9 PM UPSC Current Affairs Articles 4th June, 2024

Dear Friends,
9 PM Brief is our prime initiatives for the preparation of current affairs. What we are providing in this initiative:
- Ensure that all relevant facts, data, and arguments from today’s newspaper are readily available to you.
- We have widened the sources to provide you with content that is more than enough and adds value not just for GS but also for essay writing.
It is our endeavor to provide you with the best content, and your feedback is essential for the same. We will be anticipating your feedback and ensure the blog serves as an optimal medium of learning for all the aspirants.
For previous editions of 9 PM Brief – Click Here
For individual articles of 9 PM Brief– Click Here
Download Factly and 9 PM Weekly Compilations | Arranged Subject-wise and Topic-wise |
Mains Oriented Articles
GS PAPER - 2
The Right to Property in India
Source-This post on The Right to Property in India has been created based on the article “Property is real, and so should the ‘compensation’ published in “The Hindu” on 3 June 2024.
UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper-2– Indian Constitution—Historical Underpinnings, Evolution, Features, Amendments, Significant Provisions and Basic Structure.
Context– The article highlights the history of the right to property in post-colonial India and the power struggle between the judiciary and the legislature over this issue.
What are the debates surrounding right to property in India?
The right to property was a fundamental right protected under Article 19(1)(f) of the Constitution.
1) Bela Banerjee case– In this case the court focused on how to interpret Articles 19(1)(f) and 31(2) of the Constitution. The Supreme Court of India decided that in Article 31(2), the word “compensation” meant providing the owner with a fair equivalent for what they lost.
To change this interpretation, the 4th constitutional amendment was passed in 1955. This amendment explicitly stated that courts could not question the inadequacy of compensation.
2) Kesavananda Bharati Case– Parliament understood that the term “compensation” in Article 31(2) was causing problems. So, they replaced it with “amount” through the 25th Constitution Amendment Act, 1971, which prevented the courts from interpreting it.
The Supreme Court in this judgement interpreted that while the adequacy of the amount paid was non-justiciable, the principles for determining such compensation were still open to judicial review.
3) 44th Constitutional Amendment– The Janata Party government passed the Constitution 44th Amendment Act in 1978, which deleted the right to property from the list of Fundamental Rights and placed it as a Constitutional Right under Article 300-A.
Article 31, which had caused a lot of debate about how compensation should be decided, was removed.
What are the arguments against the Deletion of Article 31?
1) One of the dissenting judges in Kesavananda Bharati held that that the right to property should be considered a basic feature of the Constitution.
2) The power granted under Entry 42 of the Concurrent List allows for “acquisition,” not “confiscation,” and it’s stressed that compensation should still mean what was defined in the Bela Banerjee case.
What are various Supreme court judgements after the deletion of Articles 19(1)(f) and 31?
In the years following the deletion of Articles 19(1)(f) and 31, the Supreme Court has held that the right to property is not only a constitutional right but also a human right. In the M.C. Mehta case, the Court stated that a law depriving a person of property must be just, fair, and reasonable.
B.K. Ravichandra case– In this case, the Court observed that the phrasing of Article 300-A resembled Articles 21 and 265, and its guarantee could not be read down.
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation Case – The recent decision in the Kolkata Municipal Corporation case has fleshed out seven facets protected under Article 300-A, including the right to notice, the right to be heard etc.
The Court has affirmed that the obligation to provide compensation, which means the value of the property taken in monetary terms, as established in the Bela Banerjee case, has been restored.
Question for practice
What discussions exist regarding the right to property in India? What Supreme Court rulings have emerged following the removal of Articles 19(1)(f) and 31?
Neglect of Children’s Issues in Elections
Source-This post on Neglect of Children’s Issues in Elections has been created based on the article “Missing in manifestos: children’s issues” published in “The Hindu” on 3 June 2024.
UPSC Syllabus–GS Paper-2– Salient Features of the Representation of People’s Act.
Context– The article highlights the lack of attention given to children’s interests by political parties in India, despite children constituting about 30% of the country’s population. It emphasizes the need for political parties to address issues related to children’s nutrition, education, and health in their election manifestos.
