IAS PCS Mission 2026: Daily Study Material – 6 Jan 2026
NCERT History: Class 6 Chapter-5 (What Books and Burials tell us)
This chapter, “What Books and Burials Tell Us,” examines how ancient literature and archaeological burial sites provide a window into the lives, beliefs, and social structures of people from thousands of years ago.
1. The Vedas: The Oldest Books
The Vedas are a collection of ancient religious texts. There are four Vedas: the Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda.
- The Rigveda: This is the oldest Veda, composed about 3,500 years ago. It contains over a thousand hymns called sukta (meaning “well-said”).
- Deities: The hymns praise various gods, primarily Agni (god of fire), Indra (a warrior god), and Soma (a plant used for a special drink).
- Oral Tradition: The Rigveda was not originally read; it was recited and heard. Sages (rishis) taught students to memorize every syllable and word with great care. It was only printed less than 200 years ago.
- Language: It is written in Vedic Sanskrit, which belongs to the Indo-European language family (which also includes Hindi, English, German, and Persian).
2. Social Life in the Rigvedic Period
The Rigveda uses specific terms to describe people based on their work and community.
- Occupational Groups:
- Brahmins (Priests): Responsible for performing rituals and sacrifices.
- Rajas: Leaders who did not have capital cities, palaces, or standing armies, and did not collect taxes. Kingship was not necessarily hereditary at this time.
- Community Terms: The words jana and vish (the origin of vaishya) were used to describe the community as a whole.
- Aryas and Dasas: The composers of the hymns called themselves Aryas and their opponents Dasas or Dasyus. Dasas were often treated as slaves and considered the property of their owners.
- Warfare: Battles were fought for cattle, land (pasture), water, and to capture people. Wealth from these battles was divided among leaders, priests, and the common people.
3. Megaliths: Silent Burial Sentinels
While the Vedas were being composed in the north-west, people in the Deccan, South India, North-east, and Kashmir were building megaliths (big stones).
- Purpose: These large stones were carefully arranged to mark burial sites. Some were on the surface, while others were underground.
- Cists: Some megaliths are known as cists, which sometimes featured port-holes used as entrances to bring in bodies of family members who died later.
- Grave Goods: The dead were buried with distinctive Black and Red Ware pottery. Archaeologists also found iron tools, horse equipment, and ornaments of gold and stone in these graves.
- Social Differences: The objects found in graves indicate social status. For example, one skeleton at Brahmagiri was buried with 33 gold beads and conch shells, while others had only a few pots, suggesting a gap between the rich and the poor.
4. Case Study: Inamgaon
Inamgaon (on the river Ghod) provides a detailed look at a post-Harappan settlement occupied between 3,600 and 2,700 years ago.
- Burial Practices: Adults were usually buried in the ground, laid out straight with the head facing north.
- Special Burials: One man was found in a cross-legged position inside a large clay jar in the courtyard of a five-room house, which also had a granary—possibly indicating he was a chief.
- Diet and Occupation: Evidence shows they ate wheat, barley, rice, pulses, and animal meat (cattle, goat, fish, etc.). They also collected fruits like ber, amla, and jamun.
5. Ancient Medicine: Charaka
About 2,000 years ago, a famous physician named Charaka wrote the Charaka Samhita. He claimed the human body has 360 bones (counting teeth, joints, and cartilage), which is much higher than the 200 bones recognized in modern anatomy.
Important Dates
| Event | Approximate Time |
| Composition of the Vedas begins | 3,500 years ago |
| Building of megaliths begins | 3,000 years ago |
| Settlement at Inamgaon | 3,600 to 2,700 years ago |
| Charaka writes Charaka Samhita | 2,000 years ago |
📖 What Books and Burials tell us
Class-6 History Chapter-5 PDF
Complete Study Notes: What Books and Burials tell us
⚖️Indian Polity: Citizenship in India (Articles 5–11)
Citizenship signifies the relationship between the individual and the state. India provides for Single Citizenship, meaning there is no separate state citizenship.
Article 5: Citizenship at the Commencement of the Constitution
This article provided citizenship to people who had their domicile in India as of January 26, 1950, and fulfilled any one of the following conditions:
- They were born in India.
