The Legality of U.S.-Israel Strikes on Iran

Why in News?

UNESCO has condemned the U.S., and Israel launched coordinated strikes across Iran as a grave violation of International Humanitarian Law (IHL), or the ‘laws of war’, which is designed to limit the human suffering caused during ‘armed conflict’.

What about the International Humanitarian Law (IHL)?

• IHL – It is a set of rules established by treaty or custom that limits the effects of armed conflict for humanitarian reasons.
• Codified by – The Geneva Conventions of 1949, complemented by their Additional Protocols, along with the Hague Regulations.
• Aim – To balance military necessity with humanitarian principles to prevent unnecessary suffering.
• Background – Morals and ethics in conflicts have deep historical roots dating back to ancient Greek, Roman, Indian, and Chinese civilisations, they were codified in their modern form, i.e., IHL.
• Four core principles – To regulate the conduct of hostilities - ‘distinction’, ‘proportionality’, ‘military necessity’, and ‘precaution’.
• Applicability – It applies equally to all parties in an armed conflict, regardless of who started it, but does not cover internal tensions or isolated acts of violence.
• Distinction – Unlike the UN Charter, which addresses the legality of starting a war (jus ad bellum), IHL governs how wars are fought (jus in bello) and ensures humane conduct regardless of the war’s initiation.
• Protection Areas – It covers the protection of civilians, wounded personnel, prisoners of war, and objects necessary for survival (e.g., food, water).
• Restrictions – It limits the types of weapons used and methods of conducting operations, such as prohibiting the targeting of civilians.

What is the legal justification for this attack?

• UN Charter Framework
• Article 2(4) – Prohibits all member states from threatening or using force against the ‘territorial integrity’ or ‘political independence’ of another state.
• Security Council Authority – Only the UN Security Council may authorise the ‘use of force’ against a member state in response to breaches of international peace.
• Article 51 (Self‑Defence) – The sole exception is Article 51, which permits the ‘use of force’ in self-defence, but only in response to an actual armed attack.
• Under this framework, neither Israel nor the U.S. can legitimately claim self-defence under Article 51, whether individually or collectively.
• International law does not allow force in self-defence against an attack that has not yet happened.
• Anticipatory Self‑Defence Argument – At most, the claim rests on preventing a potential future Iranian attack (nuclear or otherwise) under the theory of self-defence in response to an imminent threat.
• 3 Conditions often cited – The use of force against Iran would be lawful only if three conditions were met -
  • Intent - Iran’s leadership had decided to attack the U.S. or Israel;
  • Capability - Iran possessed the capability to do so; and
  • Necessity - The ‘use of force’ was necessary now because this was the last window of opportunity to prevent that future attack.
• Weaknesses in this Case – Iran’s nuclear program was already degraded in 2025; Trump claimed it was “obliterated.”
• Since then, no evidence has been presented to show that Iran’s reconstitution, weaponisation, or intent to strike; thus, the “imminent threat” claim lacks credibility.
• Other Justifications Rejected – Neither regime change nor protecting Iranians from their own government’s abuses is recognised in international law or the UN Charter as a valid reason to use force.

Why is the Minab Strike a grave breach?

• Civilian Target – A girls’ primary school is a protected civilian object, it killed ~150, ~100 injured — overwhelmingly children.
• Violation of IHL principle – When the missile struck the girls’ school in Iran, it broke the principle of distinction, which requires separating military targets from civilians and civilian sites like schools, hospitals, and places of worship.
• If there is any doubt, the target must always be treated as civilian.
• Reinforcing Legal Instruments
• Convention on the Rights of the Child – It strengthens this protection by recognising children as rights‑holders and requiring states, under Article 38(4), to take all possible steps to safeguard and care for children affected by armed conflict.
• Rome Statute (ICC) – It defines the intentional targeting of civilians and attacks on buildings dedicated to education as war crimes.
• Exception – If the civilian objects lose protection if used for military purposes (e.g., base, artillery site, command post).
• Current Case – There is no evidence that Minab school was militarised or deliberately targeted.

