WSDP Bulletin (18-11-2021)

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. Cabinet approves continuation of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)-I, PMGSY-II and Road Connectivity Project for Left Wing Extremism Affected Areas (RCPLWEA) READ MORE
2. Wide fault lines within the Global Climate Risk Index READ MORE
3. Grants, non-philanthropic donations received by charitable trusts to attract 18% GST: AAR READ MORE
4. Explained: What is the Puri heritage corridor, whose foundation will be laid soon in Odisha? READ MORE
5. National Workshop on Digital India Land Record Modernisation Programme held READ MORE
6. India launches e-Amrit portal on EVs at COP26 READ MORE

Main Exam   

GS Paper- 1

1. How the Pallavas administered land READ MORE
2. Standing tall, and apart READ MORE

GS Paper- 1

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Transfer as punishment: The judiciary’s flawed collegium system bares its inherent weaknesses yet again READ MORE
2. Civil society is not the enemy READ MORE
3. A global shortage of health workers looms READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

1. School enrolment fell during pandemic: Annual Status of Education Report READ MORE
2. Digital divide in education can’t be bridged by laptops and smartphones alone READ MORE
3. Lessons in the pandemic: Addressing school learning losses should be a priority READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. Neighbour at it again: Onus of easing tensions lies with Pakistan READ MORE
2. India, Russia Look To Hold ‘2+2’ Dialogue Alongside PM Modi-Putin Summit READ MORE  

GS Paper- 1

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Cryptocurrency fears: The govt needs to tread cautiously READ MORE
2. Understanding why the informal sector really shrank during the pandemic READ MORE
3. PM Gati Shakti: Logistics for the people READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY  

1. End the blame game: Concerted efforts are needed for a long-term solution to Delhi’s pollution crisis READ MORE
2. COP26: A Step Forward or a COP-Out? READ MORE

GS Paper- 1

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Tolerance; the Root of Humanity READ MORE
2. The Punishment of Criminals READ MORE
3. Bureaucracy does not want to take any decisions, wants the court to do everything, SC says READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. How far do you agree with the view that frequent transfers of High Courts’ Judges are showing too much control of the Supreme Court on the High Court, which makes their decision-making ability doubtful?
2. Whether the five-year tenure to ED and CBI chiefs will lead to fairer and more transparent functioning of these bodies? Analyse your view.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Authority does not come from the loudest voice, but the wisest.
• The development of society causes changes on the social, cultural, and economic fronts. A more efficient administration policy could be framed considering these lessons from history.
• Formalisation is indeed a desirable process both for enterprises and workers in the Indian economy.
• The final objective of formalisation is to improve the working and living conditions of those in the informal economy but Celebrating formalisation based on the misery and devastation of poor informal workers is not just misplaced but also callous.
• Road dust is the dominant source of particulate matter and the most significant impediment to clean air, and unfortunately the least amenable to an easy fix. The emphasis must be on concerted and consistent efforts, and not annual blame games.
• Digital Divide roots lie in socio-economic inequalities, which can only be addressed through systemic changes.
• Lack of transparency in the evolving crypto industry makes foolproof regulation or prohibition an onerous task.
• The pandemic highlighted like nothing else the criticality of distance learning and access, a fact that made unicorns out of e-education players.
• In an era where one of the most progressive legislation has been passed, transparency and accountability to the people are called for on the part of all democratic institutions.

50- WORD TALK

• The decision to restrict street food vendors by four municipal corporations in Gujarat followed the usual routine of provocative statements and cautious corrections. Even if it isn’t targeted at non-vegetarian hawkers, it will still hurt informal, self-employed workers. In a pandemic economy, the so-called ‘pakora’ sellers must be actively protected.

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 main 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.