WSDP Bulletin (07-01-2023)

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. New electrolyte found can help better ammonia synthesis READ MORE  
2. Supreme Court thwarts eviction from Railway land in Haldwani READ MORE
3. Endangered Asian elephant has lost most of its optimal habitat in Nilgiri Reserve: Study READ MORE
4. UGC unveils draft norms to allow foreign universities to set up campuses in India READ MORE
5. Decennial census put off till September to freeze boundaries READ MORE
6. Guyana, Suriname Presidents to attend Pravasi Bharatiya Divas READ MORE
7. Covid XBB, BQ lineages most common in international fliers READ MORE
8. World’s first vaccine for honeybees gets conditional nod in US READ MORE
9. Antibiotic residues in wastewater may trigger antimicrobial resistance in India, China: Study READ MORE
10. Did war in Ukraine drive more migratory birds to Chilika lake in Odisha? READ MORE

Main Exam

GS Paper- 1

1. Another depressing year of normalised gendered violence READ MORE
2. Not protection, women need autonomy, equality READ MORE
3. Some Truths on How India’s Groundwater Management Programme Is Progressing READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Political parties are not like companies READ MORE
2. The judicial pendency question: How to lighten the court’s load READ MORE
3. Why is the GST Tribunal a non-starter? READ MORE
4. Curb online gaming READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission: Making healthcare accessible, the digital way READ MORE
2. Uniform Civil Code necessary for gender justice READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. The crisis in international law READ MORE
2. India’s G20 Presidency: Forging global solidarity READ MORE
3. India needs to double down on its China policy READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Explained | India’s plan to develop green hydrogen READ MORE
2. Explained | The millet mission READ MORE
3. Global Economy: In 2023, Central Banks Will Have to Battle Inflation Amid Political Obstacles READ MORE
4. Why India’s Balance of Payments is Headed for Hard Times READ MORE
5. Mitigating Risks in Agriculture: The inefficacy of crop insurance in times of growing weather volatility can be debilitating. READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Draconian, Toothless~I
2. Environmental Consciousness on a Spectrum READ MORE

 SECURITY

1. Armed drones in Indian military: Can machines understand the rules of war? READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. What does it take to become self-realised? READ MORE
2. Happiness: it’s limitless READ MORE
3. Practice forgiveness for good relations READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. Discuss the importance of international laws for foreign policy. In the light of the recent developments in international politics, analyse why India needs to incorporate these laws in its foreign policy?
2. ‘Despite its claims of independence and impartiality, the collegium system is plagued by serious weaknesses and flaws that have had a detrimental impact on the functioning of the judiciary’. Examine.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Effort and courage are not enough without purpose and direction.
• India needs to engage in a critical study of international law and utilise it to effectively conduct its foreign policy and engage in lawfare.
• India has been acquiring a central stage in world affairs and international order in the recent years. Besides benefits, this has brought challenges also like the China factor, terrorism in the near neighbourhood, issues relating to carbon emissions and climate compensation and reduced multilateralism.
• India is a prime example of suffering at the hands of partisan views and narrow geopolitical aims against terrorism.
• If something is legally correct, it does not automatically become constitutionally sound.
• As we prioritise the integrity and independence of the judiciary, it is crucial to address the flaws in the appointment process and seek a solution that ensures fair and impartial judicial appointments.
• Despite its claims of independence and impartiality, the collegium system is plagued by serious weaknesses and flaws that have had a detrimental impact on the functioning of the judiciary.
• The government has been criticised for selectively appointing some of the judges recommended by the collegium while delaying or ignoring the appointments of others, thereby altering the seniority of the judges.
• Digital technology with digital learning when put to good use will open its gate to digital opportunity i.e. it will lead to opening of new possibilities which will further lead to communication, social networking, collaboration, content management and access to analytics data, along with staff and customer satisfaction.
• There should be widespread public consultation to ensure that economic rights, individual freedoms, and social imperatives remain in balance.

ESSAY TOPIC

• Humanities develop a rounded personality

50-WORD TALK

• From being an outspoken advocate of the Chinese government’s COVID-19 response in 2020 when the virus first stuck the world to now asking its leadership to track it, WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus may have taken the path of course correction. But WHO’s credibility will be hard to re-establish.
• The deadly Ukrainian rocket strikes on Russian soldiers in Makiivka—killing at least 63, perhaps hundreds—demonstrate President Vladimir Putin’s military is technologically and tactically outclassed. Putin can continue obliterating Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure but at the price of his country’s economic future. The world needs to push Putin to end unwinnable war.

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.