How should the strike be assessed under IHL?

• Collateral Damage under IHL – If the school was not deliberately targeted but damaged as collateral harm from a strike on a nearby military facility, IHL still applies.
• Civilian sites can be incidentally affected, but only within strict limits.
• Legal Standards – For incidental harm to civilians or civilian objects is lawful only if it satisfies conditions to meet requirements of ‘proportionality’, ‘precaution’, and ‘military necessity’.
• Assessing the School Strike – When a school is near a military target and suffers damage, legality depends on -
  • Whether the harm to children was excessive compared to the military gain.
  • Whether commanders verified the target, checked for nearby civilians, chose weapons that limited damage, and timed the strike to reduce risks.

What is the role of international law?

• Misconceptions – Critics often argue that frequent violations show international law is irrelevant.
• Yet this view misunderstands how international law functions; while breaches do occur, sometimes openly, they remain exceptions to an overwhelmingly compliant pattern of behaviour.
• Everyday Compliance – Day‑to‑day activities like diplomacy, trade, aviation, shipping, environmental cooperation, arms control, and treaty commitments mostly function within the rules of international law.
• Significance – International law’s strength lies not in perfect compliance but in its ability to demand justification.
• It forces those in power to explain their actions before the global community.
• Though imperfect, this accountability system ensures that violations can be identified, scrutinised, and condemned.
• The Real Challenge – The challenge today is not the absence of law, but the need for states to comply with it rather than bend it to politics.
• When bombs fall on classrooms and playgrounds, it is not only lives that are lost; it is the futures of children that are extinguished.

Reference

The Hindu | The legality of U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran

The Legality of U.S.-Israel Strikes on Iran

Why in News?

UNESCO has condemned the U.S., and Israel launched coordinated strikes across Iran as a grave violation of International Humanitarian Law (IHL), or the ‘laws of war’, which is designed to limit the human suffering caused during ‘armed conflict’.

What about the International Humanitarian Law (IHL)?

• IHL – It is a set of rules established by treaty or custom that limits the effects of armed conflict for humanitarian reasons.
• Codified by – The Geneva Conventions of 1949, complemented by their Additional Protocols, along with the Hague Regulations.
• Aim – To balance military necessity with humanitarian principles to prevent unnecessary suffering.
• Background – Morals and ethics in conflicts have deep historical roots dating back to ancient Greek, Roman, Indian, and Chinese civilisations, they were codified in their modern form, i.e., IHL.
• Four core principles – To regulate the conduct of hostilities - ‘distinction’, ‘proportionality’, ‘military necessity’, and ‘precaution’.
• Applicability – It applies equally to all parties in an armed conflict, regardless of who started it, but does not cover internal tensions or isolated acts of violence.
• Distinction – Unlike the UN Charter, which addresses the legality of starting a war (jus ad bellum), IHL governs how wars are fought (jus in bello) and ensures humane conduct regardless of the war’s initiation.
• Protection Areas – It covers the protection of civilians, wounded personnel, prisoners of war, and objects necessary for survival (e.g., food, water).
• Restrictions – It limits the types of weapons used and methods of conducting operations, such as prohibiting the targeting of civilians.

What is the legal justification for this attack?

• UN Charter Framework
• Article 2(4) – Prohibits all member states from threatening or using force against the ‘territorial integrity’ or ‘political independence’ of another state.
• Security Council Authority – Only the UN Security Council may authorise the ‘use of force’ against a member state in response to breaches of international peace.
• Article 51 (Self‑Defence) – The sole exception is Article 51, which permits the ‘use of force’ in self-defence, but only in response to an actual armed attack.
• Under this framework, neither Israel nor the U.S. can legitimately claim self-defence under Article 51, whether individually or collectively.
• International law does not allow force in self-defence against an attack that has not yet happened.
• Anticipatory Self‑Defence Argument – At most, the claim rests on preventing a potential future Iranian attack (nuclear or otherwise) under the theory of self-defence in response to an imminent threat.
• 3 Conditions often cited – The use of force against Iran would be lawful only if three conditions were met -
  • Intent - Iran’s leadership had decided to attack the U.S. or Israel;
  • Capability - Iran possessed the capability to do so; and
  • Necessity - The ‘use of force’ was necessary now because this was the last window of opportunity to prevent that future attack.
• Weaknesses in this Case – Iran’s nuclear program was already degraded in 2025; Trump claimed it was “obliterated.”
• Since then, no evidence has been presented to show that Iran’s reconstitution, weaponisation, or intent to strike; thus, the “imminent threat” claim lacks credibility.
• Other Justifications Rejected – Neither regime change nor protecting Iranians from their own government’s abuses is recognised in international law or the UN Charter as a valid reason to use force.

