WSDP Bulletin (07-10-2021)

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. Two scientists share Chemistry Nobel for developing tool for building molecules READ MORE
2. Explained: What is deep brain stimulation? READ MORE
3. Explained: Why has Moody’s upgraded India’s sovereign rating outlook? READ MORE
4. World Health Organization recommends first anti-malarial vaccine READ MORE
5. Textile industry welcomes PM MITRA scheme READ MORE

Main Exam

GS Paper- 1

GEOGRAPHY

1. Quixplained: Why is there a coal crisis in India, and what impact will it have? READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Recognising altruism: Good Samaritans can help reduce accident deaths, but road safety needs more work READ MORE
2. Tech-tonic shift needed: Demystifying system, FB whistleblower seeks stronger laws READ MORE
3. Why PM-CARES Is a ‘Government Fund’ and Well Within RTI Purview READ MORE

SOCIAL JUSTICE AND SOCIAL ISSUES

1. Inadequate social protection for children READ MORE
2. Learning disabilities: Schooling in India remains subpar READ MORE

 INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. A strategy for India in a world that is adrift: The country’s path to power will be affected by the geopolitical and economic centres of gravity now shifting to Asia READ MORE
2. Trade multilateralism at risk: The World Trade Organization is facing an existential crisis READ MORE
3. Russia and India are not allies. But they are close partners READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Why India needs an urbanisation policy READ MORE
2. Will NMP give infra investments a boost? READ MORE
3. Stable economic outlook: India still needs careful policy management READ MORE
4. To expand India’s strategic autonomy, we need to get back to high growth economy fast READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. A Nobel for crystallizing the climate change crisis READ MORE
2. Don’t just blame big-ticket projects for the destruction of the Himalayas READ MORE
3. Forest onslaught since Independence in India READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Simple Truth: Selfishness Repels, Love Attracts READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. The uncertainty and changing geopolitical environment in the present world order clearly pose considerable challenges to Indian policy but also throw up certain opportunities. Discuss.
2. Institutional multilateralism would be the ideal antidote to unilateralism and economic nationalism. Comment in the light of challenges face by WTO.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Authority does not come from the loudest voice, but the wisest.
• The country’s path to power will be affected by the geopolitical and economic centres of gravity now shifting to Asia.
• Achieving a reduction in mortality on India’s largely lawless roads warrants determined action on several factors, beginning with scientific road design and standards, and zero tolerance enforcement.
• A policy is needed to guide the planning and management of cities towards enabling India’s growth ambitions and also giving its residents a good quality of life, in a sustainable manner.
• The success of the National Monetisation Pipeline will hinge on optimal structuring and timely implementation.
• Forests prevent soil erosion and reduce the effects of climate change. However, in spite of our reliance on forests, we are still destroying them.
• There is a dire need for global social protection reforms for children in order to mitigate child labour, abuse and exploitation across the world.
• A higher and stable tax-to-GDP ratio will not only enable the government to spend more on capacity creation but also improve India’s fiscal profile. This would surely be ratings positive.
• India needs to integrate with the global economy. But first, it must become the engine of growth for the entire sub-continent.

50- WORD TALK

• Pandora Papers show how the rich and famous, as also the notorious, many of whom are already under investigation in their home countries, set up complex multi-layer structures to take advantage of easy tax laws and tight secrecy rules. The trusts, many of which are genuine, have been set up with the aim of hiding the real identity of their owners so as to shield the assets from creditors and law enforcers.
• Worried by the harmful impact on young users, voices calling for FB to thwart its plans to launch the Instagram version for kids are already rightly gaining ground. Lawmakers across the planet are perked up to the need for strengthening regulatory mechanisms in the field of technology. The tech giants must simultaneously check their greed-induced moral bankruptcy. Moral upgradation is the key to a caring and responsible system.

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.