WSDP Bulletin (20-06-2023)

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(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. Punjab steps in to help Karnataka with its free rice scheme READ MORE  
2. Explained | If Betelgeuse goes supernova, what would it look like? READ MORE
3. Goundwater extraction has affected the earth’s tilt: new study READ MORE
4. Withdrawal of duty benefit scheme by U.K. may impact labour-reliant export sectors READ MORE
5. UN slams ‘gender apartheid’ in Kabul READ MORE
6. Ladakh leaders meet Union Minister, demand statehood READ MORE
7. Punjab govt. decision to allow free-to-air telecast of the READ MORE
8. Gandhi Prize is a great honour, says Gita Press, declines cash award READ MORE
9. UN rights chief seeks to establish presence in China and India READ MORE
10. Archaeologist finds Mesolithic-era rock painting in Andhra’s Guntur READ MORE

Main Exam

GS Paper- 1

1. What made Cyclone Biparjoy unique, why its path was difficult to predict READ MORE
2. Extreme weather events led to 12 million displacements of children in 2022, estimates UNICEF READ MORE
3. Caste census needed, but with a plan READ MORE
4. A wandering monk who was a social reformer READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Grassroots peace: Free and fair elections to local bodies are not possible without peace READ MORE
2. Safety first: on Indian pharma products and drug safety READ MORE
3. Curb frivolous PILs in national interest READ MORE
4. Democracy’s balance between certainty and uncertainty READ MORE
5. The perils of plea bargaining READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

1. Rural healthcare: Village family adoption included in MBBS course READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. A rising India, in waltz dance steps with the U.S. READ MORE
2. PM’s US visit: Politics and strategy behind Narendra Modi’s diaspora outreach READ MORE
3. The golden opportunity and a dark cloud in Indo-US ties READ MORE
4. Will US visit signal the end of non-alignment? READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. On defaulters, RBI prioritises public interest READ MORE
2. Millets need a procurement push READ MORE
3. Is opposition to GM crops emotional? READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Heatwave needs a swift response READ MORE
2. Decoding decarbonization READ MORE

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. Phonons on the chopping block: Are ‘sound particles’ quantum too? READ MORE

SECURITY

1. Tri-service integration: Common ACR for top brass a step forward READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. Preparedness pays off: On Cyclone Biparjoy READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Three types of desires READ MORE
2. Understand other person’s perspective READ MORE
3. The power of good READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. While a caste-based census would aid a better understanding of the present dynamics and policy-making of caste, there are challenges that must be addressed before executing an exercise as elaborate as census. Comment.
2. It is human nature to seek certainty and shun uncertainty. Comment and justify how humans generally feel apprehensive about uncertainty.
3. India may claim strategic autonomy and remain in global forums alongside Russia and China, however, it is moving deeper into the US camp. In the light of the statement, examine how the US has succeeded in wooing India and drawing it strategically away from Russia?
4. The misuse of public interest litigations adversely affects the democratic process and undermines the credibility of the judicial system. Critically comment.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Science and technology revolutionise our lives, but memory, tradition and myth frame our response.
• Today space technologies are essential for power and prestige in the international system.
• The high dependence on fossil fuels for revenue and GDP growth is impeding the transition to a low-carbon economy.
• While a caste-based census would aid better understanding of the present dynamics and policy-making of caste, there are challenges that must be addressed before executing an exercise as elaborate as census​.
• A caste-based census literally means the collection of primary data about people’s castes, the employment and educational level, etc., everything associated with one’s caste.
• The core ideals of the criminal justice system in a welfare democracy such as India is laid on the bedrock that the State shall have the primary duty of justice dispensation.
• The founding principle of criminal justice is deeply rooted in the idea of providing a fair opportunity to the accused prior to passing a verdict.
• The criminal justice system is flawed with several drawbacks, and increased judicial efficiency requires transparent and accountable systems.
• India may claim strategic autonomy and remain in global forums alongside Russia and China, however it is moving deeper into the US camp. It may not become a military ally but will be a strategic partner. The US has succeeded in wooing India and drawing it strategically away from Russia.
• The misuse of public interest litigations adversely affects the democratic process and undermines the credibility of the judicial system.
• The Republicans and Democrats see India as a valued civilisational ally and a strategic partner as there are powerful mutual interests with the U.S.

Essay topic

• An optimist is one who finds an opportunity in every difficulty whereas the pessimist sees a difficulty in every opportunity.

50-WORD TALK

• If countries can forget their differences, their people will prosper, which is the objective of any governance. Imagine what could happen when a common government can attract ideas from billions of citizens, channel their creativity for innovation and direct their energies for development it could usher in a world beyond the wildest of our imagination. If nations can forge alliances to promote regional integration, scaling it up to be continental integration and finally to a world government, where every country retains their uniqueness yet is guided by a common agenda driven by such a government, we can become what scientists have called a Type-I civilisation

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.