Why is the Minab Strike a grave breach?

• Civilian Target – A girls’ primary school is a protected civilian object, it killed ~150, ~100 injured — overwhelmingly children.
• Violation of IHL principle – When the missile struck the girls’ school in Iran, it broke the principle of distinction, which requires separating military targets from civilians and civilian sites like schools, hospitals, and places of worship.
• If there is any doubt, the target must always be treated as civilian.
• Reinforcing Legal Instruments
• Convention on the Rights of the Child – It strengthens this protection by recognising children as rights‑holders and requiring states, under Article 38(4), to take all possible steps to safeguard and care for children affected by armed conflict.
• Rome Statute (ICC) – It defines the intentional targeting of civilians and attacks on buildings dedicated to education as war crimes.
• Exception – If the civilian objects lose protection if used for military purposes (e.g., base, artillery site, command post).
• Current Case – There is no evidence that Minab school was militarised or deliberately targeted.

How should the strike be assessed under IHL?

• Collateral Damage under IHL – If the school was not deliberately targeted but damaged as collateral harm from a strike on a nearby military facility, IHL still applies.
• Civilian sites can be incidentally affected, but only within strict limits.
• Legal Standards – For incidental harm to civilians or civilian objects is lawful only if it satisfies conditions to meet requirements of ‘proportionality’, ‘precaution’, and ‘military necessity’.
• Assessing the School Strike – When a school is near a military target and suffers damage, legality depends on -
  • Whether the harm to children was excessive compared to the military gain.
  • Whether commanders verified the target, checked for nearby civilians, chose weapons that limited damage, and timed the strike to reduce risks.

What is the role of international law?

• Misconceptions – Critics often argue that frequent violations show international law is irrelevant.
• Yet this view misunderstands how international law functions; while breaches do occur, sometimes openly, they remain exceptions to an overwhelmingly compliant pattern of behaviour.
• Everyday Compliance – Day‑to‑day activities like diplomacy, trade, aviation, shipping, environmental cooperation, arms control, and treaty commitments mostly function within the rules of international law.
• Significance – International law’s strength lies not in perfect compliance but in its ability to demand justification.
• It forces those in power to explain their actions before the global community.
• Though imperfect, this accountability system ensures that violations can be identified, scrutinised, and condemned.
• The Real Challenge – The challenge today is not the absence of law, but the need for states to comply with it rather than bend it to politics.
• When bombs fall on classrooms and playgrounds, it is not only lives that are lost; it is the futures of children that are extinguished.

Reference

The Hindu | The legality of U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran

India–Canada Uranium Deal and India’s Nuclear Programme

Why in News?

Recently, India signed a CAD 2.6 billion uranium supply agreement with Canadian uranium giant Cameco and The deal will ensure the supply of approximately 10,000 tonnes of uranium between 2027 and 2035.

What is India’s uranium resources, stockpiles and imports?

