Evolution and Codification of the MAHASAGAR Strategy: UPSC Current Affairs Story Arc

Overview

This arc tracks the strategic evolution of India's maritime posture from the 2015 'SAGAR' (Security and Growth for All in the Region) framework to the more expansive 'MAHASAGAR' vision launched in May 2025. The transition wasn't just rhetorical; it involved a rigorous execution debate at the Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue (IPRD) 2025 in October and culminated in the formal codification of MAHASAGAR within the updated Indian Maritime Doctrine by December 2025. This shift signifies India's ambition to lead capacity building and maritime trade security across the Indian Ocean and the broader Indo-Pacific, aligning naval strategy with national goals like Viksit Bharat 2047 and PM Gati Shakti.

How This Story Evolved

Vision Launched (Item 5) → Execution discussed at IPRD (Item 18) → Incorporated into Doctrine (Item 2)

1. 2025-05-01: India's Naval Modernization and Maritime Strategy
   More details

   UPSC Angle: India focuses on naval modernization and MAHASAGAR Vision for maritime strategy.

   Key Facts:

   • MAHASAGAR Vision
   • 2025
   • maritime trade security
   • capacity building
   • regional cooperation
   • Global South
2. 2025-11-05: Indo-Pacific Dialogue 2025: India's Maritime Vision
   More details

   UPSC Angle: Indo-Pacific Dialogue 2025 focused on maritime security.

   Key Facts:

   • Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue (IPRD) 2025 concluded on October 30
   • Theme: Promoting Holistic Maritime Security and Growth through Regional Capacity Building and Capability Enhancement
   • Indian Navy executing MAHASAGAR, succeeding PM Modi's SAGAR doctrine
3. 2025-12-03: Navy's New Category in Indian Maritime Doctrine 2025
   More details

   UPSC Angle: Navy's new category in Indian Maritime Doctrine 2025 reflects maritime shifts.

   Key Facts:

   • The updated doctrine incorporates major shifts in India's maritime environment since 2015.
4. 2026-02-18: Goa Maritime Conclave 2026 to Strengthen Maritime Security Cooperation
   More details

   UPSC Angle: Goa Maritime Conclave 2026 to Strengthen Maritime Security Cooperation.

   Key Facts:

   • The Goa Maritime Conclave (GMC-26) will be held on February 21, 2026.
   • The venue is the Naval War College, Goa.
   • The conclave will host representatives from 14 Indian Ocean Region (IOR) countries.
   • The theme is “Common Maritime Security Challenges in the IOR – Progressing Lines of Effort to Mitigate Dynamic Threats”.
5. 2026-02-18: President Murmu Attends International Fleet Review in Visakhapatnam
   More details

   UPSC Angle: President attends International Fleet Review in Visakhapatnam.

   Key Facts:

   • President Droupadi Murmu addressed the International Fleet Review (IFR) 2026 on February 18, 2026.
   • The event took place in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
   • Navies from over 70 countries participated in the fleet review.
   • The theme of the event was “United Through Oceans”.
   • President Droupadi Murmu witnessed the International Fleet Review in Visakhapatnam on February 18, 2026.
   • Navies of more than 70 countries participated in the International Fleet Review, 2026.
   • The theme of the review is "United Through Oceans".
   • India's approach is guided by 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' or 'the world is one family'.
   • India's vision of MAHASAGAR stands for Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions.
6. 2026-02-23: India's push for equitable maritime order
   More details

   UPSC Angle: India aspires to establish an equitable maritime order.

   Key Facts:

   • Exercise Milan
   • 74 countries
   • Increasing international attention to underwater resources, particularly rare-earth minerals, is adding a new dimension to this tension
   • Navy chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi likened Milan to a Mahakumbh

Genesis

Trigger

The launch of the MAHASAGAR Vision on May 1, 2025, which explicitly expanded India's maritime framework to prioritize capacity building for the Global South and maritime trade security.

Why Now

The shift was necessitated by the expiration of the 10-year cycle of the previous doctrine and the need to align maritime strategy with recent national initiatives like 'Viksit Bharat 2047' and 'Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047'.

Historical Context

It builds upon the 2015 SAGAR initiative and the Sagarmala project, which focused on port-led development, now scaling these concepts to a regional security and capability-enhancement level.

