WSDP Bulletin (03-02-2022)

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. FDI Inflow READ MORE
2. Strengthening of PESA Act READ MORE
3. World Wetlands Day celebrated at Sultanpur National Park READ MORE
4. Export Import Bank of India, Sri Lanka sign $500-million loan agreement READ MORE
5. Philosopher-saint Ramanujacharya, and the Statue of Equality in his honour READ MORE
6. Two more Ramsar sites announced on World Wetlands Day READ MORE
7. India, Nepal sign MoU on construction of motorable bridge over Mahakali river READ MORE

Main Exam   

GS Paper- 1

1. Liberal ideology and gender stereotypes READ MORE

GS Paper- 1

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. US Imperial excess: On Governors and limits- Governors must work within constitutional parameters, not as agents of the Centre READ MORE
2. Make courts more accessible READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. Children’s share in Budget is lowest in 11 years READ MORE
2. Strengthen state-level elementary education architecture READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. Ink India-Britain free trade, unlock new opportunity: There are good economic and strategic reasons for an FTA that will spell many opportunities for both countries READ MORE
2. Explained: The India-Israel relationship READ MORE

GS Paper- 1

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Make haste slowly: Digital rupee can have many implications for RBI. Best to take time over it, like other countries READ MORE
2. Repo rate cannot be the basis for bank loans READ MORE
3. Fiscal constraints: India needs to boost tax-to-GDP ratio READ MORE
4. The Bad Bank READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY  

1. Artificial intelligence technologies have a climate cost READ MORE  
2. Frequent marine heatwaves in Indian Ocean disrupt India‘s monsoon patterns READ MORE

SECURITY

1. Border infrastructure: India out to counter China’s development overdrive READ MORE

GS Paper- 1

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. About Ethnocentrisms READ MORE
2. Consciousness is not located in the brain READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. ‘CBDCs may be inevitable but the need for RBI to cover for all the possible risks is non-negotiable’. In the light of the statement discuss the implications of the digital currency for the banking system and how the RBI can fix them.
2. Governors must work within constitutional parameters, not as agents of the Centre. Analyse the statement with reference to recent developments in certain states.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Aggression is not the problem, it is the outcome of a problem.
• There are good economic and strategic reasons for an FTA that will spell many opportunities for both India and Britain.
• The AI-climate change link is understudied, not least because the largest companies working in this space are neither transparent nor meaningfully committed to understanding it.
• Governments of developing countries, India included, should also assess their technology-led growth priorities in the context of AI’s climate costs.
• There is a wide variation in the extent of integration among administrative bodies overseeing school administration at the state level.
• More food means less hunger. But reducing food waste and foodgrain storage losses also means more food which means less hunger, and it also compensates for any yield gap because of the shift to natural farming.
• Both the direct and indirect tax systems need comprehensive review. Rationalisation of rates and improvement in compliance will help create the much-needed fiscal space.
• Ultimately the bad bank may be a good opportunity for loan evaders and for those eager to acquire cheap the units set up with huge borrowing.
• It is also imperative to update our weather models to skilfully predict the challenges presented by a warming world.

50-WORD TALK

• The rollout of ZyCov-D vaccine is a very welcome addition to India’s Covid vaccine basket. India has done brilliantly with its vaccine coverage but there is still much ground to cover, especially with third shots and considering variants like Omicron. India should also follow the science now on mixing boosters.
• The Delhi High Court’s right: It’s “absurd” for the state government to fine people not wearing masks inside their own cars. Government counsel Rahul Mehra agrees—but the mandate, upheld by a judge last year, will stand until officially reviewed. Also absurd: making rules that defy science and common sense.
• Modi government’s announcement to tax crypto assets without creating a regulatory framework for their transactions is baffling. The temptation to dip into the digital goldmine is understandable, but the lack of regulations in a highly risky asset category can hurt investors. Rules should be framed before this becomes a reality.

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.