UPSC Current Affairs 9th June 2025 – Daily News Analysis

Looking for high-quality UPSC Current Affairs for 9th June 2025? This compilation from The Hindu and Indian Express brings you well-structured, original, and exam-focused insights. Covering key editorials like Judicial Sensitivity, Women-led Development, India-Europe Relations, and more, each topic includes recent developments, constitutional angles, reports, and government schemes. Perfect for GS Mains, Prelims, Essay, and Interview preparation.

1. Judicial Sensitivity to Sentiments is a Sign of Regression

About the Issue:

In recent judgments, courts have increasingly prioritized sentiments, decorum, and national pride over protecting constitutional rights like free speech and dissent. This shift indicates a troubling trend of democratic backsliding.

Key Constitutional Functions:

• Article 19(1)(a): Guarantees freedom of speech and expression.

• Article 19(2): Permits reasonable restrictions only on specific grounds like public order, decency, and national security.

• Judiciary’s Role: To protect rights, not validate offense taken by segments of society.

Recent Judicial Trends:

• Allahabad HC (2025): Upheld FIR for remarks allegedly tarnishing PM Modi’s image.

• Karnataka HC: Demanded apologies for remarks affecting linguistic pride.

• Misuse of Sedition: Applied for satire and sarcasm under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

• “Process as punishment”: FIRs and summons used to silence criticism.

Consequences:

• Chilling Effect: Fear-driven self-censorship by citizens.

• Erosion of Democracy: Dissent, satire, and criticism are essential for vibrant democracies.

• Normalization of “Offense Culture”: Legal processes used to suppress inconvenient voices.

Global Perspective:

• U.S. Supreme Court: Uses the “clear and present danger” test to protect speech.

• EU Court of Human Rights: Recognizes satire as a protected form of political expression.

Way Forward:

• Judicial accountability and principle-based review, not sentiment-based.

• Strike down vague laws used to criminalize speech.

• Promote constitutional literacy among law enforcers and judiciary.

• Ambedkar’s Wisdom: “The most powerful method of resistance is dissent.”

2. Consultative Regulation-Making That Should Go Further

About the Issue:

Consultative regulation-making, though initiated by institutions like RBI and SEBI, remains inconsistently applied across regulators. Democratizing the rule-making process is crucial for transparency, efficiency, and stakeholder trust.

Key Points:

• FSLRC (2013): Recommended standard frameworks for public participation.

• RBI (2024): Released a framework mandating publication of draft regulations and public feedback.

• SEBI: Incorporates cost-benefit analysis and stakeholder input before finalizing norms.

Global Best Practices:

• OECD Guidelines: Call for Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIA) and inclusive consultations.

• U.S. Administrative Procedure Act: Mandates publication, feedback, and justification for agency rules.

Challenges in India:

• Lack of uniform guidelines across sectors like telecom, environment, or education.

• Feedback often ignored or unpublished, leading to tokenism.

• Limited civil society and SME participation due to digital divide.

Government Initiatives:

• Pre-Legislative Consultation Policy (2014)

• Digital India Act (2023 – Draft): Invited wide consultations on cyber safety, online content, and data governance.

Way Forward:

• Make public consultation mandatory for all economic and social regulations.

• Publish responses and rationale for accepting or rejecting suggestions.

• Establish a centralized portal for inter-ministerial draft notifications.

• Institutionalize ex-post regulatory review processes.

3. Meeting Interlocutors

About the Issue:

Following Operation Sindoor (2025), India deployed diplomatic interlocutors globally to counter Pakistan’s propaganda and to emphasize its pluralistic democracy and responsible security policy.

Key Objectives:

• Present India’s narrative post-terror strikes.

• Engage multiple stakeholders (UN, think tanks, media) to counter misinformation.

• Highlight India’s restraint and commitment to international norms.

Global & Institutional Platforms:

• UN Counter-Terrorism Strategy

• FATF Engagement: India supports scrutiny of terror financing.

• Global South Forums: India emphasizes unity against state-sponsored terror.

India’s Messaging Strategy:

• Showcase pluralism, federalism, and secular values.

• Engage diaspora and civil society in global capitals.

• Promote India’s soft power via culture, yoga, and digital diplomacy.

Recent Context:

• Post-strike, Indian defence stocks rose sharply.

• Pakistan attempted to internationalize the situation, which India neutralized diplomatically.

Way Forward:

• Institutionalize Strategic Communication Units within MEA.

• Use AI and digital listening tools to detect and counter fake narratives.

• Train interlocutors in media, language, and crisis messaging.

• Foster alliances with international civil society networks.

4. Defence Production in India Receives a Fillip

About the Issue:

Post Operation Sindoor, India has witnessed a significant boost in domestic defence production. FY24 saw record-breaking manufacturing and exports, aligning with India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.

Key Data:

• Defence Production FY24: ₹1.3 lakh crore, 17% YoY growth.

• Defence Exports: ₹21,000 crore.

• MSME Share: Nearly tripled since FY17 (Chart 5).

Government Schemes & Reforms:

• Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020

• iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence)

• Defence Corridors: In Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.

• Positive Indigenisation Lists: Ban on imports of 525 defence items.