What is the education related promises made by different political parties in India?
1) BJP-
- A) Promises to strengthen PM SHRI Schools, Ekalavya Schools, and other model schools.
- B) BJP: Aims for 100% Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) from pre-school to secondary level but lacks concrete steps to achieve this.
2) Congress:- Promises to amend the Right to Education Act (RTE) to make education from Class 1-8 compulsory and free. Congress and DMK: Promise financial support and economic opportunities to curb dropout rates.
3) CPI(M): Promises to expand the RTE Act from 3 to 18 years.
What are the nutrition and healthcare related promises made by various political parties?
1) BJP: Focuses on eliminating malnutrition among tribal children.
2) CPI(M): Commits to universalizing the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme to cover all children aged 0-6 years and provide nutritious meals. It assures complete coverage of basic services like immunization and regular health check-ups for all children
3) Congress: Promises to expand the midday meal programme up to Class 12, while DMK promises to expand the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme for children to aided schools (Class 1-5). It also promises to address nutritional deficiency among children and ensure full immunization of children within 5 years (currently at 76%).
4) DMK: Promises budgetary allocations to ensure complete healthcare during the first 1,000 days of a child’s development and mental health programmes in schools.
What are some unaddressed areas in political manifestos regarding children’s welfare?
Manifestos of various political parties have not addressed issues such as-
A) children’s participation in decision-making processes.
B) online safety for children, and initiatives to prevent child exploitation.
C) There is a lack of a “child-rights based approach” in the manifestos and the tendency to club children with ‘women’ or ‘youth’, thereby downplaying their specific needs.
D) There is a focus solely on a few cost-intensive model schools as opposed to bringing systemic changes to improve the public education system.
Political parties must prioritize education, child nutrition, and health in their manifestos, and voters need to assess the parties’ visions and seriousness in safeguarding the future of children.
Question for practice
What are some unaddressed areas in political manifestos regarding children’s welfare?
Importance of Healthcare Cost Management
Source-This post on Importance of Healthcare Cost Management has been created based on the article “The delicate balancing of health-care costs” published in “The Hindu” on 3 May 2024.
UPSC Syllabus–GS Paper-2– Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Context– The article emphasizes the urgency of addressing healthcare costs and ensuring equitable access to medical services in India. With rising health disparities, sustainable and fair healthcare policies are crucial.
What is the role of private hospitals in driving innovation?
Private hospitals, particularly those accredited by organizations like JCI and NABH, serve not only as centers of specialized care but also as hubs for innovation, investing in advanced technologies like telemedicine to enhance patient outcomes.
What are the concerns regarding price caps in healthcare?
1) Implementing uniform price caps could greatly reduce healthcare quality. Research indicates that hospitals facing financial strain due to these caps experience a 15% rise in patient dissatisfaction.
2) Such caps could significantly hinder the advancement of new treatments and technologies, particularly in critical areas like cancer research and robotic surgery, which require substantial investment.
3) Properly implemented rate standardization can alleviate health-care disparities. However, they should not destabilize providers’ economic health.
What should be the way forward?
1) Pricing Models- There is a need to employ dynamic pricing models that change depending on how complex the medical issue is and the patient’s financial situation. Thailand’s system, which looks at how much patients earn and how necessary the treatment is, could be a good example for India’s diverse economy.
2) Addressing Legal and Regulatory Challenges– Legislative reform is necessary to accommodate local conditions and support rate standardization. States like Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu are advocating for robust legal frameworks to address gaps in rate fixation provisions.
3) Leveraging the Role of Technology– Technology, such as artificial intelligence and telemedicine programs, can make healthcare more available and affordable, particularly in distant regions, while advancements like mobile health applications can be useful in handling long-term health conditions beyond hospital settings. For ex- telemedicine initiatives in Karnataka that have reduced hospital visits by 40%.
4) Stakeholder Engagement- There is a need to engage all stakeholders, including private healthcare providers, to understand the nuanced dynamics and craft effective, sustainable policies.
