WSDP Bulletin (14-07-2023)

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. Explained | India’s diabetes epidemic is making India’s TB epidemic worse  READ MORE  
2. Indo-Japanese researchers develop treatment for Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy READ MORE
3. Top U.S., Chinese diplomats meet at ASEAN talks READ MORE
4. VSSC unit to undertake system checkouts ahead of Chandrayaan-3 launch READ MORE
5. Centre lists new Bill to replace Delhi Ordinance in House READ MORE
6. The first GSI survey of the Siachen READ MORE
7. Gambia unveils pre-shipment testing for Indian pharma READ MORE
8. SC seeks Centre, EC response on delimitation in Arunachal Pradesh READ MORE
9. What is the Rafale Marine jet, which India is set to buy from France? READ MORE
10. Birds, cats and evolution’s way READ MORE

GS Paper- 1

1. Scientists say the ‘Anthropocene epoch’ began in the 1950s: What it means, significance READ MORE
2. Demographic transition and change in women’s lives READ MORE
3. Reform must come from within: Civil laws need to address gender injustice in various communities READ MORE
4. What El Nino means for the world’s perilous climate tipping points READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Undermining autonomy: On judicial endorsement of a tenure extension system READ MORE  
2. The unseemly politics of the Uniform Civil Code READ MORE
3. G N Devy writes: On Uniform Civil Code, intent matters READ MORE
4. Data protection Bill: Hiding behind consent READ MORE
5. Data Protection Bill gives state sweeping powers READ MORE
6. Extension row: Ensure clarity on tenure of ED, CBI chiefs READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. UCC Debate | Our diverse lives need justice, not uniformity READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. Reflective pause: On NATO and Ukraine- NATO needs to change the very paradigm that set the Ukraine conflict in motion READ MORE
2. Strategic autonomy bid binds India and France READ MORE
3. India put its foot down at SCO summit: Refusal to endorse resolution on Belt and Road Initiative sent stern message to China READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. The past and future of Indian finance READ MORE
2. GST decisions: Relief for some, setback for others READ MORE
3. Indian banks shine amid robust economic growth 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. The opportunities of generative AI outweigh challenges for India READ MORE
2. Why India risks falling behind in the AI race READ MORE

SECURITY

1. Upgrade to high-end technology for safeguarding borders READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. Battling floods: Need to effectively implement contingency plans READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. The moon, stars and your conscious awareness READ MORE
2. Empowering epiphany READ MORE
3. Religion and Science~I READ MORE
4. Bullfrog in a small pond READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. India needs to shift from a top down to a bottom-up approach to economic development and unbundle the decentralization agenda to promote economic democracy. Critically analyze.
2. To display the government’s commitment towards responsibility and justice and instill public faith in insurgent-prone areas, a balance between security and liberty must be achieved. In the light of the statement discuss whether the law like AFSPA should be abolished?
3. he provisions of Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2022 and the government’s intent towards it show that government’s priority is not the safeguarding fundamental rights but securing data. Critically examine.
4. The diaspora’s role in the development of poor countries, particularly in China and India, has reshaped views on diaspora economics. Comment.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• We must reform society before we can reform ourselves.
• India’s economic future will be better served by promoting a bottom-up approach to economic development and changing the local institutions and technologies from below, facilitated by the central government and outside experts.
• India has achieved political decentralisation with people choosing their representatives for different government levels.
• 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act that encompassed a set of reforms implementing a nationally standardised and decentralised system of local government.
• 73^RD Constitutional Amendment Act not only accelerated decentralisation but also began the process of eliminating gender inequality, by requiring one-third seat reservation for women in the local governance bodies.
• India needs to shift from a top down to a bottom-up approach to economic development, and unbundle the decentralisation agenda to promote economic democracy.
• To display the government’s commitment towards responsibility and justice and instill public faith in insurgent-prone areas, a balance between security and liberty must be achieved by granting sanctions for mistaken identity killings.
• India can reap the benefits of demographic change and achieve equitable and sustainable development for its growing population only through a holistic and integrated approach.
• The Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2022, will do more harm to the fundamental right to privacy than help protect it – with all the exceptions it provides.
• The diaspora’s role in the development of poor countries, particularly in China and India, has reshaped views on diaspora economics.

ESSAY TOPIC

• We must reform society before we can reform ourselves.

50-WORD TALK

• Large-scale killings and violence in West Bengal panchayat polls deserve the strongest condemnation. It desanctifies electoral process. TMC-led government and state election commission must be held accountable. CM Mamata Banerjee won mandate on promise of porivartan. Her government has ended up presiding over the worst legacy—culture of political violence.
• Low turnouts at much-publicised pro-Khalistan rallies in the United States, United Kingdom and Australia have again made clear Sikh secessionism’s only homeland is on social media. The threat from violent secessionists must be taken seriously. But India’s political leadership must not inject life into this dead movement with panicked polemic.
• Investment in education and skills affects the performance of students, a key driver of economic democracy. At the same time, responsibility for education, including design, financing and service delivery is assigned to different levels of government. Providing the right incentives, and aligning rules and practices in decentralisation, will improve economic and social outcomes.

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.