The U.S. Treasury Department issued an order permitting India to import Russian oil for 30 days, aiming to mitigate price and supply shocks caused by global constraints, including Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts suggest Russian oil may no longer be available at a discount due to competition from China. India's current fuel reserves stand at 50 days. The move comes as Brent crude prices have surged and India's Russian oil imports had previously fallen to a 44-month low in January 2026. The U.S. views India as an essential partner and anticipates increased purchases of U.S. oil.
The U.S. Treasury Department granted India a 30-day reprieve to import Russian oil to alleviate global energy pressure.
Global oil supplies are constrained due to Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, leading to increased Brent crude prices.
India's current fuel reserve is 50 days, split equally between crude oil and petrol/diesel.
Exam Points
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent issued the order.
India's Russian oil imports were $1.98 billion in January 2026, a 44-month low.
Over 55% of India's oil imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh are moving to ban or restrict social media use for children to combat the adverse effects of mobile phone usage. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah proposed a ban for children under 16, while Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu plans restrictions for those under 13, with a roadmap expected within 90 days. Experts are divided on the feasibility and impact of such a blanket ban. A similar law was enacted in Australia in December 2025, imposing high penalties for violations by social media platforms.
Karnataka proposes a social media ban for children under 16, while Andhra Pradesh targets those under 13.
The initiatives aim to prevent the adverse effects of increasing mobile phone use on children.
Andhra Pradesh plans to finalize a roadmap for implementation within 90 days.
Exam Points
Karnataka Chief Minister: Siddaramaiah.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister: N. Chandrababu Naidu.
Australia's law on social media for children below 16 was enacted in December 2025.
On International Women's Day 2026, the focus is on equal rights and justice for women farmers, aligning with 2026 being the International Year of the Woman Farmer. Women farmers face systemic exclusion due to lack of land titles and formal recognition, hindering access to credit, insurance, and extension services. The 'feminisation of agriculture' means women bear increased workloads, leading to health issues and malnutrition. Despite India's right-to-food framework, women's nutritional improvements are uneven. Key priorities include enhancing their visibility in law and data, strengthening land rights, integrating nutritional objectives into food systems, and improving access to technology and extension services.
International Women's Day 2026 emphasizes equal rights and justice for women farmers, coinciding with the International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Women farmers face systemic exclusion from formal recognition and land rights, limiting their access to essential agricultural resources.
The 'feminisation of agriculture' has increased women's workload, contributing to severe health issues and malnutrition among women and girls.
Exam Points
International Women's Day is observed on March 8.
2026 is observed as the International Year of the Woman Farmer.
The National Food Security Act provides a right-to-food framework in India.
The discussion around AI innovation must prioritize women's digital safety, especially with rising online harassment and the proliferation of deepfakes. The anonymity of the digital world makes protection difficult, as evidenced by the use of deepfake technologies and AI chatbots like Grok AI to create non-consensual images. A significant concern is the lack of women's representation in AI development, leading to biased tools. To address this, stronger laws are needed, such as the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology's directive for online intermediaries to remove deepfakes within three hours. Additionally, educating children about digital safety from a young age is crucial.
The increasing integration of AI necessitates a focus on ethical AI and women's digital safety.
Online harassment and the rise of deepfakes, often used to create non-consensual sexualized images, pose significant threats to women.
The lack of women's representation in AI development teams contributes to biased tools and fewer diverse viewpoints.
Exam Points
India AI Impact Summit 2026 was held in February.
16%-58% of women have faced online harassment and abuse.
UN Women reports women make up only 22% of AI professionals.
Marilyne Andersen, Director General of GESDA, emphasized the need for scientists and diplomats to engage in discussions about quantum computing's evolution. Given its nascent stage, forming governance frameworks, partnerships, and collaborations now is crucial before the technology fully matures. Quantum computing, with its non-binary architecture, promises exponential calculation acceleration but also poses significant cybersecurity threats. Traditional reactive governance models are inadequate for the rapid pace of technological change. Scientists, with their deeper insight into development stages, have a special voice in anticipating the impacts and guiding the ethical deployment of such advanced technologies.
Experts advocate for scientists and diplomats to collaborate on governance frameworks for quantum computing.
The escalating conflict in West Asia has led to numerous merchant ships being stranded upstream of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil and gas supplies. The U.S. has pledged to deploy its Navy to escort ships and fund war risk insurance. War risk insurance premiums for transit through the Strait have surged by 10 to 15 times, reaching 1-3% of the vessel's cost, due to increased risks including attacks on vessels like Sonangal Namibe and Skylight. Governments like Denmark have started providing such cover for their ships. The crisis has resulted in a 95% decrease in ship transits through the Strait, impacting global trade and energy security.
The West Asia conflict has stranded merchant ships near the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping lane.
War risk insurance premiums for transit through the Strait of Hormuz have increased dramatically, up to 15 times normal rates.
Attacks on vessels, including crude oil carriers like Sonangal Namibe and sanctioned ships like Skylight, highlight the heightened risks.
Exam Points
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for one-fifth of the world's oil and gas supplies.
War risk insurance premiums can be 1% to 3% of the vessel cost.
Denmark passed a law in December last year to provide war risk insurance cover for its ships.
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