Daily Current Affairs 11 July 2025 – IAS Current Affairs

Current Affairs 11 July 2025 focuses on the Prelims-Mains perspective. Major events are :

Maratha Military Landscapes in UNESCO World Heritage List

Source: PIB
GS I: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. Maratha Military Landscapes in the UNESCO World Heritage List
3. United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

Why in the News?

In a remarkable decision taken at the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee, India’s official nomination for 2024-25 cycle, ‘Maratha Military Landscapes of India got inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

• India ranks 6th globally and 2nd in the Asia Pacific Region for the most number of World Heritage Sites. 196 nations have ratified the World Heritage Convention of 1972.
• India also has 62 sites in the Tentative List of the World Heritage, which is a mandatory threshold for any site to be considered as a World Heritage property in future.

News in Brief

• It is becoming India’s 44th property to receive this recognition.
• This global accolade celebrates India’s enduring cultural legacy, showcasing its diverse traditions of architectural brilliance, regional identity, and historical continuity.
• During the Committee Meeting, 18 out of the 20 State Parties supported India’s proposal to get this important site inscribed in the list.
• The discussion on the proposal went on for 59 mins, and after the positive recommendations by 18 State Parties.
• The purpose of including these heritage sites in UNESCO list is to preserve and promote shared heritage based on OUVs (Outstanding Universal Values) found in cultural, natural as well as mixed properties across 196 countries.

Last year, the Moidams of Charaideo, Assam were inscribed in the World Heritage List at the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee held in New Delhi.

Maratha Military Landscapes in the UNESCO World Heritage List

Maratha Military Landscape of India was nominated under criteria (iv) and (vi), recognizing their exceptional testimony to a living cultural tradition, their architectural and technological significance, and their deep associations with historic events and traditions.

• Spanning from the 17th to 19th centuries CE, this extraordinary network of twelve forts demonstrates the strategic military vision and architectural ingenuity of the Maratha Empire.
• Spread across the states of Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, the selected sites include
  • Salher
  • Shivneri
  • Lohgad
  • Khanderi
  • Raigad
  • Rajgad
  • Pratapgad
  • Suvarnadurg
  • Panhala
  • Vijaydurg
  • Sindhudurg in Maharashtra
  • Along with Gingee Fort in Tamil Nadu.
• While Shivneri fort, Lohgad, Raigad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala fort, Vijaydurg, Sindhudurg and Gingee fort are protected under the Archaeological Survey of India, whereas Salher fort, Rajgad, Khanderi fort and Pratapgarh are protected by the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Maharashtra.
• Located across a range of diverse terrains—from coastal outposts to hilltop strongholds – these forts reflect a sophisticated understanding of geography and strategic defence planning.
• Together, they form a cohesive military landscape that highlights the innovation and regional adaptation of fortification traditions in India.
• Salher, Shivneri, Lohgad, Raigad, Rajgad, and Gingee are situated in hilly terrains and are therefore known as hill forts.
• Pratapgad, nestled within dense woods, is classified as a hill-forest fort. Panhala, located on a plateaued hill, is a hill-plateau fort.
• Vijaydurg, positioned along the shoreline, is a notable coastal fort, while Khanderi, Suvarnadurg, and Sindhudurg, surrounded by the sea, are recognised as island forts.

Diving Support Vessel (DSV) NISTAR

Source: PIB
GS II: Internal Security

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. Diving Support Vessel (DSV) NISTAR

Why in the News?

Indian Navy is all set to commission the first of the class Diving Support Vessel (DSV) Nistar at Naval Dockyard,

News in Brief

• The event marks the formal induction of the ship which has been indigenously designed and constructed by M/s Hindustan Shipyard Limited, Visakhapatnam.
• On commissioning, the ship will join the Eastern Naval Command to support deep sea diving and submarine rescue operations.

Diving Support Vessel (DSV) NISTAR

• The ship is a testament to the GoI’s resolute focus on nation building through self-reliance in defence production and unwavering focus on Aatmanirbharta.
• A total of 120 MSMEs have participated in the construction of this ambitious, unique and state-of-the-art vessel, achieving more than 80% indigenous content.
• The project is a step towards realising the Indian Navy’s vision of designing and constructing complex indigenous platforms.
• Endurance of over 60 days at sea, capacity to undertake stage through helicopter operations and a 15-ton subsea crane make the ship a very versatile platform.

DSV NISTAR Specification

• With a length of approx 120 meters and displacing of more than 10,000 tons, the DSV has the capacity to maintain its position with extreme accuracy, using Dynamic Positioning System.
• The expansive diving complex onboard which consists of both Air and Saturation Diving Systems, along with underwater Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and Side Scan SONAR, substantially enhances the operational envelope of the vessel.
• As the ‘Mother Ship’ for the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DRV), the induction of this platform would provide a major capability enhancement to Indian Navy’s Submarine rescue preparedness.
• The ship is also outfitted with an Operating Theatre, Intensive Care Unit, Eight-Bed Hospital, and Hyperbaric Medical Facilities, which are critical to meeting her operational roles.

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