WSDP Bulletin (20-12-2021)

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. PM lays the foundation stone of Ganga Expressway READ MORE
2. New generation ballistic missile ‘Agni P’ successfully test-fired by DRDO READ MORE
3. India doesn’t have enough air quality monitors to show the true extent of pollution in the country READ MORE
4. Joint Statement of the 3rd meeting of the India-Central Asia Dialogue READ MORE
5. Explained: Goa Liberation Day READ MORE
6. Reintroduced gharials thriving in Beas reserve: experts READ MORE

Main Exam    

GS Paper- 1

1. Explained | Is raising marriage age enough to help girls? READ MORE
2. Thar desert expanding fast with land degradation, finds study READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. On the freedom of speech, expression READ MORE
2. Is the Controversy Over NDPS (Amendment) Act, 2021 a Storm in a Teacup? READ MORE
3. Value probity and decency in public life READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

1. Age and marriage: On raising the age of marriage for women READ MORE
2. Why India’s Time to Tackle Inequality is Now READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. Explained | Understanding the U.S. strategy of ‘Asia Pivot’ READ MORE
2. China: A nemesis that NATO wouldn’t want READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. MSP for all crops is fiscally unfeasible READ MORE
2. Leverage WTO to reform the MSP regime READ MORE
3. A global summit on inequality needed READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1.  In Punjab, sacred forests are shrinking due to encroachments and invasive species READ MORE  

SECURITY

1. National security, at the cost of citizens’ privacy READ MORE
2. Defence reforms stand at the crossroads READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Value probity and decency in public life READ MORE
2. Be Curious, Not Furious READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. Laws cannot be a short cut in the path to social reform. With reference to this statement, critically evaluate the government decision to raise the minimum marriage age of women to 21 years.
2. ‘The Official Secrets Act is not to protect secrets, it is to protect officials’. Critically examine with relevant examples.
3. ‘Democracies have their weaknesses. But over the years, they have proved to be far more resilient than authoritarian regimes’. Explain.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• The very substance of the ambitious is merely the shadow of a dream.
• Focus must be on creating social awareness about women’s reproductive health and rights.
• Laws cannot be a short cut in the path to social reform.
• The JPC report and the Data Protection Bill, 2021 protect the government instead of the personal data of Indian citizens.
• The Official Secrets Act is not to protect secrets, it is to protect officials.
• MSP for all crops is fiscally unfeasible, it may be better to use an income policy to directly transfer money into farmers’ accounts.
• WTO reform on the MSP regime in India’s own interest to phase out free supply electricity and water and focus on productivity boosting infrastructure.
• Democracies have their weaknesses. But over the years, they have proved to be far more resilient than authoritarian regimes. So, all those who value their rights and freedoms must abide by constitutional duties.
• The right has been provided for in the Constitution, but it comes with responsibilities. It is to be exercised under reasonable restrictions.
• The present highly unequal economic path led by crony capitalism and following the United States model cannot meet the needs of all citizens sustainably.
• The next Global Summit should be about how to tackle inequalities.

50-WORD TALK

• Unlike the 1986 Goldwater-Nichols Act, through which the unified combatant commands were created for the Americans, the act of integrating India’s three services was not legislated and only a person like General Rawat could have done it. This does not absolve the political setup of its responsibilities. But in the absence of a legislative Act of Parliament, only a resolute mind and personality could bring about the changes that have now germinated.

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.