WSDP Bulletin (29-07-2023)

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(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. Govt. allows Indian companies to list on foreign exchanges through IFSC READ MORE  
2. Land-use changes putting rocky addresses of animals under stress in Sahyadri plateau READ MORE
3. Modi says India can become hub of chip-making industry READ MORE
4. New WMO report says climate change impacts have increased in Asia: What are the key takeaways READ MORE
5. Constitutional or just statutory? Your right to vote & why its status is contested READ MORE
6. Who lived in Peru’s Machu Picchu? Ancient DNA shows incredible genetic diversity at Inca palace READ MORE

Main

GS Paper- 1

1. Ignore extreme climate at your own peril READ MORE
2. El Nino and erratic monsoon: Are farmers prepared? READ MORE
3. Understanding the ideological divide online READ MORE
4. Student suicides: Counselling a must for handling pressure READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Needless accommodation: On the judiciary and the term of the Enforcement Directorate head: By allowing ED chief’s continuance, Supreme Court has undermined its own authority READ MORE   
2. Manipur internet shutdowns: Forgetting the lessons from Kashmir READ MORE
3. Manipur’s crisis needs a proactive government READ MORE
4. Rain fury & roads: Sustainable building solutions need of the hour READ MORE
5. Debate critical issues to keep parliamentary democracy healthy READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. Ayushman Bharat expose: How to nudge India’s public health infrastructure READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. Why the USA is cosying up to India: If the US and NATO want to check China’s rise, they will need an ally which is likely to grow fast. READ MORE
2. Indo-French bromance is mythical READ MORE
3. Germany’s China document a sign of Europe’s changing perception. It’s shifting to New Delhi READ MORE
4. Germany in Central Asia READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Charting the path for the Sixteenth Finance Commission READ MORE
2. A new national foundation and the ease of doing research READ MORE
3. India needs job-rich economic growth READ MORE
4. Diversifying definition of middle-class beyond income brackets can provide more comprehensive understanding of economic well-being READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Water bodies are fast vanishing READ MORE
2. Learning from nature READ MORE

SECURITY

1. Ravi Chellam writes: Why protecting India’s forests should be a part of national security READ MORE

DISASTER

1. Explained | Himachal floods: a man-made disaster? READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Tiny divine messengers READ MORE
2. What you sow, so you reap READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. How far do you agree with this view that diversifying the definition of middle class beyond income brackets can provide a more comprehensive understanding of economic well-being?
2. Recent developments in international politics show that NATO has lost its teeth, and the USA needs to rethink its geopolitical strategies completely. What should be India’s role in the coming world to secure its interests?
3. Sustainability start-ups are key to any climate action strategy. Green financing must look beyond renewable energy and embrace other businesses and technologies. How would you justify this statement?
4. India needs to adopt a whole-of-nation approach involving industry, academia, and think tanks to build a comprehensive institutional base on Arctic issues. Comment.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• The Ukraine crisis has solidified the Sino-Russian geopolitical alliance. Growing relations between the two will only cement their grip on the Central Asian Republics, pushing Western political and economic engagement with the region to the margins.
• In the larger tussle between geopolitics and geoeconomics, Germany’s China strategy is a necessary but not a sufficient condition to de-risk from China in line with the broader European approach to economic security.
• For an entrepreneur, it is important to understand and transcend ego. This will serve as a constant reminder of the importance of humility and self-awareness in business.
• Regenerative leadership across all our organizations can be a valuable tool in reconnecting our inner and outer ecosystem, with the potential to rebuild a life-affirming economy that is in balance with our natural resources.
• Diversifying the definition of the middle class beyond income brackets can provide a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of economic well-being.
• Including factors such as access to quality education, healthcare, housing, and social security can offer a more holistic perspective on the middle class.
• A constructive discussion in Parliament, without further inflaming passions, may help the government solve the vexed issue.
• Parliament is a forum for debates and discussions which help a parliamentary democracy thrive. The opposition and the government must work out ways to facilitate smooth and frequent sittings and functioning of the Houses.
• If the USA and NATO want to check China’s rise, they will need an ally which is likely to grow fast. India is in the best position to play that role.
• India flanks China to its south-west and could be an invaluable ally in any future armed conflict between China and the West.
• India is stuck between a rock and a hard place. We have a future superpower China in our backyard, while the world’s biggest bully is knocking on our front door.
• The demand for water has been increasing due to the intensification of agriculture and increased economic activities. But the un-utilised water potential available for the future use has been declining at a faster pace across States.

ESSAY TOPIC

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

50-WORD TALK

• Supreme Court’s bail for activists Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira, accused in the Bhima Koregaon case, comes five years too late. Bail denial is fast becoming the norm in India. Inconsistent judgments and trial delays have led many facing UAPA charges to languish in jail. This is punishment without trial.
• Rajasthan’s social security law for gig workers is welcome. But it’s worth noting that many such provisions already exist in labour codes passed by Parliament and pending with most states. States are loath to accept Centre’s actions. Rajasthan governor’s decision on the law will show whether the Centre reciprocates this.

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.