WSDP Bulletin (29-08-2022)

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. India reiterates support to Argentina for resumption of talks on the Malvinas issue READ MORE
2. Russia blocks final document at U.N. nuclear treaty conference READ MORE
3. Decoding mosquitoes’ sense of smell READ MORE
4. Kaziranga wildlife rehab centre completes 20 years READ MORE
5. Risk of radioactive leak at Ukraine nuclear plant, operator says READ MORE
6. Subsidised fertiliser under ‘Bharat’ brand from October: Mandaviya READ MORE
7. Explained: Pakistan’s monster monsoon READ MORE
8. IARI: New virus behind mystery dwarfing of rice READ MORE

Main Exam

GS Paper- 1

1. Ruination of the earth: Require a new creation myth to give new meaning to the planet & its beings READ MORE
2. Loneliness is pushing morbidity among elderly READ MORE

 GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Sops for votes: Promising gifts in run-up to polls,not welfare, is the real ‘freebie’ issue READ MORE
2. Clean and clear: Government, Twitter must reassure the public that user data has not been compromised READ MORE
3. Explained | The concerns around Aadhaar-Voter ID linkage READ MORE
4. Constitution Bench: SC focus back on critical aspect of interpreting laws READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. The world needs compassion and cooperation READ MORE
2. Ukraine war: The global order is being reshaped READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Indian economy’s mixed signals READ MORE
2. Stable policy vital for robust agri value chain READ MORE
3. Rein in current account deficit for better fiscal health READ MORE
4. Reforming ratings: New norms will increase transparency READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. A South Asian climate plan READ MORE
2. Noida twin tower demolition: How will it affect local flora, fauna READ MORE

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. James Webb telescope: Light on dark matter READ MORE

SECURITY

1. The cyber threat to mobile banking READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. NDTV: the hostile takeover- Large conglomerates owning media units might crimp editorial independence READ MORE
2. An urgent clarion call to build a global fraternity READ MORE
3. The right attitude READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. ‘Integration of education for sustainable development (ESD) into teaching and learning can help in the realization of quality education, which is critical to fulfilling many of the sustainable development goals (SDGs)’. Analyse the statement in the light of NEP 2020.
2. ‘With geopolitical currents redefining geo-economics, India needs to be ready to emerge as the chief global diplomat’. Comment on the statement in the light of recent development in international diplomacy.
3. How far do you agree with this view that Universal Basic Insurance is a better proposition than Universal Basic Income and India should focus on Universal Basic Insurance? Justify your view.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• The earth is not yours to plunder, nor is nature to tear asunder.
• Media companies can maintain editorial integrity by cutting down their dependence on sources of revenues which have an embedded element of conflict of interest.
• The Government has come across as being too eager to block its critics on social platforms. That, on top of unfettered access to sensitive user data, as is being alleged in the disclosure, can kill free speech.
• The lack of adequate cybersecurity and the dearth of talent in banking could potentially lead to a further rise in cyberattacks on user devices.
• Much of the universe remains unknown. The Webb telescope will hopefully provide a powerful window to help resolve some of the cosmos’s many mysteries.
• A revamped warehousing system, along with the commodities derivatives market, can assess stocks and provide right price signals.
• To deal with challenging circumstances worldover, the world requires compassion, cooperation and complete solidarity, but what is happening is just the opposite.
• A new era of great power politics is playing out among Russia, China, and the United States as the conflict in Ukraine drags on. India will have to make tough choices.
• The vacancies at various levels of the judiciary and the lack of infrastructure, resulting in the huge caseload and pendency, though, remain key areas of concern.
• Democracy as drama cannot be reduced to the aridity of elections and numbers because it then reincarnates as secondary authoritarianism. Democracy has to also challenge the dualism of lay and expert to create citizenship as a trusteeship of knowledge.

50-WORD TALK

• Obscenity of these lifetime freebies, peons, and chauffeurs for retired judges can’t be lost on anybody. Least of all on our 24×7 virtue-signaling Lordships. We can only hope they’ll say no. Unless they won’t even see the implicit conflict of interest in a country where the government’s the biggest litigant.

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.