WSDP Bulletin (15-03-2022)

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. Maldives lifts Health Emergency, mask mandate ends READ MORE
2. RBI allows microfinance lenders to fix interest rates READ MORE
3. Explained: Why is Blinkit shutting down some dark stores? READ MORE
4. UTs without legislature used lesser funds last fiscal: report READ MORE
5. Exclusive: Centre Approved Corbevax for 12-14 Year Olds Without NTAGI Clearance READ MORE
6. India to issue green bonds worth Rs 240 billion, as country shifts to low-carbon economy READ MORE
7. India breaks into world’s top five club in terms of market capitalization READ MORE
8. Centre releases Rs 2221.2 crore grant-in-aid to states for rural local bodies READ MORE

Main Exam    

GS Paper- 1

1. Public participation in policymaking under Pandyas READ MORE
2. India’s green cover rises, touches nearly one-fourth of geographical area: Report READ MORE

GS Paper- 1

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Delhi hate speech case: A missed opportunity for justice READ MORE
2. Law’s delay: Despite SC orders, little headway in cases against MLAs, MPs READ MORE
3. How India Can Conduct a Caste Census READ MORE
4. IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS should have specific civil service entrance exams. At least discuss it READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. May all mothers live: Improvements in maternal mortality still have a long way to go. Assessing Covid impact is crucial READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. Fragmenting world order, untied nations READ MORE
2. The war’s cold facts and what India needs to glean READ MORE
3. A new deal: Any delay in Iran deal will deepen security crisis in West Asia and inflate global oil prices READ MORE
4. Ukraine invasion and the great geopolitical reset READ MORE
5. Ukraine: India must look beyond Russia READ MORE

GS Paper- 1

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Trade, internal migration, and human capital: Who gained from India’s IT boom? READ MORE
2. Staggering unemployment READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY  

1. Historic drought looms for 20 million living in Horn of Africa READ MORE

GS Paper- 1

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Truth and Contradiction READ MORE
2. Gandhi’s morality wasn’t denial of politics. His idealism was completed by realism READ MORE

CASE STUDY

1. Times Group-owned university asks students, parents to sign form against ‘anti-national’ activities READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. ‘Truth is contradictory; if it is not contradictory, then it is not truth’. Explain the statement with the help of relevant examples.
2. The Indian economy experienced trade expansion and an IT boom in the last three decades. Analyse the reasons why the growth of these areas is concentrated in a few big cities only?
3. ‘The Gandhian effort for non-violent politics was a cultivation of one’s capacity for ethical citizenship’. Analyse the statement.
4. How far do you agree with the view that to enhance the efficiency of Indian Civil Services, service-specific papers Should be introduced for the IAS, IPS, IFS and Revenue Services with focus on public policy and governance, criminal law and internal security issues, international affairs, and tax policy respectively? Justify your view.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Respect your opponent, just make them respect you more.
• The impact of the Ukraine war on global interconnectedness is a cause for worry in the post-World War order.
• India’s abstentionist responses and its desire not to be critical of any of the actions taken by the big powers might keep Indians safe in the short term.
• As hard power dictates terms in geo-politics, India’s Atmanirbhar push needs to move to mission mode.
• For a nation to have strategic autonomy in matters of national security, self-sufficiency in defence research and development and manufacturing is an inescapable imperative.
• Any delay in Iran deal will deepen security crisis in West Asia and inflate global oil prices.
• The first major conflict amongst the great powers in the 21st century has presented India with multiple challenges, including its long-standing reliance on Russian military supplies.
• Truth is contradictory; if it is not contradictory, then it is not truth.
• Equality might sound an attractive idea but people are not equal, and do not expect to be treated as such at work. Distribution of goods and services in a fair manner is important but their production is equally vital.
• The economic situation can improve only if steps are taken to revive the economy by providing timely support to the industries, agriculture and allied fields, MSMEs and informal sector which generates employment.
• The Gandhian appeal to the ethical in politics was not only a way to seek Truth, but also of coming to know oneself in ever-greater depth.

50-WORD TALK

• Political criticism of EPFO lowering interest rate to 8.1% from 8.5% is just that, politics. Real rates have crashed and even 8.1% is high across categories. EPFO interest payments depend on its earnings and 8.5% would’ve caused a deficit. Social security is critical but it should also make economic sense.

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.