WSDP Bulletin (04-11-2023)

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. Atal Innovation Mission Opens Application for School Innovation Challenge ATL Marathon 2023-24 READ MORE
2. Delhi’s air quality worsens to ‘severe plus’ category; Centre defers stricter curbs, says AQI in region showing declining trend READ MORE
3. Seven years after it was first announced, India to open new consulate in Seattle READ MORE
4. Operation Cactus: When India prevented a coup in Maldives READ MORE
5. Farm fires and weather behind choke; respite likely in 4 days READ MORE
6. UN sounds warning on climate change health threat READ MORE
7. Work starts on shaping first national security strategy, long wait ends READ MORE
8. Asteroid Dinkinesh is actually two space rocks, finds NASA’s Lucy mission READ MORE
9. New Report Calls for GST Slab Rationalisation Amid High State Revenue Deficits, Subsidy Expenditures READ MORE
10. No legal identity for a billion people globally, says UN body READ MORE

Main

GS Paper- 1

1. The world is getting older. Can India cope? READ MORE
2. Rescuing children from the clutches of mobile phones READ MORE
3. El Nino may be drying out the southern hemisphere — here’s how that affects the whole planet READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Action and authority: On Governors and implementation of decisions by elected regimes READ MORE
2. On government fact-checking units: A government panel to check facts is liable to be misused against critics READ MORE
3. On electoral bonds, Supreme Court must uphold Right to Information READ MORE
4. State regulation of film reviews is a risky business READ MORE
5. Governors need to rise above politics READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. Widening welfare READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. India-US dialogue: No irritant should be allowed to affect ties READ MORE
2. US-China Dichotomy: Quietude of the Western Left READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. India’s labour scene is changing READ MORE
2. Create an ecosystem where all can participate in economic growth READ MORE
3. Traditional vs digital bank: Survival of the fittest READ MORE
4. The Evolving Energy Scenario READ MORE
5. Youth Employment in India: Dimensions and Challenges READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Late to action, lots to do READ MORE
2. Climate Change: Is White Hydrogen the New Saviour? READ MORE

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. AI and the issue of human-centricity in copyright law READ MORE

INTERNAL SECURITY

1. Malware malice: On the Apple cyberattack alert READ MORE
2. India’s Need for a National Security Strategy Cannot Be Ignored READ MORE
3. Is it Time to Call India a Digital Dystopia? READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. Farm fires rage on: Stakeholders not doing enough to curb menace READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Ukraine, Gaza are our Kurukshetra now READ MORE
2. Humanity, not identity, defines morality READ MORE
3. All it takes: 1% god’s grace READ MORE
4. Entrepreneurship mirrors essence of dharma READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. Only virtues and standards of universal morality are applicable to clashing groups of inimical belief systems in times of distrust. And all-encompassing humanity is the sole criterion for drafting such standards of universal morality. Comment.
2. It is humanity, not identity, that defines morality. Comment.
3. Though Article 200 does not lay down a specific timeframe to give assent to the bill, but a constitutional authority should not circumvent a provision of the Constitution by taking advantage of an omission. Comment on the statement in the light of recent developments.
4. Dharma encompasses not only moral and ethical duties but also one’s responsibility towards society and the greater good. Comment.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Those who say religion has nothing to do with politics do not know what religion is.
• By investing in cutting-edge technology and streamlining their operations, traditional banks can upgrade conventional banking to bring it at par with the digital banking.
• While the digital age offers learning and entertainment opportunities, it’s vital to safeguard our children from over indulging in it.
• Entrepreneurs who prioritise ethics, honesty, and integrity in their business dealings create a foundation of trust with customers, partners, and employees.
• A major issue is how social security can be effectively financed. There are three models to finance SS: contributory scheme, non-contributory scheme and a combination of both.
• Governments must urgently push greater awareness about the Good Samaritan Law.
• It is important to know which model of financing is more appropriate. International evidence suggests that SS coverage can be extended to all by increasing contributory coverage and non-contributory schemes by increasing tax revenue.
• Dharma encompasses not only moral and ethical duties but also one’s responsibility towards society and the greater good.
• Despite surging demand and larger carbon emissions, India can reduce its dependence on energy imports.
• A dignified life for the elderly population needs an urgent cultural, political and policy reimagination.
• The stance of the Western Left vis-à-vis Western imperialism is causing a shift of the entire political centre of gravity to the Right.

ESSAY TOPIC

• The wise win before the fight, while the ignorant fight to win.

50-WORD TALK

• CJI Chandrachud’s ‘tareekh pe tareekh’ anguish over adjournment requests in the Supreme Court is valid. But as masters of their own court, judges should put an end to the growing trend and impose costs if such appeals are made on flimsy grounds. Lawyers must contribute to vitality of the judiciary.
• Xi Jinping wants Chinese women to focus on marriage and having babies. This desperate move to address a shrinking population is nothing but regressive. When India is making efforts to bring more women into the workforce, China’s slide back toward the middle ages is a knockout punch to gender equality.
• Governments of Punjab, Tamil Nadu and Kerala having to move Supreme Court to get governors to clear bills is another sign of politicisation of Raj Bhawans. Governors in many non-BJP-ruled states are making a mockery of democracy by obstructing elected governments’ functioning. SC must step in to check gubernatorial hyperdrive.

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.