty, the Statute of the IAEA.
• It serves as the UN’s nuclear watchdog, promoting peaceful atomic energy use while verifying safeguards against proliferation.
• Headquartered in Vienna, the body got the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize for non-proliferation efforts.
• The IAEA has 178 member states, India being one of the founding members of it.

Source: TH

Nucleic Acid Test (NAT)

Syllabus: GS2/ Health

In News

• The Supreme Court of India has agreed to examine a petition seeking mandatory Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT) in all blood banks, viewing safe blood transfusion as part of the right to life under Article 21.

About NAT

• NAT is a molecular technique that amplifies and detects viral RNA or DNA directly, identifying infections like HIV, Hepatitis B, and C earlier than antibody-based ELISA tests. 
• It reduces transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs) risks by screening during the window period when antibodies are absent.

Source: TH

Project HANUMAN

Syllabus: GS3/ Environment

In News

• Project HANUMAN is a new initiative by the Andhra Pradesh government to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts through advanced rescue, monitoring, and community protection measures.

About

• Its full name is Healing and Nurturing Units for Monitoring, Aid and Nursing of Wildlife. 
• It targets forest-fringe areas prone to incidents like elephant raids and snake bites, promoting coexistence via scientific tools and local involvement.

Key Features

• 100 GPS-enabled vehicles, 93 rapid response units and 7 wildlife ambulances for quick rescues and aid.
• Four rescue centers in Visakhapatnam, Rajamahendravaram, Tirupati, and Birlut (or Byrluti).
• ‘Vajra’ volunteer teams at village level for minor incidents like snake rescues.
• AI systems for tracking animal movements and early warnings to settlements.
• HANUMAN app for reporting conflicts and coordination.
• Enhanced compensation like ₹10 lakh for human deaths, ₹2 lakh for injuries, market value for livestock.

Source: DTE

​Sungudi Saris

Syllabus: GS1/Art and Culture 

In News

• Sungudi sarees are gaining popularity among consumers looking for distinctive and eco-friendly fashion.

Sungudi saris

• Sungudi saris are traditional cotton saris which are Perfected by the Saurashtrian community, who migrated from Gujarat to Madurai (Tamil Nadu) in the 17th century.

• It features intricate tie-and-dye patterns inspired by the night sky. Each sari, woven on a base cloth with a zari border.
• It is hand-knotted, dyed, washed, starched, and sun-dried, often revealing over 15,000 delicate white dots. 
• The process takes more than 15 days, producing breathable, culturally rich garments prized across generations. 
• The Madurai Sungudi sari received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in December 2005.

Source :TH