WSDP Bulletin (05/01/2024)

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. Maharashtra Cabinet gives nod for OPS to state employees who joined service after Nov 2005 READ MORE

2. India’s heavy digital footprint makes it more attractive to cybercrooks: experts READ MORE

3. ISRO to perform crucial manoeuvre on January 6 to bind Aditya-L1 into L1 orbit  READ MORE

4. Scientists hail new antibiotic that can kill drug-resistant bacteria READ MORE

5. Election Commission revised rules for allocation of party symbols READ MORE

6. Aadhaar enabled payment comprised 11% of financial frauds: I4C analysis READ MORE

7. Justice Gavai nominated as SC Legal Services Committee Chairman: What law says on free legal aid in India READ MORE 

8. A brothel ‘customer’ can be charged under ITP Act: What the Kerala HC has said READ MORE

9. Over half of prescribed antibiotics in India can lead to AMR, finds National Centre for Disease Control READ MORE

10. Upgrade Horn of Africa cheetah status to ‘endangered’, experts appeal to IUCN READ MORE

11. African rice cultivation linked to rising methane READ MORE

12. Collegium recommends one lawyer, reiterates names of two for elevation as Punjab & Haryana High Court judges READ MORE

Main

GS Paper- 1

1. Deciphering barriers, leveraging opportunities READ MORE

2. Domestic violence: An untamed evil READ MORE

3. Why Central American Volcanoes Are Ideal for Studying Earth’s Evolution READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. How AI is changing what sovereignty means READ MORE

2. What explains policy change? Understanding the historical political economy of India READ MORE

3. New criminal laws take one step ahead, two back READ MORE

4. Evolution of the rule of 3 in governance READ MORE

5. Finance panel has a tough job to do READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. Children with disabilities face considerable challenges READ MORE

2. Rise in child labour: Why children always pay the price READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. India and Russia get close; the US frowns READ MORE

2. How India can help frame global rules for AI safety READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Is higher education out of touch with the skill requirements in the job market? READ MORE

2. Unemployment: Overseas jobs is a viable solution READ MORE

3. Why do India’s rich grow richer and the poor, poorer? READ MORE

4. Apprehensions over India’s debt-to-GDP levels are misplaced READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Are our leaders serious about climate action? READ MORE

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. ISRO can take Indian space firms to the moon READ MORE

INTERNAL SECURITY

1. Cyber crime surge: Need to strengthen cybersecurity system 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. The art of acceptance and happiness READ MORE

2. Crafting your life’s symphony with IQ, EQ, SQ READ MORE

3. Feeling of compassion READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. Welfare and redistributive policies have a long and chequered history in India. Comment.

2. The traditional tripartite theory of separation of powers—argued for a system of government based on only two functions: policy and administration. Examine.

3. In the Constitution of India, the doctrine of separation of powers is recognised but not in its absolute rigidity. Examine.

4. The active participation of women in India’s economic growth is not just a matter of equality but also an economic and social imperative. Discuss.

5. Implementing a wealth tax, for instance, could play a significant role in reducing inequality but this tax must be carefully crafted to be effective, considering the challenge of striking a balance between reducing inequality and promoting a thriving economy. Comment.

6. At a time of fraught fiscal federalism and the lack of availability of updated data (2021 census), making recommendations for the division of taxes between the Centre and the states will be a challenging task for the Finance Commission. Comment.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

  • A safe, secure & stable maritime space is a necessary condition for peace, security and prosperity.
  • There is a need to explore opportunities to deploy the workforce in developed countries, which could be the perfect solution to tackle the unemployment problem in the country.
  • Russia has moved closer to China and has been on opposite sides of India’s US geo-political worldview.
  • The world’s fastest-growing major economy cannot afford to let its impressive march be impeded by fraudsters who are brazenly targeting individuals as well as financial institutions.
  • Welfare and redistributive policies have a long and chequered history in India.
  • The amended criminal laws are an instance of re-codification being used for purposes it was not meant.
  • To be resolute without reflection can only lead to calamity and catastrophe.
  • Separation of powers between the legislature, executive and judiciary is an ancient doctrine. But it is not set in stone. It has evolved to suit the needs of the times.
  • ISRO has laid an exciting roadmap for using space missions in the service of science and society. It can now nurture the nascent Indian space industry.
  • The traditional tripartite theory of separation of powers—argued for a system of government based on only two functions: policy and administration.
  • In the Constitution of India, believed to be the world’s longest document of governance after the Constitution of the state of Alabama in the US, the doctrine of separation of powers is indeed recognised, “but not in its absolute rigidity”.
  • Separation of powers alone does not operate as a canonical principle of constitutionalism.
  • In India, women still face numerous hurdles to access employment and, once employed, to access decision-making positions.
  • The active participation of women in India’s economic growth is not just a matter of equality but also an economic and social imperative.
  • providing better social security along with aggressive investments in health and education, region-specific investments, particularly in agriculture, skill enhancement and employment generation, is needed to balance the two sides of the coin – growth and inequality.
  • The disparity within India has grown to such an extent that minor policies aimed at addressing inequality might prove to be ineffective.
  • Implementing a wealth tax, for instance, could play a significant role in reducing inequality.
  • A wealth tax must be carefully crafted to be effective, considering these challenges while striving to strike a balance between reducing inequality and promoting a thriving economy.
  • Unless the social hierarchy is questioned, any number of laws, policies, and acts will not render justice to the silently suffering victims of domestic violence.
  • India’s percentage of debt earmarked for servicing (interest payments) is comparatively low to the debt driven into capex-boosting investment with multiplier gains on the economy.

ESSAY TOPIC

  • The truly happy ones, understand life.

50-WORD TALK

  • India has a drug problem — it’s called antibiotics. Their abuse is causing bacterial resistance. It’s one thing to be the pharmacy of the world, but that citizens and administrations are failing and need ethical awareness is a bitter pill. India’s problem is the world’s concern; microbes don’t respect borders.
  • India must reach out to friends and partners to secure Red Sea shipping. Merely sending Navy destroyers to keep an eye won’t cut it. It needs multinational coalitions to escort convoys. Too much global trade hangs on India’s larger maritime neighbourhood. PM Modi and MbS talking is a good beginning.

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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