5) Data-driven policymaking – The government needs to prioritize data-driven policymaking. They should use data analysis and predictions to decide on rates and understand how they’ll affect healthcare innovation and accessibility in the long run.
6) Establish Public-Private partnerships- There is a need to allocate government subsidies to support research and development in private hospitals and establish public-private partnerships to integrate cutting-edge technologies in public hospitals.
7) Pilot projects-The government can implement pilot projects to gauge the impact of rate caps on healthcare quality and innovation.
Question for practice
What are the concerns regarding price caps in healthcare? What steps can be taken to address this?
GS PAPER - 3
Challenges Facing Indian Agriculture
Source-This post on Challenges Facing Indian Agriculture has been created based on the article “Challenge for farm sector: How to share growth gains” published in “The Indian Express” on 4 June 2024.
UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper-3-Indian Agriculture
Context-The article highlights the difficult journey and challenges that the Indian agriculture sector faces as the country moves towards the “Amrit Kaal” (Golden Era) It emphasizes that policymakers haven’t managed to secure decent incomes for farmers, and the sector is stuck in a tough situation that might not be easy to improve.
What are the major challenges faced by agriculture?
1) Climate Change-The irreversible effects of climate change are impacting crop production and livelihoods through erratic climatic events.
2) World Trade Organization (WTO) Challenges- There is unfairness within the WTO and deliberate actions are taken by the US to weaken the dispute-resolution mechanism. This creates obstacles for India in enforcing these rulings domestically.
3) Small Landholdings- Most of the cultivable land is made up of small holdings, accounting for approximately 85%. This situation poses challenges for primary producers in sustaining a satisfactory income from agriculture.
4) Global Priority for Low Food Prices-The global focus on keeping food prices low for consumers often leads to lowering farm-gate prices artificially. This makes farming financially unremunerative and harms the environment in the long run.
5) Depleting Aquifers -There is a continuous depletion of aquifers due to the large demand for water for agriculture use.
6) Subsidies– The skewed fertilizer subsidy leads to indiscriminate use of fertilizers, impacting health and the planet.
7) Public Debt and Financial Flexibility-Government debt, both nationally and locally, limits financial flexibility for long-term planning and restricts the ability to continuously provide subsidies. Many states are on the brink of being technically bankrupt, yet there is no process for states to declare bankruptcy like countries can.
8) Governance and Accountability– The ineffective leadership and absence of responsibility in the government departments overseeing agriculture, both at the national and state levels stem from the authoritative attitude of top officials.
What should be the way forward?
1) Investment in Research and Extension Services– The government needs to enhance investments in agricultural research and extension services, as every rupee invested in agricultural research yields economic returns upwards of 10 times over other investments.
2) Inclusive and Sustainable Agriculture- The government’s attention should extend beyond enhancing agricultural productivity to ensuring the sustainability of these improvements. This should benefit all segments of society and foster inclusive growth.
3) Policy Reforms- The government should not only focus on incremental adjustments but rather on long-term policy reforms.
Question for practice
What are the major challenges faced by agriculture? What steps can be taken to address these challenges?
GST Data and Private Consumption
Source-This post on GST Data and Private Consumption has been created based on the article “Using GST as consumption proxy” published in the “Business Standard” on 4 June 2024.
UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper-3– Indian Economy and issues relating to Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development and Employment.
Context- The article highlights the strong performance of Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections in India, with net collections outpacing nominal GDP growth in the previous financial year (FY24). The highest-ever monthly GST collection of ₹2.1 trillion in April 2024 shows how GST data can provide insight about private consumption trends.
What is the significance of GST data in providing insights into private consumption trends?
1) GST is a consumption-based tax, accruing to the state where goods are consumed, rather than where they are produced. Thus, state-level GST data can indicate sub-national private consumption trends, which is beneficial because high-frequency data on private consumption is lacking in India.
2) Analyzing GST data from different states reveals consumption nuances and economic trends. This provides valuable information for both policymakers and businesses.
3) GST data can become a more real-time measure of consumption expenditure and provide data-led insights into the economy at both national and state levels.
4) GST data can yield valuable insights into consumption patterns, import contributions, and consumption of climate-sensitive items across states. This will help in enhancing understanding about the economy.
