WSDP Bulletin (18-07-2023)

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(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. Webb space telescope rediscovers star-forming region READ MORE  
2. Russia ‘exits’ UN-brokered deal to export Ukrainian grain via Black Sea READ MORE
3. Heat wave bakes southern Europe, sparking warnings to citizens to stay inside, drink water and limit exercise READ MORE
4. ISRO’s second orbit-raising manoeuvre successful READ MORE
5. U.S. hands over 105 antiquities to India following agreement READ MORE
6. Attack on Crimea bridge: What happened, why it is significant READ MORE
7. Climate change aiding spread of deadly virus in Europe: What is CCHF READ MORE
8. New guidelines for designation of senior advocates in the SC: What they say READ MORE

Main

GS Paper- 1

1. Advent of the Anthropocene epoch: Geological time scale, and how it has evolved over time READ MORE
2. Take steps to make drinking water safe READ MORE
3. Cost of commercialization READ MORE
4. A reckoning with the brutality of caste READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. A common civil code spelling equality for every Indian: There needs to be a universal civil code applicable to all Indians, irrespective of faith, gender and sexual orientation READ MORE
2. A Bill that fences in the right to information READ MORE
3. The primacy of liberty READ MORE
4. Uniformity Does Not Mean Equality READ MORE
5. Indian federalism in practiceA complex interplay of political and economic factors continues to shape the Centre-state relationship READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. India needs to move from ‘spending more’ to ‘spending better’ in education READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. Dispute settlements that have no parallel: What India and U.S. have achieved by reaching a deal on six separate disputes is unprecedented READ MORE
2. Indo-Pacific lies at the core of India-France ties READ MORE
3. India-UAE trade push: Reliance on local currencies holds promise READ MORE
4. Boosting ties with France READ MORE

 GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Challenges for multilateral development banks READ MORE   
2. Will data Bill impact competitiveness of Indian firms? READ MORE
3. India will soon become third largest economy. Does it matter? READ MORE
4. Taking rupee global is a slow, long process READ MORE
5. The sordid story of NPAs READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. What Will an El Niño Bring Next to India? READ MORE
2. Opinion: Can COP28 Deliver for the Global South? 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. Curbing profligacy in materiel acquisitions a challenge READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. Flood feud: On lessons from the floods in North India: States must coordinate to evolve a joint strategy to combat floods READ MORE
2. Disasters descend READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Place of Peace READ MORE

CASE STUDY

1. Indian police often use illegal detentions to stifle dissent. Could a Delhi HC order change that? READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. China remains the most significant factor that strengthens the ties between the United States and India. Critically examine.
2. The uniqueness of Indian federalism is conspicuous by its “dual character.” The Constitution can be both unitary and federal according to the requirements of time and circumstances. Comment.
3. The transformation of higher education in India is of critical importance, not just from a pedagogical perspective, but also due to its political and intellectual implications. In light of this statement discuss whether the NEP is able to transform Indian education?

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Our enemies are not demons, but human beings like ourselves.
• The essence of federalism is the political feature: the political bargain that creates it and the distribution of power in political parties, which shapes the federal structure in its maturity. Everything else about federalism is an accident.
• The Indian banking sector has shown a unique efficiency in pursuing small borrowers while overlooking the larger ones.
• Access to sufficient and safe water has been declared by the United Nations as a basic human right. The Supreme Court has held that the right to clean drinking water is a fundamental right under Article 21 and the state is duty-bound not only to prov…
• China remains the most significant factor that strengthens the ties between the United States and India.
• To ensure that existing resources expended by the government on ed-tech are used efficiently, NITI Aayog is pioneering a revolutionary approach to include results-based financing in ed-tech procurement.
• The uniqueness of Indian federalism is conspicuous by its “dual character.” In Ambedkar’s words, “The Constitution can be both unitary and federal according to the requirements of time and circumstances.
• The strength of any federal system depends not so much on the constitutional structure but rather on the political and economic culture that may be prevailing within the country at any given time.”
• The transformation of higher education in India is of critical importance, not just from a pedagogical perspective, but also due to its political and intellectual implications.
• While Narendra Modi wants Paris by his side to push the India story, Emmanuel Macron needs New Delhi to ensure the economic and geopolitical interests of his nation.
• France and India’s desire to shape the emerging global order is key to their partnership — they are not “free riders, but free thinkers” that take pride in their own perspective.
• Climate change is a harsh reality. It’s time to accept that and re-imagine our cities.
• India invested in potato chips and brought market linkages to agriculture. It is time to invest in computer chips.

ESSAY TOPIC

• India needs to move from ‘spending more’ to ‘spending better’ in education

50-WORD TALK

• Civil servants holding a press conference against the Delhi government shows that the power feud and vacuum in the capital is fast turning into an anarchic situation. By wading into what is a constitutional matter and a rift between Centre and a quasi-state, they are acting like an autonomous entity.

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.