TLDR;
This video from SPM IAS Academy provides an analysis of newspaper articles from November 15, 2025, focusing on topics relevant to the UPSC syllabus. It covers Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas (Tribal Pride Day), the First Past the Post (FPTP) electoral system, the notification of the Data Privacy Law, and the decline in Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation. The discussion includes the historical context, significance, implications, and potential exam questions related to these topics.
- Tribal Pride Day commemorates tribal freedom fighters and Birsa Munda's birth anniversary.
- The FPTP system is analyzed with its strengths, weaknesses, and comparison to proportional representation.
- The Data Privacy Law is discussed in relation to the Right to Information Act and its impact on data protection.
- WPI inflation decline is examined with reasons and potential questions.
Introduction [0:00]
The video introduces the newspaper analysis for November 15, 2025, by SPM IAS Academy, noting that a PDF version of the analysis is available via a link in the comment section. The session will cover several important topics extracted from the day's news.
Topics of the day [0:15]
The presenter outlines the topics to be covered in the newspaper analysis, which include Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas (Tribal Pride Day), the First Past the Post system, the newly notified Data Privacy Law, and the decline in Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation.
Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas [0:19]
Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas, or Tribal Pride Day, is celebrated on November 15th to honor the contributions of brave tribal freedom fighters. The Government of India declared this day in 2021 to coincide with the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda, a revered tribal leader often called "Bhagwan" by tribal communities. Birsa Munda led a tribal revolt against the British due to their exploitative revenue system and restrictions on tribal access to forest resources. His revolution, known as "Ulgulan," was part of a broader series of tribal freedom struggles across India, including those by the Santhal, Tamara, Kol, Bhil, Khasi, and Mizo tribes. In 2023, the government initiated the PM Janman Scheme to improve living conditions for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) by providing basic facilities such as housing, clean water, education, healthcare, and connectivity.
The Dhebar Commission in 1973 led to the identification of marginalized tribes, initially named Primitive Tribal Groups, later renamed PVTGs in 2006. Currently, there are 75 recognized PVTGs, with the majority located in Odisha. PVTG status is determined based on factors such as declining population, backward technology (pre-industrial or pre-agricultural), low literacy, and subsistence-level economy.
First Past the Post System [7:59]
The First Past the Post (FPTP) system is discussed in the context of the recent Bihar Assembly elections. Despite the election results themselves not being directly relevant to the exam, they serve as an example to illustrate the concept of FPTP. In this system, the candidate who receives the most votes in a constituency wins, regardless of whether they obtain a majority (more than 50%) of the votes. This can lead to situations where the vote share of a party does not accurately reflect the number of seats won.
Constituencies are created, and parties field candidates in each one. The candidate with the most votes wins, even if they don't have a majority. This can result in parties with a higher overall vote share winning fewer seats than parties with a more concentrated vote distribution. The alternative to FPTP is proportional representation, where seats are allocated based on the percentage of votes a party receives.
FPTP was chosen in India for its simplicity and ability to provide stability to the political system. It ensures accountability because voters elect a specific representative in their constituency. However, it can lead to a lack of representation for minority groups and can neglect local issues. Some countries use a mixed system, combining FPTP and proportional representation.
Data privacy law notified [25:18]
The Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023, is analyzed, highlighting its importance for governance and ethics. The law stems from the Supreme Court's Puttaswamy judgment in 2017, which recognized the right to privacy as a fundamental right, including informational privacy. This law aims to protect personal data on digital platforms, ensuring it is not used without consent.
The law defines three key roles: the data principal (the individual whose data is being collected), the data fiduciary (the platform collecting the data), and the data processor (the third party processing the data). Data principals have rights to obtain information about the processing of their data, seek corrections, and request erasure of their data, known as the "right to be forgotten." Data fiduciaries and processors have duties to ensure data security and inform users about the data being collected and how it will be used.
The notification of this law means that individuals can now exercise their rights regarding their data on digital platforms. However, data fiduciaries have been given until November 2026 to comply with the law's requirements. The law also establishes a Data Protection Board of India to investigate complaints. The new law weakens the Right to Information Act by making it more difficult to obtain personal information of government officers, balancing privacy rights with transparency.
Wholesale Price Index Inflation decline [36:24]
The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation has declined, with the latest figures showing deflation of 1.21% in October 2025. This is attributed to a fall in food prices. While GST reductions also play a role, the primary driver is the decrease in food prices, which have a significant weightage in the WPI.
Answer to the previous day's questions [37:46]
In the previous day's question related to Aurora, both statements were correct. The second statement regarding the Quality Control Order is incorrect because if the Quality Control Order is imposed on imported items, then they will have to obtain BIS certification in India. Cortisol is for the long term, while Arnil is for the short term.
