WSDP Bulletin (11-09-2021)

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. Atal Innovation Mission launches Space challenge in collaboration with ISRO & CBSE across India READ MORE
2. India, U.S. agree to collaborate on emerging fuels READ MORE
3. The world’s coral reefs have suffered terribly in 30 years, but are resilient: Study READ MORE
4. Explained: What is KYC-VS, the new update on CoWIN to check vaccination status? READ MORE
5. 80% of Indian Children Learnt Lesser During the Pandemic: UNICEF Report READ MORE

Main Exam

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. A Critical Analysis of the Constitutionality of the Non-criminalisation of Marital Rape in India READ MORE
2. Indefensible Political Acrimony READ MORE

SOCIAL JUSTICE AND SOCIAL ISSUES

1. Why we need caste census: Benefits distribution needs finer social data. Upper caste angst no reason to stop the exercise READ MORE
2. Gender gap, inequity in healthcare access: Only four States show a fair sex ratio in COVID vaccination. On the health and survival front, India already is one of the five worst performers in South Asia READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. How the world — and India — changed in the 20 years after 9/11 READ MORE
2. Why Pakistan is the winner of the longest war in Afghanistan READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. The utilisation of Government Borrowings in the Major Indian States READ MORE
2. Asset Monetisation for Infrastructural Investment READ MORE

 ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Checking stubble burning: Curb the menace to reduce pollution READ MORE
2. In Himachal Pradesh, climate change and unplanned development are causing disasters READ MORE
3. Need for More Knowledge to Conserve Himalayan Ecosystem READ MORE

SECURITY

1. Prudent step: The Govt is on guard against terror acts in J&K in the wake of the Taliban takeover READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Drop all bad feelings for a better tomorrow READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. ‘Privatising assets without allowing for competition or regulation creates private monopolies that raise prices, reduce efficiency and harm the economy’. In the light of the statement discuss the way forward to address these issues.
2. Discuss the need for the regulations for ‘Gig Economy’.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Try taking a stand on just one leg. You need to see both sides.
• Privatising assets without allowing for competition or regulation creates private monopolies that raise prices, reduce efficiency and harm the economy.
• In the past, disinvestment of equity, strategic sale or outright privatisation were the principal means to mobilise such non-debt capital receipts.
• Fiscal sustainability is a key element for subnational governments in India as fiscal policy is the only instrument that can be used to correct economic malady.
• The fiscal sustainability of state governments is different from that of the central government, due to the differential allocation of powers in the Constitution of India.
• The democratic public sphere is supposed to regulate the direction of judgment and its normative outcome based on merit. Political parties should take such a judgment to promote merit among the leaders who participate in democratic decision-making.
• Rape is an egregious act that cannot be merely construed as a sexual offence but is an act to degrade and humiliate the dignity, modesty, and integrity of a woman.
• Using technology to harness agricultural waste can be a good start. Punjab has taken to the direct seeding of rice (DSR) method that yields less residue, utilises less water and makes do with the labour shortage.
• The Commission for Air Quality has asked Delhi and neighbouring states to adopt satellite data from ISRO to chalk out an action plan in this regard. More such applications of technology should be undertaken to reduce pollution and achieve the aim of clean air for blue skies.
• Tipping delivery workers, offering them shelter during rough weather conditions, and other basic gestures of humanity, have all been mooted. While important in their own right, it is crucial to note that the problem is institutional, and requires an institutional solution.
• Liberalisation isn’t necessary only for poverty alleviation and achieving prosperity, but arguably it is now the principal strategy for national security.

50-WORD TALK

• Ford’s exit from India four years after GM underlines the failure of American auto giants to cope with India’s highly competitive market. But this is also a blow to the country’s manufacturing sector amid a slowdown. Government should encourage emerging tech such as hybrids and EVs to overcome these setbacks.

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 map work (marking those areas in maps and also exploring other geographical locations nearby including mountains, rivers, etc. same applies to the national places.)
• For economy-related news (banking, agriculture, etc.) you should focus on terms and how these are related to various economic aspects, for example, if inflation has been mentioned, try to relate with prevailing price 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 occur 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 to your writing.