WSDP Bulletin (13-01-2023)

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. V-P Jagdeep Dhankhar sparks debate with remarks on Basic Structure of Constitution; what is it? READ MORE  
2. CMPDIL Invents New Dust Control Technology READ MORE
3. 13th Ministerial-level meeting of the India-United States Trade Policy Forum (TPF) in Washington, DC READ MORE
4. First time in India, FSSAI notifies comprehensive regulatory standards for Basmati Rice; Will be enforced from 1st August, 2023 READ MORE
5. Under Constitution, law declared by the Supreme Court is binding on all READ MORE
6. Notification of minorities | Centre submits views of 24 States to Supreme Court READ MORE
7. 80% shortfall of specialist doctors in CHCs: Health Ministry report READ MORE
8. Clean Ganga? 29 sewage treatment plants in UP not complying with standards, shows report READ MORE
9. Money laundering an independent offence, says HC READ MORE

Main Exam

GS Paper- 1

1. Stop all hydroelectric projects in Himalayan region to avoid a Joshimath repeat: Experts READ MORE
2. Why a new study claims logged tropical forests can emit carbon into the atmosphere READ MORE
3. Explained: History and politics of caste census in Bihar READ MORE
4. Societal reform is vital for bridging the gender gap in labour market READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. India intensified crackdown on activists, media in 2022: Human Rights Watch report READ MORE
2. Capital stalemate: On the conflict between the Chief Minister and Lieutenant Governor in Delhi READ MORE
3. Why Governor R N Ravi’s actions are inimical to, expose bad faith in, BJP outreach to Tamils READ MORE
4. Governors are necessary. But as recent controversies like those in Tamil Nadu demonstrate, they must be made accountable to not just the Union but the state and Rajya Sabha as well READ MORE
5. It’s really basic: VP’s right on judiciary’s overreach but SC’s basic structure doctrine must stay, it’s good for robust democracy READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. Policy makers need to take mental health more seriously READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. Peru in peril: On the political crisis in the South American country READ MORE
2. Entering a year of uncertainty: For India, the altered shape of the international order leaves little room for comfort READ MORE
3. India is the voice of the global south READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Will the Budget be populist or fiscally responsible? READ MORE
2. Budget must address falling incomes READ MORE
3. Push for broad-based growth to curb unemployment READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. A step towards fighting corruption READ MORE
2. Public servants can be found guilty of graft on circumstantial proof: Supreme Court READ MORE
3. Approach truth directly, not via intermediaries READ MORE
4. Swami Vivekananda: true icon for youths READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. The “stink of corruption” has a “pervasive impact” on the efficient administration and governance of the country. Examine how corrupt officials have a demoralising effect on honest public servants and how Corruption by public servants has become a “gigantic problem”?
2. ‘Governors are necessary but recent controversies demonstrate that they must be made accountable to not just the Union but the state and Rajya Sabha as well’. How far do you agree with this statement? Analyse your view.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• The current economic model is inequality by design.
• The “stink of corruption” has a “pervasive impact” on the efficient administration and governance of the country. Corrupt officials have a demoralising effect on honest public servants. Corruption by public servants has become a “gigantic problem”.
• There are some serious social and cultural hurdles for working women.
• Swami Vivekananda’s concept of potential divinity of the soul, principle of morality and ethics, and being a bridge between the East and the West, and sense of unity, pride in the past, and the sense of mission are real assets for us.
• As a divine soul, Swami Vivekananda visualized the role of science and technology in improving the life of human beings.
• China is bogged down by its domestic issues and slowing economy and therefore can’t be seen as the biggest bully in the world. As of now it would like to continue a neutral path with India. This is the opportunity; the breathing space India needs to push its global leadership across various engagement platforms.
• The judiciary, the executive, and the legislature should confine themselves to their respective domains and conform to the highest standards of propriety and decorum. That indeed is the sine qua non of a healthy democracy.
• Deep-rooted reforms at the societal level in redefining the age-old gender roles are the only way to curb the persistent gender gap in the labour market.
• Governors are necessary. But as recent controversies like those in Tamil Nadu demonstrate, they must be made accountable to the Union and the state and Rajya Sabha.
• The criminal justice system, marked by bias against the underprivileged and violation of prisoners’ rights, must be overhauled.

50-WORD TALK

• The unresolved issue with the NRIs is that the Indian government does not know what to do with them. The government wants their money, no doubt, and they are indeed sending money home, which accounts for 3% of India’s GDP, according to the World Bank. The BJP’s foreign policy notion that the NRIs are its soldiers abroad to spread national glory is at best a delusion. Most NRIs have no interest in Indian politics nor are they motivated to push India’s case worldwide.
• The eight ministerial sessions focussing on financing people-centric development, balancing growth and environment-friendly lifestyles, energy security and development, cooperation to build resilient healthcare systems, human resource development and capacity building, developing synergies in technology, trade, tourism and resources and suggestions for India’s G20 presidency, were all opportunities to hear out a vast bunch of common issues affecting global south countries.

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.