CURRENT AFFAIRS | MARCH 24, 2026
The Indian Navy has deployed 6+ warships in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman to escort Indian-flagged merchant vessels amid escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. This is one of India’s largest peacetime naval deployments in the region, reflecting the country’s growing maritime assertiveness and its commitment to protecting sea lines of communication (SLOCs) vital to energy security.
⚖️ Constitutional & Legal Framework
- Article 51 (DPSP) — Promote international peace and security, maintain just and honourable relations between nations
- Article 51(c) — Foster respect for international law and treaty obligations
- UNCLOS (1982) — Freedom of navigation, transit passage through international straits
- India’s Maritime Doctrine (2015) — Protecting SLOCs and Indian nationals abroad as core naval objectives
India’s naval escort operations are rooted in both strategic necessity and legal mandate. The Strait of Hormuz is an international strait under UNCLOS, through which approximately 20% of global oil transits. India imports 85% of its crude oil, with a significant share passing through this chokepoint. The Navy’s deployment includes guided missile destroyers, frigates, and maritime patrol aircraft — a force posture designed to deter threats without escalating the conflict.
🎯 CLAT Angle — Why This Matters
This topic is a CLAT goldmine: GK questions on India’s naval capabilities, UNCLOS provisions, and energy dependence; Legal Reasoning passages on whether DPSPs (Art 51) create enforceable obligations or merely guide state policy; and Reading Comprehension passages on maritime strategy. The tension between DPSPs and Fundamental Rights is a classic CLAT theme — Art 51’s peace mandate vs. the executive’s power to deploy military force.
📋 Key Facts at a Glance
| Deployment | 6+ Indian Navy warships escorting merchant vessels in Persian Gulf |
| Strategic chokepoint | Strait of Hormuz — 20% of global oil transit |
| India’s oil import | 85% of crude oil imported, major share via Hormuz |
| Legal basis | UNCLOS transit passage + Article 51 DPSP |
| CLAT relevance | GK (naval facts), Legal Reasoning (DPSP enforceability), RC (maritime strategy) |
🧠 Mnemonic — “SHIP” for Maritime Security
SLOCs protection • Hormuz chokepoint • International law (UNCLOS) • Peace mandate (Art 51)
Practice Quiz — 10 CLAT-Style Questions
Click an option to reveal the answer and explanation.
📰 Source: The Indian Express, 24 March 2026 • CLAT Gurukul Daily Current Affairs
