Stay updated with the most important UPSC Current Affairs for 9 July 2025. From digital terror financing and defence spending to UN climate reforms and election roll controversies—this compilation covers high-impact topics for Prelims, Mains, and Essay, backed by global treaties, national laws, and institutional insights. Watch Video – Click 1. India-Brazil Partnership is Relevant for the World: Modi 📰 Why in the News? During his official visit to Brazil, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the strategic relevance of the India-Brazil partnership, positioning it as a key pillar for the Global South. He was conferred with Brazil’s highest civilian honour, the Grand Collar of the Southern Cross. 📘 Key Points for UPSC Prelims Perspective Brazil's highest civilian award: Grand Collar of the Southern Cross. Agreements signed: Renewable Energy, Counter-Terrorism, Intellectual Property, Agriculture, Data Protection, Digital Payments (UPI). Brazil to integrate India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI). India-Brazil target: $20 billion bilateral trade by 2030. Mains Perspective GS2 – International Relations: Strengthening South-South cooperation; Strategic diplomacy in Latin America. GS3 – Economy & Tech: Expansion of digital infrastructure abroad, UPI as a soft power tool. GS2 – Governance: Using digital payments diplomacy to drive international development. 🌍 Recent Developments & Global Context Modi’s Brazil visit follows the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, signaling a stronger Global South coalition. India positioning itself as a technology exporter. Both nations are part of G20, IBSA, BRICS, working to reform global institutions like UNSC, WTO, and IMF. 📜 Relevant Conventions and Treaties BRICS Framework Agreements: Cooperation in sustainable development, innovation, and digital transformation. WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement: Promotes reduction of trade barriers and customs modernisation. WIPO Treaties (1996, 2000): Recognizes protection of IPRs in cross-border cooperation. G20 Osaka Track on Digital Economy: Shared vision for cross-border data flow and digital payment integration. 🌐 Implications for India and the World Enhances India’s leadership in South-South diplomacy. UPI adoption could open up new global markets for Indian fintech startups. Boosts India’s image as a reliable strategic partner in Latin America. Creates a new dimension of tech-based diplomacy in foreign policy. 2. Terror Attack Accused in India Used Online Payments, E-Commerce Sites: FATF 📰 Why in the News? The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) flagged the use of online payment gateways, e-commerce platforms, and VPNs by individuals involved in terror activities in India, including the Gorakhnath Temple attack (2022) and Pulwama bombing (2019). 📘 Key Points for UPSC Prelims Perspective FATF: Global watchdog on money laundering and terror financing. Gorakhnath attack funded via PayPal, used VPNs to mask identity. Pulwama attacker used Amazon to procure aluminium powder for explosives. Mains Perspective GS3 – Internal Security: Emerging challenges of digital radicalisation and cyber-terrorism. GS2 – International Institutions: Role of FATF in counter-terror financing. GS3 – Technology: Misuse of e-commerce and fintech platforms. 🌍 Recent Developments & Global Context FATF is pressing countries to regulate Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) and e-commerce platforms. India’s UAPA and NIA Act updated to include digital crimes and cross-border payments. Digital infrastructure growth has increased vulnerabilities in cyber-security. 📜 Relevant Conventions and Treaties FATF 40 Recommendations (2023 Update): Includes crypto-assets, VPNs, and cross-border online payments. UNSC Resolution 2462 (2019): Mandates criminalisation of terror financing as an autonomous offense. Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units: Facilitates international exchange of information on money laundering. India’s UAPA (Amendment) Act, 2019: Empowers agencies to designate individuals as terrorists, includes tech-based evidence. 🌐 Implications for India and the World Highlights loopholes in digital economy regulation. Strengthens India’s case for UN-sponsored action against state-sponsored terror. Promotes collaboration with global fintech firms to prevent terror financing through tech. 3. The ECI Does Not Have Unfettered Powers 📰 Why in the News? The Election Commission of India (ECI) initiated a Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar ahead of Assembly elections. Legal experts and opposition parties claim it may violate statutory provisions and target certain communities. 📘 Key Points for UPSC Prelims Perspective Article 324: ECI’s powers to supervise elections. Article 326: Adult suffrage. Representation of the People Act, 1950 & 1951: Legal framework for voter registration. Mains Perspective GS2 – Polity: Limits and checks on constitutional authorities. GS2 – Governance: Electoral transparency and democratic inclusion. GS2 – Ethics in Governance: Balancing administrative power and public trust. 🌍 Recent Developments & Global Context Supreme Court reiterates that constitutional powers are not absolute. Similar concerns of voter suppression in global democracies (e.g., US, Hungary). Post-2024 general elections, debates intensified around voter disenfranchisement and ECI neutrality. 📜 Relevant Conventions and Treaties ICCPR (Article 25): Right to participate in public affairs and elections without discrimination. Universal Declaration of Human Rights – Article 21: Free and fair elections are essential to public will. Indian case law: Mohinder Singh Gill v. CEC (1978): ECI must act within the law, not above it. Elections (Amendment) Act, 2021: Linking Aadhaar to voter IDs—raises concerns of exclusion. 🌐 Implications for India and the World Highlights challenges in maintaining electoral integrity. May erode public trust in constitutional institutions. Global democracies watch how India balances electoral efficiency with fairness. 4. The Dark Signs of Restricted or Selective Franchise 📰 Why in the News? Allegations have emerged regarding selective deletion of voters, especially in minority and migrant-dense areas in Bihar, raising fears of systematic disenfranchisement. 📘 Key Points for UPSC Prelims Perspective Article 14: Equality before law. Article 21: Right to life includes right to vote (by interpretation). Rule 8 of Registration of Electors Rules, 1960: Citizens must submit information “to the best of their ability”. Mains Perspective GS2 – Polity & Governance: Right to vote and administrative accountability. GS4 – Ethics: Issues of fairness and social justice in election processes. 