9th September 2025

• Aadhaar to be accepted as the 12th indicative document for inclusion/exclusion of names.
• Clarification: Aadhaar = Proof of identity/residence only; NOT proof of citizenship.
• EC officials must verify authenticity and genuineness of Aadhaar, similar to other documents.
• Ordered EC to issue instructions to ground-level officers (BLOs) to accept Aadhaar.
• Directed wide publicity of the order to inform voters.
• Next hearing: 15th September 2025.

• Only passport & birth certificate are conclusive citizenship proofs among the 11 existing documents.
• Aadhaar not alien to Representation of the People Act (can serve as residence proof).
• Judicial precedent & statute both state Aadhaar is not proof of citizenship.

• Kapil Sibal (RJD): BLOs refusing Aadhaar despite SC orders; EC penalising officers who accepted Aadhaar.
• Rakesh Dwivedi (EC): Aadhaar not equal to passport; >99% excluded voters already filed claims; no major errors flagged by political parties.
• Justice Surya Kant & Justice Joymalya Bagchi: Aadhaar is a valid official document; exclusion unjustified.

• Potentially benefits 34 lakh voters at risk of exclusion.
• Strengthens inclusivity in electoral rolls while maintaining scrutiny.
•  Reinforces judicial oversight on Election Commission’s functioning.
•  Balances purity of electoral rolls with universal adult suffrage.

• Article 324 (powers of ECI).
•  Representation of the People Act, 1950 – Section 21.
• Aadhaar Act, 2016 – limits on its use.

• Role of ECI in free & fair elections.
• Judicial interventions in electoral processes.
• Risks of document-based disenfranchisement.

• Electoral integrity vs inclusivity.

KERALA’S MATERNAL MORTALITY RATIO RISES STEEPLY FROM 18 to 30

• Sample Registration System (SRS) data (2021–23) shows Kerala’s MMR “rose”sharply from 18 to 30 per 1 lakh live births, placing Kerala alongside Andhra Pradesh at the top in lowest MMR nationally .
• This rise is primarily attributed to:
  
  • COVID-19-related maternal deaths—notably, 97 deaths reported in 2021.
  • Declining live births: Kerala’s annual live births dropped from an average of 5–5.5 lakh to fewer than 4 lakh; in 2023, they numbered 393,231, and forecasts for 2024–25 show a further dip to around 354,000 .

• Denominator effect: With fewer live births, even similar absolute numbers of maternal deaths inflate the MMR when expressed per 100,000 live births.
• This phenomenon was foreseen by health officials and demographers; while Kerala’s actual maternal deaths remain steady (~120–140 annually), the declining birth count raises the MMR .

• Kerala has consistently had one of the lowest MMRs in India, hitting as low as 19 per 1 lakh live births in prior SRS bulletins .
•  National comparison: India’s MMR dropped from 130 (2014–16) to 93 (2019–21) .
• State comparisons: For 2019–21, MMR figures are—Kerala (20), Andhra Pradesh(45), Telangana (45), Tamil Nadu (54), Karnataka (63) .

• Kerala was the first Indian state to attain replacement-level fertility (TFR ≈ 2.1) in1987–88, reflecting an advanced demographic transition .
• Current fertility has dropped further; TFR was about 1.46 in 2021, implying most couples have one or no children .
• Resultant demographic changes such as delayed childbearing, shrinking reproductive-age population, and ageing profiles can raise obstetric risks and complicate MMR reduction efforts.

• Definitions:
  
  •  MMR: Number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births.
  •  TFR and SDG targets: Kerala’s fluctuations in MMR affect its progress toward SDG 3.1 (<70 by 2030).
• Recent data:
  
  •  India’s national MMR improved to 93 (2019–21).
  •  Kerala’s MMR temporarily surged to 30 in 2021–23.

• Health Governance: Need for nuanced, demographic-sensitive policy design—SRS figures must be contextualized with ground realities (like declining births). Demography & Development: Kerala’s demographic success (low TFR) now has
  side-effects on crucial indicators like MMR—illustrating the complexities in
  advanced demographic transitions. 
• Policy Response: Beyond health infrastructure, responses must address migration,age at marriage, fertility incentives, and maternal care for older mothers.

