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Straits & Water Bodies

Straits & Water Bodies (Mapping).

Syllabus: UPSC Pre GS1: Indian & World Geography; Mains GS1

In the news

GS2 · IR

India condemns attacks on ships near Hormuz and on Riyadh airport

On 11 October 2026 India condemned attacks on two tankers near the Strait of Hormuz. Two of 11 Indian seafarers on MT PETRO DOLPHIN were reported missing; all 11 Indians on MT VALTHERA were safe. In a second statement India condemned Houthi attacks on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport.

UPSC angle: Prelims: Hormuz, Gulf of Oman, Marshall Islands flag. · Mains GS-II: India and West Asia, diaspora and seafarer safety; GS-III: energy security.

12 Oct 2026
GS2 · Diaspora / GS3 · Security

Attacks on ships with Indian crews: July to October 2026

Between July and October 2026 MEA issued a series of statements on attacks on merchant ships carrying Indian crew in the Strait of Hormuz, off Oman, in the Red Sea and in the Black Sea. Several Indian seafarers were killed or injured. On 7 October India again asked for an immediate end to attacks on commercial shipping and seafarers.

UPSC angle: Prelims: straits and ports in news. · Mains GS-II: diaspora; GS-III: maritime security.

7 Oct 2026
GS3 · Supply chains

Four fertiliser ships cross the Strait of Hormuz for kharif supplies

Four ships carrying urea, DAP and sulphur crossed the Strait of Hormuz and were headed to Krishnapatnam, Kakinada, Paradeep and Mundra, the Fertilizers Ministry said on 22 June 2026. Cumulative fertiliser stock that day was 196.08 Lakh Tons, up from 168.67 Lakh Tons a year earlier. Over 90 LMT of urea and P&K had been tied up for kharif.

UPSC angle: Prelims: Strait of Hormuz location. · Mains: chokepoints and India's security.

22 Jun 2026
GS3 · Maritime security

Navy recovers unexploded missile warhead from tanker off Kochi

The Indian Navy's Southern Naval Command recovered an unexploded missile warhead from crude oil tanker MT Olympic Life near Kochi. The Marshall Islands-flagged ship, with no Indian nationals aboard, reported a hull explosion off Oman on 26 May 2026 while sailing Fujairah to Kochi. IFC-IOR cueing led to an EOD extraction from a fuel tank.

UPSC angle: Prelims: IFC-IOR.

11 Jun 2026