WSDP Bulletin (28-09-2023)

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. How can a quantum computer prove that it is superior? READ MORE
2. ‘Ultra-long g-secs to see good demand from insurers, pension funds in H2’ READ MORE  
3. TRAI seeks suggestions on connectivity, mobile porting READ MORE
4. India ageing, elderly to make up 20% of population by 2050: UNFPA report READ MORE
5. ‘Seeds with multiple tolerance will be a game-changer’ READ MORE
6. Why are tigers dying in Nilgiris district? READ MORE
7. Malaysia: Is boosting palm oil flow to China defeat for EU? READ MORE
8. Why Odisha wants to have its own tiger census, how it will go about it READ MORE

Main

GS Paper- 1

1. From women’s reservation to gender equality READ MORE
2. STs trail non-STs in 81 health measures: 2021 study READ MORE
3. A small step for women, a leap for the nation READ MORE
4. Calling gen-next: be a change catalyst READ MORE
5. Rivers in peril: Battling pollution for a brighter and sustainable tomorrow READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Former Election Commissioner writes: One Nation, One Election – wrong problem, bad solution READ MORE
2. The burden of pendency: Justice delayed or justice denied is a trite truism. READ MORE
3. Women as Flag-Bearers in Representational Democracy READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. The G-20’s screen over ‘mazdoors’, their rights READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. When India-Canada ties were reset READ MORE
2. ASEAN’s China dilemma READ MORE
3. India talks tough: Sends out stern message to Canada and its allies READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. How MS Swaminathan triggered the Green Revolution and helped India achieve food security READ MORE
2. GDP doesn’t mean much for economy READ MORE
3. Labour and its discontents READ MORE
4. Punjab is reeling under socio-economic distress READ MORE
5. Economic stress in India’s neighbourhood READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Urgent call for action: IEA’s 2023 update to Net Zero roadmap READ MORE
2. India’s Deep Sea Mining Endeavours: A Search for Climate Solutions in Deep Waters READ MORE

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. Timeless quest: On NASA’s OSIRIS-REx and the Bennu asteroid sample READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. Drawing the line: On information and risks underlying infrastructure development in Uttarakhand READ MORE
2. Why did Joshimath sink? How the new reports are important for entire Himalayas READ MORE

INTERNAL SECURITY

1. Manipur government extends AFSPA in hill districts for 6 months READ MORE
2. Manipur’s perilous path: Navigating violence, deep ethnic divisions and the quest for elusive peace READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Work can purify you READ MORE
2. To begin with, accept the ‘Karmaphala’ principal’ — “what we sow we reap”  READ MORE  

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. One nation one election would risk reducing local elected bodies to mere representatives of central leadership. Do you agree with this view? Substantiate your view.
2. The Women’s Reservation Bill strives to achieve equality for women in State and central elected roles but, this vision would remain a distant dream until women are empowered to take up such opportunities. Comment.
3. Apart from the qualms of photographers, the ubiquitous nature of facial recognition technology has thrown up ethical implications which vary depending on the political, social, and legal milieu of a country. Comment.
4. The expansionist strategy by China represents a multifaceted approach aimed at establishing China as a global power. Critically analyse how China’s recent expansionism threatens the current global order and how India’s proposed IMEC can play an active in safeguarding of India’s interests.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.
• The possession of India is the inalienable badge of sovereignty in the eastern hemisphere.
• Centralisation of politics in India has not let local democratic institutions flourish. One nation one election would risk reducing local elected bodies to mere representatives of central leadership.
• Independent scientific counsel must form the backbone of policymaking and clear lines must be drawn around the limits to development in the region.
• During G-20, India missed the ideal opportunity during the Delhi summit to protect the rights of workers and ensure their welfare.
• The Central government may have avoided questions for five months now on the ongoing violence in Manipur, but it will have to address it when the green curtain is up or when there is nothing left.
• The Women’s Reservation Bill strives to achieve equality for women in State and central elected roles. However, this vision would remain a distant dream until women are empowered to take up such opportunities.
• India is developing reliable deep-sea mining technologies and platforms to tap ocean resources to address its need for rare earth minerals that increasingly power renewable energy sources.
• Simultaneous elections would diminish the focus on elected local bodies and turn them into nondescript representatives of their central leadership rather than effective representatives of local voters.
• Without sustainable economic growth, local employment generation, and self-reliance, Punjab’s well-being will continue to be a challenge.
• In a federal structure, the central government needs to prioritise the improvement of economic conditions and livelihood prospects for the people of Punjab, which are facing unique challenges in comparison to other states.
• The quality of non-agricultural jobs, caste-based inequalities in labour markets and a big gender gap in employment are as big a concern as the unfinished farm-to-non-farm transition of workers.
• The enormous collective brainpower of economists can better serve the nation by helping us understand the economic well-being of the median Indian.

ESSAY TOPIC

• Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.
• What we sow, we reap.

50-WORD TALK

• India and Canada are not dialling down the heat. Instead, New Delhi is doubling down. S. Jaishankar has criticised Trudeau for being ‘very permissive’ toward extremism. Canada hasn’t produced evidence to back its allegations. And India isn’t letting go either. Someone needs to find a way out of this impasse.
• Several countries have asked India why it hasn’t yet formally informed WTO about its restrictions on wheat, rice, and onion exports. Their basic line of questioning shows India’s parsimony with information extends even to its international dealings. Sudden disruptive steps and failure to communicate cast India in poor international light.

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.