CURRENT AFFAIRS | MARCH 2026
Prelims: Thirukkural, Thiruvalluvar, Tamil Literature, Ancient Indian Ethics
Mains: GS Paper IV (Ethics — Thinkers and Philosophers), GS Paper I (Indian Heritage and Culture)
Judicial Services Relevance: Judicial ethics and impartiality; dharmic foundations of justice; concept of righteous governance; ethical conduct of judicial officers; Arathuppal on truthfulness and compassion
Thiruvalluvar’s Enduring Legacy: 1,330 Couplets on Morality and Governance
The Thirukkural, authored by the Tamil poet-philosopher Thiruvalluvar, stands as one of the most remarkable treatises on ethics, governance, and human conduct in world literature. Comprising 1,330 couplets (kurals) organized into 133 chapters, this ancient text transcends temporal and cultural boundaries to offer principles of enduring relevance — particularly for those entrusted with the administration of justice.
George Uglow Pope, the renowned 19th-century translator of Tamil literature, described Thiruvalluvar as the “Bard of Universal Man” — a testament to the text’s capacity to speak to universal human concerns while remaining rooted in specific ethical commitments.
- Author: Thiruvalluvar (Tamil poet-philosopher)
- Total couplets: 1,330 kurals
- Chapters: 133
- Three Books: Arathuppal (Virtue), Porutpaal (Wealth/Governance), Inbathuppal (Love)
- Notable description: “Bard of Universal Man” — George Uglow Pope
- Distinguishing feature: Secular universalism — not grounded in any religious tradition
Three-Part Structure: Aram, Porul, Inbam
The Thirukkural is organized into three books (paal), each addressing a fundamental dimension of human life:
1. Arathuppal (Book of Virtue/Dharma) — 380 Couplets
The first book addresses moral and ethical conduct — the dharmic foundations upon which individual and social life should rest. Thiruvalluvar’s treatment of virtue is notable for its secular universalism; unlike many ancient ethical texts, the Thirukkural does not ground its moral prescriptions in any particular religious tradition, deity, or sectarian doctrine.
For judicial officers, the Arathuppal’s discussions of truthfulness, impartiality, compassion, and self-restraint speak directly to the ethical standards expected of those who dispense justice. Kural 111 declares: “Dharma leads to wealth and ultimate happiness — there is nothing greater than dharma.”
2. Porutpaal (Book of Wealth/Governance) — 700 Couplets
The second and largest book addresses governance, statecraft, and administration. It covers topics including:
- Qualities of a just ruler — impartiality, accessibility, and accountability
- Administration of justice — fair investigation, proportionate punishment
- Ministerial conduct — competence, loyalty, and ethical decision-making
- Military and diplomatic strategy — measured use of force
3. Inbathuppal (Book of Love/Joy) — 250 Couplets
The third book addresses human love and emotional fulfillment, recognizing that ethical and political life must be grounded in the fullness of human experience.
The Thirukkural’s emphasis on impartial justice and equal treatment resonates with Article 14 of the Indian Constitution. Thiruvalluvar’s insistence that rulers must be accessible to grievances mirrors the constitutional guarantee of access to justice. The Supreme Court has cited ancient Indian ethical texts in multiple judgments to underscore the civilizational roots of constitutional principles, making Thirukkural directly relevant for judicial discourse.
Relevance for Judicial Officers
The Thirukkural’s relevance to judicial services lies in its substantive engagement with concepts central to judicial philosophy:
- Impartiality: Thiruvalluvar emphasizes that justice must be dispensed without regard to wealth, status, or personal relationships
- Truthfulness: The judge’s commitment to truth as the foundation of just outcomes
- Compassion: Tempering justice with mercy — a principle embedded in modern sentencing philosophy
- Self-restraint: The judge must exercise power with discipline and absence of personal agenda
- Accountability: Those who govern must answer for their actions to the governed
For judicial aspirants: (1) The Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct echo Thiruvalluvar’s emphasis on independence, impartiality, and integrity. (2) GS Paper IV (Ethics) frequently tests ancient Indian thinkers — Thiruvalluvar is a high-probability topic. (3) The Thirukkural’s secular universalism makes it uniquely relevant for a constitutional democracy committed to treating all religions equally.
Source: UPSC Essentials, The Indian Express — March 2026
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Practice Quiz — 10 Judiciary Exam-Style Questions
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