UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 9 May 2025

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 9 May 2025 covers important current affairs of the day, their backward linkages, their relevance for Prelims exam and MCQs on main articles

 

InstaLinks :  Insta Links help you think beyond the  current affairs issue and help you think multidimensionally to develop depth in your understanding of these issues. These linkages provided in this ‘hint’ format help you frame possible questions in your mind that might arise(or an examiner might imagine) from each current event. InstaLinks also connect every issue to their static or theoretical background.

Table of Contents 

GS Paper 1 : (UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 9 May (2025)

1. Social media defining self-worth

GS Paper 2:

1. Child Labour in India

 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME):

1. Framework for Standardizing Regulation Formulation & Public Feedback Process

Facts for Prelims (FFP):

1. Mission Sankalp

2. Nice Classification for Trademark

3. Saola

4. UK’s Proposed Carbon Border Tax (CBAM)

5. Air Defence Systems

6. HAROP drones

 Mapping:

1. Balochistan

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 9 May 2025

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GS Paper 1 :

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Social media defining self-worth

Syllabus: Society (Impact of social media),

Source:  TH

Context: The tragic suicide of young entrepreneur Misha Agarwal—reportedly triggered by a drop in social media followers—has reignited urgent conversations around the influence of social media on mental health, particularly among adolescents.

• With identity now performed and validated online, social media is emerging as a powerful, yet dangerous mirror of self-worth.

About Social Media:

What Are Social Media?

• Social media refers to web-based platforms and mobile applications that enable users to create, share, and interact with content and with other users. These platforms include Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, Snapchat, TikTok, and others.
• While designed for connection and expression, social media also reshapes identity, influences perceptions of reality, and impacts mental health, especially among children and adolescents.

Legal Framework Governing Social Media in India:

• IT Act, 2000: Primary legislation for regulating online platforms.
• Intermediary Guidelines, 2021: Mandate content takedown, user grievance redress, traceability of harmful messages.
• POCSO Act, 2012: Prohibits child sexual content and protects children from digital abuse.
• Consumer Protection Act, 2019: Addresses misleading advertisements and influencer accountability.
• Mental Healthcare Act, 2017: Provides right to access mental health services, including for digital stress-related conditions.

Social Media and Identity Formation in Adolescents:

• Encourages curated, idealized versions of identity for public approval.
• Self-worth becomes dependent on likes, shares, follower count.
• Promotes comparison, performance pressure, and validation-seeking behavior.
• Reinforces trends that reward appearance and online presence over authenticity.

Impact on Adolescents:

• Adolescents are vulnerable due to ongoing identity formation.
• Online and offline lives are blended—leading to continuous peer scrutiny.
• Exposure to filtered realities can cause distorted body image, low self-esteem, and anxiety.
• Unrealistic routines and trends (e.g., fitness or beauty challenges) create stress and shame when not met.

Mental Health Implications

• Increased cases of body dysmorphia, eating disorders, and social withdrawal.
• Content encouraging perfection, rebellion, or risk-taking can trigger emotional distress.
• Repeated exposure to negative comparisons may lead to depression or suicidal ideation.
• Mental health services are underutilized due to lack of awareness and stigma.

 Challenges in Parental Monitoring

• Adolescents often use multiple or fake accounts (e.g., “Finsta”) to hide from adults.
• Excessive surveillance can lead to secrecy and distrust.
• Many parents lack digital literacy and cannot decode trends or online slang.
• Communication gaps widen when monitoring replaces dialogue.

Way Forward:

• Digital Literacy in Schools: Include modules on emotional well-being and algorithm awareness.
• Parental Guidance: Shift from monitoring to trust-based, curiosity-led conversations.
• Platform Accountability: Deprioritize harmful content; show mental health prompts; restrict visibility metrics for minors.
• Mental Health Services: Increase budget for school counselors; promote helplines and peer support programs.
• Regulation of Influencers: Frame norms for children in sponsored content; enforce transparency in digital advertising.

Conclusion:

Social media is redefining how young people perceive self-worth by linking identity to public validation. Without proper regulation, digital literacy, and mental health support, this trend can lead to widespread emotional and psychological harm. The solution lies in a balanced approach combining legal safeguards, empathetic parenting, ethical tech design, and community engagement.