Essay & Ethics

• Ethical dilemma: Should public health metrics like MMR be interpreted strictly as performance indicators, or should they account for evolving demographic contexts?

• Narrative framing: Ensure “success” narratives don’t mask emerging vulnerabilities—recognizing that demographic shifts require holistic health planning.

ISRAEL  FINANCE MINISTER VISITS  INDIA, SIGNS BILATERAL INVESTMENT TREATY

•  On Monday, 8 September 2025, India and Israel signed a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT)—also referred to as a Bilateral Investment Agreement (BIA)—in New Delhi. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman of India and her Israeli counterpart Bezalel Smotrich signed the deal.
• The Agreement aims to boost investment flows, strengthen investor protections,and establish a framework of certainty for businesses from both nations.

• Marks the first instance of India signing such a treaty under its new BIT model with a member of the OECD. Israel is the first OECD nation to adopt this updated model.
• The agreement supersedes the earlier 1996 BIT, which India had terminated in 2017 as part of its revamp of its investment treaty policy.

• Bilateral trade stood at about US $3.9–4 billion in 2024.
• Aggregate India–Israel investments:
  ◦ From April 2000 to March/June 2025, India’s ODI to Israel: around US $443 million; Israel’s FDI into India: approximately US $334 million

• Ensures minimum standard of treatment, non-discrimination, protection from expropriation, transparency, and smooth transfers/compensation for losses.
• Includes Investor–State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) via arbitration for impartial
  resolution mechanisms
• Part of India’s broader push for Atmanirbhar Bharat in electronics and semiconductors.

Wider strategic and economic implications

• Sets a foundation for a future Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and Israel.
• Reinforces cooperation in innovation, fintech, infrastructure, digital services, and  financial regulation.
• Opens opportunity for Israeli Finance Ministry representation in India and exploring a financial protocol to improve conditions for Israeli exporters.

Geopolitical undertones

•  Occurs amid intensified Israeli military operations in Gaza and growing international scrutiny of Israel.
• Mr. Smotrich’s visit signals Israel’s strategic outreach, particularly as he is banned from several Western countries.
•  India continues to balance its strategic interests while proceeding with economic diplomacy, reflecting a pragmatic foreign policy.

INDIA–EU FTA NEGOTIATIONS: UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS NOTE

• EU Trade Commissioner Maros Šefčovič will visit Delhi on 11–14 September 2025 to lend political momentum to the 13th round of FTA talks, reiterating the year-end target for concluding the deal.
• This builds upon prior key interactions—including the February 2025 EU Commissioners’ visit, the inaugural EU-India Strategic Dialogue in June, and expectations for the next EU-India Summit in early 2026. 

Negotiation Progress

• Of the 23 negotiation chapters, 11 have been closed, covering areas like:
  ◦ Intellectual property
  ◦ Customs and trade facilitation
  ◦ Transparency and regulatory practices
  ◦ SMEs, sustainable food systems
  ◦ Dispute settlement, competition and subsidies
  ◦ Digital trade, anti-fraud clause
  ◦ Capital movement (near-completion).
• Earlier, seven chapters had been closed by mid-2025, signaling steady technical traction.
• Some sources indicate consensus was reached in nearly 8 of ~20 chapters,particularly in less sensitive domains like customs and trade facilitation.

• Agricultural market access (e.g., dairy, wine, rice) remains a red line for India; these items are excluded to safeguard domestic producers.
• The EU seeks greater access for automobiles and spirits—still under negotiation.
• Non-tariff obstacles such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)pose concerns—India may push for deferment or accommodations. 
• Other sticking points include rules of origin, sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures, technical barriers to trade (TBT), and public procurement, which will be focal in diplomatic rounds in New Delhi and Brussels.
• India resists binding clauses on labour rights and environmental standards, viewing them as beyond trade purview.