- Either of their parents was born in India.
- They had been ordinarily resident in India for five years immediately before the commencement of the Constitution.
Article 6: Citizenship of Migrants from Pakistan
This dealt with people who migrated to India from Pakistan. A person became an Indian citizen if:
- They or either of their parents/grandparents were born in undivided India.
- If they migrated before July 19, 1948: They were ordinarily resident since the date of migration.
- If they migrated after July 19, 1948: They had to be registered as a citizen by an officer appointed by the Government of India after residing for six months.
Article 7: Citizenship of Migrants to Pakistan
This article overridden Articles 5 and 6.
- A person who migrated to Pakistan from India after March 1, 1947, ceased to be an Indian citizen.
- However, if such a person returned to India for resettlement under a permit, they could become a citizen following the same rules as those who migrated after July 19, 1948.
Article 8: Citizenship of Persons of Indian Origin Residing Outside India
This provided for people living abroad (e.g., in the UK or USA) who wanted to claim Indian citizenship.
- If a person or their parents/grandparents were born in undivided India, they could register as a citizen of India through the diplomatic or consular representative of India in the country where they resided.
Article 9: Termination of Citizenship
This is a crucial article regarding Single Citizenship.
- If a person voluntarily acquires the citizenship of any foreign state, they automatically lose their Indian citizenship. India does not allow dual citizenship.
Article 10: Continuance of the Rights of Citizenship
- This ensures that every person who is or is deemed to be a citizen of India under any of the foregoing articles shall continue to be such a citizen, subject to the provisions of any law made by Parliament.
Article 11: Parliament to Regulate Citizenship by Law
- Articles 5 to 10 only dealt with citizenship at the time the Constitution began (1950).
- Article 11 gives the Parliament of India the supreme power to make any provision with respect to the acquisition and termination of citizenship and all other matters relating to citizenship.
- This power led to the enactment of the Citizenship Act, 1955.
The Citizenship Act, 1955
While Articles 5–11 handle citizenship at the start of the Republic, this Act outlines how it is handled today:
Modes of Acquiring Citizenship:
- By Birth: Based on the date of birth and the citizenship of parents.
- By Descent: For those born outside India to Indian parents.
- By Registration: For Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) or spouses of Indian citizens after residing in India for a specific period.
- By Naturalization: For foreigners who have resided in India for 12 years and meet specific qualifications.
- By Incorporation of Territory: If a new territory becomes part of India (e.g., Pondicherry), the government specifies who becomes a citizen.
Loss of Citizenship:
- Renunciation: Voluntarily giving it up.
- Termination: Automatically losing it upon acquiring another country’s citizenship.
- Deprivation: Compulsory termination by the government (e.g., if citizenship was obtained by fraud).
🇮🇳 Citizenship (Art. 5–11)
“The Hindu” Editorial Analysis (06-January-2026)
Here is a detailed analysis of the The Hindu Editorials for January 6, 2026, categorized by syllabus relevance for UPSC preparation.
1. The SHANTI Bill: A Paradigm Shift in Nuclear Energy
Syllabus: GS Paper 3 (Energy; Science and Technology- Developments and their applications and effects in everyday life).
Context: Parliament has cleared the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy in India (SHANTI) Bill, effectively ending the decades-old state monopoly in the nuclear sector.
Key Points:
- Private and Foreign Participation: The Bill is an overarching legislation that opens the nuclear power sector to private Indian companies and foreign suppliers, ending the monopoly of NPCIL.
- Control Mechanism: It allows up to 49% private participation, while the Union government retains 51% control over sensitive activities such as fuel production, safety mechanisms, and strategic oversight.
- AERB Statutory Status: The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) has been granted statutory status and is now answerable to Parliament rather than solely to the executive.
- Transparent Liability: Liability caps are fixed at ₹3,000 crore for large plants (3,600 MW) and ₹100 crore for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) of 150 MW capacity.
UPSC Relevance: Essential for topics concerning “Energy Security,” “Atmanirbhar Bharat in Strategic Sectors,” and “Nuclear Liability Laws.”
