WSDP Bulletin (12-09-2023)

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. CBI does not require permission to probe pre-2014 cases too: SC READ MORE
2. The physics of letting waves go one way but not the other READ MORE  
3. What are picoflare jets? READ MORE
4. U.S., Vietnam warn against ‘threat’ in South China Sea READ MORE
5. Dystopian future already here, UN official says of climate change READ MORE  
6. After a year’s delay, CSIR’s Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar awards for 2022 announced READ MORE  
7. Gresham’s law: what happens when governments fix currency exchange rates READ MORE
8. ExplainSpeaking: Inflation up, consumer sentiments down and GDP growth outlook tending towards the Hindu rate READ MORE
9. William Dalrymple Explains | The ancient history behind the maritime trade route between India and Europe READ MORE
10. Himachal CM requests ‘national disaster’ tag after heavy rains: Who funds disaster relief in India? READ MORE
11. PM Modi, Saudi Crown Prince MBS chair SPC meeting: What is the Strategic Partnership Council READ MORE

Main

GS Paper- 1

1. California caste law controversy: The model minority myth needs caste blindness READ MORE
2. ‘Caste pride’ and the need for an equitable society READ MORE
3. 30% of India’s land area experiencing different degrees of drought, data shows READ MORE
4. Small island nations seek protection from ocean pollution, climate change READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Why simultaneous elections would militate against federalism READ MORE
2. Steps to increase voter turnout in elections READ MORE
3. What is in a name, after all? READ MORE
4. Revised structure of the CEC problematic READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. How the G20 declaration on health includes India’s three priorities and gives a digital push READ MORE
2. HP schools damaged: Prioritise their restoration; kids’ education vital READ MORE

 INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. India’s moment: on the G-20 Summit outcomes- The G-20 Summit was reimagined as a forum for changing the wider world READ MORE
2. After G20 declaration, the tasks ahead READ MORE
3. India has a major role in shaping a new world order READ MORE
4. A corridor of immense promise READ MORE
5. How India seized the G20 opportunity: That India has a geopolitical sweet spot of sorts has been apparent for some time. READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Ridding India of food insecurity: Ensuring that Indians have permanent access to a healthy diet is the most important task of economic policy today READ MORE  
2. Laptop decision doesn’t compute READ MORE
3. We require reliable economic data for policy responses READ MORE
4. Unlocking MSME potential with G20 READ MORE
5. Crack the whip for accountability READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. India needs much more clean energy to meet climate targets READ MORE    

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. Cautiously on AI: The challenges it presents demand creativity and responsibility READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. Redouble efforts to reduce disaster risks READ MORE
2. Is the fire in Goa’s forest a manmade disaster? READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Forgive, forget, be at peace to travel light READ MORE  
2. A momentous chapter in India’s spiritual history READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. How does the Centre determine the scale of assistance it provides to a state hit by a natural disaster? How is a severe calamity differentiated from a calamity?
2. What is the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council? How it will be helpful to realize India’s Act west policy?
3. Swami Vivekananda’s vision revolved around the principles of unity, tolerance, and justice as essential components of social inclusion and harmony. Comment.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Globalisation will not bring peace or prosperity unless we all share fairly in its benefits.
• If creating a domestic industry for computers is the goal, tariffs would have been a better policy instrument than reimposing Nehru-Gandhi era licensing.
• A global power shift would be best guided by an earnest push to empower everyone in the world.
• While GDP and inflation two are important indicators used by policymakers to design and implement major policy initiatives, the situation is no better for other data-sets that are directly relevant to citizens for them to access basic services.
• G20’s trade and finance synergy can fortify India’s economic backbone. It can help MSMEs plug into global supply chains and tap international markets.
• Swami Vivekananda’s lecture at the World’s Parliament of Religions revolved around the principle of unity, tolerance, and justice.
• Swami Vivekananda teachings remain a beacon of hope, promoting a deeper understanding of our shared humanity and the potential for spiritual awakening.
• Swami Vivekananda vision revolved around the principles of unity, tolerance, and justice as essential components of social inclusion and harmony.
• Women-led development agenda gets a major boost under India’s G20 presidency. It is about time women came forward to become leaders of development.
• It must not be forgotten that even governments overstep the lines in their pursuit of development, and keeping the statutory safeguards strong would be in the country’s greater interest.
• India’s leaders should focus less on past issues and social matters and concentrate on bolstering partnerships with Asia, Europe, Africa, and the United States. It is these partnerships that will go a long way in helping India achieve its economic and security goals.
• Ensuring that Indians have permanent access to a healthy diet is the most important task of economic policy today.
• The idea of simultaneous elections is untenable if its impact on existing Assemblies and the three-tier system is considered.

ESSAY TOPIC

• The heaviest penalty for declining to rule is to be ruled by someone inferior.

50-WORD TALK

• India’s bilateral relations with Saudi Arabia, the home of Islam, are steadily deepening — the latest engagements between PM Modi and MBS are proof. While the strengthening ties hold promise of shared strategic growth, hopefully, at some point, they will also help in smoothening the edges of India’s polarised politics.
• That Justin Trudeau’s talks with PM Modi during G20 were frosty isn’t surprising. India-Canada ties have been deteriorating for some time. It’s for Canadians to elect who they want. But the relationship with India should feature in Toronto’s foreign policy calculations. Trudeau must reflect on how to repair the relationship.

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.