Key Turning Points

1. [2025-10-30] Conclusion of IPRD 2025

   It served as the 'execution bridge' where the Navy transitioned from conceptualizing MAHASAGAR to operationalizing it.

   Before: MAHASAGAR was a newly launched vision (May). After: It became the Navy's active operational mandate replacing SAGAR.

Key Actors and Institutions

Key Institutions

• Indian Navy
• Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue (IPRD)
• Ministry of Shipping (Sagarmala)
• Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS)

Key Concepts

MAHASAGAR Vision

A high-level maritime strategy launched in 2025 focusing on trade security, capacity building, and regional cooperation, particularly with the Global South.

Current Fact: Launched on May 1, 2025, to expand the maritime framework beyond basic regional cooperation.

IPRD 2025

The primary annual international conference of the Indian Navy to discuss strategic maritime issues in the Indo-Pacific region.

Current Fact: The 7th edition concluded on October 30, 2025, with a focus on 'Holistic Maritime Security'.

Indian Maritime Doctrine 2025

The fundamental document outlining the Indian Navy's strategic role, operational philosophy, and alignment with national objectives.

Current Fact: Updated on December 3, 2025, to incorporate shifts in the maritime environment since 2015.

What Happens Next

Current Status

As of December 3, 2025, MAHASAGAR has been formally incorporated into the Indian Maritime Doctrine 2025, replacing the outdated categories from the 2015 version.

Likely Next

Expect a series of bilateral capacity-building exercises with Indian Ocean littoral states to operationalize the 'Capability Enhancement' mandate discussed at IPRD 2025.

Wildcards

Increased Chinese naval presence in the IOR could accelerate the 'security' aspect of MAHASAGAR, while budget constraints in partner Global South nations might slow the 'capacity-building' goals.

Why UPSC Cares

Syllabus Topics

• Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India
• Security challenges and their management in border areas; linkages of organized crime with terrorism

Essay Angles

• India as a Net Security Provider in the Indian Ocean Region
• Blue Economy: The Pillar of Viksit Bharat 2047

Prelims Likely: Yes

Mains Likely: Yes

Trend Signal: rising

Exam Intelligence

Previous Year Question Connections

• What is the primary aim of India's SAGAR initiative? — UPSC frequently tests these maritime doctrines. MAHASAGAR is the direct successor to SAGAR, making it a high-probability topic for 2025-26 exams.
• Identify facts about Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. — This arc shows how the new Doctrine aligns with Vision 2047, a core factual area for Prelims.

Prelims Angles

• The exact theme of IPRD 2025: 'Promoting Holistic Maritime Security and Growth through Regional Capacity Building'.
• The year MAHASAGAR was launched (2025) and its predecessor (SAGAR, 2015).
• Integration of Gati Shakti and Sagarmala into the Navy's 2025 Maritime Doctrine.

Mains Preparation

Sample Question: Discuss the evolution of India's maritime strategy from SAGAR to MAHASAGAR. How does the Indian Maritime Doctrine 2025 reflect India's aspirations for a 'Viksit Bharat'?

Answer Structure: Intro: Define SAGAR and MAHASAGAR with dates → Body 1: Drivers for change (Geopolitical shifts, Global South leadership) → Body 2: Key pillars of MAHASAGAR (Capacity building, Trade security) → Analysis: Link with Viksit Bharat 2047 and Gati Shakti → Conclusion: India's role as a regional net security provider.

Essay Topic: From Blue Frontier to Global Ocean Leader: The Transformation of India's Maritime Strategy.

Textbook Connections

Key Takeaway

MAHASAGAR (2025) is the strategic graduation of India from a regional maritime partner (SAGAR) to a proactive lead-architect of security and capacity for the Global South.

All Events in This Story (6 items)

1. 2025-05-01 [Defense & Security] — India's Naval Modernization and Maritime Strategy
   India is focused on naval modernization, port expansion, and coastal connectivity to unlock its maritime potential. The MAHASAGAR Vision, launched in 2025, expands the framework to encompass maritime trade security, capacity building, and regional cooperation across the Global South.
   More details

   UPSC Angle: India focuses on naval modernization and MAHASAGAR Vision for maritime strategy.