• SRIJAN Portal: Allows vendors to participate in indigenisation.

Global Partnerships:

• India-France Defence Cooperation (2024)

• India-US DTTI (Defence Technology and Trade Initiative)

• Make in India tie-ups with Airbus, Boeing, Safran, etc.

Challenges:

• Technology gaps and dependence on foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).

• Delayed procurement cycles.

• Need for strong R&D ecosystem (currently less than 1.5% of GDP spent on defence R&D).

Way Forward:

• Strengthen private sector and start-up involvement in defence production.

• Incentivize R&D via tax rebates and grants.

• Build dual-use technologies and encourage academia-industry tie-ups.

• Integrate with global supply chains under Make in India for the world vision.

5. Women-led Development Redefined

About the Issue:

India has shifted from women’s development to women-led development, recognizing women not just as beneficiaries but as active agents of change. This aligns with the government’s vision of inclusive growth, sustainability, and grassroots empowerment.

Why Women-led Development Matters:

• Gender Equality & SDG-5 alignment.

• Economic imperative: Women form 50% of the population but contribute just ~18% to GDP.

• Inclusive rural development: Through schemes like DAY-NRLM.

• Political empowerment: Through 73rd & 74th Amendments, and the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.

Constitutional Provisions:

• Social Empowerment: Articles 14, 15, 15(3), 51A(e)

• Economic Rights: Articles 16, 39(a), 39(d), 42

• Political Participation: Articles 243D & 243T

Government Initiatives:

Social Empowerment:

• Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (2015)

• One-Stop Centres, Ujjawala Scheme, Swadhar Greh

• Maternity Benefits, Triple Talaq Abolition, PM Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan

Economic Empowerment:

• MUDRA Yojana

• Stand-Up India

• Mahila E-Haat

• PM Awas Yojana – Gramin

Political Empowerment:

• Permanent Commission for Women in Armed Forces

• Agniveer Scheme for Women

Others:

• 3.2 crore Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana accounts.

• 43% of STEM graduates are women, though only 14% join workforce.

Challenges:

1. Patriarchy & Decision-Making Gaps (Only 3% make independent financial decisions)

2. Digital Divide: Only 15% rural women have access to phones.

3. Economic Inequity: 20% gender pay gap; low labor force participation.

4. Safety Issues: Over 4.5 lakh crimes against women reported.

5. Early Marriages & Health Issues: 23% of women (20–24) still married early; high anemia levels.

NGO & CSR Initiatives:

• Apna Ghar Ashram, Maitri, Ashadeep Mission, Majlis Manch’s Rahat

• CSR mandates under Companies Act, 2013 used for SHG training and rural digital access.

Way Forward:

• Expand land ownership rights and education access.

• Integrate SHGs into formal value chains.

• Promote gender budgeting, digital skilling, and financial inclusion.

• Scale-up Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana.

6. India–Europe Cooperation

About the Issue:

India’s strategic and economic partnership with the European Union (EU) and its members like Belgium has become pivotal amid supply chain disruptions, climate goals, and global realignments.

Key Milestones:

• 1962: India-EEC ties

• 2004: Strategic Partnership

• 2022: India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) launched

• 2021: Connectivity Partnership signed

Economic Ties:

• Trade Value (2023–24): $137 billion (EU is India’s largest trade partner)

• 6,000+ European firms operate in India

• India’s top exports: IT services, pharma, textiles

• FDI: Tech, aerospace, semiconductors (e.g., Airbus C-295 in Gujarat)

Green & Digital Collaboration:

• India-EU Clean Energy and Climate Partnership (2016)

• AI, cybersecurity, space technology, and digital innovation under TTC

• Ongoing talks on EU’s CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism)

Strategic & Security Cooperation:

• Maritime security in Indo-Pacific

• Dialogues on counter-terrorism, cyber threats

• Push for multilateral reforms at WTO, UN

India–Belgium Relations:

• Diplomatic ties since 1947

• Trade: €8.8 billion; India’s 5th largest export partner

• IMEC (Belgium) to support India’s semiconductor roadmap

• Cultural ties: Gandhi and Tagore statues; education MoUs

Challenges in India-EU FTA:

• EU demands: Tariff cuts on wine, cheese; agri concessions

• India’s ask: Services liberalization, mutual recognition of qualifications

• CBAM concerns: Would raise import costs by 20–35%

• GDPR compliance adds compliance costs

Proposed Solutions:

• Adopt carbon pricing (Argentina model)

• Exempt agriculture temporarily (EU-Vietnam FTA)

• Use phased liberalization (India-UK FTA: 90% tariff removal)

• Mutual flexibility: Regulatory concessions in exchange for market access

7. Estimates of Poverty in India

About the Issue:

Despite economic growth, poverty persists in varied forms across India. Various expert groups have been constituted to measure poverty with evolving definitions and methods.