• The revival and acceleration of this FTA emerges from shifting global trade dynamics—with US tariffs on Indian goods posing a clear incentive for India to diversify markets.
• The FTA holds strategic weight amid Europe’s interest in derisking from China and a protectionist US, and India’s growing economic clout and net-zero goals.
• Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to finalize the agreement by December 2025.

Looking Ahead

• The 13th round in Delhi (8–12 September 2025) and the 14th round in Brussels (October) will address unresolved core chapters.
• A new EU strategic vision agenda for India will be unveiled on 17 September,guiding future cooperation.
• The FTA is expected to underpin broader dialogues, including the Trade & Technology Council (TTC), Indo-Pacific ministerial forum (Nov 20–21), and a potential Security of Information agreement.

• Event: 13th round of India–EU FTA negotiations begins 8–12 September 2025 in Delhi; Maroš Šefčovič visits 11–14 September.
•  Chapters Closed: 11 out of 23 completed; earlier count was 7; consensus in ~8chapters in less contested areas.
• Outstanding Issues: Market access (automobiles, alcohol), agriculture (dairy, wine,rice excluded), CBAM, SPS, TBT, public procurement, rules of origin.
• India’s Stance: Protects domestic agriculture; resists labour/environment clauses; seeks balance against CBAM.
•  Strategic Context: Rising US tariffs push India to diversify; EU seeks decoupling from China/US; shared economic and climate ambitions.
• Timeline: Aim to conclude by December 2025; political push includes EU strategic agenda release (17 Sept) and 2026 summit.
• Additional Diplomacy: Engagements via TTC, Indo-Pacific forum, EU parliamentary visits, and security/defence dialogues.

VICE-PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 2025

• Vacancy and timing
• The election was necessitated by the resignation of Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar on 21 July 2025, ahead of his scheduled term ending in 2027.
• Election schedule
• Under Article 68 of the Constitution, the election was held promptly. The Election Commission issued notification on 7 August 2025, with nomination, scrutiny, and withdrawal timelines culminating in a poll on 9 September 2025, held between 10 AM and 5 PM at Room F-101 (Vasudha), Parliament House.

• BJD (Odisha): Declared abstention to maintain “equidistance” from both NDA and INDIA bloc; aimed at preserving its independent regional identity .
• BRS (Telangana): Abstained citing unresolved urea shortage and farmers’ distress; emphasized independence from central and state governments.
•  SAD (Punjab): Boycotted the election amid floods in Punjab, accusing both Centre and state governments of inadequate relief response.

• Electoral strength
•  Total MPs: 781 (239 Rajya Sabha + 542 Lok Sabha).
  ◦ NDA support: ~425 MPs; Opposition (INDIA bloc): ~324 MPs.
• Margin context

• The NDA had a comfortable edge, projected to win. However, the margin was expected to be significantly narrower than in past elections—the tightest since 2014 (2022 margin: 346; 2017: 272).

• Both coalitions organized internal meetings on the eve of polling:
  ◦ NDA: PM Modi chaired, emphasized attendance and passed key legislation messaging .
  ◦ INDIA bloc: Members received “training” on marking the ballot correctly (number-1, no ticks/crosses or additional writing) after the 2022 experience of 15 invalid votes; senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh reiterated these at the briefing .
• Cross-voting focus
• Special attention was on the Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs (9 MPs in Lok Sabha) due to
  speculation that half may cross-vote .

Implications & UPSC Relevance

• Federal dynamics and regional assertion: BJD, BRS, and SAD’s abstention reflects a growing trend of regional parties asserting autonomous identities—a key theme in Indian polity.
• Electoral systems: The single transferable vote and secret ballot mechanism, quota calculation, and significance of abstention/non-participation are core governance and political science concepts.
•  Centre-State issues: Farmer distress and floods influencing electoral behavior underline the importance of policy failure and relief responsiveness in federal politics.
•  Ideological framing: Opposition’s characterization of the poll as an “ideological battle” underscores the symbolic weight of constitutional offices beyond mere numbers.

THE ‘DOMESTIC sphere’ in a new India

• In August 2025, RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat stated that families should have at least three children for “civilizational survival”.
• This sparked debate over the government narrative of “Nari Shakti” & women-led development vs. the ground reality of women’s condition in the domestic sphere.
• Recent Time Use Survey (2024), NFHS-5 (2019-21), and crime data reveal deep gender inequalities in domestic work, violence, and recognition of women’s role in the economy.