 

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UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 9 May 2025 GS Paper 2:

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Child Labour in India

Syllabus: Social Justice (Issues relating to children)

Source:  IE

Context: Despite having robust constitutional and legal frameworks to prohibit child labour, India continues to grapple with its widespread practice.

• From matchstick factories and brick kilns to leather units and construction sites, millions of children—particularly from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds—remain trapped in hazardous work.

About Child Labour in India:

• What is child labour?
  • Child labour refers to the employment of children in work that deprives them of their childhood, interferes with their education, and is mentally, physically, socially, or morally dangerous and harmful.

Legal Framework:

• Constitutional Provisions:
  • Article 24: Prohibits employment of children below 14 years in factories, mines, or hazardous occupations.
  • Directive Principles (Article 39(e) & (f)): Mandate the State to ensure children are not abused and their childhood is protected.

• Statutory Instruments:

• Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 (Amended in 2016):
  • Prohibits employment of children below 14 in any occupation.
  • Bans adolescents (14–18 years) from hazardous processes.
  • Allows work in family enterprises after school hours—a controversial exception.
• Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act, 2015: Treats child labour victims as children in need of care and protection.
• Right to Education Act, 2009: Ensures free, compulsory education for 6–14-year-olds, indirectly reducing labour incidence.

• Judicial Support

• The Supreme Court has upheld child rights as part of Article 21 (Right to Life with dignity) in multiple verdicts (M.C. Mehta v. State of Tamil Nadu, 1996).

The Ground Reality:  

• Magnitude of the Problem
  • UNICEF analysis of PLFS (2018-19) estimates 18–33 lakh children engaged in labour.
  • Nearly 50% of working children are employed within their families, making detection harder.
  • Worst-affected sectors: agriculture, fireworks, glass-making, leather tanning, mining, construction.
• Hazards and Exploitation
  • Children are exposed to toxic chemicals, abusive conditions, injuries, and verbal and physical assault.
  • Lack of access to basic sanitation, healthcare, and education leads to long-term physical and mental damage.

Enforcement Crisis and Administrative Apathy:

• Low Conviction, Lower Data
  • In 2021, only 613 cases were registered under the Child Labour Act—a shockingly low figure given the actual scale.
  • Data gaps persist:
    • No updated Census figures since 2011.
    • Lack of rural–urban, gender-wise disaggregation.
    • Weak convergence between labour departments, police, and child welfare agencies.
  • Implementation Failure Examples
    • Madhya Pradesh distillery case (2024): 58 children rescued after 11-hour shifts with chemical burns—highlighting state-level inspection failures.

Root Causes:

• Poverty Linkages
  • As per the ILO, child labour is both a cause and consequence of poverty.
  • Families push children into work for survival, especially when adult unemployment is high (India had 6 million jobless adults as per the recent Labour Force estimates).
  • Nutritional deprivations persist—1 in 2 wasted children globally is Indian, reinforcing the poverty-malnutrition-child labour cycle.

Way forward:

• Strengthen Enforcement Mechanisms
  • Create a National Child Labour Enforcement Grid integrating:
  • Labour inspectors
  • District magistrates
  • Juvenile Justice Boards
  • NGOs and Child Welfare Committees (CWCs)
• Plug Legal Loopholes
  • Re-evaluate the “family enterprise” clause, often misused to employ children informally.
  • Make reporting and rehabilitation mandatory for all employers under the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015.
• Enhance Data Collection
  • Fast-track the 2021 Census and integrate child labour modules in PLFS and NFHS.
  • Use geo-tagged rescue operations, mobile applications, and crowdsourced mapping to track hotspots.
• Link with Education and Welfare
  • Strengthen Samagra Shiksha, PM POSHAN, and Anganwadi coverage in high-risk districts.
  • Provide conditional cash transfers to families withdrawing children from labour.
• Awareness through Communication
  • Campaigns like the May Day advertisement by Ogilvy India—“Lay off 7.8 million children”—should be scaled up to promote behavioural change.

