WSDP Bulletin (22-09-2022)

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. ISRO successfully tests hybrid motor to strengthen future rockets READ MORE
2. A push for framework on farmers’ rights at international meet READ MORE
3. Bank GNPAs may touch decadal low of 4% in FY24: Crisil Ratings READ MORE
4. 100 years on, Nizam’s sword set to return from Glasgow READ MORE
5. ASBA-like model in secondary market READ MORE
6. Draft Bill moves to regulate Internet-based, OTT telecom services READ MORE
7. One death from non-communicable diseases every 2 seconds: WHO recommends policies READ MORE
8. Cabinet approves modifications to semiconductor and display fab incentives scheme READ MORE
9. Why are banks attracted to ONDC READ MORE

Main Exam

GS Paper- 1

1. Monsoon 2022 starts retreating after 114 days of erratic rainfall, extreme weather events READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Explained | Rules for identifying criminals READ MORE
2. Are our liberties tied to retirement dates? Why the SC roster is key to justice READ MORE
3. What CBI’s shrinking jurisdiction implies READ MORE
4. The Use and Misuse of Central Investigative Agencies READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. 50 million a step away from starvation: Civil society seeks urgent funds READ MORE
2. HEAL INDIA first, WORLD thereafter READ MORE
3. Human Development Index 2021–22 and India READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. Russia raises Ukraine heat READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Trade tactics: Foreign trade policy revamp comes amid stuttering growth in key markets READ MORE
2. Rational expectations: Downside risks to growth are increasing READ MORE
3. The National e-Commerce Policy, 2019 READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. How this cyclone intensity estimation technique saved millions of lives across continents READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. There can be no life without death READ MORE
2. Heaven and hell READ MORE
3. Limits of Indexing Human Values READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. Discuss the reasons why India saw uneven economic development and progress, uneven levels of education, employment, social cohesion and contentment even after the seventy-five years of independence?
2. States’ mistrust of central agencies is not good in a federal structure. If the Centre is serious about fighting graft, it must make the CBI truly autonomous. Comment on the statement in light of recent criticism faced by central agencies.
3. Living lose and economic costs of road crashes have emerged as a major challenge against the Indian policymakers in recent times and sometimes it is defined as road terror. In your view, what should the government do to minimize these losses?

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.
• Having decided to keep away from the trade track of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for now, assertions that the Government has ‘no bandwidth’ left for new free trade pact negotiations though more countries are wooing it, and is seeking to slow talks with the Gulf Cooperation Council, are unnecessary.
• Over time, uneven development has characterised the States of the Indian Union. Regional and linguistic diversity characterises them. And so does uneven economic development and progress, resulting in uneven levels of education, employment, social cohesion and contentment.
• There is need for an Indian global media platform to address the superficial understanding of Indian democracy and the stereotypical perspective of the country’s socio-cultural diversity.
• Surface transport safety reforms can be implemented at the State and national levels to minimise the economic costs of road crashes.
• Decency, among other things, has to be understood in terms of what is minimally available to a person to remain decent while organising their public life in association with others.
• It is even seen that a critical level of human development is a prerequisite for ensuring sustainable economic growth. Hence, it is no surprise that the deceleration in India’s HDI values corresponds with the slowdown in India’s growth rates.

50-WORD TALK

• After twelve years of listening to the infamous Niira Radia tapes—which fuelled now-disproven 2G scam claims, ruined reputations and undermined a government—the CBI’s finally heard enough to conclude there’s no evidence of crime. There’s a crime, though, that remains unpunished: Wiretapping Radia for 300 days, despite hearing nothing but gossip.
• Vladimir Putin’s mobilisation of military reserves, backed by nuclear threats, is meant to signal he’s willing to risk catastrophic war with the West over Ukraine. But Russia’s military failures and collapsing economy mean the threat isn’t credible. Putin needs to find a face-saving exit—not escalate a war he’s already lost.
• Biomass, ethanol and green hydrogen have their pluses and while promoting these, it is important to be clearheaded. Biomass has the most going for it; green hydrogen holds many pluses and some minuses; and ethanol’s roots in water-guzzling crops make it very shortsighted for a water-deficit country like India to actively promote it. However, the government is doing just that by making it compulsory to go in for higher levels of blending it with liquid fossil fuels.

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.