TLDR;
This video from SPM IAS Academy provides an analysis of current events from October 23, 2025, focusing on their relevance to the UPSC syllabus. It covers topics such as the Supreme Court's initiatives for transgender rights, including the NALSA judgment and the Transgender Persons Protection of Rights Act, and the challenges in their implementation. The discussion extends to the Lokpal institution and its recent tender for BMW cars, raising questions about ethics and public trust. Additionally, the video reviews the Global Forest Resource Assessment 2025, highlighting India's position, and a recent heist at the Louvre Museum.
- Supreme Court initiatives for transgender rights and challenges in implementation.
- Lokpal institution, ethics, and public trust.
- Global Forest Resource Assessment 2025 and India's position.
- Heist at the Louvre Museum.
Introduction [0:00]
The video introduces a newspaper analysis for October 23, 2025, focusing on topics relevant to the UPSC syllabus. A PDF version of the analysis is available via a link in the comment section.
Topics of the day [0:16]
The video will cover the Equal Opportunity Committee for Transgender Persons, BMW cars for Lokpal, Global Forest Resource Assessment (GFRA) 2025, and the Heist at the Louvre Museum.
Equal Opportunity Committee for Transgender persons [0:21]
The Supreme Court has taken several initiatives for transgender people in India, starting with the NALSA Judgment in 2014, which recognized transgender persons as a third gender with a distinct identity, and directed the government to ensure reservation in education and jobs, and create separate public facilities. The government enacted the Transgender Persons Protection of Rights Act in 2019, prohibiting discrimination in education, employment, healthcare, and access to public places, with District Magistrates empowered to issue transgender certificates. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment introduced the SMILE scheme for marginalized individuals, including beggars and transgender persons, providing skill training, rehabilitation, shelter (Garima Griha), health services, and scholarships. Despite these efforts, a petition filed by Jane Kaushik in the Supreme Court alleges improper implementation of the 2019 Act, citing instances of discrimination and job termination due to gender identity. The Supreme Court criticized the government for neglecting the Act's provisions, which remain largely unimplemented, with minimal progress in creating separate washrooms and healthcare facilities, and forming Transgender Welfare Boards. In response, the Supreme Court formed an Equal Opportunity Committee for Transgender Persons to prepare a detailed report on implementation gaps and recommend solutions to the Central and State Governments.
BMW cars for Lokpal [13:42]
Lokpal is an anti-corruption ombudsman created in India to curb corruption, established under the Lokpal and Lokayukta Act of 2013 as a statutory body at the Union level, with Lokayukta at the State level. The concept originated in Sweden in the 18th century and was adopted by India following public frustration over corruption cases around 2010-11, leading to the India Against Corruption movement led by Anna Hazare. Lokpal consists of a chairperson, who is a retired Chief Justice or Supreme Court judge, or an eminent person with experience in anti-corruption policy, and up to eight members, with 50% from a judicial background and 50% from SC, ST, OBC, minority, or women. The current Chairman is Justice AM Khanwilkar, the second Lokpal, with seven members in total. The Lokpal and its members are appointed by the President on the recommendation of a selection committee including the Prime Minister, Speaker of Lok Sabha, Leader of Opposition (or Leader of the Single Largest Party in Opposition), Chief Justice of India, and an Eminent Jurist. Lokpal's jurisdiction extends to the Prime Minister's office, Ministers, Members of Parliament, and various government employees, with the power to investigate corruption complaints, recommend prosecution in special courts, supervise the functioning of CBI, and seize properties acquired through corruption. Recently, Lokpal released a tender for private companies to supply seven BMW cars, drawing public criticism for extravagance and misuse of public money, which undermines public trust and contradicts the ethical standards expected of public servants.
Global Forest Resource Assessment (GFRA) 2025 [25:17]
The Global Forest Resource Assessment (GFRA) is an annual report published by the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization), providing the trend and status of forests worldwide. The GFRA 2025 indicates that 32% of the world's land is covered with forests, totaling 4.14 billion hectares, with Russia, Brazil, Canada, US, and China constituting 54% of the world's forests; Russia alone accounts for 20%. India holds the ninth position globally in terms of forest area and retains the third spot in annual forest area gain.
Heist at the Louvre Museum [27:43]
The Louvre Museum in Paris, located on the bank of river Seine, originally built as a fort in the 12th century and later becoming a public museum in 1793, is the world's largest museum based on exhibition space. The museum has been in the news due to a recent robbery on October 19, where thieves stole nine precious items, including jewelry belonging to French royalty.
Answer to the previous day's questions [29:32]
Both statements related to the Multidimensional Poverty Index are correct. IIP mainly tracks performance in manufacturing, mining, and electricity, so the correct answer is option B. Hand, mouth, and throat disease spreads through saliva, mucus, and blister fluid, so the correct option is C. Both the statements related to police are correct.