Conclusion:

India has one of the world’s most well-articulated legal frameworks against child labour, but enforcement and accountability lag behind. Unless poverty is addressed holistically and implementation mechanisms are radically improved, the country risks perpetuating intergenerational injustice. The message is simple yet urgent: Let adults work, and let children go to school.

 

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UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 9 May 2025 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

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Framework for Standardizing Regulation Formulation & Public Feedback Process

Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has introduced a new Framework for Formulation of Regulations aimed at standardizing regulatory processes and ensuring transparency and public participation in policymaking.

About Framework for Standardizing Regulation Formulation & Public Feedback Process:

• What it is?

• • A comprehensive framework issued by RBI to bring consistency, transparency, and accountability in drafting and revising regulatory instruments.

• Key Features:

• • Unified Scope: Applies to all regulations—directions, guidelines, notifications, policies, and standards issued by RBI.
  • Public Consultation Mandate: Draft regulations must be published on RBI’s website with a Statement of Particulars and kept open for public comments for at least 21 days.
  • Impact Assessment: Draft must mention objectives, impact analysis, and reference to international best practices and global standards.
  • Feedback Incorporation: RBI to publish a general response to public comments along with the final regulations.
  • Periodic Review: RBI will review existing regulations based on supervisory feedback, global practices, and relevance in the evolving environment.

• Importance:

• • Promotes regulatory transparency and inclusivity.
  • Ensures evidence-based policymaking with public and expert input.
  • Aligns Indian regulatory governance with global benchmarks.
  • Helps reduce redundancies and improve regulatory efficiency.

Relevance in UPSC Syllabus

• GS Paper 2:
  • Governance: Role of regulatory bodies (RBI), transparency and accountability mechanisms.
  • Polity: Citizen participation in policy processes.
• GS Paper 3:
  • Economic Development: Financial regulation, institutional reforms.

 

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UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS –  9 May Facts for Prelims (FFP)

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Mission Sankalp

Source: IE

Context: Mission Sankalp, a massive anti-Naxal operation along the Chhattisgarh–Telangana border, entered its third week, with confirmed Maoist casualties and strategic gains.

About Mission Sankalp:

• Launched by: Security forces under the joint command of Chhattisgarh Police, Telangana Police, CRPF, and CoBRA.
• Area of Operation: Karregutta hills, Bijapur district (Chhattisgarh) – Mulugu district (Telangana) border.
• Objective:
  • Flush out top Maoist leaders, especially Battalion 1 of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (armed wing of CPI-Maoist).
  • Dismantle fortified Maoist hideouts and destroy logistics bases and bunkers.

• Key Features:

• • Troop Mobilisation: 24,000+ personnel from DRG, STF, Bastar Fighters, CRPF, CoBRA, and Indian Air Force.
  • Precision Strikes: Use of air surveillance and intelligence-led operations in tough terrains.
  • Recoveries: Over 1,000 kg of explosives, ration stockpiles, detonators, medical kits, and electronic equipment from hideouts.

• Strategic Significance:

• • Largest Inter-State Operation: Reflects unprecedented joint coordination between central and state forces.
  • Decapitates Leadership: Aims to paralyse the Maoist chain of command in core forest zones.
  • Boosts Civil Governance: Paves way for infrastructure and welfare delivery in Maoist-hit tribal belts.
  • National Security Impact: Aligns with Centre’s zero-tolerance policy on Left Wing Extremism.
  • Morale Boost: Signals state dominance in previously no-go areas; crucial in restoring civilian confidence.

 

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Nice Classification for Trademark

Source:  BS

Context: Reliance Industries has withdrawn its trademark application for “Operation Sindoor”, stating that it was an unauthorised filing by a junior employee.

• The term, seen as a symbol of national military bravery, was applied for under Class 41 of the Nice Classification, which covers entertainment and media services.

About Nice Classification for Trademark:

• What is the Nice Classification?

• • An international classification system for goods and services used in trademark registration.
  • Developed under the Nice Agreement (1957) and administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

• Objective:

• • To ensure a standardised classification for trademarks across jurisdictions.
  • Facilitates international trademark searches, comparisons, and registrations.