• Reserves & stockpiles – India possesses both domestic uranium reserves and imported stockpiles to meet the requirements of its nuclear energy programme.
• Domestically, India has 4.2–4.3 lakh tonnes of uranium ore, primarily located in mining regions such as Jaduguda, Turamdih in Jharkhand, and Tummalapalle in Andhra Pradesh.
• Issues with Indian uranium – The extractable uranium metal from these ores is estimated to be only 76,000–92,000 tonnes.
• The significant difference between ore quantity and extractable metal arises from the low grade of Indian uranium deposits, which contain only 0.02–0.45% uranium concentration.
• In contrast, uranium deposits in Canada are much richer, with concentrations 10 to 100 times higher.
• Because of this limitation, India has increasingly turned to uranium imports, which currently meet about three-fourths of its civilian nuclear fuel requirements.

• India’s Uranium Import Strategy – To ensure stable fuel supply, India has diversified its uranium import partners.
• Leading partners – Besides the Cameco agreement with Canada, India has supply arrangements with several uranium-producing countries.
• One key partner is Kazatomprom of Kazakhstan, one of the world’s largest uranium producers.
• India also maintains supply agreements with Uzbekistan and Russia, both of which export low- to medium-grade uranium ore.
• Strategic reserve – In addition to diversifying supply sources, the Indian government is building a strategic uranium reserve capable of meeting five years of nuclear fuel requirements.
• This reserve is intended to shield the country from potential supply chain disruptions or geopolitical shocks.
• Import vs extraction – While importing uranium is economically cheaper than domestic extraction, international regulations stipulate that imported uranium can only be used for civilian nuclear energy purposes and not for nuclear weapons.
• Consequently, India continues to mine uranium domestically to support its strategic nuclear deterrent.
• Legal framework of the india–canada nuclear cooperation agreement – The Cameco deal operates under the India–Canada Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement (NCA) signed in 2010.
• This agreement came after the Nuclear Suppliers Group granted India a waiver allowing it to participate in global nuclear trade despite not being a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
• The NCA includes provisions requiring India to provide “fissionable material accounts” to Canada.
• These reports track the use of imported nuclear materials to ensure they are used solely for civilian purposes.
• Critics have argued that this requirement represents a minor infringement on India’s strategic autonomy.
• However, the agreement has also drawn criticism from another perspective.
• Some analysts contend that importing uranium for civilian reactors indirectly frees up India’s domestic uranium resources, which can then be allocated for strategic or military purposes.

What are the uses of uranium in India?

• Diverse role – Uranium plays a central role in India’s nuclear energy generation, research, and strategic programmes.
• Present capacity – Currently, India operates 24 nuclear reactors with a total installed capacity of around 9 gigawatts (GW).
• PHWR – A major portion of this capacity comes from 700 MW Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs), which use natural uranium as fuel.
• These reactors generate 6–7 GW of electricity, contributing roughly 3% of India’s total electricity production.
• Future goals – The government has set an ambitious goal of expanding nuclear power capacity to 100 GW by 2047, aligning with India’s long-term climate and energy security objectives.
• However, expansion has often faced challenges such as land acquisition issues, environmental concerns, and local protests.
• Medical uses – Uranium is also crucial for research reactors such as Dhruva reactor at Trombay, which produce medical isotopes like technetium-99m and iodine-131 used in diagnostic imaging and cancer treatment.
• These reactors also support advanced research in materials science and nuclear technology.
• Small Modular Reactors – India is also investing in next-generation nuclear technologies to diversify its nuclear power portfolio.
• In the Union Budget 2025–26, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman allocated ₹20,000 crore for the development of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
• SMRs are compact nuclear reactors that typically use 3–5% enriched uranium and can be deployed more flexibly than conventional large reactors.
• They offer advantages such as lower upfront costs, enhanced safety features, and suitability for remote areas or industrial clusters.
• These reactors could play a significant role in India’s strategy to expand nuclear energy while minimizing land use and public opposition.
• Strategic and Military Applications – Domestic uranium resources are also essential for India’s strategic nuclear deterrent.
• India is estimated to possess around 170 nuclear warheads, which rely partly on domestically sourced uranium.
• Uranium is also used to fuel nuclear-powered submarines, including the Arihant-class submarine of the Indian Navy.
• These submarines form a crucial component of India’s nuclear triad, ensuring a credible second-strike capability.

