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. [caption id="attachment_26166" align="aligncenter" width="300"] EverythingIAShttps://everythingias.in/[/caption] 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: Patriarchy & Decision-Making Gaps (Only 3% make independent financial decisions) Digital Divide: Only 15% rural women have access to phones. Economic Inequity: 20% gender pay gap; low labor force participation. Safety Issues: Over 4.5 lakh crimes against women reported. 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: Committee Base Year Key Feature Alagh Committee 1979 Calorie norms (2400/2100) Lakdawala Committee 1993 State-specific CPI Tendulkar Committee 2009 Mixed reference periods Rangarajan Committee 2014 Included protein, fat 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): Survey Timeline Health Expenditure Jan–Dec 2025 Domestic Tourism Jul 2025–Jun 2026 Service Sector Survey Full-scale from Jan 2026 (pilot completed) 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