• Structure:

• • 45 classes total:
    • Classes 1–34: Goods
    • Classes 35–45: Services
  • Each class covers a specific domain, e.g., pharmaceuticals, software, education.

• What is Class 41?

• • Class 41 covers:
    • Education and training services
    • Film production, OTT content, live events
    • Media, digital publishing, and cultural activities
  • Frequently used by film studios, OTT platforms, and event organizers.

• Indian Context:

• • India follows the Nice Classification under the Trade Marks Act, 1999.
  • The system is mandatory for filing and examining all trademark applications.

• Legal Relevance in the Case:

• • Though the Ministry of Defence does not register names of military operations as intellectual property, there is no automatic legal protection unless formally objected to.
  • Sections 9(2) and 11 of the Trade Marks Act, 1999 empower the Registrar to:
    • Reject deceptive or misleading applications
    • Prevent names that misrepresent government association
    • Disallow trademarks that offend public or national sentiment

 

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Saola

Source:  DTE

Context: An international team of scientists has successfully mapped the genome of the Saola (Pseudoryx nghetinhensis), the world’s rarest large land mammal, offering new hope for its conservation through genetic rescue and captive breeding.

About Saola:

• What is Saola?

• • A critically endangered bovine species, often called the “Asian unicorn” due to its extreme rarity.
• Scientific name: Pseudoryx nghetinhensis
• First described: 1993, after a skull discovery in Vietnam in 1992.
  • Closely related to cattle, but resembles an antelope in appearance.

• Habitat:

• • Endemic to the Annamite Mountains, on the Laos–Vietnam border.
  • Found in evergreen forests with high humidity and minimal dry seasons.

• IUCN Red List Status: Critically Endangered

• Population estimate (2015): 50–300 individuals
• Threats: Habitat loss, poaching, and indiscriminate snaring

• Physical Features:

• • Height: ~33 inches at the shoulder
  • Horns: Straight, parallel horns (~20 inches) found in both sexes
  • Unique facial white markings and muzzle scent glands

• Importance of Genome Sequencing:

• • Genome of 26 individuals sequenced from remains found in hunter households.
  • Revealed population split occurred 5,000–20,000 years ago, likely due to climate and human-induced habitat change.
  • Genetic data shows complementary diversity between populations, suggesting they can be combined for a stronger gene pool.
  • Paves the way for captive breeding programs and future reintroduction efforts.
  • Offers scientific tools to prevent extinction through targeted conservation.

 

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UK’s Proposed Carbon Border Tax (CBAM)

Source:  IE

Context: India has stated it will retaliate if the UK imposes a carbon tax (CBAM) on Indian exports starting January 2027, calling it a violation of the CBDR (Common But Differentiated Responsibilities) principle under international climate agreements.

About CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism):

• What is CBAM?

• • It is a form of carbon tax on imports imposed by developed countries (like the EU or UK) based on the carbon intensity of production in the exporting country.
  • Aims to prevent carbon leakage by equalizing carbon prices between domestic and imported goods.
  • The UK’s version of CBAM is expected to start from January 1, 2027.
  • Sectors like steel, aluminium, cement, and energy-intensive goods are likely to be affected first.

• India’s Key Concerns:

• • Unfair Discrimination: CBAM disproportionately affects developing countries like India that have lower per capita emissions but higher carbon intensity due to developmental needs.
  • Violation of CBDR: It goes against the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities“, which acknowledges that developing countries require more time and support to decarbonize.
  • Double Taxation Risk: Indian industries may have to pay both a UK border carbon tax and domestic environmental levies, reducing competitiveness.
  • Impact on MSMEs: India sought a carve-out or exemption for labour-intensive MSME sectors such as textiles and leather, which was not granted.
• Implications for Indian Trade:
  • Even with FTA tariff cuts, exports could face effective protectionist barriers due to
  • Indian exports in textiles, ceramics, engineering goods, steel may be disproportionately hit due to sustainability compliance costs.
  • Could necessitate new regulations, ESG standards, and carbon tracking mechanisms within India.
  • Risk of CBAM expanding to cover labour, IPR, and environmental compliance clauses, impacting India’s trade sovereignty.

