WSDP Bulletin (10-02-2022)

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. Number of beneficiaries enrolled for maternity benefit plan exceeded target: Government READ MORE
2. Scientists set new record in creating energy from nuclear fusion READ MORE
3. ISRO to launch earth observation satellite on February 14 READ MORE
4. RBI Monetary Policy: Repo rate unchanged at 4% for tenth consecutive time READ MORE
5. EU joins chips race with €43-billion bid to rival Asia READ MORE
6. India received USD 339.55 billion FDI in last 5 years READ MORE

Main Exam    

GS Paper- 1

1. Hijab Ban & Indian Concept Of Positive Secularism READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Explained: Governor’s powers, friction with states, and why this happens often READ MORE
2. Deluge of freebies: Parties vie with each other to woo voters at any cost READ MORE
3. To strengthen federalism, revisit the Constitution READ MORE
4. Cooperative federalism READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUE

1. Work sans safety or dignity READ MORE

 INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. Anger in diplomacy: On Indian reaction to MNC Kashmir tweets READ MORE  
2. The significance of S Jaishankar’s Australia visit READ MORE
3. Pak’s security policy is a flawed exercise READ MORE
4. A new headache for Indian foreign policy — Russia-China growing ties on Ukraine and Taiwan READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Post-pandemic Railways at an interesting crossroad READ MORE
2. Opinion: Budget should put money in the hands of poor, not call for capital expenditure READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY  

1. Modi government is pursuing ‘ease of business’ at the cost of the environment READ MORE
2. Kaziranga National Park is a net carbon emitter; climate change may make it worse READ MORE

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. Digital drive READ MORE
2. Binging on Bhabha, Sarabhai and Bhai READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. INCOIS prepares Coastal Vulnerability Index READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. The classroom is important, not the uniform READ MORE
2. Why A Universal COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate Is Ethical Today READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. ‘The idea of a moral code extends beyond the individual to include what is determined to be right, and wrong, for a community or society at large’. Analyse.
2. ‘Homogeneity must not be imposed on students in garb of dress code’ educational institutions must remain spaces of diversity and inclusivity’. Comment.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Every man is an heir to a legacy of dignity and worth.
• The idea of a moral code extends beyond the individual to include what is determined to be right, and wrong, for a community or society at large.
• With unprecedented levels of unemployment, low output and aggregate demand, the Indian economy is already in the ICU. And the FY 22-23 Budget had nothing to propel growth in the short term.
• The soil in Kaziranga is home to a large population of bacteria that release carbon dioxide as they breathe, adding to what trees and others emanate.
• A quiet word with the MNCs might have worked better than a public display of diplomatic opposition.
• S Jaishankar’s Australia visit provides opportunity to strengthen both the Quad and bilateral ties with Canberra.
• Homogeneity must not be imposed on students in garb of dress code. Educational institutions must remain spaces of diversity and inclusivity.
• A digital push without these safeguards will make citizens wary of adopting technology even if it promises better governance.
• Under these circumstances, it is reasonable to expect that these bonds will be issued only within the country. The overseas option would not be on until we are at ease with the idea at a policy and ideological level.
• The pandemic presented a unique business opportunity to Indian Railways to concentrate on its two most profitable business segments.
• The problem with political discourse in India, particularly in recent years, is that it never relies on logic or research. It takes the easy way out and brands the opponent as anti-national.
• Consultation and consensus, and not unilateralism, must inform decision making, being the bedrock of our cooperative federalism.
• The environment ministry has introduced a series of changes in the regulations through office orders that pave way for the diversion of forest land.

50-WORD TALK

• Stories of scientists and scientific development need to be told and retold as and when new material becomes available. Such retelling helps us examine the historical characters in a new light. Rocket Boys is not a biopic but a peek into the turning points in the lives of Vikram Sarabhai and his mentor Homi Bhabha. It attempts to bring out the intertwining of India’s most successful scientific programmes.

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.