WSDP Bulletin (21-08-2023)

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. I-T department implements e-advance ruling in Mumbai READ MORE
2. Are turmeric supplements advisable? READ MORE
3. A trial to test a new path for preventing Alzheimer’s READ MORE
4. WHO-managed grid to promote equitable access to digital health READ MORE
5. Pipeline work leads to vast megalithic site in Kerala READ MORE
6. Pulses prices may spiral as deficient rain mars sowing READ MORE
7. Explained | What is RBI’s pilot programme for facilitating ‘frictionless’ and ‘timely’ credit? READ MORE
8. What makes Hurricane Hilary ‘unprecedented’ READ MORE
9. PM Modi to visit South Africa for BRICS summit: What is this grouping? READ MORE
10. Vector borne diseases can be fought with food READ MORE

Main

GS Paper- 1

1. Warming-induced glacier retreat could create novel ecosystems READ MORE
2. Extreme heat: What does it mean for the Mediterranean Sea? READ MORE
3. How is the SC tackling gender stereotyping? READ MORE
4. Caste violence by teenagers is symptomatic of a deep-rooted malaise READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Criminal law Bills renaming is needless meddling READ MORE
2. After politics and police have failed — a roadmap to heal Manipur READ MORE
3. Why RTI will soon become RDI – Right to Deny Information READ MORE
4. SC manual can dispel dogma around gender READ MORE
5. Legal code overhaul needs more debate READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. Bring a friend: Leveraging financial and peer support to improve women’s reproductive agency READ MORE
2. Launch a new freedom movement for gender justice! READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. Why is BRICS summit important for India? READ MORE
2. G20 in India: Time to pounce on an opportunity READ MORE
3. How geopolitics is complicating the move to clean energy READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Gene-edited mustard: Less pungent, more useful READ MORE
2. Govt opts for price controls READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Climate crisis has hit home READ MORE  

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. How India needs to prepare for the AI disruption READ MORE
2. Generative AI will revolutionise healthcare READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. Why Shimla is crumbling: Infrastructure development has not been climate smart READ MORE
2. Why landslides increased five times in Uttarakhand READ MORE
3. Why governments need a well-diversified financial system to deal effectively with natural disasters READ MORE
4. Disaster management: Centre, states must work in close coordination READ MORE
5. Disaster resilience must for growth of tourism READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Practising joy in the good fortune of others READ MORE  
2. Not just words, gendered attitudes need to change READ MORE
3. Language of the spirit READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. The tourism sector is a powerhouse, but it is fragile and must be protected against the vagaries of weather for its sustained growth. Suggest measures to protect this vital sector and ensure its long-term sustainability.
2. India cannot become a disaster-resilient nation unless its states are well prepared and well equipped for any eventuality. In light of this statement, examine why governments need a well-diversified financial system to deal effectively with disasters.
3. The RTI Act is one of the most empowering legislations for the citizens of India. In the light of the statement, discuss why citizens using RTI are best vigilance monitors who can also get accountability from their public servants.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Economic growth may one day turn out to be a curse rather than a good.
• India should push for ‘nature based solutions’ (NbS) into climate change adaptation and mitigation plans for Net Zero and National Determined Contributions (NDCs).
• We need a nationwide movement to celebrate girl power and ensure that they have access to education, livelihood, and property.
• The tourism sector is a powerhouse but it is fragile and must be protected against the vagaries of weather for its sustained growth.
• A well-balanced and nutrient-dense diet is a powerful tool in fortifying our immune system against mosquito-borne illnesses. While it is crucial to employ physical protection, our dietary choices can significantly impact our body’s ability to combat these diseases.
• Incessant rain has triggered flash floods, landslides and other calamities, compounding the crisis. Only through responsible planning and a renewed commitment to environmental stewardship can we hope to prevent such disasters from recurring.
• The healthcare industry faces challenges like rising costs, access disparities, and workforce shortages. AI-based Innovative solutions can come in handy.
• India cannot become a disaster-resilient nation unless its states are well prepared and well equipped for any eventuality.
• While price control measures are saving us from demand destruction via rate hikes, it is vital to ensure the result is not demand destruction in rural economy.
• The government’s new legal code bills to replace colonial-era legislation in India have raised concerns about language and content, highlighting the need for more debate.
• RTI empowers the citizens and is a practical recognition of their role as rulers and owners of India.
• The RTI Act is one of the most empowering legislations for the citizens of India. It has been of great help to every segment of society from the most disempowered to the powerful to obtain relevant information and protect their rights.
• Citizens using RTI can be our best vigilance monitors who can also get accountability from their public servants.
• An efficient administration under the President’s Rule will put the state back on the right track. All ethnic communities in Manipur are yearning for a fair and firm regime.
• We must develop a comprehensive national AI strategy that connects stakeholders to provide a roadmap for responsible AI deployment and increase funding for AI research.
• Hope is what humans use to define the future: the promise of a better tomorrow that makes life bearable even when the present is infused with suffering. Assaults on the possibility of hope are therefore the unkindest of cuts.

50-WORD TALK

• The move to install fans with springs in Kota’s hostel rooms to reduce suicides among students is a tone-deaf measure. It’s imperative to address the basic cause behind the deaths — a mental health crisis prompted by high academic pressure and fear of failure. One can’t stop suicides by changing fans.
• Eighteen terrorists directly involved in the 26/11 attacks, documents have revealed, remain at large despite Pakistani investigators having established their identities back in 2009. This comes on the back of endless stalling of the 26/11 trial in Pakistan. The world must push Islamabad harder on its counter-terrorism commitments.

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.