WSDP Bulletin (20/12/2023)

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1.  El Nino-fuelled Northeast monsoon caused the deluge in south Tamil Nadu: Experts READ MORE

2.  Oceans can capture more carbon dioxide than previously thought READ MORE

3.  The eBse model: A new perspective on dark energy and inflation READ MORE

4.  Tamil Nadu Minister Ponmudy convicted, faces disqualification READ MORE

5.  U.S. launches multinational push to safeguard Red Sea commerce READ MORE

6.  States can borrow an extra ₹2 lakh crore this year READ MORE

7.  Sourcing FCI rice under OMSS to impact retail prices READ MORE

8.  RBI tightens norms for lenders investing in AIFs READ MORE

9.  Why the UK banned Air France, Lufthansa, and Etihad ads over ‘greenwashing’ claims READ MORE

10. Disputes over natural resources or property triggered 16.8% of all murders in India in 2019-21: UN report READ MORE

Main

GS Paper- 1

1. Caste discrimination in Karnataka school: Cast out READ MORE

2. Policing in the digital realm READ MORE

3. How Konkani idioms on climate, environment are changing with altering weather systems READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. The deep import of the Article 370 verdict READ MORE

2. Justice, not just punishment READ MORE

3. Opposition removal from Parliament: Breach and stain READ MORE

4. Incoming call: On the introduction of the Telecommunications Bill, 2023 READ MORE

5. Suspension of MPs shows Parliament must find better ways to engage READ MORE

6. Telecom Bill: Allay concerns, ensure inbuilt regulatory checks READ MORE

7. Executive powers must be defined in a federal’ India READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. Global migrations and governance READ MORE

2. Higher education in Kerala needs an overhaul READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. Between Trump and Putin, a vulnerable Europe READ MORE

2. On climate change, India’s challenges leading the Global South READ MORE

3. India emerges as a major world player READ MORE

4. US-led naval force might not end Houthi ship attacks READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. India’s ethanol conundrum READ MORE   

2. FDI in export–linked e-tailing is a bad idea READ MORE

3. Need agri-friendly polices to stop farmer suicides READ MORE

4. RBI’s leap into cloud services is a step back for innovation, competition & regulation READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Climate-focused policies are key to building resilient infrastructure READ MORE

2. Transitioning from fossil fuels demands concrete action plans READ MORE

3. ‘Transitioning away’ from fossil fuels and what it means for India READ MORE

4. Soil as carbon sink READ MORE

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. Shaping AI discourse READ MORE

2. A law to keep AI under check READ MORE

INTERNAL SECURITY

1. Parliament attacks have exposed shameful lack of security preparedness READ MORE

2. Embarrassing security breach READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. Turbulence in south: On the heavy rain in southern Tamil Nadu, weather forecasting and preparedness READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Master the art of being self-aware READ MORE

2. The secret of progress READ MORE

3. Permissive parenting to respectful parenting READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. The “demographic dividend” can only be exploited if the labour force has the requisite skills to participate productively in the economy’s growth process. In light of statement analyse the importance of digital literacy to explore the potential of labour force.

2. While the Telecom bill gives high priority to curtailing illegal phone taps, it does not protect individual privacy. Critically examine.

3. In a world pulsating with technological prowess, the realm of artificial intelligence has transcended its commercial beginnings to emerge as a potent force for societal betterment. Comment.

4. Collaboration between the government, private sector, and civil society is imperative to develop and implement robust AI policies that prioritize ethics, fairness, and inclusivity. Discuss how ethical dilemmas and data privacy concerns can be addressed and AI benefits reach all segments of society can be ensured?

5. AI’s transformative prowess offers a novel perspective, fundamentally redefining India’s vision for the future and India must embrace this technology judiciously, leveraging its power for the greater good while safeguarding the values and ethics that define the nation. Comment.

6. In a time when achieving zero emissions is challenging for various sectors, agriculture’s role in enhancing soil carbon has become pivotal. Comment.

