doubt

it leads to the ionisation of nitric acid in the way

NO₂+ and OH-(because it is a strong acid)

rather than the usual way of H+ and NO₃-

and that NO₂+ acts as electrophile

it acts as a strons acid & HNO as a base

The OH^- ion formed in the ionisation of nitric acid can support nucleophilic substitution and elimination rxn,con H2SO4 donates H⁺ ion and H2O is formed thereby preventing the side rxn.

no guys.. not as strong acid.. that even i thought but then when we use strong acids like HClO₄ nitration hardly occurs..only sulphuric acid will work..hence its role is not as strong acid

it has 2 roles

1 strong acid

2 dehydrating agent so that evolved water( acid base rxn) is absorbed to speed up rxn