WSDP Bulletin (21-06-2023)

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. Assam Rifles plans to secure lifelines of Manipur hills READ MORE  
2. Climate breakdown: the Arctic Ocean could beice-freeby the 2030s READ MORE
3. NaBFID eyes ₹60,000 crore loan book by March 2024 READ MORE
4. Telecom regulator suggests norms for undersea cables READ MORE
5. Childline 1098 to be merged with 112 line in 9 States READ MORE
6. Nearly 2,300 babies adopted in nine months READ MORE
7. Tribal mat art woven into Yoga Day this time READ MORE
8. Hard to restore Internet while blocking social media websites, Manipur tells HC READ MORE
9. Heatwave deaths: Why a heat stroke kills, and how to stay safe READ MORE
10. More robust measures needed to minimise disaster impact in Lake Victoria Basin: Study READ MORE
11. Scientists find link between surges of cosmic radiation from space and earthquakes 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. Why Muslim backward groups are not ‘wrong’ OBCs READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Competition law must apply to PSUs. Coal India case is a good start 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. Finding the indiscernible poor: Community knowledge as a targeting approach READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. Pratap Bhanu Mehta on Modi’s US visit: Making of a high point READ MORE
2. US, China are trying to defuse tensions READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Semiconductor fab: the unfinished agenda READ MORE
2. India’s trade dilemma with China READ MORE
3. India, US aiming for cooperation on economic issues 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. Need to understand data both as a strength and vulnerability READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. Preparedness pays off: On Cyclone Biparjoy READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Causes of the Decline in Moral Values READ MORE
2. Organizational Implications of Whistleblowing READ MORE
3. Ethical Issues to Consider When Using ChatGPT READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do. Justify.
2. We face many challenges in life and the way we handle them speaks volumes about our character. In the end, our character embodies our values and is the sum of our behaviors. Comment.
3. ‘Values are basic and fundamental beliefs that guide or motivate attitudes or actions’. Argue.
4. Ethics is about creating an environment that supports the expression of ethical values while keeping in check non-ethical values. Discuss.
5. Ethics is not relative to an individual’s desires and beliefs. It is not what one thinks or feels is right or wrong. Justify with suitable example.
6. What do you understand by the concept “ethical legalism? In what situation, an legal action can be considered an ethical action?

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

• Take the diplomacy out of war and the thing would fall flat in a week.

50-WORD TALK

• Supreme Court’s approval of central forces for West Bengal panchayat polls sets a bad precedent. It is the state election body that’s legally authorised to seek security from the State, which then can ask for Centre’s assistance. Elections should be free and fair. So should the sanctity of legal procedure.
• Reserve Bank of India’s terse statement refuting allegations that Rs 88,032.5 crore of currency notes have “gone missing” is inadequate. If the allegation merited a same-day reply, it also then deserved a more detailed one. Saying the RTI-based allegation was erroneous, without showing how, raises more questions than were answered.

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.