News In Short 13-03-2026

Dandi March

Syllabus: GS1/ Modern History of India

Context

• The Vice President of India recently paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and the freedom fighters involved in the Dandi March (1930).

About Dandi March

• The British colonial government had imposed a monopoly on the production and sale of salt and levied a salt tax, making even this basic necessity expensive for Indians.
• In 1930, Gandhiji declared that he would lead a march to break the salt law as it was sinful to tax salt since it is such an essential item of food.  
• Gandhiji with his 78 followers started Salt Satyagraha March on 12th March 1930 from Sabarmati Ashram and reached Dandi after 24 days on 6 th April 1930. 
  • He broke the salt law by picking up natural salt from the seashore and boiling seawater to make salt.
• The Salt Satyagraha became the starting point of the Civil Disobedience Movement.
• The Dandi March inspired similar protests across different regions like in Tamil Nadu led by C. Rajagopalachari & in Kerala organized by K. Kelappan, popularly known as Kerala Gandhi.
• After Gandhi’s arrest, Sarojini Naidu led a nonviolent protest at the Dharasana Salt Works on 21 May 1930.

Source: AIR

Bull Sharks in Iran’s Karun River

Syllabus: GS1/ Geography

Context

• Recent discussions about unusual wildlife habitats have highlighted the presence of bull sharks in Iran’s Karun River near the city of Ahvaz.

About Karun River

• The Karun River is the largest and only navigable river in Iran. It originates in the Zagros Mountains.
• It flows through southwestern Iran and eventually joins the Shatt al-Arab, which is formed by the confluence of the Tigris River and Euphrates River.
• The Shatt al-Arab then empties into the Persian Gulf.

Bull Sharks (Carcharhinus leucas)

• Biological Features: Bull sharks are one of the few shark species capable of surviving in both saltwater and freshwater.
  • They possess specialised osmoregulation mechanisms that allow them to control salt concentration in their bodies.
  • This adaptation enables them to travel far inland through river systems.
• Global Distribution: Bull sharks have been recorded in several rivers across the world, like; Mississippi River (USA), Amazon River, Zambezi River and Ganges River.
• Conservation Status: It is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

Source: DTE

Special 301 Report

Syllabus: GS2/ International Relations

In News

• The United States has launched Section 301 investigations into manufacturing and trade policies of 16 major trading partners, including the EU, China, and India.

About

• Section 301 is a provision under the US Trade Act of 1974 that empowers the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to investigate foreign trade practices.
• It is used when the US believes another country’s policies are unfair, discriminatory, or restrict US commerce.
• After investigation, the US government can take retaliatory trade actions, such as imposing tariffs, trade sanctions & restricting market access.
• The report places countries into different categories based on the seriousness of IPR concerns like Priority Foreign Country (Most severe designation), Priority Watch List (Countries with serious IPR protection deficiencies) & Watch List (Countries with moderate IPR issues). 

India’s Stand

• India argues its IPR regime complies with the WTO–TRIPS agreement. India emphasizes balancing innovation with public health needs and affordable medicines.

Source: IE

India co-sponsors Resolution Passed by UNSC Condemning Iran Attacks on Gulf

Syllabus: GS2/IR

Context

• India co-sponsored a resolution at the UN Security Council that condemned the attacks by Iran against Gulf Cooperation Council countries and Jordan.

About

• India along with 134 countries that demanded the “immediate cessation of all attacks by Iran” against GCC countries Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan.
  • The resolution was passed with 13 UNSC members voting in favour while Russia and China abstained. 
• It also condemned “any actions or threats by Iran aimed at obstructing international navigation through the Strait of Hormuz”.
  • It reaffirmed that the exercise of navigational rights and freedoms by merchant and commercial vessels, in accordance with international law, must be respected.

Reasons for India’s Stand

• India has a large diaspora in the GCC countries, and their well-being and welfare are of utmost importance. 
• The Gulf is also very important for India’s energy security needs as India’s energy purchases from the region make up about 50% of its crude oil and 90% of its liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) imports.

Source: TH

Purple Potatoes

Syllabus: GS3/Agriculture

Context

• A young farmer from Punjab has gained attention for cultivating purple potatoes using seed tubers imported from Bolivia.

About Purple potatoes

• Originally cultivated in the Andean region of South America, especially Peru and Bolivia.
• Purple potatoes are naturally pigmented potato varieties with deep purple skin and flesh.
• The tubers are deep purple both externally and internally due to a high concentration of anthocyanins, natural antioxidants responsible for the colour.
• The thicker peel gives them a longer shelf life than conventional potatoes. 
• The crop duration is around 90–100 days, with sowing generally done in October–November. 
• They are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, and are considered beneficial for people managing conditions such as diabetes or joint pain.

Source: TH

Assam’s GI-tagged Joha Rice

Syllabus: GS3/Economy

Context

• India has facilitated the export of 25 metric tonnes of Assam’s GI-tagged Joha Rice to the United Kingdom and Italy.

