WSDP Bulletin (20-09-2023)

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. Govt. introduces women’s quota Bill in Lok Sabha; PM calls for a consensus READ MORE
2. Azerbaijan launches operation in Karabakh, vows to fight ‘until the end’ READ MORE  
3. France and Germany back EU enlargement proposal READ MORE
4. FM stresses urgent need for reliable crop yield estimates READ MORE
5. Centre floats new science awards READ MORE
6. Symbolism of gender justice ushers in new era of Parliament READ MORE
7. Three Hoysala temples declared World Heritage Sites READ MORE
8. ‘Socialist’ and ‘secular’: What do these words mean in the Constitution, and how did they come to be part of the Preamble? READ MORE
9. Why is India’s GDP facing another controversy READ MORE
10. The 73rd and 74th Amendments, which first introduced reservation for women in elected bodies READ MORE

Main

GS Paper- 1

1. Scientifically Speaking | The heartache of climate change READ MORE  
2. Urban designs to meet demographic challenge READ MORE
3. Forest Rights Act: Political participation of indigenous communities READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Simultaneous polls: do States have a say? READ MORE
2. Women’s reservation Bill – finally, a House of equality READ MORE
3. Her right to legislate READ MORE
4. Let lawmaking in new parliament be more inclusive READ MORE
5. Women’s reservation will strengthen democracy READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. Facilitating degrees within a degree READ MORE
2. Primary healthcare needs sharp focus READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. The ‘mantras’ that powered success at the G-20 summit READ MORE
2. With G20-IMEC plan, the global order shifts to Eurasia READ MORE
3. The Indo-Pacific power play READ MORE
4. Energy and Geopoliti READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Why does India trade with China? READ MORE
2. Inflation fight undermined READ MORE
3. Flawed approach to development READ MORE
4. The rise of the artificial food industry is not a good portent READ MORE
5. Beyond GDP: Gross domestic product simply does not ascertain overall national well-being any more READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Shadow of climate change over Indus Waters Treaty READ MORE   

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. NASA releases UFO report, says new science techniques needed to better understand them READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. Learning from Himachal floods READ MORE

INTERNAL SECURITY

1. Terror shadow on India-Canada ties READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. No-anger zones READ MORE
2. Self-liberation through forgiveness READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. What are the different procedures for amending provisions in the Indian Constitution? Can constitutional amendments be struck down for want of ratification by States?
2. Universal health coverage is incomplete without ensuring the efficient working and presence of a well-equipped primary health care centre. How would you justify this statement?
3. The USA bolstering its alliances in the Indo-Pacific region to counter China puts India’s strategic autonomy to the test. In light of this statement, analyse how can maintain its strategic autonomy while countering China in the Indo-Pacific region?
4. A small group of wealthy people have a significant impact on GDP values. In light of this statement, discuss the limitations of using GDP to measure people’s well-being.
5. Women’s reservation in Parliament is not about numbers but about making the Indian democracy truly representative and responsive to all its citizens. Comment.
6. Representation of women in the legislature can significantly improve the quality of lawmaking, empowering both women and the nation. Critically comment.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• All diplomacy is a continuation of war by other means.
• Universal health coverage is incomplete without ensuring the efficient working and presence of a well equipped primary health care centre. PHCs form the base of the health care system succeeded by secondary and tertiary health care structures.
• The US bolstering its alliances in the Indo-Pacific region to counter China puts India’s strategic autonomy to the test.
• In reality, using GDP to measure people’s well-being has many limitations. We know that a tiny group of wealthy people have had a significant impact on GDP values.
• People, society and health care challenges have transitioned over the years. Today the health care needs of the people are different from what people in post-partition India required.
• Courtesy in political dialogue and tolerance of policy dissent are a central requirement of democracy.
• The power to forgive comes from compassion, which means we should compassionately and peacefully move forward with what is good, towards what is better.
• Governance should not be a fiefdom of men, with just a few women managing to break a rigid glass ceiling to enter Parliament.
• Women’s reservation in Parliament is not just about numbers or token representation. It is about making the Indian democracy truly representative and responsive to all its citizens.
• Representation of women in the legislature can significantly improve the quality of lawmaking, empowering both women and the nation.
• A broad representation of women in Parliament would have an enormous impact on what issues are raised and how policies are shaped and this would create room to reform and revise discriminatory laws against females and ensure accountability of the government.
• India’s population growth poses challenges for sustainability, but architects can contribute through efficient urban planning, preservation, and collaboration.
• To understand the criticisms presented as well as whether or not they are well-founded, readers need to understand the following things about how GDP is calculated in India.

ESSAY TOPIC

• Democracy requires courtesy in political dialogue and tolerance of policy dissent.

50-WORD TALK

• Renewed push to legislate women’s reservation is a welcome step. Skewed gender ratio in Lok Sabha and assemblies needs immediate correction. Government mustn’t allow OBC/Muslim sub-quota debate to subvert it again. Deferring its implementation until after 2024 election, however, betrays lack of sincerity and conviction. Parliament must revisit its timeframe.
• Facing bleak polling, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has seized on India’s alleged assassination of a Khalistan activist to rally Sikh supporters. Expelling a RAW officer might win some votes, but undermines Canada’s interests. Trudeau’s coddling of Khalistanis hurts Canadian Sikh communities, and is fracturing ties between two natural allies.

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.