5) GST compensation cess data that is imposed on luxury and harmful goods can help in understanding the consumption trends associated with these products. For ex- Kerala had the smallest amount of compensation cess collected per person, while Chhattisgarh had the largest, mainly because of the state’s significant use of tobacco and coal.
What is the correlation between GST data and private consumption?
1) There is a strong positive correlation between per capita GST collections and per capita incomes across states, indicating that richer states have a higher propensity to consume.
2) There is a positive relationship between the share of urban population and per capita GST collections, implying that urbanization propels private consumption.
Question for practice
What is the significance of GST data in providing insights into private consumption trends?
Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)
Spot Bellied Eagle Owl
Source – This post on Spot Bellied Eagle Owl has been created based on the article “Maha Pench Tiger Reserve reports first photographic record of forest eagle owl” published in “Times of India” on 3 June 2024.
Why in News?
Recently, Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR), Maharashtra reported the first photographic record of a spot-bellied eagle owl. write in active voice
About Spot Bellied Eagle Owl
Aspect | Description |
About | 1. The spot-bellied eagle-owl is a large bird of prey with a formidable appearance. 2. They are also known as the forest eagle-owl. |
Distribution | 1) It inhabits diverse environments such as tropical and subtropical forests, woodlands, and savannas. 2) This bird is widely distributed across India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and various regions in Southeast Asia. |
Characteristic features | 1) They are large, measuring between 50 and 65 cm in length and weighing between 1500 to 1700 grams. 2) It boasts a wingspan of up to 1.7 meters. 3) Its distinctive appearance is characterized by a rich chocolate brown color on the upper body, dotted with white spots. 4) Its name derives from the light cream color of its underbelly and breast, which are prominently marked with bold black spots. 5) This species is primarily active at night. 6) As an apex predator, it preys on rodents, small mammals, reptiles, and insects. 7) It is solitary and territorial, maintaining a specific home range. |
Conservation Status | IUCN Status: Least Concern Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule IV CITES: Appendix II. |
Read more: Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR)
UPSC Syllabus: Environment
Sunkoshi River
Source- This post on Sunkoshi River has been created based on the article “River Sunkoshi Cleanup In Nepal Removes 24,575 Kg Of Plastic In 36 Hours” published in “DD News” on 3 June 2024.
Why in News?
Under the PLEASE (Plastic Free Rivers and Seas of South Asia) program, a river cleanup campaign has successfully removed 24,575 kg of waste from the Sunkoshi River banks and waste hotspots.
About Sunkoshi River

Aspects | Description |
About | 1. It is also known as the “river of gold,” the Sunkoshi is located in Nepal and is part of the Koshi or Saptkoshi River system. 2. This river is among the longest and most rafted in Nepal. |
Course | 1. The Sunkoshi originates from the Zhangzangbo Glacier in Tibet. 2. It merges with the Saptkoshi River and eventually joins the Ganga (known as the Ganges) in the Katihar district of Bihar, India. 3. It drains into the Bay of Bengal in Bangladesh. |
About Koshi River
Aspects | Description |
About | 1. The Koshi River is a transboundary river that flows through China, Nepal, and India. 2. It serves as a prominent tributary of the Ganges. 3. The Kosi River has earned the nickname “the sorrow of Bihar” due to its history of flooding and frequent alterations in its course as it flows from Nepal to Bihar |
Course | 1. It originates from the Tibetan Plateau and crosses the Himalayas and flows through the Mahabharat range and Siwalik hills. 2. It reaches the plains of eastern Nepal and finally meets the Ganges in Bihar, India. 3. The Kosi drains an area of 74,500 sq.km, with only 11,070 sq.km lying within Indian Territory. The Koshi River system drains about 45% of Nepal. 4. The Kosi River valley is bounded by steep margins, disconnecting it from other rivers such as the Yarlung Zangbo River, Mahananda River, Gandaki, and Ganga. 5. The Koshi River is known for its tendency to change course, often flowing westward. Over the last 200 years, it has shifted westwards by approximately 112 km, causing significant changes to agricultural land. |
Tributaries | The Koshi River has seven major tributaries: Sun Koshi, Tama Koshi (or Tamba Koshi), Dudh Koshi, Indravati, Likhu, Arun, and Tamore (or Tamar). |
UPSC Syllabus: Geography
Doctrine of Merger
Source – This post on Doctrine of Merger has been created based on the article “To Do Complete Justice”: Supreme Court Says That Its ‘Article 142’ Power Is An Exception To Doctrine Of Merger & Rule Of Stare Decisis” published in “The verdictum” on 2 June 2024.
