WSDP Bulletin (15-06-2023)

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. Genetic evidence clears mother jailed for killing kids READ MORE  
2. EU lawmakers give nod to plan on bloc’s future AI regulations READ MORE
3. May wholesale prices drop 3.48% READ MORE
4. Centre stops sale of wheat, rice to States under OMSS READ MORE
5. Law Commission seeks fresh inputs on Uniform Civil Code READ MORE
6. Union govt. moots new HDI for 28 lakh vulnerable tribals READ MORE
7. The status of transgenic crops in India READ MORE
8. New chikungunya vaccine: Climate change may spread demand READ MORE
9. Species with ‘objectionable’ scientific names: The naming process, the debate around it READ MORE
10. What is the massive grain storage plan the govt has unveiled, how it’ll help farmers READ MORE
11. The Role of Fungi and Their ‘Necromass’ in Absorbing Carbon Emissions READ MORE
12. East Africa’s Masai giraffes more endangered than previously thought; here’s why READ MORE

Main Exam

GS Paper- 1

1. Biparjoy shows changing nature of Arabian Sea cyclones. Climate-proof India’s west coast READ MORE  
2. Unity and Disunity~II READ MORE
3. Unity and Disunity~III READ MORE
4. Male-centric medicine is affecting women’s health READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Fix govt accountability for personal data leaks READ MORE  
2. Conflict management READ MORE
3. Law Commission’s Report on Sedition Is a Non Sequitur READ MORE
4. Modi govt right to dismiss Jack Dorsey. Social media must learn to respect national sovereignty READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

1. Strengthening the Integrated Child Development Services scheme READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. India is drifting away from Russia on defence READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. The next Finance Commission will have a tough task READ MORE
2. How India can become a global maritime power by 2030: Improvement in World Bank ranking on ports reflects steps taken in maritime sector READ MORE
3. Economic integration and the transmission of democracy READ MORE
4. The economic challenge of growing fast while going green READ MORE
5. Banking on governance: RBI’s suggestions well-directed, but problems need to be tackled more holistically READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Tackle plastic menace to sustain the Earth READ MORE
2. Give a green touch to product development READ MORE

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. Plug R&D gaps to make the most of US cooperation READ MORE

SECURITY

1. Quantum warfare poses threat to national security READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. A Disaster That Was Waiting to Happen: Averting accidents on the overloaded railway networks is easier said than done. READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Let your mind lead you to eternal happiness READ MORE
2. Impediments on the path READ MORE
3. Being in the present is a critical entrepreneurial trait READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. While social media platforms play an important role in democratic discourse and free speech, they must operate within the confines of national law. In light of the statement, discuss how India can uphold a balance between democratic values and national sovereignty?
2. Discuss, how climate change is affecting the cyclonic process in the Arabian Sea? Discuss its pros and cons for India’s renewable energy push.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.
• The rights and entitlements of a person in India are to be determined on the basis of the Constitution and not the infamous text of the past which advocated and legitimised inequality and injustice.
• The ultimate test for a democracy is whether its judicial institutions can stand criticism, or are too prompt in sniffing contempt, and whether, by dint of their authority, they can impinge on the personal liberty of a person critical of the courts a…
• To ensure that the judiciary, the institution of last resort for the citizen, remains vibrant and effective, it must be open to criticism.
• Just reminding bank directors of their responsibilities may be ticking the right boxes, but that may not solve anything.
• The government should stand by its counter-affidavit filed before the Supreme Court and repeal the sedition law in line with the admissions and concessions that were made.
• Merits or demerits of any law aside, a nation should never be forced to amend its legislation due to social media tactics and its power to generate ‘collective opinion’.
• India should establish clear and fair digital laws that uphold democratic values and prevent their misuse by powerful platforms.
• While social media platforms play an important role in democratic discourse and free speech, they must operate within the confines of national law. The balance between upholding democratic values and maintaining national sovereignty is delicate but necessary.
• India’s renewable energy push highly depends on the west coast’s wind potential. Protecting the energy infrastructure there is critical to ensure a smooth energy transition.
• It is time for policy intervention in the space of gender-specific research in medicine, with India’s G-20 presidency an ideal time to highlight this issue.

50-WORD TALK

• Two consecutive months of contracting wholesale prices, though on high bases, is a welcome respite from recently-spiralling vegetable, milk prices. Retail inflation is also easing toward the 4% target. This validates RBI’s hawkish policy so far. Its caution over potential adverse global, domestic factors sets the right tone going ahead.
• Jack Dorsey’s revelation about the kind of pressure that was brought on Twitter is important for transparency. BJP and the Modi government have a love-hate relationship with social media. They have made sharper use of it than others. If you embrace them, also learn to deal with inclusive global platforms.
• Indians’ obsession with high airfares borders on the obscene. It’s a lot like how a spike in onion prices makes news, but not when farmers suffer price crashes. The government’s price cap nudges to airlines show that only middle-class pain warrants primetime anguish and policymakers’ attention. Let market forces prevail.

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.