What is India’s Three-Stage Nuclear Power Programme?

• 3 stage – India’s nuclear energy strategy is based on the three-stage nuclear power programme conceptualised by Homi J. Bhabha.
• This programme was designed to maximise the use of India’s abundant thorium reserves, which constitute about 20–25% of the world’s deposits.
• Stage I – Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors use natural uranium-235 as fuel to generate electricity. During this process, plutonium-239 is produced as a byproduct.
• Stage II – Fast Breeder Reactors use a mixed oxide fuel made of uranium-238 and plutonium-239.
• These reactors are called “breeders” because they produce more fissile material than they consume, generating additional plutonium and uranium-233.
• India’s Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam is currently in an advanced stage of commissioning.
• Stage III – Advanced Heavy Water Reactors will use plutonium-239 and thorium-232 to produce electricity while generating uranium-233, which can sustain future nuclear fuel cycles.

What are the challenges and delays in the nuclear programme?

• Delay & Cost issues – Despite its strategic vision, India’s three-stage nuclear programme has faced significant delays and cost overruns.
• The Fast Breeder Test Reactor at Kalpakkam was established in 1977, but approval for the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor came only in the early 2000s, partly due to international sanctions imposed after India’s nuclear tests.
• Moreover, the cost of the PFBR increased from ₹3,492 crore at the design stage to over ₹6,800 crore by 2019.
• Structural challenges – Experts, including former Department of Atomic Energy chairman Anil Kakodkar, have highlighted another structural challenge:
• The doubling time of fast breeder reactors, which refers to the time required for one reactor to generate enough fissile material to start another reactor.
• Currently, this period is estimated to be 15–20 years.
• Because multiple doubling cycles are needed to scale up nuclear power to 100 GW, India must secure large and stable uranium supplies, explaining its growing emphasis on international uranium agreements.

What lies ahead?

• The India–Canada uranium deal represents an important step in securing the fuel supply required for India’s expanding nuclear energy programme.
• By diversifying import partners while continuing domestic mining, India aims to balance energy security, strategic autonomy, and environmental sustainability.
• At the same time, the agreement underscores the complexities of nuclear diplomacy, non-proliferation commitments, and domestic technological challenges.
• As India transitions through the stages of its ambitious nuclear power programme, reliable uranium supply and technological innovation will remain critical to achieving the country’s long-term goal of 100 GW nuclear power capacity by 2047.

Reference

The Hindu| Indian – Canada Uranium Deal

Discovery of a new genus and species of miniature fish

Why in News?

Recently, an international team of researchers discovered a new genus and species of blind miniature fish and the findings were published in the journal Scientific Reports.

• Scientific Name – Gitchak nakana. 
• Genus – Gitchak, new genus identified within the loach family.
• Discovery – Found living in a hand-dug well in a village in Assam.
• It is the first time an aquifer-dwelling fish has been documented in the Eastern Himalayan region.
• Nomenclature – The name is derived from the Garo language.
• “Gitchak” means red, while “na-tok/kana” refers to the absence of eyes, describing the fish’s appearance.
• Habitat – Underground aquifer systems in water-bearing rock layers.
• Distribution – Found only in Assam in a single hand-dug well.
• Key Characteristics – Tiny fish growing up to 2 cm in length.
• Completely blind with no visible eyes.
• Body – Translucent body without skin pigment, giving a bright red appearance as blood shows through.
• Unique Feature – Complete absence of a skull roof, with the brain covered only by skin instead of bone.
• Threats – Potential illegal collection for the international aquarium trade.
• However, a better understanding of its population size, wider distribution and potential threats to its habitats is still lacking.

Reference

TH | Gitchak nakana

India’s First Riverine Lighthouses in NW-2

Why in News?

Recently, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), Sarbananda Sonowal laid the foundation stones for four river lighthouses along the banks of the Brahmaputra River.

