WSDP Bulletin (21-04-2022)

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. When the stars came out READ MORE
2. Sixth Scorpène submarine Vagsheer launched into water in Mumbai READ MORE
3. OIL commissions India’s first pure green hydrogen plant in Assam READ MORE
4. India to introduce special visa category for Ayush treatment READ MORE
5. Explained: Life and legend of Guru Tegh Bahadur, who stood up to the Mughals READ MORE
6. India, Finland to establish Virtual Network Centre on Quantum Computing READ MORE
7. Climate change triggering global collapse in insect numbers: Stressed farmland shows 63% decline — new research READ MORE
8. New research detects pre-eruption warning signals at Whakaari White Island and other active volcanoes READ MORE

Main Exam

GS Paper- 1

1. Grand illusion of inclusive growth READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. State of the state: When govts intervene in matters of personal and religious choice, social peace & livelihoods suffer READ MORE
2. CUET: Suitable for admissions or a half-baked policy? READ MORE
3. Foreign academic tie-ups: Ease of rules a step forward for higher education READ MORE
4. Speculation without data: Poverty estimates need govt surveys to resume READ MORE
5. Pegasus is seducing, but good intelligence isn’t just tech. India needs more than software READ MORE

SOCIAL JUSTICE

1. UGC’s two degree decision and social justice READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. Significant Deal: The Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement with Australia sets an excellent example of how bilateral trade deals READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Give priority to tilting trains than K-Rail, says expert READ MORE
2. Freebies are a passport to fiscal disaster READ MORE
3. Ukraine, virus threaten economic recovery READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY 

1. Coastline of Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram may be under water by 2050 READ MORE
2. India headed for ‘large deficient’ rainfall to ‘no rain’ in pre-monsoon period READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. The Guru who taught us to fear none, scare none READ MORE
2. Selective demolitions bring no glory to the nation READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. ‘The culture of freebies could prove expensive for the economy, life quality and social cohesion in the long run’. Comment.
2. ‘Unless the institutional barriers at the ground level are removed, the life chances of the poor will not improve and there can be no inclusive growth’. In the light of the statement, discuss how these barriers can be removed so that an inclusive growth can be achieved?

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• The success of the manipulation depends on the level of conviction and force of the denial.
• India is a Union of states. It is not a confederation of states. It is not a question of holding together but of coming together.
• The issue of intergenerational equity leads to greater social inequalities because of expenditure priorities being distorted away from growth-enhancing items.
• There is no harm in being sometimes wrong — especially if one is promptly found out.
• Measuring aptitude and selecting students for higher education require deep deliberation. Systematic reforms in schooling, higher education and assessment paradigms would be needed in the long term.
• Instead of focusing on introducing periodical revisions, the emphasis should be on launching administrative reforms in GST, which will achieve goals, such as reducing disputes and increasing resources for the government.
• Initiatives such as the PLI scheme and the emphasis on using only trusted supply chains for the tech sector demonstrate the globalisation-oriented attitude of the government.
• True inclusive growth can happen not with distribution of free ration but by attacking social and economic discrimination that hinder our youth’s progress.
• Unless the barriers at the ground level are removed, the life chances of the poor will not improve and there can be no inclusive growth.
• Until authoritative, transparent and professional government data is once again the order of the day, any claims about poverty reduction will remain pure speculation.

50-WORD TALK

• UGC’s reforms to allow dual, joint degrees and easier collaboration with foreign universities increase options and opportunities to students in a cramped education system. Focus on learning, skilling and enjoying it should not be lost in the bargain though. Degrees should showcase knowledge and employability, not become trophies to collect.
• BJP-controlled Delhi civic body’s selective demolition drive in riot-hit Jahangirpuri was malicious, unlawful and aimed at more communal polarisation. For a party that takes credit for regularising Delhi’s 1,700 illegal colonies, BJP’s stand on Jahangirpuri demolition is rich. Bulldozer power is a terrible advertisement for democracy and rule of law.

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 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.