Types of Poverty:

• Absolute Poverty: Lack of basic needs (nutrition, shelter)

• Relative Poverty: Income inequality vs. societal standards

Measurement Approaches:

• Monetary: Consumption/expenditure-based

• Capability: Amartya Sen’s framework

• Social Exclusion: Caste, gender, disability-linked deprivations

Major Committees:

NITI Aayog’s MPI (Multidimensional Poverty Index):

• Based on nutrition, education, living standards

• Indicators: Sanitation, schooling, fuel, assets, housing

• ~25 crore Indians moved out of poverty (as per 2023 estimates)

Way Forward:

• Update base years and survey tools

• Integrate real-time digital data from UPI, GSTN

• Promote inclusive policies for marginalized communities

8. India–Turkey Relations

About the Issue:

India-Turkey ties are a mix of opportunity and caution. Though trade and cultural links are strong, strategic and geopolitical tensions—particularly Turkey’s pro-Pakistan stance—continue to challenge bilateral relations.

Economic & Trade Cooperation:

• 1973: Bilateral Trade Agreement

• 1996: Joint Business Council

• Key Sectors: Pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, steel, aviation

• Trade Surplus (FY25): $2.73 billion (India’s exports dominate)

• Indian exports: Engineering goods (50%), MSME electronics, chemicals

• Imports: Fruits, gold, marble

Cultural & People-to-People Ties:

• Indian tourists: ~3 lakh in 2024 (declining trend)

• Yoga, films, cultural events gain traction in Turkey

• Supported via Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, International Day of Yoga

Strategic Importance:

• Turkey acts as a bridge between Asia and Europe

• Important trade corridor and Middle East influence

• Both nations are members of G20 and UN

Challenges in Relations:

• Turkey is a major arms supplier to Pakistan

• Supported Azerbaijan in conflict against India-backed Armenia

• Opposes India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC), citing Eurasian unity

• Recent drone supplies to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor strained ties

• India revoked security clearance for Celebi Aviation

Domestic Industry Impact:

• Himachal Apple Growers: Demand ban on subsidized Turkish apples

• Rajasthan Marble Processors: Seek limits on Turkish marble imports

India’s Policy Approach:

• No blanket bans — only targeted restrictions in critical sectors

• Encourages trade through regulated diplomacy

• Exploring Central Asia alternatives for tourism and trade

Way Forward:

• De-risk trade dependency while keeping diplomacy open

• Expand cultural diplomacy and multilateral cooperation

• Monitor Turkey’s alignments and respond through smart trade tools

• Use forums like G20, BRICS+ to maintain strategic balance

9. New Base Year for GDP, CPI, and IIP

About the Issue:

India is undertaking a major overhaul of its statistical base years for key macroeconomic indicators such as GDP, IIP (Index of Industrial Production), and CPI (Consumer Price Index), ensuring data relevance to a fast-changing economy.

Upcoming Changes:

• GDP New Base Year: 2022–23 (effective from Feb 2026)

• IIP Revised Base Year: 2022–23 (effective from FY 2026–27)

• CPI Revised Base Year: 2024 (weights based on HCES 2023–24)

Changes in CPI Basket:

• HCES Shift: Adjusts for post-pandemic consumption patterns

• Excludes Govt/Employer Housing

• Rural Rent Data introduced

• New Methodology for Public Distribution System (PDS) items

Data Source Expansion:

• GDP: GSTN, e-Vahan, MCA-21, UPI usage integrated

• CPI: Online platforms (IRCTC, PPAC), OTT, scanner data, e-commerce scraping

New Surveys (Upcoming):

Labor Market Reforms (PLFS 2025):

• Sample Size: 2.72 lakh households

• New Indicators: Mean years of schooling, household income (rent, pensions, remittances)

• No back series due to methodological changes

Way Forward:

• Enhance data quality and timeliness

• Integrate real-time administrative data

• Enable public access through data dashboards

• Ensure independence of statistical institutions like NSO

10. China–U.S.: Weaponization of Tariffs

About the Issue:

U.S.–China trade tensions have intensified with renewed tariff escalations, leading to global economic uncertainty and affecting supply chains. India, while not directly involved, stands to gain strategically from “friend-shoring.”

Key Concerns:

• U.S. Tariffs now violate MFN (Most Favoured Nation) principle of WTO

• “Tariff King” Tag: India among highest average tariff nations

• Protectionist Backlash: Hurts competitiveness of exporters, raises input costs

India’s Structural Problems:

• High Logistics Costs

• Bureaucracy in compliance

• Energy Prices remain high for industries

U.S. Policy Context:

• Rust Belt Politics: Rise of populism due to job losses

• Tech vs Traditional Sectors: Shift of employment and capital

• Biden’s broad tariff agenda targets Chinese tech and manufacturing dominance

Global Impact:

• Supply Chain Disruption globally

• Rise of ‘Weaponized Tariffs’ undermines WTO legitimacy

• Rise in input costs for clean energy and electronics

India’s Strategic Opportunity:

• Friend-Shoring: Shift supply chains to like-minded democracies (India, Vietnam)

• iPhone Assembly in India shows FDI attraction potential

• Anti-Dumping Measures: Against China’s non-transparent subsidies

Policy Recommendations for India:

• Fix logistics and infrastructure

• Cut tariff rates on intermediate goods

• Promote PLI schemes with export targets

• Strengthen cybersecurity laws and avoid overdependence on Chinese tech