WSDP Bulletin (20-03-2023)

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. Putin makes surprise trip to Mariupol, first to occupied Donbas in Ukraine READ MORE  
2. No antibiotics, plasma therapy to treat adult COVID patients: government READ MORE
3. Modi, Hasina open 131.5-km oil pipeline to Bangladesh READ MORE
4. At a high dose, sucralose impairs mouse immune responses READ MORE
5. Active volcano found on Venus: What a new study says READ MORE
6. Why most plastic can’t be recycled READ MORE
7. What is Generative AI, the technology behind OpenAI’s ChatGPT? READ MORE
8. Earth sciences ministry’s revised budget estimate reduced by 22%, multiple delays cited as reasons READ MORE
9. Green coal: Can it tackle twin challenges of reducing emission, waste management? READ MORE

Main Exam

GS Paper- 1

1. India lost 668,400 ha forests in 5 years, 2nd highest globally: Report READ MORE
2. Swamiji and Tagore READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. The Conduct of LS Speaker and the RS Chairman Goes Against the Vision of a Level Playing Field READ MORE
2. As health goes digital in India, where does privacy stand? READ MORE
3. The India Fix: What does Parliament’s disruption by the ruling party say about Indian democracy? READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. Moving forward with a newer concept of Universal Health Care READ MORE   
2. Explained | What is India’s stand on same-sex marriage? READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. Slow steps to India-China border tranquillity READ MORE   
2. AUKUS | A three-way alliance in the Indo-Pacific READ MORE
3. Japan’s PM Fumio Kishida writes: Japan and India renewing a pledge READ MORE
4. G20 must set up an international panel on technological change READ MORE
5. India, China, and developments in the Persian Gulf READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Spectre of stagflation: On the overall macroeconomic outlook READ MORE
2. Explained | Will the SVB collapse impact Indian start-ups? READ MORE
3. Indian economy gets the jobs boost it was lacking READ MORE
4. Many gaps in the PLI scheme READ MORE
5. Worst of inflation behind us: Cautious optimism comes with terse message for banks READ MORE
6. Rupee far from being a global currency READ MORE
7. Rising national income but declining welfare of people READ MORE

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. Artificial intelligence may make us work more, not less READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Why most plastic can’t be recycled READ MORE
2. Kashmir: How Glacier Melt Is Triggering a Change in Land Use Patterns READ MORE
3. Why air pollution in India is a public health crisis and demands urgent action READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Nobody is the giver of misery READ MORE
2. Spiritual impulse READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. The growing presence of China and India in the Persian Gulf indicates the prospects of power relations between regional, continental, and global actors in this region. Analyse the statement in the light of recent developments.
2. The Quad gives India a cushion to develop its capabilities and ramp up its defences, modernise its military, and develop its border infrastructure to be better equipped in the future to thwart China. Comment.
3. The PLI scheme is a classic case of ‘ good intentions but bad approach’. If India wants to fulfil its dream of becoming a global manufacturing hub, the structural problems within the policy design and economic system need to first be addressed. Critically examine.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• You cannot withstand continual setbacks unless you’ve seen a worthwhile vision.
• The Quad gives India a cushion to develop its capabilities and ramp up its defences, modernise its military, and develop its border infrastructure to be better equipped in the future to thwart China.
• We cannot afford to subject future generations to air pollution that will subject them to lifelong medical dependence and reduce their quality of life. So, it’s high time that it is given a prominent seat in the public policy discourse and debate.
• If incomes represent the welfare of an individual, then the average does not reflect the welfare of the people at the bottom of the pyramid of incomes, especially given that a large number of people are at the base of the pyramid.
• Due to huge disparities, per capita income does not capture the welfare of the poor. Not only that, the rising extent of social waste further reduces welfare. Thus, the poor are losing far more than the paltry support they get from the government.
• The growing presence of China and India in the Persian Gulf indicates the prospects of power relations between regional, continental, and global actors in this region.
• It is tragic that presiding officers of both Houses of parliament are acting in a manner that generates an unmistakable impression that the ‘doctrine of differential rights’ governs their conduct vis-à-vis treasury and opposition benches.
• The PLI scheme is a classic case of ‘ good intentions but bad approach’. For the scheme to deliver positive results, the structural problems within the policy design and economic system need to first be addressed. Only then will India fulfil its dream of becoming a global manufacturing hub.
• ailure to engender enduring price stability could lead to stagflation. Unless supply side measures such as GST rationalisation and fuel price cuts are expedited, the overall macroeconomic outlook appears worrying.

50-WORD TALK

• Once again, as in Afghanistan and Iraq, the western gamble seems to have failed. But this time, the consequences of the war may not stay confined to Ukraine; they will affect the prosperous countries of the West, such as Germany and France. In addition to the problems of millions of Ukrainian refugees and the cost of rebuilding the country, western Europe will also face long-term threats to its security, caused by a failed state in Eurasia.
• The Defence Ministry has presented a Bill in Lok Sabha for powering tri-service commanders to undertake disciplinary action, 22 years after the first such Command. What is actually required is Common Military Justice Code with inbuilt provisions for service-specific peculiarities as the Indian military moves towards theatre commands.

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.