WSDP Bulletin (27-10-2023)

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(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. RCS- UDAN Completes 6 Successful Years READ MORE
2. What does Supreme Court’s abortion verdict mean for reproductive justice in India? READ MORE
3. Indian Oil launches country’s first reference fuel; to fully meet domestic demand READ MORE
4. Supreme Court allows surrogacy, strikes down rule banning use of donor gametes READ MORE  
5. India’s green hydrogen move may worsen pollution if steps are not in place, says study READ MORE
6. Panel assesses progress of tiger rewilding project READ MORE
7. What is the ‘One nation, One Student ID’ initiative of the Union govt? READ MORE
8.  World on brink of 6 interconnected risk tipping points: UN report READ MORE
9. Only the Gir indigenous cow breed is being promoted under Rashtriya Gokul Mission; here is why READ MORE
10. Cotton Curse: How pink bollworm developed resistance to Bt Cotton READ MORE

Main

GS Paper- 1

1. Was partition really a mistake? READ MORE
2. Women, marriage and labour market participation READ MORE
3. Marriage equality order is not just about LGBTQ+ READ MORE
4. Do not tinker with national pension scheme READ MORE
5. Climate crisis is already affecting the Brazilian Amazon READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Granting marriage equality is beyond Supreme Court’s power READ MORE
2. Status quo: EC needs a year to prepare for simultaneous polls, effectively ruling out such an exercise in 2024 READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. Beyond compliance for disability inclusion READ MORE
2. Right to work: A far cry for women READ MORE
3. Beyond compliance for disability inclusion READ MORE
4. Rev up Anganwadi workers to fight NDDs READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. Warming ties: On Bhutan-China relations and India’s concerns READ MORE
2. China-Bhutan amity: India needs to be wary of the developments READ MORE
3. Signs of thaw READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Renewed risks: On the RBI and how global uncertainties have compounded READ MORE
2. What’s the ideal repo rate for India? READ MORE
3. Ports hold the key to growth, employment READ MORE
4. Status and rights of platform and gig workers READ MORE
5. Crypto surge: Global regulatory framework imperative READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Moral anchoring for a global climate policy is a must READ MORE
2. Air quality remains a concern READ MORE

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. India’s space industry needs more private players READ MORE
2. Not humans, India should send less risky, cheaper AI-powered robots to space READ MORE
3. ISRO: Propelling India’s space industry READ MORE

INTERNAL SECURITY

1. Synergising International Cooperation and National Strategies to Combat Ransomware READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Seeking soul solutions to world woes READ MORE
2. Do more by doing less READ MORE
3. Now is the time for harmony READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. The concept of “One Nation, One Election” holds great promise in streamlining the electoral process and improving governance efficiency though there would be a lot of issues to be settled before it can be effectively implemented without bruising the Indian democratic system itself. Critically examine.
2. He who lives in harmony with himself, lives in harmony with the world. Justify with some real life examples.
3. The present status of people with disabilities in India’s employment ecosystem is a mixed bag of challenges and opportunities. How far do you agree that 2016 is able to these challenges?
4. Success in agriculture is linked to increased use of pesticides but pesticide must be used in a safe manner. Discuss how pesticides affect the health of consumers of farm produce and the farmers?
5. The bureaucracy has the duty to implement the policies and programmes of a government but should not be seen as supportive of or aligned to any particular government. Discuss how the neutrality of the bureaucracy can be ensured?

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Never believe anything in politics until it has been officially denied.
• The same-sex marriage judgment could influence the upcoming anti-conversion hearings. It holds clues for the State to assert its legal and moral compass.
• The methods of war in Gaza have been shameful as many innocent lives have been lost. Humanity must survive the madness of war.
• Capacity-building programs for Anganwadi workers is important to lessen the burden of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs).
• Partition was accompanied by rivers of blood and the displacement of millions of people. But turns out, it has helped India in many ways.
• With the planet facing the climate crisis, it’s time we re-evaluate our motivations towards development and shun anything detrimental to the environment.
• There is need to develop mechanisms to ensure access to affordable and safe menstrual hygiene products, especially for those from low-income groups.
• The road to equality for disabled individuals in the workplace has been paved with both promise and pitfalls. Differently abled must be given their dignity to work.
• The increase in life expectancy and rise in the cost of living further reinforces the need for assured monthly income for a decent life in old age.
• The pesticides not only affect the health of those who consume these farm produce, but also the farmers who use them.
• While the concept of simultaneous elections has garnered support for its potential to save public funds and reduce administrative burden, it faces constitutional complexities.
• As India’s democracy further evolves, the feasibility of simultaneous elections remains an important talking point.
• The concept of “One Nation, One Election” holds great promise in streamlining the electoral process and improving governance efficiency though there would be a lot of issues to be settled before it can be effectively implemented without bruising the Indian democratic system itself.
• One of its main objectives is to foster innovative practices with social entrepreneurs and the private sector to address issues of access and affordability, equity and inclusivity by leveraging research and expertise.
• Expanding ISRO’s collaborations with start-up products to more remote institutes and research labs is necessary. Additionally, the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme and customs exemptions can cost-effectively encourage indigenous manufacturing capacity.
• The present status of people with disabilities in India’s employment ecosystem is a mixed bag of challenges and opportunities.
• Awareness campaigns and strategies based on incentives and disincentives and even penalties have been tried but they have touched only a fringe of the problem.
• The bureaucracy has the duty to implement the policies and programmes of a government but should not be seen as supportive of or aligned to any particular government.

50-WORD TALK

• The present status of people with disabilities in India’s employment ecosystem is a mixed bag of challenges and opportunities. We have a long way to go to create a truly inclusive workforce, but the path is illuminated by promising initiatives and the potential of disabled individuals to contribute meaningfully to society and the economy. By embracing reasonable accommodation and promoting an inclusive culture, organizations can unlock the untapped potential of persons with disabilities and build a more inclusive India.
• The visa services resumption is a positive step towards easing tensions and fostering diplomatic relations between the nations. Both India and Canada need to engage in diplomatic dialogue and cooperation to address the concerns surrounding the Nijjar case and work towards a resolution that respects international law and diplomatic norms; otherwise, common people would suffer, especially students and old people who are waiting eagerly for this issue to be resolved.

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.