• Aim – To modernise inland navigation infrastructure across India’s river systems.
• Location – Along the Brahmaputra River in Assam.
• Implemented by – Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships (DGLL).
• Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI).
• Under the – Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

The river Brahmaputra flows down the centre of the Assam Valley. It receives a number of tributaries like Subansiri, Jia Bharali, Dihing, Burhi Dihing, Disang, Dhansiri and Kopili.

• Will be constructed in –
  • Pandu (Kamrup Metro district)
  • Bogibeel (Dibrugarh district)
  • Silghat (Nagaon district)
  • Biswanath Ghat (Biswanath district)
• Connectivity – These locations lie along National Waterway-2 (NW-2) in the Brahmaputra, an important inland cargo and passenger route.

NW-2 forms the longest navigable inland waterway stretch in India, passing through the heart of Northeast India.

• Technical Features – Height – Around 20 metres
• Solar-powered operation.
• Geographical range – 14 nautical miles
• Luminous range – 8–10 nautical miles
• Designed to assist vessels navigating the river and support night navigation.
• Timeline – Expected to be completed within 24 months after the award of contracts.
• Need – Cargo movement on NW‑2 recorded a 53% surge during FY 2024–25, according to the Inland Waterways Authority of India.
  • It is increasingly used to transport tea, coal and fertilisers in Assam and the Northeast.
• The lighthouses will enable round-the-clock safe navigation and strengthen the logistics ecosystem of Northeast India.
• Address a key limitation of river transport — restricted night navigation — through visual navigation aids and weather observation sensors.  

References

1. PIB | India’s First Riverine Lighthouses
2. DH | India’s First Riverine Lighthouses

Cushing’s syndrome

Why in News?

Recent studies have reported expanding treatment options for Cushing’s syndrome, particularly for patients who are not candidates for surgery or whose disease persists after surgery.

• Cushing’s syndrome – It happens when there is too much cortisol in the body over a long period.
• Cortisol is produced by the adrenal glands and helps control blood pressure, metabolism, immunity, and the body’s response to stress. When cortisol remains high, it affects many organs.
• Types – Exogenous Cushing syndrome - The most common cause is long-term use of steroid medicines prescribed for asthma, autoimmune diseases, arthritis, or after organ transplants.
• Endogenous Cushing’s syndrome - In endogenous Cushing’s syndrome on the other hand, the body produces excess cortisol on its own.
• This is usually due to a non-cancerous tumour in the pituitary gland (called Cushing’s disease).

The pituitary gland is a small gland located at the base of the brain.

• Less commonly, it may be caused by tumours in the adrenal glands or by tumours elsewhere in the body that produce ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone).

Adrenocorticotropic hormone, a hormone normally released by the pituitary gland.

• Signs & Symptoms - Rare condition affecting 1–3 people per million annually; often misdiagnosed due to similarity with Obesity or Type 2 Diabetes.
• Early signs - Weight gain around abdomen and face; rounded “moon face” and fat buildup between shoulders.
• Skin changes - Thin skin, easy bruising, slow wound healing, purple stretch marks; acne and excess facial/body hair (in women).
• Hormonal effects- Irregular/absent periods in women; reduced libido or fertility in men.
• Muscle & energy - Muscle weakness (arms and thighs) and persistent fatigue.
• Metabolic effects - High blood pressure, high blood sugar/diabetes, increased cholesterol.
• Bone & mental health - Osteoporosis risk, mood swings, anxiety, depression, sleep problems, memory and concentration issues.
• Immune impact- Increased susceptibility to infections.
• Children -Weight gain with slowed height growth.
• Complications if untreated- Higher risk of heart disease, blood clots, infections.
• Vulnerable age groups - People who take steroid medicines for a long time are at highest risk. Even moderate doses over time can increase cortisol levels.
• Women are more commonly affected than men in naturally occurring (endogenous) cases, especially between ages 30 and 50.
• Although rare, Cushing’s syndrome can be life-threatening if left untreated.
• Treatment - Medication-Induced - If caused by steroid use, doses are tapered gradually under medical supervision.
• Surgical Intervention - Usually the first-line treatment for tumors.
• Pituitary Tumors - Removed via specialized neurosurgery.
• Adrenal Tumors- May require removal of the affected gland (adrenalectomy).
• Alternative Therapies- If surgery is not an option or is incomplete, radiation therapy or cortisol-blocking medications are used.
• Recovery & Monitoring - Temporary Replacement: Patients may need cortisol supplements until natural production stabilizes.
• Long-term Care: Regular follow-ups are essential as the condition can recur.