Key Data Points (Static + Current)

• Violence Against Women
• Dowry Deaths: 7,000 women annually (2017–22) → 35,000 total deaths.
• Domestic Violence: 30% women reported intimate partner violence (NFHS-5); only 14% filed complaints.
• Crimes against Women: Over 4.45 lakh cases registered annually, 1/3rd are domestic violence related.
• Time Use Survey (TUS) 2024
• Employment (SNA work):
  Women: 25% engaged, avg. 5 hrs/day.
  Men: 75%, avg. 8 hrs/day.
•  Family Enterprises:
  Women: 23%, ~2 hrs.
  Men: 14%, ~2 hrs.
• Unpaid Domestic Services:
  Women: 93%, avg. 7 hrs/day.
  Men: 30%, avg. 1.5 hrs/day.
• Unpaid Caregiving:
  Women: 41%, avg. 2.5 hrs/day.
  Men: 21%, avg. 1 hr 14 mins/day.
• Conclusion: Women work longer total hours but get less leisure, sleep, and
  recognition.

 Economic Contribution
SBI Survey (2023): If unpaid women’s work monetised → ₹22.5 lakh crore/
year (~7% of GDP).

Unpaid domestic work subsidises minimum wage levels, keeping labour
costs low.
Workers in Care Sector

Anganwadi, Mid-Day Meal, ASHA workers → considered “volunteers”,given honorarium, not minimum wage or govt. employee status.
Policy & Ideological Issues
Cultural-Religious Conservatism
◦ Opposition to criminalising marital rape (argued as “against marriage” &
“Indian culture”).
◦ Silence on domestic violence, while vocal on “love jihad”.
* Government Framing
◦ PIB (Feb 2025) release glorified gender inequality: “Most caregiving is by
women, reflects Indian social fabric.”
◦ Shows patriarchal mindset in state narratives.
Economic Contribution
* SBI Survey 2023: Monetising unpaid women’s work = 7% GDP (₹22.5 lakh crore).
* Women’s invisible labour subsidises low wages & sustains labour force.
Policy & Structural Issues

• * Govt. framing (PIB, Feb 2025): Gender inequality glorified as “Indian social fabric”.
• Opposition to marital rape criminalisation (seen as “against marriage & culture”).
• Anganwadi, ASHA, Mid-day meal workers treated as “volunteers” → low honorarium, no employee benefits.
  Static Linkages (UPSC Relevance)
• Constitution:
• Art. 14 (Equality), Art. 15 (No discrimination).
• DPSPs: Art. 39(d) (equal pay), Art. 42 (humane work conditions).
• Acts/Schemes:
• Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005.
• Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 (26 weeks leave for formal workers).
• Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, ICDS, Poshan Abhiyan.
  Way Forward
  1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Stronger implementation against domestic violence.
  Recognise unpaid domestic work in GDP/social security.
  Universal state-supported childcare & eldercare.
  Equal pay & work opportunities for women.
  Cultural change → shared domestic responsibility.
  Justice for scheme workers → minimum wage, govt. employee benefits.

