Newspaper Analysis for UPSC and APSC | 12th July 2025 | APSC and UPSC Exam Preparation | SPM IAS

Brief Summary

This YouTube video by SPM IAS Academy provides an analysis of news articles from July 12, 2025. It covers a range of topics including the Urban Maoism Bill, the Aspirational District Mineral Foundation Programme, the pro-natalist vs. anti-natalist debate, and the inclusion of Gharial and Sloth Bear under the Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats. The video aims to provide insights relevant for the UPSC civil services exam, linking current events to the syllabus.

Urban Maoism Bill and its implications on freedom of speech.
Aspirational District Mineral Foundation Programme and its role in development.
Pro Natalist vs Anti Natalist debate and ethical considerations.
Gharial and Sloth Bear conservation efforts under Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats.

Introduction

The video introduces the news analysis for July 12, 2025, by SPM IAS Academy. Viewers are invited to download the PDF version of the newspaper analysis from the comment section. The session will cover several important topics relevant to the UPSC civil services exam.

Topics of the day

The video outlines the topics to be covered in the news analysis, including the Urban Maoism Bill, the Aspirational District Mineral Foundation Programme, the pro-natalist vs. anti-natalist debate, and the inclusion of Gharial and Sloth Bear under the Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats.

Urban Maoism bill

The Maharashtra Legislative Assembly has introduced the Urban Maoism Bill, relevant to GS Paper 2 (Polity and Governance) and GS Paper 3 (Internal Security). The discussion begins with the ideology of communism, which supports an egalitarian society with minimal inequality and no discrimination. Karl Marx's concept of socialism as a transition to communism is explained, emphasizing his support for violence as a catalyst for change. Mao Zedong adapted Marxism to an agrarian society in China, leading to Maoism, which inspired Naxalism in India. Naxalites, who advocate armed insurgency against landlords and the government, are banned in India. The Indian government has adopted a two-pronged approach to curb Naxalism: security measures and developmental initiatives like the Aspirational District Programme. The Urban Maoism Bill aims to punish individuals in urban areas who incite public agitation, but concerns exist that it could be misused to suppress legitimate criticism of the government, which is essential for democracy.

'Aspirational District Mineral Foundation (DMF) Programme’

The Ministry of Mines has launched the Aspirational District Mineral Foundation Programme, linking the Aspirational District Programme with the Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana. The Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation Act (MMDR) of 1957 was amended in 2015 to introduce the District Mineral Fund (DMF). This fund, managed by the District Collector, collects 10% of royalty fees from mining companies for developmental activities in mining-affected districts under the Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana. The Aspirational District Programme, initiated in 2018 by NITI Aayog, aims to improve backward districts based on parameters like health, education, infrastructure, and poverty. The Aspirational District Mineral Foundation Programme integrates these initiatives, using DMF funds to implement aspirational district initiatives and improve developmental parameters in districts where both mining and backwardness are present.

Pro Natalist vs Anti Natalist debate

The video discusses the pro-natalist vs. anti-natalist debate, relevant for essay writing and GS Paper 3 (Economy) or GS Paper 4 (Ethics and Integrity). Pro-natalists encourage high birth rates, with governments in countries like Italy, Japan, Germany, and South Korea offering incentives for having more children due to declining fertility rates. Elon Musk is mentioned as a prominent pro-natalist who believes population collapse is imminent if birth rates don't increase. However, the UN's World Population Prospects report indicates that the world population is projected to increase to 10.3 billion by 2085, with only a slight decline by 2100, suggesting that fears of immediate population collapse are unfounded. Anti-natalists, on the other hand, believe that having children is morally wrong due to the inevitability of suffering in life, the lack of consent from the unborn child, and environmental concerns related to overpopulation and resource depletion. Philosopher David Benatar's book "Better Never to Have Been" is cited, arguing that the best way to prevent suffering is not to bring children into existence.

Gharial and Sloth Bear under Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats

The video discusses the inclusion of Gharial and Sloth Bear under the Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitat scheme, relevant for GS Paper 3 (Environment). The Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitat is a centrally sponsored scheme that provides technical and financial assistance to states and union territories for wildlife habitat protection. The scheme has three components: support to protected areas (National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries), protection of wildlife outside protected areas (reserve forests and community forests), and recovery programs for critically endangered habitats and species. Project Tiger is not included under this scheme. The habitat of 22 species was conserved under this scheme, and now Gharials and Sloth Bears have been added. Gharials, critically endangered freshwater crocodiles, are mainly found in Northern India and Nepal, with the National Chamban Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh having the largest wild population. Sloth Bears, categorized as vulnerable by the IUCN, are mainly found in the Indian subcontinent, with 90% of the population in India, and are nocturnal animals that feed on fruits and termites.