WSDP Bulletin (25-07-2023)

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. ISRO to launch PSLV-C56 carrying Singapore’s new imaging satellite READ MORE  
2. Centre plans nationwide events under ‘Meri Maati Mera Desh’ campaign in August READ MORE
3. Civil areas of 58 cantonments to be merged with municipalities READ MORE
4. Bill introduced in LS to add in Chhattisgarh SC list READ MORE
5. House panel expresses concern over slow documentation of antiquities READ MORE
6. Kharif sowing turns around to rise 1.2% amid excess rain READ MORE
7. ICMR argues for controlled human infection studies READ MORE
8. Gig workers welfare Bill passed in Rajasthan READ MORE
9. Ethanol+petrol: How to blend more and blend better READ MORE

Main

GS Paper- 1

1. Remembering Tilak, the Father of India’s Revolution READ MORE
2. What are marine heat waves, which have gripped parts of the world’s oceans this summer? READ MORE
3. Monsoon 2023: Two weather phenomena to decide fate of agriculture in Indo-Gangetic belt READ MORE
4. Haryana sex ratio: Dip in numbers must trigger robust response READ MORE
5. Why Same Sex Marriage Should Not Be Called an Urban, Elitist Demand READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Never-ending saga: on the legal wrangling between the Centre and the Government of the National Capital Territory READ MORE
2. Unplug the internet more judiciously READ MORE
3. This was a fit case to deny bail READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. Unravelling Ayushman Card’s impact on healthcare READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. ASEAN, a persistence with dialogue, on a trodden path READ MORE  
2. Still incomplete: on India-Sri Lanka ties and their vision READ MORE
3. End Manipur violence or forget Acting East READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Scrap priority sector lending READ MORE
2. Down But Not Out: On the Indian Government’s Semiconductor Fab Ambition READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Climate, inflation and elections: Extreme weather ahead READ MORE

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. A case for a new pronoun for AI READ MORE

SECURITY

1. ‘Eye on Eye’ in the times of cyberwarfare is an eye-opener READ MORE
2. Hybridity in Warfare: A Compelling Dimension in Modern Wars READ MORE

DISASTER

1. A big step in reducing the risk of disasters READ MORE
2. Floods Often Caused By Unplanned Development READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Why Oppenheimer’s moral dilemma is as significant as the atom bomb READ MORE
2. A fearless conviction that conquered death READ MORE
3. To help girls, focus on oversight, social evils READ MORE
4. The pursuit of perfection READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. Cyber-security has become the foundational layer to all domains of national security and can no longer be ignored, as it impacts national security planners and practitioners across the public policy spectrum. Analyse.
2. Low-income levels at the bottom of the pyramid and limited avenues for income growth have meant India is stuck fighting poverty through subsidies and ‘freebies’ rather than with more effective and long-lasting measures. How would you justify this statement?
3. How far do you agree with this view that the Priority Sector Lending policy should be scrapped as it has lost its relevance in 21st-century economic policy shift and shrinking the banking policy choice? Justify your view with relevant examples.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Opposition brings concord. Out of discord comes the fairest harmony.
• With the rise of China and other regional powers which are as disruptive as the rising ones, inter-state wars seem to be re-emerging as a pre-eminent form of conflict, albeit in a newer form.
• The digital age is shaping the geopolitics and future of warfare, in ways the nuclear weapons shaped deterrence and conflict in the 20th century
• A secure and reliable cyber space is the key to national security. Be it the economy, food, health, energy, infrastructure, banking and financial sectors, all of these domains contribute to the security and well-being of the state.
• Cyber-security has become the foundational layer to all domains of national security can no longer be ignored, as it impacts national security planners and practitioners across the public policy spectrum.
• The security implications of an increasing cyber and technological rivalry between adversarial states are therefore immense. For instance, any disruption in the key information infrastructure or hi-technology related production lines can have severe implications and consequences for national security.
• With increasing budgetary allocations to India’s military modernisation effort, a policy alignment might be necessary to maintain the right balance in the development, production and fielding of required kinetic and non-kinetic war-fighting capabilities.
• The Central and State Governments should make advance arrangements to deal with natural calamities keeping in view such international and national reports.
• Low income levels at the bottom of the pyramid, a frustrating lack of accurate consumption data, and limited avenues for income growth have meant India is stuck fighting poverty through subsidies and ‘freebies’ rather than with more effective and long-lasting measures.
• Rather than making people less poor by increasing income levels, the freebies increasingly will be, to instead help them spend less. This is not a great situation to be in.
• Priority Sector Lending is a legacy of the socialist era. It creates distortion in credit flows, keeps bank officials busy with target fulfillment and is prone to blatant misuse.
• Inclusive and multi-hazard early warning systems are among the most effective means of reducing disaster deaths and economic losses.

ESSAY TOPIC

• A secure and reliable cyber space is the key to national security.

50-WORD TALK

• After a string of cheetah deaths, now radio collars are being blamed and removed from the surviving ones – without robust scientific evidence. This, after claiming they died of natural causes. Translocation is intricate and should have science at its heart. The government appears to be tweaking policy on the go.

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.