7. Migration issues have been politicized with an emphasis on state sovereignty and national interests, and addressing the issues of global governance from a holistic perspective is critical to ensuring better management of migration.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

  • When states are democratically governed according to law, there are no demagogues.
  • The future of India’s renewables strategy hangs on a delicate food-fuel trade-off; and a choice between intensifying hunger and reducing fossil fuel use.
  • Suspension of141 Opposition MPs violates Parliament’s sanctity — and robs the voice of millions they represent,
  • The telecommunications landscape has evolved dramatically since the Telegraph Act was first passed in the 19th century, and regulation and law-making of the Internet world need to comprehensively address all the issues that have come with this digital explosion.
  • The recurrence of caste-based discrimination, violence and exclusion in educational institutions points to an alarming systemic failure. It begins with an under-representation of backward communities in positions of authority.
  • The quality of our labour force has to keep pace with our developmental needs. And, this can only happen if our youth are well supported to achieve their aspirations and participate productively in the economy.
  • The “demographic dividend” can only be exploited if the labour force has the requisite skills to participate productively in the economy’s growth process.
  • India has immense potential to develop renewable energy and how it expands and scales up this capacity will be a critical barometer of its contribution to global climate change mitigation in the coming decade.
  • The Net Zero Emissions scenario by the International Energy Agency projects that to keep global temperature increases under 1.5 degrees, India would need to eliminate sub-critical coal facilities by 2030.
  • To contribute fairly to the global fight against the climate crisis, India’s emissions would need to not only meet but stay below the projections under current policies.
  • Our Constitution framers designed our national legislature as an institution that was meant for the government to transact its business.
  • It is evident that world leaders need to consider inter-generational equity when devising practical, firm and implementable solutions to meet the targets for limiting the temperature increase to 1.5°C.
  • India, being a prominent representative of the Global South, needs to think and act innovatively. It should take the lead by chalking out a format for south-south cooperation, addressing financial needs and helping each other in sharing and developing technologies.
  • Media should, not only inform and educate people, but also empower individuals, foster social change and ensure political stability.
  • India is now the world’s most populous country, which can lead to a larger workforce and higher economic growth. India must take advantage of this opportunity for higher economic development.
  • While the bill gives high priority to curtailing illegal phone taps, it unfortunately does not protect individual privacy if the ‘phone tapper’ happens to be the State.
  • Making institutional finance and wider crop insurance available to farmers, and introducing effective water management, prevention of crop failures and a minimum support price regime even for vegetables and fruits can bring peace.
  • The unregulated production of crops and the herd mentality of farmers have continued to create a mess with production and concomitant pricing of the produce.
  • In a world pulsating with technological prowess, the realm of artificial intelligence has transcended its commercial beginnings to emerge as a potent force for societal betterment.
  • Collaboration between the government, private sector, and civil society is imperative to develop and implement robust AI policies that prioritize ethics, fairness, and inclusivity.
  • By harnessing the immense potential of AI in public health, healthcare, education, agriculture, social development, environmental conservation, efficient governance, and public expenditure management, India is poised to confront some of its most pressing challenges.
  • In a time when achieving zero emissions is challenging for various sectors, agriculture’s role in enhancing soil carbon has become pivotal.
  • Social media has influenced millions of people worldwide and become indispensable in their everyday lives. It has come to dominate our lives over the last decade.

ESSAY TOPIC

  • The economy is an owned subsidiary of ecology.

50-WORD TALK

  • Suspension of 92 opposition MPs for demanding a discussion on security breach in Parliament is akin to sacrilege in temple of democracy. Disruptions are bad but government’s refusal to discuss is worse. Accepting failures is a sign of strength, not weakness. Stifling opposition portrays Indian democracy in a bad light.
  • Election Commission wanting to vet NCERT social science textbooks, as reported by ThePrint, is glaring instance of institutional overreach. It’s beyond EC’s remit and competence to decide correctness or relevance of what’s taught to schoolchildren. The election watchdog had better focus on addressing growing scepticism about its impartiality and independence.

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.
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