WSDP Bulletin (05-08-2021)

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelims and Mains

1. Cabinet approves continuation of Samagra Shiksha Scheme for School Education from 1st April, 2021 to 31st March, 2026 READ MORE
2. Maiden indigenous aircraft carrier starts sea trials off Kochi READ MORE
3. 50% funds allotted for ongoing MPLADS projects lapse READ MORE
4. Centre nod to continuation of scheme for spl courts for rape, POCSO cases READ MORE
5. India’s Female Labour Participation Rate Falls to 16.1% As Pandemic Hits Job Sector READ MORE
6. Earth’s inner core is expanding more on one side than the other READ MORE
7. New discovery gives world’s most endangered turtle a fighting chance READ MORE

Main exam

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. A language ladder for an education roadblock: The dreams of many Indian students seeking to pursue professional courses in their mother tongue can be realised READ MORE
2. In India, bridging the gap between home learning and school learning READ MORE
3. Two Years Since Abrogation of Article 370: Human Rights in Jammu and Kashmir READ MORE

SOCIAL JUSTICE AND SOCIAL ISSUES

1. Several trade-offs impede Zero Hunger goal. A UN report explains why, and how READ MORE
2. Opinion: Government priorities in health – where did it go wrong? READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. US vs China is the new Cold War READ MORE
2. Keep distance from Taliban: The Modi government has rightly ignored the calls for ‘talks’ READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. A grand tax bargain in danger of coming apart: A Goods and Services Tax version 2.0 may have to be designed soon given the flaws in the existing structure READ MORE
2. Privatization of banks should not need an alibi READ MORE
3. Right solution, wrong problem READ MORE
4. An innovative Institution: SWIFT bridges financial inequalities by offering financial services to the underprivileged READ MORE
5. What is e-RUPI & how it could be the first step towards launching digital currency in India READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Watch | India’s Changing Rainfall Patterns Could Be Due to Climate Change READ MORE
2. Climate change is already disrupting US forests and coasts. Here’s what we’re seeing at 5 long-term research sites READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Get a dose of emotional vaccination too READ MORE
2. Satisfaction & Contentment READ MORE
3. The Illusion of Freedom READ MORE

Questions for MAIN exam

1. ‘For effective GST system, policy gaps along with compliance gaps do need to be addressed.’ Examine.
2. ‘The limited scope and coverage of the insurance schemes cannot address the all-encompassing requirements of universal health coverage’. In the light of the statement, discuss how the insurance model can be an effective way to achieve universal health coverage?

ESSAY TOPIC

• Education in mother tongue: benefits & challenges

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• A Goods and Services Tax version 2.0 may have to be designed soon given the flaws in the existing structure.
• It’s a bumpy ride ahead, with China seeking to displace America and remake the world order in its own image.
• It’s not a matter of guilt but an economic must-do for India. Decentralized credit flows will raise the efficiency of capital allocation and enhance growth. The state must loosen its control.
• Actual service delivery to the poor is the real problem, not leakage. A major overhaul of how the government works is needed.
• The relation between SDG 2 and SDG 1 (poverty elimination) is highly synergetic. Food security does not only rely on food availability, but also on food access.
• The insurance model of healthcare promoted by the government is questionable, particularly so in the backdrop of the current global pandemic that has exposed the inadequacies of our health system.
• Although health policy experts pushed for higher resource allocation on the state health programmes, politicians needed quick tangible results that investment in long-term health programmes can’t provide.
• Instead of fixing the loopholes in the existing paradigm and making healthcare equitable, the government chose the insurance model as a way to achieve universal health coverage.
• The limited scope and coverage of the insurance schemes cannot address the all-encompassing requirements of universal health coverage.

50-WORD TALK

• Alleged gang-rape and forcible cremation of a nine-year-old in Delhi is another devastating instance of dangers Indian women face. That she was Dalit matters, because it shows how caste is a brutal reality. Don’t diss ‘politicisation’ of such issues. In democracies, politics is the prime instrument for ensuring justice.
• China is vital to shaping the future of the world order. The assessment of China is convincing. But there are two issues. The first is whether the US can execute a China-style grand strategy domestically without compromising its openness or attracting allies. It is still America First by any other name.
• The limited scope and coverage of the insurance schemes cannot address the all-encompassing requirements of universal health coverage. It is through a comprehensive assurance-based model of healthcare with strong foundations in primary healthcare that inequalities in health can be reduced and healthcare made accessible and affordable to all sections of the population. It is only then that the goal of “Health for All” can be truly achieved.

Things to Remember:

• For prelims related news try to understand the context of the news and relate with its concepts so that it will be easier for you to answer (or eliminate) from given options.
• Whenever any international place will be in news, you should do a map work (marking those areas in maps and also exploring other geographical locations nearby including mountains, rivers etc. same applies for the national places.)
• For economy related news (banking, agriculture etc.) you should focus on terms and how these are related with various economic aspects, for examples if inflation has been mentioned, try to relate with prevailing prices rises, shortage of essential supplies, banking rates etc.
• For main exam related topics, you should focus on the various dimensions of the given topic, the most important topics which occurs frequently and are important from the mains point of view will be covered in ED.
• Try to use the given content in your answer. Regular use of this content will bring more enrichment in your writing.