DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 20th March 2025

Syllabus:

• Prelims – HISTORY

Context: Dara Shikoh is often invoked as the nemesis of Aurangzeb. March 20th marks the birth anniversary of Dara Shikoh, who was born in 1615.

Background: –

• Dara Shikoh was the eldest son of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan and was engaged in an intense battle of succession.

Key takeaways

• Dara Shikoh strove to develop cordial relationships between people by finding commonalities between Hinduism and Islam. 
• His most important works, Majma-ul-Bahrain (Mingling of Two Oceans) and Sirr-i-Akbar (Great Mystery), are devoted to the cause of establishing connections between Hinduism and Islam.
• Dara Shikoh concluded that the “hidden book” mentioned in the Quran was none other than the Upanishads and believed that to understand the Quran, one needed to study the Hindu text.
• With the help of pandits, he translated 52 volumes of the Upanishads from Sanskrit to Persian into a tome called Sirr-e-Akbar (The Greatest Secret). He even drew an equation between Adam and Brahma — a view which, according to historians, led to him being branded a heretic and to his execution.
• However, he was defeated by his brother Aurangzeb in the War of Succession following Shah Jahan’s illness. Thus he was executed on the orders of Aurangzeb under a fatwa issued by his clerics stating that he had apostatised from Islam.

War of Succession

• The Mughals did not believe in the rule of primogeniture, where the eldest son inherited his father’s estate. They followed the custom of coparcenary inheritance or a division of the inheritance amongst all the sons. This became the ground for the war of succession during the Mughal Empire.
• The war of succession broke out in 1657 after Shah Jahan fell ill. Though all four brothers — Dara, Aurangzeb, Murad and Shuja — were locked in a bitter war, the first two were the serious contenders.
• Aurangzeb battled fiercely with his brothers, eventually sentencing all three to death and confining his father to a gilded prison for the last seven years of his life.

Source: Indian Express

Syllabus:

• Mains – GS 2 

Context: The Telangana Legislative Assembly passed the Scheduled Castes (Rationalisation of Reservation) Bill, 2025, paving the way for SC sub-categorisation in reservation.

Background: –

• This legislation follows a Supreme Court verdict supporting SC sub-categorization and affirming states’ rights to enact necessary legislation in this regard.

Key takeaways

• As per the Bill, the Scheduled Castes will be divided into three categories – Group I will get 1% reservation within the 15% quota for SCs; Group II will get 9% reservation; and Group III will get 5% reservation.
• The Bill has divided 59 SC communities in the state into three groups for implementation of the 15 percent reservation for SCs. It provided one per cent reservation to 15 SC communities categorised as most socially, economically, and educationally disadvantaged/overlooked which formed 3.288 percent of the total SC population in the state.
• Group-II, with 18 communities and comprising 62.748 per cent of the SC population, will be provided 9 per cent reservation and the third category comprising 26 significantly benefitted scheduled castes forming 33.963 per cent of the SC population will be given 5 per cent reservation.

Additional Information

• In 1975, the Punjab issued a notification dividing its 25% SC reservation at that time into two categories. In the first category, seats were reserved solely for the Balmiki and Mazhbi Sikh communities, which were the most backward communities in the state. As a result, they were to be given first preference for any reservations in education and public employment.
• The second category consisted of the rest of the SC communities, which didn’t get this preferential treatment. It was one of the first instances of existing reservations being ‘sub-classified’ by a state to provide benefits to certain communities beyond what was already being offered to scheduled caste communities as a whole.
• While the notification remained in force for nearly 30 years, it ran into legal hurdles when in 2004, a five-judge constitution bench struck down a similar law introduced by Andhra Pradesh in 2000. 
• In ‘E.V. Chinnaiah v State of Andhra Pradesh’, the Supreme Court struck down the Andhra Pradesh Scheduled Castes (Rationalisation of Reservations) Act, 2000 for being violative of the right to equality. The law contained an expansive list of scheduled caste communities identified in the state and the quota of reservation benefits provided to each of them.
• On August 1, 2024, In a landmark 6-1 majority ruling, a seven-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court held that Scheduled Castes do not constitute a socially homogeneous class and can be sub-classified by States for the purpose of providing reservation to the less privileged among them.

Source: The News Minute

Syllabus:

• Mains – GS 2ains – GS 2

Context: Apart from its “soft power” and humanitarian aspects, maritime diplomacy can help contain, resolve and prevent conflict.

Background:

• Maritime diplomacy is a flexible instrument that can be used to convey messages and influence events by offering a choice of naval actions, ranging from peaceful cooperation at one end to compellence and deterrence at the other. 

Key takeaways

• Unlike other regions, the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) has historically lacked strong institutions for security and cooperative dialogue.
• There has never been a security architecture in the IOR, because diversity, combined with self-interest, has prevented the formation of functional, effective regional institutions.
• Past attempts have created fragmented initiatives like IORA, SAARC, BIMSTEC, IPOI, CSC, and IONS, with limited success.