Detailed Analysis:
- Strategic Energy Mix: The Bill aims to achieve India’s net-zero targets for 2070 by diversifying the power mix and providing 24×7 baseload power that is cleaner than coal-based generation.
- Accountability Concerns: The Opposition argues the Bill dilutes accountability by removing supplier liability completely and capping operator liability at levels significantly lower than actual disaster costs, such as those seen in Fukushima.
- Transparency Conflict: Section 39 of the Bill seeks to override the RTI Act of 2005, potentially removing public interest review mechanisms and making crucial sector-related information restricted.
2. SC Banks on ‘Hierarchy of Participation’ in UAPA Case
Syllabus: GS Paper 2 (Polity and Governance; Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability).
Context: In a significant judgment, the Supreme Court developed a “hierarchy of participation” framework to decide on bail pleas for those accused in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case.
Key Points:
- Masterminds vs. Subsidiaries: The Court denied bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, identified as “alleged masterminds” with “command authority”.
- Bail Granted: Five other co-accused were granted conditional bail as their roles were found to be “subsidiary or facilitative” rather than central.
- UAPA Restrictions: The Court upheld the stringent bail restrictions under Section 43D(5) of the UAPA, stating that constitutional guarantees of liberty are not absolute but subject to special statutes.
- Delay Not a ‘Trump Card’: It was ruled that prolonged incarceration or delay in trial is not a ground for automatic bail if there is prima facie material of a central role in an act of terror.
UPSC Relevance: Critical for “Fundamental Rights (Article 21),” “UAPA and Civil Liberties,” and “Judicial Interpretation of Special Statutes.”
Detailed Analysis:
- Definition of Terror: The Court interpreted that an “act of terror” under UAPA includes not just the final violence but the entire conspiratorial build-up, including the disruption of essential supplies.
- Individual Assessment: Treating all accused identically in a conspiracy case was deemed a potential violation of Article 21; instead, separate roles must be assessed based on the managerial responsibility of each individual.
- Constitutional Concern: While denying bail to the primary accused, the Bench acknowledged that their six-year pre-trial custody raises a “constitutional concern” and directed the trial court to expedite proceedings.
3. Rising Social Media Monitoring Across States
Syllabus: GS Paper 3 (Internal Security; Challenges to internal security through communication networks).
Context: Analysis of police infrastructure data (DoPO reports) from 2020 to 2024 shows a 39% increase in dedicated social media monitoring cells across India.
Key Points:
- Infrastructural Growth: Dedicated monitoring cells rose from 262 in 2020 to 365 in 2024.
- Highest Monitoring: Bihar (52) and Maharashtra (50) lead in the number of operational cells.
- Surveillance in Conflict Areas: In Manipur, monitoring cells increased from 3 to 16 between 2020 and 2024, despite extensive internet shutdowns in 2023.
- Evolving Trends: Officials cite the need to track and pre-empt crime trends on platforms like WhatsApp, X, and Instagram as the primary driver for these dedicated units.
UPSC Relevance: Vital for topics like “Cyber Security,” “Surveillance vs. Privacy,” and “Role of Technology in Policing.”
Detailed Analysis:
- Distinct Functional Units: Since 2021, these cells have begun functioning as distinct units rather than being merged into general cybercrime stations.
- Technological Integration: This digital expansion is part of a broader trend that includes the availability of 1,147 drones with police forces as of 2024.
- Administrative Gap: The rise in digital surveillance occurs even as nearly 5.93 lakh police posts remain vacant across the country.
4. India’s Resilience in Exports: A Two-Path Formula
Syllabus: GS Paper 3 (Indian Economy; Export Performance; Effects of policies of developed countries).
Context: Analysis of India’s trade data for November 2025 reveals how exporters are navigating U.S. tariffs through diversification and absorption.
Key Points:
- Smartphone Masking: A 237% surge in smartphone exports (mostly untariffed) to the U.S. masked declines in sectors heavily hit by tariffs, such as pearls and precious stones (-78.5%).
- New Markets: Exporters successfully pivoted to China and the European Union; marine exports to China grew by 23% and significant gains were made in Spain, Belgium, and Germany.
