WSDP Bulletin (21-08-2021)

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. Prime Minister inaugurates and lays foundation stone of multiple projects in Somnath READ MORE
2. China passes three-child policy into law READ MORE
3. Explained: Why the Malabar rebellion of 1921 still courts controversy READ MORE
4. Personal liberty important aspect of constitutional mandate, arrest should not be routinely made: SC READ MORE
5. Extreme heat growing health issue, need to identify timely and effective prevention measures: Lancet READ MORE
6. Kenya drought: Half the country to experience food insecurity till December 2021 READ MORE

Main Exam  

GS Paper- 1

1. Low-Income Women Bear Unfair Burden of COVID-Induced Socio-Economic Troubles READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Explained: China’s new data privacy laws and its impact on the tech industry READ MORE
2. ‘Right to Represent’ versus ‘Right to Representation’ READ MORE
3. Constitutional Asymmetry in Indian Federalism: The Union Territory Model READ MORE

SOCIAL JUSTICE AND SOCIAL ISSUES

1. Bringing kids back to school: Imparting learning will require more efforts READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. The fall of Kabul, the future of regional geopolitics: The post-American power vacuum in the region will aid China and shape India’s strategic choices and behaviour READ MORE
2. Afghanistan: Present Tense, Future Imperfect READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Reboot to reset: With Indo-U.S. trade deal off, it is time India reorients its global economic engagement READ MORE
2. Income Support Schemes: Evaluation of PM KISAN vis-à-vis State Government Schemes READ MORE
3. What’s behind the ‘improvement’ in employment situation in labour force survey report READ MORE
4. Focus on jobs, wages: Boost people’s purchasing power to spur GDP growth READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Climate Change: Unbridled Development Devastates Ecosystem READ MORE
2. Despite PM Modi’s assurance, land degradation, desertification increasing READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Onam, a festival of cultural rejuvenation READ MORE
2. Heart-rending READ MORE

Questions for MAIN exam

1. In reference to the developments happening in Afghanistan, potential implications for India’s foreign policy and its strategic choices?
2. Discuss the need to regulate cryptocurrency and also recognise it as a legal tender with appropriate safeguards and monitoring mechanisms in place.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• There is no war that will end all wars.
• While the neighbouring countries are also worried about terrorism emanating from Afghanistan, the reality is that they are busy making their own private deals with the Taliban to not host terror organisations targeting them.
• Expediting vaccination can boost confidence of consumers and investors, but at the same time there is a dire need to create jobs and restore livelihoods that were lost to the lockdowns.
• The pandemic saw educational institutions being closed for health reasons and the process of learning getting affected.
• Online learning served its purpose in the exigency but ways have to be found to mitigate the impact of the loss of campus life that affects students at the psycho-social level.
• Energy security is needed more than energy independence even by the goal of 25 years from now. It will be virtually impossible to ensure that the country is entirely self-sufficient in various types of energy sources.
• A truly safe future is no longer even a possibility, and it is hard to believe that the governments that the scientists report to in Glasgow are ready even now to enact emergency measures.
• The improved employment scenario is restricted to women and is due to the increased percentage of rural women reporting in the unpaid family worker category followed by casual worker and self-employed category.
• Making gender-responsive changes in policy with the right investments could make a drastic difference in supporting women who want to work.
• The Taliban takeover cannot be understood outside the hegemonic economic and geopolitical interests.
• The Indian Constitution is an organic document and the creation and establishment of union territories manifest the growth inherent in the idea of an organic constitution.

ESSAY TOPIC

• Scientific thinking requires independence of thought

50-WORD TALK

• Whether Indian embassy/consulates in Afghanistan should’ve stayed open is a fake debate. India can’t have its diplomats accredited to a regime it doesn’t recognise. Of course Taliban would want India to stay as it’ll be de facto recognition. Nobody’s dumb, and Indian missions have lost lives to targeted Taliban attacks.