Why in News?
The Supreme Court of India has noted that the unique powers granted under Article 142 of the Indian Constitution are exceptions to two established legal principles: the Doctrine of Merger and the Doctrine of Stare Decisis. This is done to ensure justice is comprehensively served in specific cases.
About Doctrine of Merger
1. Purpose: The Doctrine of Merger aims to maintain decorum and orderliness in the judicial system.
2. Nature: It is a judicially created doctrine aimed at instilling discipline across different levels of courts and authorities.
3. Principle: When a higher court (appellate court) makes a ruling, the original ruling by the lower court is absorbed or “merged” into the higher court’s decision.
4. Rationale: This ensures that only one final ruling exists on any given issue, avoiding confusion over which order should be followed.
5. Application: This doctrine applies to decisions made by all levels of courts, ensuring that the ruling of a higher court supersedes and absorbs that of a lower court.
About Doctrine of Stare Decisis
1. Stare Decisis” is Latin for “to stand by things decided.” This doctrine mandates that courts follow the rulings made in earlier similar cases.
2. Importance of Precedents: Past decisions serve as precedents, which are principles or rules that guide judicial decisions in future similar cases.
3. Role of Precedents: These are used by judges as references for making decisions in current cases with similar legal questions.
4. Obligation: Courts are obligated to consider these precedents in their rulings to maintain consistency and predictability in the law.
5. These doctrines collectively ensure that the legal system operates efficiently, maintaining consistency and hierarchy in judicial decisions.
UPSC Syllabus: Polity and nation
Diadromous fish
Source- This post on Diadromous fish has been created based on the article “Fish moving between marine & freshwater ecosystems have designated protected areas, but no protection in them: Study” published in “Down to Earth” on 29th May 2024.
Why in News?
Recently, a study was published in the British Ecological Society’s Journal of Applied Ecology. The researchers discovered that marine protected areas (MPAs) designated to safeguard diadromous fish species did not align with their core habitats.
This finding highlights the need for better coordination and planning to ensure effective conservation efforts for these migratory fish.
About Diadromous fish

Aspects | Description |
About | 1. Diadromous fish are those species that migrate between saltwater and freshwater environments. 2. They move back and forth between the ocean and rivers or streams during different stages of their lives. |
Types of Diadromous Fish | 1) Anadromous Fish: These fish are born in freshwater. As juveniles, they migrate to the ocean, where they grow into adults. Later, they return to freshwater to spawn (lay eggs). 2) Catadromous Fish: These fish are born in saltwater. As juveniles, they move into freshwater, where they mature into adults. Eventually, they migrate back to the ocean to spawn. 3) Amphidromous Fish: These fish are born in freshwater or estuaries (where freshwater meets the sea). Initially, they drift into the ocean as larvae. Later, they return to freshwater to grow into adults and spawn. 4) Potamodromous Fish: These fish are born in upstream freshwater habitats (upstream areas of rivers). As juveniles, they migrate downstream within freshwater to grow into adults. Finally, they migrate back upstream to spawn. |
Threats to Diadromous Fish | Diadromous fish face various human-induced pressures: i) Agricultural and pollutant runoffs: Contaminants from agriculture and other sources can harm their habitats. ii) Habitat destruction: Dam construction and land development impact their migration routes. iii) Barriers to migration: Dams, weirs, and other structures hinder their movement. iv) Fishing and bycatch: Overfishing and accidental capture affect their populations. v) Climate change: Altered water temperatures and habitats impact their survival. |
UPSC Syllabus: Science and technology