WSDP Bulletin (21-09-2023)

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. Lok Sabha passes historic women’s reservation Bill READ MORE
2. Census and delimitation work after LS poll, says Shah READ MORE  
3. Oldest yet fossils of a plant-eating dinosaur found in Rajasthan READ MORE
4. ADB lowers India GDP growth outlook for this fiscal to 6.3% READ MORE
5. Row ‘unlikely to deter Canadian investments in India’ READ MORE
6. Strip Russia of veto power, Zelenskyy says in UN address READ MORE
7. Constitution Bench to examine validity of extending quota READ MORE
8. ICMR nod to conduct Truenat test to detect Nipah READ MORE
9. Run-up to World Rhino Day 2023: Poaching, climate change & habitat loss threaten global population READ MORE

Main

GS Paper- 1

1. Delimitation debate: gender vs regional, caste identities READ MORE
2. Values Kota imparted: Anxiety and building a future on a butchered present READ MORE  
3. Urban designs to meet demographic challenge READ MORE
4. Forest Rights Act: Political participation of indigenous communities READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Women’s share in Assemblies less than 10% in 20 States READ MORE
2. The Women’s Reservation Bill must be passed in its current form without further delay READ MORE
3. Women’s reservation Bill – imperfect but important READ MORE
4. Women’s reservation: Dominant castes’ quota demand not right READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

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

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. Vietnam, key piece of America’s Indo-Pacific puzzle READ MORE
2. Three years of the Abraham Accords READ MORE
3. G20 Declarations and the lack of detail READ MORE
4. Canada needs to see India – not just the diaspora READ MORE
5. Africa’s G20 presence boosts Global South READ MORE
6. A corridor of collaboration READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Making India’s DPI model work for all READ MORE
2. Why does India trade with China? READ MORE
3. Skills gap hinders future employability READ MORE
4. Why Indian dream of third largest economy must include women in it READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Challenges to attain net zero emissions READ MORE   

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

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

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. Post-mortem: How not to tackle climate disasters READ MORE
2. Learning from Himachal floods READ MORE

INTERNAL SECURITY

1. No signs of a looming pro-Khalistan insurgency. India needn’t fear the ghost of BKI’s Parmar READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Taking a giant leap for a new ethics in outer space READ MORE
2. What makes conflict linger and peace elusive? READ MORE
3. Imperfection And Peace READ MORE
4. What is ‘sukha’ and how to attain it? READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. The unprecedented inclusivity, people-centric approach, and the global impact of India’s G20 presidency fostered cooperation and addressed critical global challenges while amplifying the voices of both developed and developing nations. How would you justify this statement?
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 it can maintain its strategic autonomy while countering China in 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

• Saving our planet, lifting people out of poverty, advancing economic growth… these are one and the same fight.
• India cannot afford to be among those who may want to scramble for outer space hegemonies over what is not just the common heritage of humankind but that of a larger cosmos.
• The agreement between Israel, Bahrain and the UAE has improved not just regional ties but has also brought better opportunities for Indians.
• Dealing with common challenges requires a political compact that addresses how both countries view Canada’s Indian diaspora and mitigating its worst impulses, particularly those fanning separatist embers in India.
• The women of this country have waited for 27 years to see this Bill enacted. Even though the current Bill is far from perfect, we can’t afford to wait another two decades.
• China’s commitment to protect Bangladesh from external interference triggers India’s apprehension about Beijing’s increasing regional influence through economic initiatives and the potential risks associated with debt trap diplomacy.
• Complete withdrawal of AFSPA has been a long-standing demand in Assam and NE and if the Central government makes the move in the direction of a recommendation by Assam, then it will definitely be a positive change for the region.
• The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, with its focus on clean energy and efficient trade, embodies a forward-looking approach to international relations.
• The unprecedented inclusivity, people-centric approach and the global impact of India’s G20 presidency fostered cooperation and addressed critical global challenges while amplifying the voices of both developed and developing nations.
• The success of the postcard-marketing campaign that claimed hundreds of lives has led some in India’s intelligence community to wonder if they shouldn’t be using more direct means.
• A multipronged mitigation strategy is necessary but many techniques such as carbon dioxide removal must be approached with caution to attain net zero emissions.
• It is crucial to bridge the skills gap by providing training in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning.
• Delhi’s strategic presence in the Gulf region has also been strengthened by the I2U2 partnership between India, Israel, the UAE and the US.
• Challenges in India’s DPI, such as the lack of a robust legal framework for data protection and exclusion in the Aadhaar system need to be addressed.
• Our culture is fanatical about success and will repeatedly push us to be rabid in the pursuit of our dreams, but common wisdom suggests a limit to ardency. Kota need not be a graveyard of ambitions.

ESSAY TOPIC

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

50-WORD TALK

• Home Minister Shah’s declaration of Census and delimitation after 2024 polls and women’s reservation after 2029 confounds. Government must specify the timeframe. Its explanation for delaying implementation is unconvincing. Citing transparency as reason is rich for a government that kept the bill secret until hours before introducing it in LS.
• Meira Paibis threatening Manipur Police to release five Meitei men arrested for impersonating police is ridiculous and should be strongly acted against. Fact that civilians are wearing security forces’ uniforms and roaming around in a charged up atmosphere is militarisation of the street. It reminds one of life in Somalia.
• Even though India has justified concerns about Sikh extremism in Canada, abrasive polemic must be dialled down to protect a wider strategic partnership critical to containing China. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s political opportunism has caused grave damage. But India shouldn’t give its enemies the pleasure of seeing the relationship destroyed.

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.