WSDP Bulletin (08-07-2023)

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. Govt to soon share infrastructure data from Gati Shakti portal with industry, investors READ MORE  
2. ‘GST registered firms must geocode their addresses’ READ MORE
3. AIIB says internal review found ‘no evidence’ of China influence READ MORE
4. ‘Selective ban’ of messaging apps may be looked at: TRAI READ MORE
5. Hydrogen fuel-cell buses likely to be tested in Delhi later this year READ MORE
6. Deport Khalistan elements: National Security Adviser Ajit Doval tells U.K. counterpart Tim Barrow READ MORE
7. How Amazon deforestation rates have fallen since Bolsonaro READ MORE
8. How semiconductors became the flashpoint in the US-China rivalry READ MORE
9. Diarrhoea-causing pathogen becoming prevalent in Kolkata, prevention & control strategies needed: Study READ MORE
10. How Euclid Space Mission, Set for Launch, Will Test Alternative Theories Of Gravity READ MORE

GS Paper- 1

1. Over 50% of world population to face water shortages by 2050: FAO urges countries to prepare for it READ MORE
2. Reservoirs in India face water crunch as monsoon progress remains poor READ MORE
3. Opinion: UCC undermines autonomy of Scheduled Tribes READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. BL Explainer: What is the Uniform Civil Code all about? READ MORE
2. To be just, UCC needs openness and honesty READ MORE
3. Fact vs fake: Right to dissent must prevail READ MORE
4. Democracy is about institutionalisation of values READ MORE
5. UCC: New India needs new beginnings READ MORE
6. Basic Structure Doctrine: Its genesis and Indian Parliament READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. ‘Assistive technology’ is a boon for persons with disabilities READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. Sobriety after the euphoria of the U.S. state visit READ MORE
2. SCO for multipolar world order READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Economic compulsions must override politics READ MORE
2. With China’s economy in a slumber, US’s position as world #1 seems safe for now READ MORE
3. Is Inequality the Unstated Constraint on India’s Growth? READ MORE
4. Data Protection Bill approved by Cabinet: Content, concerns READ MORE
5. Despite NRF initiative, R&D has a long way to go in India READ MORE
6. Soil health crisis: Urgent reforms needed for sustainable agriculture READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Plastic crisis: Review effectiveness of single-use ban READ MORE
2. SRSB makes push to achieve SDGs READ MORE

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. Infocracy and necropolitics READ MORE
2. Why India risks falling behind in the AI race READ MORE

SECURITY

1. Manipur peace process needs to be accelerated READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. Transforming India’s disaster management READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. What is a Moral Compass? READ MORE
2. Why higher education must be free of the profit motive READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. Differentiate between moral compass and How these two influence the ethical decisions of a person?
2. If UCC is introduced, it would further erode the cultural cohesion among tribal communities. Examine.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Landlords grow rich in their sleep without working, risking or economising.
• Forged by the judiciary while it tussled with the executive–legislature combined, the basic structure doctrine marks certain features of the Constitution as incapable of destruction.
• The policies of successive governments in recording land rights have broken down customary land governance systems, intensified their marginalisation and created social conflict amongst the tribals.
• The Basic Structure Doctrine should balance its ambit concerning the powers of Parliament, as it is the biggest forum of representative democracy.
• The Basic Structure Doctrine should balance its ambit concerning the powers of parliament, as it is the biggest forum of representative democracy. This doctrine has protected the rights of society and individuals but a caution to its usage is required to protect the interest of representative democracy as well.
• Uniform Civil Code will be a big leap forward as it will bring about social change, gender equality and secularism in the country
• It’s time we realised that democracy has much more to it than elections. Elections bring an elite to power. In history, democratic imagination has inspired struggles for emancipation from absolute power.
• A reactive shutdown is imposed after an event takes place and is generally the easiest way to control an escalating law and order situation.
• The freedom of speech and expression is not an absolute right, but shutdowns cannot happen for frivolous reasons.
• A lot of businesses and livelihoods depend on the Internet today. Therefore, there needs to some solution for such situations.
• VPNs could be blocked. People use VPNs freely today, and that also is a facet of your right to privacy. But in certain sectors, especially the government sector, there have been guidelines where VPN use is not allowed.
• The country’s progress towards social harmony, economic and gender justice has been hampered by the absence of a Uniform Civil Code.

50-WORD TALK

• India making 10% of its Russian oil payments using the Chinese yuan reveals the stark reality of our standing in the global order. China’s trade dominance means the yuan is a valuable currency, much more than the Indian rupee. The trick now will be to ensure this 10% doesn’t increase.
• With the COVID-19 pandemic receding in public memory, many of its long-standing effects on the economy and especially vulnerable groups such as women also seem to be forgotten. This is reflected in policymaking as well, as witnessed through a feminist analysis of budget documents. In particular, budgets over the last two fiscals have cut down allocations and expenditures on several key schemes meant for women and other vulnerable groups.
• If UCC is introduced, it would further erode the cultural cohesion among tribal communities. It is improper to encroach upon the cultural space of tribal communities dealing with their affairs by imposing uniform personal laws on them. The tribals should be left to democratically decide when and what changes they want to make in their customary laws pertaining to their personal laws.

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.