WSDP Bulletin (18-01-2023)

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. Global recession likely in 2023; India may benefit from diversification of supply chains: WEF survey READ MORE  
2. RBI proposes expected loss-based approach for provisioning by banks READ MORE
3. James Webb telescope discovers its first Earth-sized exoplanet: What are exoplanets? READ MORE
4. Joshimath land subsistence: Supreme Court asks petitioner to move Uttarakhand High Court READ MORE
5. Nepal plane crash | Both black boxes recovered; four people still missing READ MORE
6. RBI floats paper on expected loss-based approach for loan loss provisioning by banks READ MORE
7. As talks with Tamil parties drag, Ranil pledges full implementation of 13th Amendment READ MORE
8. Lobsters versus right whales: The latest chapter in a long quest to make fishing more sustainable READ MORE

Main Exam

GS Paper- 1

1. Joshimath Crisis: We must learn to live with earthquakes in the Himalayas READ MORE
2. It’s been a dry winter in the hills & plains of North India. Here’s why READ MORE
3. Women’s proxies: Intervention needed to stop husbands from usurping powers READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Law Minister Kiren Rijiju’s letter to CJI DY Chandrachud: Fox in the henhouse READ MORE
2. Digital markets. Why a new law against Big Tech? READ MORE
3. Explainer: How is the appointment of judges related to debate on the basic structure doctrine? READ MORE
4. Voter apathy in municipal elections READ MORE
5. PUCL Flags ‘Threat’ to Judiciary, Urges Public to Resist Attacks on Collegium READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. India needs to expand quality manpower READ MORE
2. Disparities rising: Oxfam reports states the obvious – the gulf between the rich and poor is getting wider READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. The illogical rejection of the idea of South Asia READ MORE
2. In light of China-Russia alliance and Ukraine conflict, India and the new Eurasia READ MORE
3. Global South expects results: Challenge for India to make other G20 nations take effective action READ MORE
4. Changing times bring changes in international ties READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. A fortuitous trend: On wholesale inflation data READ MORE
2. A case for reassigning GST to States: It is essential to restore fiscal balance between the Union and State governments READ MORE
3. Cleaning up FCI’s operations: Food distribution needs deeper reforms READ MORE
4. Bank harassment, hidden charges undoing gains of Modi’s PMJDY and financial inclusion READ MORE

TECHNOLOGY

1. Fourth industrial revolution: ‘4IR is not real’ READ MORE

SECURITY

1. Hold off: On UNSC sanctioning Abdur Rehman Makki as sanctioned terrorist READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. Greed, not nature behid Joshimath: Unbridled construction in the name of development is becoming the a recipe for environmental mishaps READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Live in peace, not in search of it READ MORE
2. Wealth and happiness READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. How far do you agree with this view that incorporating Government representatives in the Supreme Court collegium will “infuse transparency and public accountability” in the process of appointment of judges? Analyse your view.
2. Do you agree with this view that the Centre consultation with state chief minister, while appointing governors, will be an ideal condition to restore the dignity of the post of governor? Analyse your views.
3. ‘There is a need to develop synergies in the Global South to address the current global crises and India have potential to lead it’. Examine.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Those in the developing world have so few rights — we take a lot for granted in the developed world.
• Judicial appointments are currently at the centre of a public fight between the judiciary and the Modi government.
• Infrequent or weak western disturbances from mid-November through the third week of January have affected Rabi crops.
• South Asia appears to be the exception and the outlier to the most logical principle now — regional cooperation.
• The Union government should effect equalisation transfers to address this issue of horizontal fiscal inequality.
• Japan is leading the way to show that the security of Europe, Indo-Pacific is indivisible. For Delhi, there are opportunities and challenge.
• The House panel’s push for a new law needs a rethink. The competition law provisions are adequate. The norms should rely on demonstrable effects.
• The reservation policy may have underestimated the degree to which inequalities pervade social and political life.
• China has made remarkable advances in science and technology and India, as it seeks to be the voice of the Global South, cannot be oblivious of that.
• The real challenge for India and the Global South is to ensure that the gap between the developed world and it in science and technology does not go back to what it became after the European Industrial Revolution.
• Banking is an integral sector, and improving financial inclusion among the unbanked is an essential function that public sector banks play.
• The World Economic Forum argues that the 4IR will lead to job losses because of automation, but a whole bunch of new jobs will also be created by the information technology universe.

50-WORD TALK

• The decline in India’s merchandise exports isn’t surprising considering many export destinations are seeing economic downturns. What is concerning, however, is the dip in merchandise imports, the first time in two years. These are warning signs of slowing domestic demand among consumers and manufacturers. Time for some innovative budgetary support.
• Constitutionally minded citizens and civil society groups need to stand up to collectively raise their voices and demand that the Central government and its functionaries stop the public attacks on the collegium and the judiciary, abide by the spirit of the Constitution and respect its values, ethos and proprieties.

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.