1. Supreme Court Upholds Tribal Women’s Property Rights
SUBJECT: POLITY
• The Supreme Court ruled in favor of tribal women’s inheritance rights in Ram Charan and Ors. v. Union of India, ensuring equitable access to property under customary laws.
• The judgment invokes Article 14 (equality) and Article 15(3) (special provisions for women), strengthening constitutional protections for marginalized groups.
• It sets a precedent for addressing gender disparities in tribal communities, a key issue in social justice debates.
• The ruling aligns with the Forest Rights Act, 2006, emphasizing community rights over ancestral land.
• This is significant for UPSC aspirants under constitutional law and social issues.
2. Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan Launched
SUBJECT: NATIONAL ISSUES
• The Ministry of Health launched the Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan, a nationwide campaign to promote women’s health and nutrition under Poshan Maah 2025.
• It includes over 1 lakh health camps for screening NCDs, cancer, TB, and anaemia from September 17 to October 2.
• The initiative integrates with Article 47’s directive to improve public health and nutrition levels.
• It addresses gender-specific health disparities, a critical topic for UPSC’s social development section.
• Focus areas include menstrual hygiene, maternal health, and rural outreach.
3. India-Mauritius Sign Blue Economy MoU
SUBJECT: INTERNATIONAL
• India and Mauritius signed an MoU for blue economy cooperation, focusing on Chagos Marine Protected Area surveillance and EEZ mapping.
• This strengthens India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) initiative in the Indian Ocean Region.
• The agreement aligns with UNCLOS provisions and India’s maritime security strategy, a key UPSC topic in international relations.
• It enhances bilateral ties amid geopolitical tensions over the Chagos Archipelago.
• The MoU promotes sustainable fisheries and ocean resource management.
4. Unemployment Rate Drops to 6.2% in August 2025
SUBJECT: ECONOMY
• India’s unemployment rate fell to 6.2% in August 2025, driven by growth in manufacturing and services, per the Periodic Labour Force Survey.
• Festive season hiring and Skill India initiatives boosted urban employment, though rural unemployment remains at 7.1%.
• The data reflects progress toward Viksit Bharat’s economic goals, a focal point for UPSC’s economic development syllabus.
• RBI interventions stabilized the rupee at 88.30 against the USD amid global trade tensions.
• This underscores the importance of inclusive growth and employment policies.
5. Defence Procurement Manual 2025 Released
SUBJECT: DEFENCE
• The Defence Ministry released the Defence Procurement Manual 2025, updating the 2009 version to streamline acquisitions and promote indigenization.
• It simplifies procedures for domestic firms and prioritizes emergency procurements under Atmanirbhar Bharat.
• The manual aligns with the Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020, a key UPSC topic in defense policy.
• It aims to reduce import dependency and boost MSMEs in defense manufacturing.
• The policy supports India’s strategic autonomy, relevant for national security discussions.