About

• The aromatic indigenous rice variety, which received its Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2017, is gaining recognition in premium global markets for its distinctive fragrance, fine grain texture and rich taste.
• Joha Rice is cultivated in about 21,662 hectares with a production of approximately 43,298 metric tonnes (FY 2024-25). 
• The leading districts in Joha rice production are: Nagaon, Baksa, Goalpara, Sibsagar, Majuli, Chirang and Golaghat. 
• This strong production base provides a good opportunity to create a surplus for exports and enhance farmers’ income.

Source: AIR

Peptide Therapy

Syllabus: GS2/Health; GS3/Science and Technology

In News

• Growing global interest in peptide-based therapies for treating diseases and improving wellness has raised both medical opportunities and safety concerns, leading experts to call for stronger regulation and cautious use.

What are Peptides?

• They are very small chains of amino acids, the basic building blocks of proteins in the body. 
• They naturally act as messengers that regulate functions such as hormone release, metabolism, immune responses and tissue repair.

Peptide Therapy

• Peptide therapy involves the use of synthetic or naturally derived peptides as medicines that mimic the body’s natural signaling molecules.
• Peptides bind to specific receptors on cells in a “lock-and-key” manner.

Major Applications

• Therapeutically, peptide drugs mimic signals to target specific biological pathways, making them more precise and often better tolerated than conventional medicines. 
• They are used in areas like metabolic diseases, oncology, endocrinology, regenerative medicine, dermatology, and cardiovascular health.
• Many are delivered by injection to avoid breakdown in the digestive system.

Source :TH

Operation White Hammer

Syllabus: GS3/Internal Security

Context

• The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) recently raided an illegal Alprazolam manufacturing unit in Andhra Pradesh as part of Operation “White Hammer.”

About

• The raid uncovered a clandestine industrial setup producing Alprazolam, a psychotropic substance regulated under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.
  • Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine drug used to treat anxiety disorders and commonly marketed under brand names such as Xanax.
• India is one of the world’s largest producers of generic medicines, which sometimes leads to misuse of pharmaceutical chemicals for illicit drug trade.

Legal Framework in India

• Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985: Regulates production, possession, sale, transport, and consumption of narcotic and psychotropic substances.
• Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940: Regulates manufacture, quality, and sale of pharmaceutical drugs in India.

Directorate of Revenue Intelligence

• About: It is India’s premier anti-smuggling intelligence agency & functions under the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance.
• Headquarters: New Delhi.

Source: TH

Operation Sagar Bandhu

Syllabus: GS2/IR; GS3/Defence

Context

• The Indian Army has launched a Major Bridge Project in Sri Lanka under Operation Sagar Bandhu.

About

• The bridge will connect Colombo, the capital city, with the key economic centre of Puttalam along a vital coastal corridor passing through Chilaw District.
• The project reflects India’s engineering assistance to support Sri Lanka’s infrastructure recovery and connectivity.
• It is aligned with India’s Neighbourhood First Policy and broader regional cooperation initiatives.

Background

• India launched Operation Sagar Bandhu in November 2025 as a First Responder following the devastating Cyclone Ditwah.
• The operation aimed to provide Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) to Sri Lanka.

Source: AIR

Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)

Syllabus: GS3/Science and Technology

Context

• Under the Nuclear Energy Mission announced in the Union Budget 2025–26, a total budgetary provision of ₹20,000 crore has been made for the research, design, development, and deployment of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).

What are Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)?

• Small modular reactors (SMRs) are advanced nuclear reactors with a power capacity of up to 300 MW(e) per unit, roughly one-third the generating capacity of traditional nuclear power plants.
  • Small – physically a fraction of the size of a conventional nuclear power reactor.
  • Modular – making it possible for systems and components to be factory-assembled and transported as a unit to a location for installation.
  • Reactors – harnessing nuclear fission to generate heat to produce energy.
• There are four four main types of SMR i.e., light water, high temperature gas, liquid metal, and molten salt.

Advantages of SMR

• Enhanced Safety Features: SMRs utilize passive safety mechanisms, such as natural convection and gravity-driven cooling, which help prevent overheating without relying on external power or human intervention. 
• Flexibility: The modular nature of SMRs allows for incremental power additions, which is ideal for growing energy needs.
• Suitability for Remote and Off-Grid Areas: SMRs compact design makes them adaptable for smaller grid systems and applications like district heating and water desalination.
• Cost-Effective Construction: Prefabrication in controlled environments reduces on-site construction time and costs. 

Source: PIB

Shadow Fleet

Syllabus: GS2/IR

In News

• The Strait of Hormuz is largely closed due to the 2026 conflict, leaving most tankers stranded, while a “shadow fleet” of rule-breaking ships continues to move.

About Shadow Fleet

• The “Shadow Fleet” comprises ships that bypass international trade restrictions, flout environmental laws, smuggle goods, or conceal their cargo and operations.
• These vessels exploit the voluntary nature of maritime regulation, turning off tracking transponders, registering under flags of convenience, carrying opaque insurance, and using shell companies.
  • Some even change names or identification numbers to evade detection.
• They persist because, unlike strictly enforced land borders, the oceans are largely governed by voluntary regulations.

Governance of  international shipping

• The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea was signed by 167 countries.
• It  requires almost every commercial vessel to carry a radio transponder that broadcasts the ship’s identity, position, speed to port authorities, coast guards and commercial tracking networks.

Source : DTE