- Currency Support: The Rupee at ₹90 per USD is identified as a beneficial “instrument” helping Indian exporters locate and enter new markets.
UPSC Relevance: Crucial for questions on “India’s Foreign Trade,” “Trade Wars and Protectionism,” and “Economic Diversification.”
Detailed Analysis:
- The Strategic Shift: For some commodities, the blow from U.S. tariffs was partially absorbed, while for others, total exports increased because of successful market diversification.
- Policy Recommendation: Industry bodies like the Seafood Exporters Association of India (SEAI) are urging the government to intervene with more Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to sustain this momentum outside traditionally dependent markets.
5. Off the Guard Rails: Addressing AI Model Misuse
Syllabus: GS Paper 3 (Science and Technology- Developments and their applications; Challenges to internal security through communication networks). Context: An editorial critique of the generative AI chatbot Grok and the lack of ethical safeguards in its deployment by social media platform X.
Key Points:
- The Problematic USP: Unlike competitors like OpenAI or Google, Grok is marketed on its lack of “common-sensical” safeguards, leading to a “laissez-parler” (let them talk) attitude.
- Alarming Behavior: The chatbot has reportedly responded to user requests to non-consensually generate sexually suggestive and explicit images of women.
- Impunity and Response: Despite demands for “guard rails” from nations like India and France, the platform’s leadership has largely dismissed the gravity of these public-facing capabilities with jokes.
- Government Intervention: The Union government has demanded that X cease such image generation, specifically highlighting the criminal nature of non-consensual intimate imagery.
UPSC Relevance: Vital for topics such as “Ethics in AI,” “Cyber Crimes against Women,” and “Regulation of Big Tech.”
Detailed Analysis:
- Cyber-Hostility: The editorial argues that tools like Grok contribute to an overall environment of hostility for gender minorities on the internet, where threats of sexual violence often transpire with impunity.
- Geopolitical Shield: The platform’s perceived impunity is linked to the assumption that U.S. geopolitical power will protect it from serious international blowback for its handling of sensitive social matters.
- Policy Imperative: Beyond pushing back against platforms, the editorial urges the government to vigorously prosecute individuals who encourage or circulate non-consensual AI-generated content to set a public example.
Editorial Analysis
Jan 06, 2026Mapping:
To understand the geography of the Vedic and Megalithic periods, we look at how different cultures emerged across the subcontinent. The Rigveda was composed in the north-west, while the megalithic culture flourished in the south and central regions.
1. Rigvedic Mapping: Rivers of the North-West
The hymns of the Rigveda provide a map of the landscape inhabited by the early Aryas.
- The Indus and its Tributaries: The Rigveda frequently mentions the Indus and its tributaries like the Beas and Sutlej.
- The Beas and Sutlej: These rivers were worshipped as goddesses and compared to “two swift horses” and “two shining cows”.
- The Sarasvati: This river is also highly praised and named in the hymns.
- Ganga and Yamuna: In contrast to the north-western rivers, the Ganga and Yamuna are named only once in the Rigveda, showing that the core civilization had not yet moved deep into the eastern plains.
2. Megalithic Sites: The Silent Sentinels
While the Rigveda was being composed in the north-west, megalithic burial practices were prevalent elsewhere.
- Deccan and South India: This was the primary area for megalithic culture, with famous sites like Brahmagiri, where rich burials with gold beads were discovered.
- Inamgaon: Located on the river Ghod (a tributary of the Bhima) in Maharashtra.
- North-East and Kashmir: Megalithic arrangements have also been found in these far-reaching corners of the subcontinent.
3. Inamgaon: A Detailed Settlement
Inamgaon provides a specific geographical context for ancient living.
- River Ghod: The settlement stood on the banks of this tributary.
- Central Housing: Important individuals, possibly chiefs, were buried in large houses at the centre of the settlement, which often included structures like granaries.
Mapping Exercises for You
Based on the text, here is what you can practice locating on a map:
- Rivers: Locate the Indus, Beas, and Sutlej to see where the Rigvedic hymns were likely composed.
- Burial Sites: Find Brahmagiri and Inamgaon to understand the spread of the megalithic and post-Harappan cultures.