 

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Air Defence Systems

Source:  TOI

 

Context: In the early hours of May 9, 2025, Pakistan launched a coordinated drone and missile swarm targeting Indian military bases.

• India successfully intercepted the attack using its air defence shield, including S-400 Triumf, Akash, and Barak-8 MRSAM, in what was part of its integrated response under Operation Sindoor.

About Air Defence Systems:

• What is an Air Defence System?
  • An Air Defence System refers to a networked combination of sensors, weapons, and command systems designed to detect, track, and neutralize aerial threats such as:
    • Missiles (ballistic/cruise)
    • Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs/drones)
    • Manned aircraft and helicopters
  • Components of Air Defence:
    • Surveillance Radars – Detect incoming threats.
    • Command & Control Centres – Prioritise and assign response.
    • Interceptor Weapons – Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs), guns, or loitering munitions.
    • Electronic Warfare (EW) Systems – Jam or spoof drones.
  • India’s Multi-Layered Air Defence Framework:

 

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HAROP drones

Source:  IE

Context: India reportedly used Israeli HAROP drones — a form of loitering munition — to destroy a Pakistani air defence system in Lahore on May 8, 2025, as part of its retaliatory strike under Operation Sindoor.

About HAROP – India’s Kamikaze Drone:

• HAROP is an advanced loitering munition (or suicide/kamikaze drone) developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
  • Combines the functions of both a missile and a UAV — it loiters over an area, selects a target, and crashes into it with an explosive payload.
  • It is designed to destroy high-value targets like radars, command posts, tanks, SAMs, and even moving assets.
  • Unlike conventional precision-guided missiles that require exact target coordinates, HAROPs can search, track, and engage dynamically.

• Key Technical Features:
• Electro-optical (EO) sensor allows real-time visual identification and target acquisition.
• Endurance of up to 9 hours, enabling wide-area scanning and deep-target strikes.
• Can be launched from truck-mounted canisters, naval vessels, or fixed ground platforms.
• Capable of operating in GNSS-denied environments (immune to GPS jamming).
• It has autonomous and manual attack capabilities with a fire-and-forget profile.

 

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UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 9 May 2025 Mapping:

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Balochistan

Source:  HT

Context: On May 9, 2025, Mir Yar Baloch declared Balochistan’s independence from Pakistan, urging India to recognize it and host an embassy in New Delhi, the UN to deploy peacekeepers, and the Pakistani Army to withdraw.

About Balochistan:

• Region: Southwestern province of Pakistan, largest by area (~44% of Pakistan’s territory), bordering Iran and Afghanistan, and facing the Arabian Sea.
• Area: ~347,190 sq km
• Capital: Quetta (near the Afghan border)
• Borders:
  • East: Sindh and Punjab provinces
  • West: Iran
  • Northwest: Afghanistan (Durand Line)
  • South: Arabian Sea (~770 km coastline)
• Terrain and Climate:

• Mostly arid, rugged terrain with mountains (e.g., Sulaiman Range, Makran Range)
• Desert and dry steppe climate
• Sparse population, vast mineral resources

• Ethnic and Demographic profile:
  • Dominant Group: Baloch people (ethnic Iranian descent)
  • Others: Pashtuns (north), Brahuis
  • Languages: Balochi, Pashto, Brahui, Urdu
  • Religion: Predominantly Sunni Islam

• Strategic and Geopolitical Importance:
  •  Natural Resources:
    • Rich in natural gas, coal, copper, and gold (Reko Diq mine)
    • Supplies ~40% of Pakistan’s gas, but remains underdeveloped
  • CPEC & China’s Interest:
    • Gwadar is the southern node of China’s BRI in Pakistan
    • Offers Beijing direct access to Arabian Sea and West Asia
  • India’s Concerns:
    • India has repeatedly raised human rights issues in Balochistan
    • Balochistan factors into India’s Indo-Pacific strategy and balancing CPEC-Chinese expansion
  • Insurgency Movements:
    • Several Baloch nationalist groups demand greater autonomy or independence
    • Regular attacks on CPEC infrastructure, Pakistani army convoys, and Chinese workers.

 

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