WSDP Bulletin (16-02-2023)

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. Cabinet approves Centrally Sponsored Scheme- “Vibrant Villages Programme” for the Financial Years 2022-23 to 2025-26 with financial allocation of Rs. 4800 Crore READ MORE  
2. The 1st Agriculture Deputies Meeting (ADM) of the Agriculture Working Group under India’s G20 Presidency concluded successfully today at Indore READ MORE
3. With an eye on China, Union Cabinet clears 7 ITBP battalions READ MORE
4. monitoring imports to detect any surge that can hurt economy: Finance Minister READ MORE
5. Warm water melts weak spots on Antarctica’s ‘Doomsday Glacier,’ say scientists READ MORE
6. India, Bangladesh pledge ‘reciprocal support’ for UNSC non-permanent membership READ MORE
7. Ring around a dwarf planet lies where it isn’t supposed to exist: What it means, why it matters READ MORE
8. What is Lavani, and why is Maharashtra’s folk dance form in controversy? READ MORE
9. Sea Level Is Rising and Will Continue to Do So: WMO Report READ MORE

Main Exam

GS Paper- 1

1. All at sea: The impact of warming oceans is a neglected threat READ MORE
2. Buddhism did not spread by the sword. But the empires that helped it grow did READ MORE
3. Starvation, disease: Tribes of Lower Omo bear the brunt of development projects READ MORE
4. Invest in changing social norms to end child marriages READ MORE
5. The state of Adivasi livelihoods after 75 years of planned development READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Post-retirement appointments: a danger to judicial independence READ MORE
2. Beyond limits: On the Supreme Court order upholding J&K Delimitation Commission READ MORE
3. The right to propagate religion cannot lead to undermining of faiths READ MORE
4. Subsidence of democratic values READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. A manifesto for tackling the silent pandemic of Antimicrobial Resistance READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. The price pinch: Despite RBI’s best intentions, inflation continues to hurt READ MORE
2. Union of 100 states: Why India must have many small states. It will make for better economy and better politics READ MORE
3. Export challenge READ MORE
4. Explainer: Everything You Need to Know About Short Selling, and How it is Done in India READ MORE

TECHNOLOGY

1. Google and ChatGPT can coexist READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Can debt swaps be a game-changer for poor nations to go green? READ MORE
2. Green ports are key to Green Hydrogen Mission READ MORE

SECURITY

1. Great feat: The domestic defence industry has done well in the last few years, but a lot more needs to be done READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. Earthquake: The scandal of not being prepared READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Faith and Science READ MORE
2. Key to peaceful and beautiful life READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. Members of the judiciary cannot compromise judicial independence by trading it for a plum post-retirement sinecure. In light of this statement, do you agree with the view that there should be a cooling-off period for judges after retirement?
2. Despite efforts to ensure their well-being, the Adivasi community remains one of the most deprived in India. In light of this statement, critically analyse the steps taken by the Government of India to address the issues of the Adivasi community.
3. ‘India must put in place an actionable policy to achieve Hydrogen Mission targets, which will depend on cheaper green hydrogen’. Discuss why Green ports are key to achieving the Green Hydrogen Mission?

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Privacy is not something that I’m entitled to, it’s an absolute prerequisite.
• Post retirement, the judicial community should take a concerted decision not to accept any job stemming from political patronage.
• Members of the judiciary cannot compromise judicial independence by trading it for a plum post-retirement sinecure.
• As the current G-20 president, and as a vulnerable country, India has a key role in ensuring that AMR remains high on the global health agenda.
• A credible glide path to bring inflation down to the target level is of critical importance, particularly now with the national elections around the corner.
• Inflation is proving to be the Achilles heel of the Indian economy’s recovery from the pandemic and subsequent global disruptions.
• A Union of small states is a good idea is that such a political model addresses what’s going to soon be a source of tension in Indian federalism.
• Smaller or medium size states or small bits of one or two large states like Maharashtra and Gujarat are doing most of the economic heavy lifting – but it is the larger states with larger populations that wield political power.
• End child marriages is a challenge of moral suasion and Assam’s arrests were not a useful way to pursue this noble goal.
• The pandemic adversely affected the quality of employment. Further, higher the level of education, higher is the chance of being out of the job market.
• Article 25 of the Constitution guarantees the freedom to profess, practice and propagate religion to all citizens, subject to public order, health and morality.
• India must put in place actionable policy to achieve Hydrogen Mission targets, which will depend on cheaper green hydrogen.

50-WORD TALK

• Air India’s 470 aircraft order underlines the global impact of India’s growth. Such an order by a government airline would’ve led to cries of scams and kept CBI busy for years. Now, there’s celebration. It’s a vindication for supporters of privatisation. Reminder to governments: business is none of your business.
• Notable, besides the timing of IT raids on the BBC, are BJP spokespersons’ arguments. One calls BBC Bhrasht Bakwaas Corporation. Are they suggesting raids are to teach BBC a lesson and tax “irregularities” mere pretense? Another asks, “Didn’t Indiraji throw BBC out in Emergency?” A sad race to the bottom.

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.