India’s Role in the IOR – Maritime Diplomacy

• Indian Navy as a “First Responder”
  • Led Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) efforts during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and other crises.
  • Conducts sea-lift operations to evacuate people from disaster zones.
• Security Assistance & Surveillance
  • India has enhanced Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), sharing real-time surveillance data with Seychelles, Mauritius, Maldives, and Sri Lanka.
  • Helps protect Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) of island nations.
• Naval Diplomacy
  • Indian Navy supports foreign policy through warship deployments, joint exercises, and deterrence measures.
  • Balances soft power (cooperation, assistance) with hard power (deterrence, security operations).

Need for a Strategic Approach

• In order to realise its true potential as a “preferred security partner” and “first responder” in the IOR, New Delhi needs to develop a fully funded programme for security and HADR assistance, including amphibious heavy-lift capability and a hospital ship. 
• To ensure timely delivery of assistance, the impediments and delays arising from lack of MoD-MEA coordination need to be eliminated.
• A whole-of-government approach is needed for maritime strategy integration into national security policy.

Source: Indian Express

Syllabus:

• Prelims & Mains – ART & CULTURE

Context: In an effort to preserve and promote the Kamba Ramayana, one of the most significant works in Tamil literature, the South Zone Cultural Centre (SZCC), under the Ministry of Culture is launching a comprehensive initiative aimed at reviving the oral tradition of ‘Kamba Ramayana’ recitals.

Background: –

• This initiative will include a series of performances, workshops, symposia, and educational competitions to ensure that future generations can connect with and appreciate this epic text, which has long been integral to Tamil heritage.

Key takeaways 

• The Kamba Ramayana, also known as Ramavataram, is a Tamil epic written by the poet Kambar (Kamban) in the 12th century. 
• It is one of the most significant literary works in Tamil literature and an important adaptation of the Valmiki Ramayana.
• Style: Kamban’s writing is known for its poetic beauty, intricate descriptions, and emotional depth. He adds his own interpretations and cultural nuances to the original Valmiki Ramayana.
• Cultural Context: The Kamba Ramayana reflects the socio-cultural and religious milieu of Tamil Nadu during the Chola period. It incorporates Tamil traditions, values, and aesthetics.

Comparison with Valmiki’s Ramayana:

• Follows the broad structure of Valmiki’s Ramayana but introduces regional variations and character interpretations.
• More devotion-centric with philosophical and ethical discourses.

Themes and Significance

• Dharma and Morality: Like the Valmiki Ramayana, the Kamba Ramayana explores themes of duty, righteousness, and the struggle between good and evil.
• Bhakti (Devotion): The epic highlights devotion to God, particularly through the character of Rama as an incarnation of Vishnu.
• Human Emotions: Kamban’s portrayal of characters like Rama, Sita, and Hanuman is deeply emotional, making the epic relatable to readers.
• Cultural Integration: The Kamba Ramayana reflects the synthesis of Sanskrit and Tamil traditions, showcasing the cultural unity of India.

Source: PIB

Syllabus:

• Prelims – GEOGRAPHY

Context: The Betwa River is facing severe degradation, with declining water levels and ecological distress.

Background: –

• The Betwa River, historically known as Vetravati, has played a vital role in the cultural and historical landscape of Madhya Pradesh. It has supported civilizations, nourished the Vindhyas, and witnessed significant historical events.

Key takeaways

• The Betwa River is a tributary of the Yamuna River, flowing through Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
• Origin: Rises in the Vindhya Range near Barkhera village in Raisen district, Madhya Pradesh.
• Length: Approximately 590 km.
• Flow Path: Flows north-eastward, passing through Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
• Confluence: Joins the Yamuna River near Hamirpur, Uttar Pradesh.

Significance

• Historical & Cultural Significance
  • Mentioned in ancient texts as Vetravati and associated with Mahabharata and Puranic traditions.
  • Important historical sites along the river include Orchha (Madhya Pradesh), known for its medieval temples and forts.
• Economic & Agricultural Importance
  • Supports irrigation and agriculture in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
  • Major crops: Wheat, pulses, oilseeds.
  • Provides water for drinking and industrial purposes.

Source: NDTV

Q1.) Consider the following statements regarding Dara Shikoh:

1. He authored Majma-ul-Bahrain and Sirr-i-Akbar, which sought to establish a connection between Hinduism and Islam.
2. He translated the Upanishads from Sanskrit to Persian.
3. He defeated Aurangzeb in the War of Succession but was later executed on Shah Jahan’s orders.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Q2.) With reference to the Betwa River, consider the following statements:

1. It originates in the Vindhya Range in Madhya Pradesh.
2. It is a tributary of the Ganga River.
3. The Ken-Betwa River Linking Project aims to transfer surplus water from the Betwa River to the Ken River.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Q3.) Consider the following statements about Kamba Ramayan:

1. It was written in Tamil by the poet Kamban.
2. It is a retelling of Valmiki’s Ramayana with Dravidian influences.
3. Unlike Valmiki’s version, Kamba Ramayan completely omits the story of Ravana.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Comment the answers to the above questions in the comment section below!!

ANSWERS FOR ’  Today’s – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs

Q.1) – a

Q.2) – b

Q.3) – b