   Key Facts:

   • MAHASAGAR Vision
   • 2025
   • maritime trade security
   • capacity building
   • regional cooperation
   • Global South
2. 2025-11-05 [International Relations] — Indo-Pacific Dialogue 2025: India's Maritime Vision
   The seventh edition of the Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue (IPRD 2025) concluded on October 30, 2025, with a focus on "Promoting Holistic Maritime Security and Growth through Regional Capacity Building and Capability Enhancement". Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi emphasized the Indian Navy's execution of MAHASAGAR, succeeding PM Modi's SAGAR doctrine.
   More details

   UPSC Angle: Indo-Pacific Dialogue 2025 focused on maritime security.

   Key Facts:

   • Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue (IPRD) 2025 concluded on October 30
   • Theme: Promoting Holistic Maritime Security and Growth through Regional Capacity Building and Capability Enhancement
   • Indian Navy executing MAHASAGAR, succeeding PM Modi's SAGAR doctrine
3. 2025-12-03 [Defense & Security] — Navy's New Category in Indian Maritime Doctrine 2025
   The Navy's new category in the Indian Maritime Doctrine 2025 incorporates major shifts in India's maritime environment since 2015. It aligns with national visions such as Viksit Bharat 2047, Sagarmala, PM Gati Shakti, Maritime India Vision 2030, Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 and MAHASAGAR.
   More details

   UPSC Angle: Navy's new category in Indian Maritime Doctrine 2025 reflects maritime shifts.

   Key Facts:

   • The updated doctrine incorporates major shifts in India's maritime environment since 2015.
4. 2026-02-18 [Defense & Security] — Goa Maritime Conclave 2026 to Strengthen Maritime Security Cooperation
   The fifth edition of the Goa Maritime Conclave (GMC-26) will be held at the Naval War College, Goa, on February 21, 2026, bringing together Chiefs of Navy and senior representatives from 14 Indian Ocean Region (IOR) countries. The theme for this year's edition is “Common Maritime Security Challenges in the IOR – Progressing Lines of Effort to Mitigate Dynamic Threats”.
   More details

   UPSC Angle: Goa Maritime Conclave 2026 to Strengthen Maritime Security Cooperation.

   Key Facts:

   • The Goa Maritime Conclave (GMC-26) will be held on February 21, 2026.
   • The venue is the Naval War College, Goa.
   • The conclave will host representatives from 14 Indian Ocean Region (IOR) countries.
   • The theme is “Common Maritime Security Challenges in the IOR – Progressing Lines of Effort to Mitigate Dynamic Threats”.
5. 2026-02-18 [Defense & Security] — President Murmu Attends International Fleet Review in Visakhapatnam
   President Droupadi Murmu attended the International Fleet Review 2026 in Visakhapatnam, with navies from over 70 countries participating, emphasizing unity, trust, and respect among nations for maritime traditions. The theme, "United Through Oceans," captures the spirit of togetherness, promoting collective responsibility and cooperative action for a sound maritime order. India's vision of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) guides its approach to international relations and maritime domain.
   More details

   UPSC Angle: President attends International Fleet Review in Visakhapatnam.

   Key Facts:

   • President Droupadi Murmu addressed the International Fleet Review (IFR) 2026 on February 18, 2026.
   • The event took place in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
   • Navies from over 70 countries participated in the fleet review.
   • The theme of the event was “United Through Oceans”.
   • President Droupadi Murmu witnessed the International Fleet Review in Visakhapatnam on February 18, 2026.
   • Navies of more than 70 countries participated in the International Fleet Review, 2026.
   • The theme of the review is "United Through Oceans".
   • India's approach is guided by 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' or 'the world is one family'.
   • India's vision of MAHASAGAR stands for Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions.
6. 2026-02-23 [International Relations] — India's push for equitable maritime order
   Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said India aspires to establish an equitable maritime order based on international rules and freedom of navigation. He also added that a comprehensive global naval architecture can further strengthen the legal framework provided by the UN Convention on the Law of Seas (UNCLOS) to address matters related to international waters.
   More details

   UPSC Angle: India aspires to establish an equitable maritime order.

   Key Facts:

   • Exercise Milan
   • 74 countries
   • Increasing international attention to underwater resources, particularly rare-earth minerals, is adding a new dimension to this tension
   • Navy chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi likened Milan to a Mahakumbh