CURRENT AFFAIRS | MARCH 2026
CLAT Relevance
- INCOIS and tsunami early warning systems — disaster preparedness
- Andaman and Nicobar Islands — strategic geography
- Storm Marta — European climate change impact
- Iberian Peninsula geography
INCOIS Regional Service Centre (RSC)
- INCOIS proposes Regional Service Centre (RSC) at Vijaynagar, Swaraj Dweep (Andaman and Nicobar)
- First-of-its-kind in India for tsunami coordination
- INCOIS currently operates ITEWC (Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre)
- Can detect non-seismic tsunamis — caused by landslides and volcanic activity
- 80% of tsunamis caused by undersea earthquakes
- 270-km sub-sea cable planned along the subduction zone
Key Facts: INCOIS
- Full form: Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services
- HQ: Hyderabad
- Under: Ministry of Earth Sciences
- ITEWC: Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre — operational since 2007 (post-2004 Indian Ocean tsunami)
- RSC capability: seismic AND non-seismic tsunami detection
Storm Marta — Iberian Peninsula
- Storm Marta hit Spain and Portugal — heavy rain, severe crop loss
- Iberian Peninsula: most climate-exposed region in Europe
- Experiencing longer heatwaves and extreme rainfall in recent years
- Agricultural damage particularly severe — vineyards, olive groves affected
Geography: Iberian Peninsula
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- Comprises Spain, Portugal, Andorra, Gibraltar
- Separated from Africa by Strait of Gibraltar
- Bordered by Atlantic Ocean (west) and Mediterranean Sea (south and east)
- Pyrenees Mountains separate it from France
Key Takeaways for CLAT
Mnemonic: Tsunami Causes
E-L-V-M = Earthquakes (80%), Landslides, Volcanic eruptions, Meteorite impacts
Remember: INCOIS = Hyderabad, ITEWC = Early Warning, RSC = Swaraj Dweep (new)
E-L-V-M = Earthquakes (80%), Landslides, Volcanic eruptions, Meteorite impacts
Remember: INCOIS = Hyderabad, ITEWC = Early Warning, RSC = Swaraj Dweep (new)
- India’s 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami experience led to building ITEWC
- RSC at Andaman will provide real-time monitoring of subduction zone activity
- Climate change is increasing frequency of extreme weather events globally
Source: UPSC Essentials, The Indian Express — March 2026
Practice Quiz
Test your understanding with these 10 MCQs:
Practice Quiz — 10 CLAT-Style Questions
Click an option to reveal the answer and explanation.
Quick answers
INCOIS proposes setting up a Regional Service Centre (RSC) at which location?
Vijaynagar, Swaraj Dweep. INCOIS proposes the RSC at Vijaynagar, Swaraj Dweep in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
What percentage of tsunamis are caused by undersea earthquakes?
80%. 80% of tsunamis are caused by undersea earthquakes, though the RSC can also detect non-seismic tsunamis.
ITEWC stands for:
Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre. ITEWC stands for Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre, operated by INCOIS.
The sub-sea cable along the subduction zone near Andaman spans how many kilometres?
270 km. A 270-km sub-sea cable is planned along the subduction zone for tsunami detection.
Storm Marta hit which countries?
Spain and Portugal. Storm Marta hit Spain and Portugal on the Iberian Peninsula, causing heavy rain and severe crop loss.
The Iberian Peninsula is described as the most climate-exposed region in which continent?
Europe. The Iberian Peninsula is the most climate-exposed region in Europe, experiencing longer heatwaves and extreme rainfall.
