WSDP Bulletin (21-03-2023)

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. SUCCESS OF AMRUT READ MORE  
2. XBB1.16 is pushing up COVID cases but no alarming severity yet: experts READ MORE
3. CAD to narrow, bolster rupee against global risks: FinMin READ MORE
4. FinMin permits CPSUs to issue LoCs READ MORE
5. Ahead of talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping says peace plan to end Ukraine war addresses concerns of all READ MORE
6. Explained | Are foreign law firms now allowed in India? READ MORE
7. Credit Suisse, UBS deal: Everything you need to know READ MORE
8. In OROP case, CJI Chandrachud refuses to accept ‘sealed cover’: Why did he do so? READ MORE
9. Kashmir: How Glacier Melt Is Triggering a Change in Land Use Patterns READ MORE
10. Some animals and plants exist only in captivity. It’s time to restore them to the wild READ MORE

Main Exam

GS Paper- 1

1. El Nino predictions should translate into preparedness READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Upholding openness in judicial hearings READ MORE
2. Reforming Parliament: Charity begins at home READ MORE
3. Who is Crossing the Lakshman Rekha? READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. How different is India’s view from world on same-sex marriage? READ MORE  
2. Opinion: How To Recover From the Great Education Disruption READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. Xi Jinping-Putin meet: Why China and Russia are closer than ever READ MORE
2. Saudi-Iran deal shows bipolarity is back. India must let go of unrealistic multipolar dream READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Cereal solution: on millets and grain growing READ MORE
2. Three risks for Indian economy from US banking crisis READ MORE
3. How to boost e-commerce exports READ MORE
4. Bank Crisis: The side-effects of macroeconomic actions READ MORE
5. Indian policymaking is good when cautious, botched when rushed. Learn from US banking crisis READ MORE

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

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

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Invest in local-level climate mitigation and resilience building READ MORE
2. India’s coasts in danger, finds Parliamentary panel: MoEF&CC depended on World Bank funds, facing massive cuts READ MORE

SECURITY

1. Attack the roots of radicalization READ MORE
2. Why Theatre Commands must be accompanied by a Uniform Military Code READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Without ethics, will technology backfire on humanity? READ MORE
2. Ethics in the unethical world READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. As people grow a deeper understanding of technological risk with continuous development, ethical norms need to be improved to match administrative controls and legal constraints. Comment.
2. Governance over sci-tech ethics is by no means meant to hinder the development of science and technology, but rather to steer its legitimate direction with obstacles removed. Discuss.
3. Governance over ethics in science and technology is very important, as regulated technologies and ameliorating values can lead to legitimate technological conduct. Comment.
4. GST is a great reform, but its greatness has been severely limited so far due to a patchy and hurried rollout. Examine the statements and suggest way forward.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• We do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.
• As people grow a deeper understanding of technological risk with continuous development, ethical norms are improved to match administrative controls and legal constraints. They are no longer entirely soft constraints.
• Governance over sci-tech ethics is by no means meant to hinder the development of science and technology, but rather to steer its legitimate direction with obstacles removed.
• The path of sci-tech development should be broadened so that science and technology can truly benefit humanity. And it is an important basis for countries to work together toward a global system to truly understand the significance of governance over sci-tech ethics.
• Governance over ethics in science and technology is very important, as regulated technologies and ameliorating values can lead to legitimate technological conduct.
• The Supreme Court has not taken appointments in its hands, but has only directed that these important appointments should be made on the recommendations of a high powered committee.
• A weak image of the judiciary in public perception erodes people’s faith in it, which is counter-productive for the governance of the country in the long run.
• GST is undoubtedly a great reform, but its greatness has been severely limited so far due to a patchy and hurried rollout.
• It is high time that parliamentary reforms are undertaken to make the House more effective and in sync with the changing times.
• A healthy democracy needs a fit functioning Parliament. Indian democracy has matured over the years, and it is time to make some necessary corrective issues.
• Enactment of a law which takes away the basis of the judgment (as opposed to merely invalidating it) is permissible and does not constitute a violation of the separation doctrine.

50-WORD TALK

• After taking on the SC over collegium system, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has now opened a new front with an attack on ex-judges. ‘Anti-India gang’ is too serious an allegation to be used without producing evidence. It dents the credibility of two crucial pillars of democracy – judiciary and the executive.
• 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.