Reference

The Hindu | Cushing’s syndrome

Sulphuric Acid Plant (SAP-III)

Why in News?

Recently, Union Home and Cooperation Minister, dedicated the Sulphuric Acid Plant (SAP-III) of Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) Odisha, to the nation during his visit to Odisha.

• Sulphuric Acid (H₂SO₄) – It is a colourless, odourless, oily and highly corrosive liquid, widely manufactured as an important industrial chemical.
• Uses – It serves as a key raw material for fertilizer production and is extensively used in petroleum refining, metal processing, and chemical manufacturing.

Sulphuric Acid Plant (SAP-III)

• Established at – The Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) complex facility in Paradip, Odisha.
• Aim – To strengthen fertiliser production infrastructure and improve efficiency in chemical processing operations.
• Capacity – The new plant has a daily production capacity of 2,000 Metric Tonnes (MT).

Sulphuric acid is a key precursor and foundational raw material in the production of phosphate fertilizers, including DAP (Di-ammonium Phosphate) and various NPK (Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium) fertilizers.

• Vision – Under the "Sahkar se Samriddhi" (Prosperity through Cooperation) vision.
• Advantage – Paradip is a deep-water natural port on the east coast.
• For fertiliser plants, the proximity to a major port is critical for the cost-effective import of raw materials like Rock Phosphate and Elemental Sulphur.
• Significance – Reduce import dependency & strengthen local production of Sulphuric Acid.

Reference

PIB | Sulphuric Acid Plant (SAP-III)

Sri Veerabhadreshwar Temple and Veerashaivism

Why in News?

Recently, the Vice-President of India participated as the Chief Guest at the inauguration of the Rajagopuram, Kalasarohan and Mahakumbhabhishekam ceremony at Sri Veerabhadreshwar Temple.

• Location – Situated at Shri Kshetra Yadur, on the banks of the Krishna River in Belagavi district, Karnataka.
• Historical Origin – Founded in the 12th century by Veerashaiva saint Shri Kadsiddeshwar, and the temple is about 800 years old.
• Temple Deities –Main Deity – Shri Veerabhadra, a fierce manifestation of Lord Shiva and Shri Bhadrakalamma Devi.
• Sacred Symbol – The Shivalinga is known as “Shri Veerupakshalinga.”

Veera-Shaiva Lingayat Tradition

• Veerashaivas (or Lingayats) are devotees of Lord Shiva who worship the Linga as the supreme symbol of divinity.
• Emergence – The movement emerged as a religious and social reform movement in the 12th century in Karnataka.
• Key Leader – Basaveswara (Basava) played a central role in spreading the movement.
• Core Idea – All devotees wearing the Ishtalinga (personal Linga) are considered equal irrespective of caste, gender or occupation.
• Key Features – Worship of the Linga – Devotees wear and worship a personal Ishtalinga, symbolising direct connection with Lord Shiva.
• Anti-ritualism – Rejected elaborate rituals, sacrifices and idol worship.
• Anti-pollution Ideology – Opposed the Brahmanical concepts of ritual purity and pollution, including caste-based discrimination.
• Equality – Emphasised ritual equality, dignity of labour and equal access to salvation.
• Kayaka Principle – Promoted the idea that all work is sacred and should be done with dedication and devotion.
• Organisational Structure – Mathas – Religious institutions that propagated Lingayat teachings, education and social service.
• Jangamas – Religious teachers who travelled and spread the doctrines of Veerashaivism.

References

1. PIB | Sri Veerabhadreshwar Temple, Yadur, Belagavi
2. Egyankosh | Veerashaivism