Iran and India, ancient civilisations and new
horizons

• 1. Crisis in the Western-led International Order (IR)
• Declining Monopoly of the West: The diminishing ability of Western powers to impose will via financial systems, tech dominance, human rights enforcement, and media reflects a crisis of hegemony—critical for GS-II (International Relations). 
• Evidence of this shift: Leaders like PM Modi push for new governance models (e.g., during the ‘Voice of the Global South’ summits).
  2. Rise of the Global South & Multipolarity
• India’s leadership: Embodied in ‘Voice of the Global South’ summits, G20 inclusion of the African Union, and Vaccine Maitri—these show India’s transition from aid- recipient to an agenda-setter.
• South-South cooperation: UPSC sources highlight India’s strategic infrastructure, digital, and defense partnerships across Ghana, Brazil, Argentina, Namibia, etc., underlining deepening South-South ties.
• Challenges within the Global South: Fragmented interests, economic disparities,
  and political divisions hinder cohesive action.
  3.Reinventing Global Institutions & Connectivity
• Neo-multilateralism: India’s balanced engagement with platforms like SCO, Quad, and BRICS exemplifies pragmatic diplomacy—“Neo-multilateralism” based on shared interests.
• Infrastructure as civilisation-bridges: Projects like Chabahar and the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) symbolize new pathways for Eurasian, West-Asia, and African connectivity.
  4. BRICS & Alternative Global Finance System
• BRICS expansion: The inclusion of Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE, etc., reflects both increased representation and internal contradictions—raising questions about purpose and coherence.
• Multipolarity vs Western dominance: EAM Jaishankar’s call for a fair, multipolar order captures India’s strategic posture—rejecting dominance by any single power.
• Alternative financial architecture: SCO discussions around new development banks and de-dollarisation indicate emerging alternatives to Western-led financial systems.
• Financial fragmentation: Academic research points to strategic shifts away from SWIFT due to sanctions, favoring regional alternatives—highlighting the breakup of financial hegemony.
  5. Civilisational Legacy & Cultural Diplomacy
• Historic civilisational claims: India and Iran’s millennia-old cultural contributions emphasize deep-rooted values (peace, diversity, spiritual growth) relevant for a just
  world order.
• Cultural soft power: India’s cultural diplomacy (e.g., yoga promotion, diaspora engagement) strengthens its civilisational footprint and international appeal.
  6. Palestine & Right to Development
• Global South solidarity: The Palestine struggle is viewed not just as a regional issue but a broader symbol of resistance to occupation and Western hypocrisy, aligned with
  the South’s right to resist and develop.
• Iran’s nuclear stance: Its advocacy for peaceful nuclear energy is portrayed as part of the South’s developmental rights and sovereignty.

Ranking pitfalls 

• The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), launched in 2015 by the
  Ministry of Education, ranks Indian higher education institutions.

In 2025, the framework spanned 17 categories, including a new SDG (Sustainable
Development Goals) category.
* * Ranking Parameters:
1. Teaching, Learning & Resources (30%)
2. Research & Professional Practice (30%)
3. Graduation Outcomes (20%)
4. Outreach & Inclusivity (10%)
5. Peer Perception (10%)

• 2025 NIRF Highlights
• IIT Madras topped the overall category for the 7th consecutive year.
• IISc Bengaluru, IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, and IIT Kanpur followed in top spots.
•  A record 7,692 institutions participated.
• New developments: inclusion of the SDG category, and stricter penalties for research retractions.
• Methodological Concerns & Criticisms
  a) Peer Perception (10%)
• Criticized for being subjective, reputation-based, and lacking transparency.
• Overrepresentation of certain sectors (engineering, research) while others get less weight.
• Skews results against suburban and state-run institutions.
  b) Outreach & Inclusivity (OI)
• NIRF mostly considers regional and gender diversity.
• It omits data on economically weaker sections, socially disadvantaged groups, and students with disabilities.
• Only JNU and AIIMS Delhi scored above 70 in OI among top 10, showing weak inclusivity overall.
  c) Bibliometric Dependence
• Focuses heavily on publications, citations, patents.
• Neglects qualitative contributions like books, monographs, or community-based research.
  d) Data Integrity Issues
• Allegations of false data submissions and manipulation.
• Madras High Court in 2025 dismissed a plea challenging NIRF publication, but
  concerns on credibility remain.
  4. UPSC-Relevant Insights & Way Forward
• 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Increase Transparency – make peer perception process public and balanced.
• Strengthen Inclusivity – include SES, disability data, and reservation compliance in OI.
  Ensure Research Integrity – penalize retracted research, audit institutional claims.
• Broaden Evaluation – look beyond bibliometrics; value teaching quality and social impact.
  Systemic Use of Rankings – use findings to address:
  ◦ Faculty shortages outside top 100
  ◦ Regional imbalances
  ◦ Mentoring by legacy institutions
  ◦ Research inactivity in majority of private/management institutions.