🌍 Recent Developments & Global Context Global trend of voter suppression through ID laws and redistricting. Indian states like Assam (NRC) and Bihar under scrutiny for targeted exclusion. Data suggests voter roll revisions disproportionately impact marginalised groups. 📜 Relevant Conventions and Treaties ICCPR Article 25: Safeguards against unreasonable restrictions on voting. Convention on Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD): Voting rights must not be racially or ethnically targeted. Indian Supreme Court: People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) v. Union of India (2003) upheld voter privacy and access rights. 🌐 Implications for India and the World Threatens democratic inclusion and social justice. Could impact electoral participation and citizen confidence in the process. Weakens India’s democratic image at global forums like Freedom House and V-Dem. 5.Quick Fix: India’s Research & Development Gaps and Reforms 📰 Why in the News? Recent policy assessments and global innovation rankings show that India's investment in Research and Development (R&D) remains stagnant at ~0.7% of GDP, far below global leaders. Government think tanks and institutions like NITI Aayog and DST are calling for urgent reforms. 📘 Key Points for UPSC Prelims Perspective India’s R&D expenditure: ~0.7% of GDP (UNESCO, NITI Aayog). Compare: South Korea ~4.8%, Israel ~5.4%, China ~2.4%, US ~3.2%. Key Indian R&D Institutions: CSIR, DRDO, ISRO, ICMR, BIRAC, DST. New Initiatives: National Research Foundation (NRF) under NEP 2020. Mains Perspective GS3 – Science & Tech: India's innovation gap, brain drain, low private sector R&D investment. GS2 – Governance: Need for policy reforms to foster research ecosystems. GS3 – Economy: Link between R&D and self-reliance in key sectors like semiconductors, AI, biotech. 🌍 Recent Developments & Global Context India ranks 40th in the Global Innovation Index 2024 (WIPO). Government announced ₹50,000 crore allocation to NRF under Budget 2025–26. Emerging economies are rapidly increasing public-private R&D collaborations. 6. Urban Governance & Carrying Capacity Crisis 📰 Why in the News? A series of studies including by NIUA (National Institute of Urban Affairs) and CSE (Centre for Science and Environment) have raised alarms about Indian cities crossing their carrying capacity, leading to infrastructure stress, pollution, and ecological degradation. 📘 Key Points for UPSC Prelims Perspective Carrying Capacity: The population load that a city can sustain without harming its environment or quality of life. Key terms: Urban Heat Islands, PM2.5, AQI, EIA, Smart Cities Mission. Indian cities with critical overload: Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai. Mains Perspective GS1 – Urbanization: Rapid migration, slum proliferation, and service collapse. GS2 – Governance: Need for sustainable urban planning. GS3 – Environment: Impact of unregulated construction on water, air, and waste systems. 🌍 Recent Developments & Global Context Reports show Delhi's AQI regularly crosses 300+, far above WHO limits. Indian cities contribute over 60% of GDP but face rising urban poverty and resource stress. Smart Cities Mission completion is below targets in most states. 📜 Relevant Conventions and Treaties UN Habitat Framework (New Urban Agenda): Sustainable, inclusive urban growth. Paris Agreement (2015): Includes cities’ role in climate adaptation and emission reduction. SDG 11: Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. EIA Notification, 2006 (India): Mandatory for mega urban projects—often bypassed or weakened. 7. Reforming the UNFCCC: A Broken Climate Compass? 📰 Why is it in the News? The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is facing criticism for its weak ability to enforce climate goals. After the disappointing outcomes of COP28, many feel it is failing to keep countries accountable for their promises, especially the target of keeping global temperature rise below 1.5°C. 📘 UPSC Key Insights Prelims Notes: UNFCCC was created in 1992 to manage global efforts to fight climate change. NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions) are countries' own climate goals. IPCC is the scientific body providing data on climate change. Mains Relevance: Most countries’ pledges are voluntary, not legally binding. Poor countries get insufficient climate finance from developed nations. India supports principles like climate justice and CBDR-RC (Common but Differentiated Responsibilities – Respective Capabilities). 🌍 Global Scenario India has promised to become Net Zero by 2070. Developed countries failed to deliver their promised $100 billion yearly to support poorer countries. Climate summits are being influenced by large corporations. 📜 Important Conventions & Treaties Paris Agreement (2015): Countries set their own goals to reduce emissions. Kyoto Protocol (1997): Was legally binding but applied only to rich countries. CBDR-RC Principle: Developed countries must lead because they polluted more historically. 9. Rising Defence Spending: Securing Borders or Draining Budgets? 📰 Why is it in the News? India’s 2025 Union Budget gave a record allocation of ₹6.5 lakh crore to the Ministry of Defence, making it the highest among all ministries. This is seen as a strong move to modernise defence but has raised concerns over reduced spending on healthcare, education, and social welfare. 📘 UPSC Key Insights Prelims Notes: Highest allocation went to the Ministry of Defence. Key organisations involved: HAL, DRDO, BEL. Defence corridors are being developed in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Mains Relevance: Focus is on Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence, but India still imports heavily. Budget balance needed between security needs and development goals. India is now boosting its arms exports to offset costs. 🌍 Global Scenario India is the 4th largest defence spender (as per SIPRI). Rising military tensions with China and global conflicts (e.g., Ukraine war) are influencing defence budgets. Many countries are modernising weapons and increasing military manpower. 📜 Important Conventions & Treaties Wassenaar Arrangement: India is a member; it controls the export of weapons and dual-use goods. Arms Trade Treaty: India is not a signatory. UN Charter Article 51: Recognises every nation’s right to self-defence. Watch Video – Click
