WSDP Bulletin (13-09-2023)

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. Nipah breaks out again in Kerala, claims two lives READ MORE
2. Retail inflation eases; food prices still bite READ MORE  
3. Spotting black holes READ MORE
4. India urges Sri Lanka government to keep its promises on the Tamil issue READ MORE
5. July industrial output rises by 5.7%, a 5-month high gain READ MORE  
6. Russian companies said to cease offering discounts on fertiliser supplies to India READ MORE  
7. Centre to start READ MORE
8. SC refers plea against sedition law to a Constitution Bench READ MORE
9. Opposition questions reduced import duty for American apples: How the move may impact Indian farmers READ MORE

Main

GS Paper- 1

1. From Western disturbances to El Niño, climate change is affecting India’s food security READ MORE  
2. Faster disaster: Climate change fuels ‘flash droughts’, intense downpours and storms READ MORE
3. ‘Caste pride’ and the need for an equitable society READ MORE
4. Women are more unhappy than men, say researchers – but emotionally more resilient READ MORE
5. There will be fewer but stronger tropical storms in Ganga, Mekong basins in coming years: Report READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. How fraternity in India is different from the idea enshrined in the Constitution READ MORE  
2. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita needs a relook READ MORE
3. Drop the bad idea of simultaneous elections READ MORE
4. No filter: On Section 6A of Delhi Special Police Establishment Act READ MORE
5. Six years after privacy verdict: How judiciary has implemented the law READ MORE
6. A vote for One Nation, One Election agenda READ MORE
7. It’s high time to unclog India’s judicial system by reducing government litigation READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. Analysing where India stands in the G20 READ MORE
2. African Union and the G20: Africa on the high table READ MORE
3. The BRICS and others add more bricks READ MORE
4. Economic corridor: India, allies look to counter China’s BRI READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Riding the growth wind READ MORE   
2. Persistent problems with PDS: An assessment of the Covid-19 ration scheme READ MORE
3. The G20 agenda for bridging the gender digital gap READ MORE
4. Worrying force of discouraged labour READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. G20 meet’s climate action promise: Significant, but not enough READ MORE   
2. State of birds in India cause for worry READ MORE
3. G20: Why Many of the Delhi Declaration’s Climate Commitments Are Vague 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. Struck by enlightening after a brainstorm READ MORE  
2. The Importance of Ethical Decision Making READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. Simultaneous elections risk undermining democratic plurality and centralization of power. Argue and illustrate.
2. Indian federalism is not simply a matter of administrative convenience but a matter of principle collective aspiration. Analyse.
3. Although climate change is the prime focus of the G-20 summit’s joint statement, the Delhi Declaration falls short on climate without specific targets and timeframes. How would you justify this statement?
4. The synergy between non-farm sector output and employment growth cannot be achieved without the development of the industrial sector in India. Comment.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• There is no gambling like politics.
• Simultaneous elections risk undermining democratic plurality, and risk aiding the kind of concentration of power that federalism is meant to be a bulwark against.
• Indian federalism is not simply a matter of administrative convenience but also a matter of principle that recognises the legitimacy of linguistic, cultural, ethnic, and other forms of collective aspiration, through the grant of Statehood.
• Indian voters cannot be taken for granted as they have sustained our democracy. One Nation, One Election is an idea whose time seemingly has come.
• Under the Indian presidency, the G20 was seen coming out of the shadow of the G7, which had dominated it all this time, to reflect more accurately the majority members from the developing world.
• China sees India’s march to prosperity as something to be afraid of and perceives its success in world affairs as a threat.
• Although climate change is the prime focus of the summit’s joint statement, the Delhi Declaration falls short on climate without specific targets and timeframes.
• The combination of rising open unemployment, stagnant real wages, economic disparities, and the prevailing social-cultural context has created a negative environment that discourages educated youth from entering the labour force even after completing their education and training.
• The synergy between non-farm sector output and employment growth cannot be achieved without the development of the industrial sector in India.
• The implementation of a comprehensive industrial policy aimed at boosting industrial development and addressing skill-related issues is imperative.
• The lasting legacy of the G20 summit would be its attempt to mainstream a gender-responsive perspective.
• Facilitating the African Union’s entry to the G20 was a masterstroke of India’s presidency. Delhi could be counted upon as a trusted partner, and, in turn, draw strength.

ESSAY TOPIC

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

50-WORD TALK

• Across the great global divide, there was nothing not to like in the text for China and Russia, which projected it as not only as their victory, but of the entire Global South. An announcement for an India-West Asia-EU economic corridor, a projected rival to the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative, restored the balance.
• The Supreme Court saying that its 2014 ruling removing immunity to government officials in corruption cases applies retrospectively could set a tricky precedent. Retrospective rules can potentially undermine the very principles of law. While legislation should be prospective, ex post facto rulings, too, imperil the balance of the legal system.
• Sikh groups threatening to punish India for their perceived insult to Justin Trudeau during G20 is precisely why India-Canada relationship is icy today. Trudeau’s politics of knee-jerk liberalism in appeasing Sikh radical groups is Canada’s internal matter. But both countries have paid a heavy price for this in the past.

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.