WSDP Bulletin (14-11-2023)

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. Aimed at breaking traders’ monopoly, Centre to launch PM-Kisan Bhai scheme bl-premium-article-image READ MORE
2. Modified antifungal agent shows reduced toxicity in mice READ MORE
3. Universe may have resulted out of a ‘Big Bounce’, says Italian physicist Carlo Rovelli  READ MORE
4. Artificial rain to fix pollution remains a nebulous science READ MORE
5. ONGC to begin exploration for rare earths in Kerala-Konkan basin soon READ MORE
6. Star-filled Euclid images spur mission to probe ‘dark universe’ READ MORE
7. On bail, tracked by satellite: How GPS anklets work READ MORE
8. What WHO’s report has said on reduction in deaths due to TB in India, its treatments READ MORE
9. As thousands of earthquakes rock Iceland, a volcanic eruption to follow? READ MORE  
10. Globally, 21 million tonnes of plastics leaked into environment last year: OECD READ MORE

Main

GS Paper- 1

1. Need to question officially sanctified narratives of ‘failure’ READ MORE
2. Challenges to curbing community-based prostitution READ MORE  
3. Deforestation in Maritime Continent may make El Nino events more complex and harder to predict READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Revamping the criminal justice system to fit the bill READ MORE
2. Community rights and forest conservation | Explained READ MORE
3. Enhancing representation, for a just electoral system READ MORE
4. Democracy, paid for in darkness READ MORE
5. Mahua Moitra saga and ethics of electoral bonds READ MORE
6. Free grains, election promises, market distortions READ MORE
7. Governors must know their limits READ MORE
8. Ethics committee actions a denial of natural justice READ MORE
9. Action against Moitra violates doctrine of proportionality READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. TB burden remains a matter of concern READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. The U.S.’s signal of a huge digital shift READ MORE
2. Despite India-US 2+2, a long and solitary haul READ MORE
3. 2+2 talks READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. At a conference in China, case for investing in India remains strong READ MORE
2. The growth dichotomy: On September’s Index of Industrial Production data READ MORE
3. How to be the Vishwa Guru of economics READ MORE
4. India’s K-shaped recovery crisis READ MORE
5. Quality and quantity of jobs a concern READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Self-withering: Biodiversity Convention’s new global framework raises basic questions READ MORE
2. $266 Trillion in climate spending is a no-brainer READ MORE

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. Powerful metaphors that caution us to be alert READ MORE

INTERNAL SECURITY

1. MHA extends UAPA ban against eight Meitei extremist organisations READ MORE
2. Realism, not machismo, to counter terror READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. How ignored landslide warnings led to Subansiri running dry READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Whether machines could become conscious READ MORE
2. Self-realisation is easy as well as tough READ MORE
3. Point of no return READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. In a world rife with geopolitical complexities, the Indo-US “2+2 Dialogue” emerges at a crucial juncture in the evolving landscape of international relations. Critically examine the statement.
2. Democracy functions only when the organs of State, constitutional offices and institutions work together, providing checks and balances to the system. Comment on the statement in the light of recent states’ executive-governor tussle.
3. The funding model of Indian politics has clearly shifted from voters to corporates. Discuss how the secrecy in Electoral bonds contribute to the predetermination of outcomes in Indian politics.
4. While improving efficiency in urban governance, direct elections of mayors could enhance democratic representation. Comment.
5. To enhance democratic representation ratios, delimitation should not be driven only by factors based on population but geographical determinism, economic productivity and linguistic history. How far do you think Proportional Representation can address the issue of under representation?

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Soldiers generally win battles; generals get credit for them.
• In a world rife with geopolitical complexities, the Indo-US “2+2 Dialogue” emerges at a crucial juncture in the evolving landscape of international relations.
• As far as the cash-for-questions issue is concerned, the ethics committee has recommended a member’s expulsion on charges it has admitted it is unqualified to examine.
• All governments, organisations, institutions and individuals have to comply with the Supreme Court’s directions and take its views and concerns seriously. But even constitutional institutions are turning impervious and acting and speaking with impunity.
• Democracy functions only when the organs of State, constitutional offices and institutions work together, providing checks and balances to the system.
• TB is not just a medical issue. The problems in the detection of the disease and its incidence and treatment have social and economic dimensions because people from the lower strata of society are more affected than others.
• The 2+2 dialogue becomes a conduit for fortifying the foundations of a long-term partnership, resilient to the unpredictable shifts in the international arena.
• By promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific, the USA and India, along with Japan and Australia in the Quad partnership, articulate a collective effort to counterbalance China’s ascendancy.
• Manufacturing has the potential to create the much-needed high-quality jobs, but that prospect has been unrealised for decades.
• For a large developing country like India, some amount of joblessness is unavoidable.
• The funding model of Indian politics has clearly shifted from voters to corporates.
• Secrecy in Electoral bonds contributes to the predetermination of outcomes in Indian politics.
• Providing a suitable moisture-free environment free from unwanted microorganisms is essential for making pharmacy products of international standards.
• As schools in modern times become overwhelmingly powerful, begin to define what is ‘worth knowing’ through select textbooks or the official curriculum and acquire extraordinary importance in measuring or certifying one’s merit and intelligence.
• As institutionalised and bureaucratic formal education moves towards standardisation and uniformity, it demoralises young minds.
• If the donor and a political party want to have a bond of anonymous munificence, such contributions and incomes must be fully taxed.
• Limited representation in a democratic setup seems to be India’s default and flawed preference.
• Enhancing local democratic representation will help strengthen India’s democracy. Such measures might help alleviate the concerns of citizens in varied parts of India and to enhance its democracy.

ESSAY TOPIC

• Many worlds: Multipolarity in the new world order

50-WORD TALK

• In a transforming India, where education and technology act as levelling forces, caste-based affirmative action, refined through caste numbers, can drive more extensive dialogues on aspiration, ambition, freedom, opportunity, and the necessity for a system where citizens are not unfairly privileged or confined by their identities. If a robust methodology were to be used, this effort would be vital in identifying and addressing fault lines to promote gender justice.
• Extending free food for another 5 years is an acknowledgement that the poor continue to need ample support for years ahead. The move also rings the final death knell of farm laws. If government grain procurement is going to be so high, then that rules out entry of private sector.
• Indian envoy in Ottawa describing Canadian police probe into Nijjar killing as tainted and wiretapping of diplomats as illegal shows Delhi is doubling down. But Canada is being duplicitous in citing Vienna Convention on parity even as it illegally tapped diplomats. G7 and Five Eyes can’t play by different rules.

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.