WSDP Bulletin (12/01/2024)

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. Scientists name the most common tropical tree species for the first time READ MORE

2. Tamil Nadu may get four new Biodiversity Heritage Sites this year READ MORE

3. A 22-million-year-old petrified mangrove forest found in the Panama Canal READ MORE

4. Innovative entrepreneurship: turning the tide against antimicrobial resistance READ MORE

5. Ministry issues revised rules to ensure quality in pharma sector READ MORE

6. Indore, Surat named cleanest cities, Maharashtra cleanest state READ MORE

7. Minorities’ right to open institutions not for ghettoisation: Supreme Court READ MORE

8. Genocide case against Israel: Who were the Amalek, whose mention by Netanyahu came up at the ICJ READ MORE

9. To protect endangered sharks and rays, scientists are mapping these species’ most important locations READ MORE

10.  Over 77 countries saw highest average temperature in 2023 in close to 5 decades: Report READ MORE

Main

GS Paper- 1

1. Ustad Rashid Khan’s legacy of perfection READ MORE

2. Revisit Tagore to revive higher ed READ MORE

3. Why is child marriage still high in West Bengal? READ MORE

4. India has entered a new era of reservation devoid of social justice READ MORE

5. Global warming, sea level rise, ageing flood defence systems: Why European countries have been flooded READ MORE

6. A looming crisis: How India can balance its water demand and supply across sectors? READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. The Speaker’s court: On the Maharashtra Assembly Speaker’s ruling READ MORE

2. What next for Indian federalism? READ MORE

3. Read more at: https://www.deccanherald.com/opinion/what-next-for-indian-federalism-2845426

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. Structured negotiation as a boost for disability rights READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. A Bangladesh ‘one-party state’ and India’s options READ MORE  

2. The Maldives-India ties: Drifting apart READ MORE

3. India, Maldives need to work together for peace in Indian ocean READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Express View on EU carbon tax: Costs of a levy READ MORE

2. IBC has been unfairly criticized READ MORE

3. Startups in the agriculture sector are pioneering innovations READ MORE

4. Don’t ignore warning signals on growth READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. A Heatwave in Antarctica Totally Blew the Minds of Scientists. What They Deciphered is Alarming READ MORE

2. Global heating may breach 1.5°C in 2024 – here’s what that could look like READ MORE

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. Are antibiotics over-prescribed in India? READ MORE

2. Direct mobile broadcasting is a gamechanger READ MORE

INTERNAL SECURITY

1. Cybersecurity Threats in Online Gaming: Learnings for India READ MORE  

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. Awareness and deterrence key to reducing fire hazards READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Arise, Awake, Vivekananda Has A Message For You READ MORE

2. Viksit Bharat: Youth to play a pivotal role READ MORE

3. Is there a hidden purpose to our existence? READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. As long as defection disputes are in the hands of Speakers, and not any independent authority, political considerations will undoubtedly cast a shadow on the power to disqualify. Argue in the light of recent developments.

2. The lack of access to timely and accurate information always remained a hurdle for farmers in India. Discuss how the agri-tech startups are bridging this information gap through mobile applications and digital platforms?

3. In the global effort to feed a growing population sustainably, technological advancements and innovation in agriculture are more critical than ever. Discuss how in recent years, the Indian agricultural landscape has witnessed a transformative wave driven by the Agri-Tech startup ecosystem to increases the yield in Agriculture?

4. In a world where almost every economic asset of a nation, including scenic natural tourist spots is being weaponised, a strategic balance is required with neighbours. Comment on the statement in the light of recent developments in India’s neighbourhood.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

  • We do not need guns and bombs to bring peace, we need love and compassion.
  • As long as defection disputes are in the hands of Speakers, and not any independent authority, political considerations will undoubtedly cast a shadow on the power to disqualify.
  • Even as India stands assured of continuity in its good bilateral ties with Bangladesh, it cannot ignore its loss of influence in the Awami League and western criticism of the controversial elections.
  • Direct to mobile (D2M) technology removes the necessity for the internet, delivers TV and radio broadcasts directly to mobile.
  • Agri-tech start-ups empower farmers to make data-driven decisions, adopt modern practices, and access real-time information through their innovative digital solutions.
  • Agri-tech startups have been successful in addressing the various critical challenges plaguing the Indian agricultural industry.
  • The digitalisation of agriculture attracts tech-savvy individuals, revitalising the sector for a more vibrant and dynamic landscape, ensuring a brighter future for India.
  • The lack of access to timely and accurate information has long been a hurdle for farmers in India. Agri-tech startups are bridging this information gap through mobile applications and digital platforms.
  • In the global effort to feed a growing population sustainably, technological advancements and innovation in agriculture are more critical than ever. In recent years, the Indian agricultural landscape has witnessed a transformative wave driven by the Agri-Tech startup ecosystem.
  • In a world where almost every economic asset of a nation, including scenic natural tourist spots is being weaponised, a strategic balance is required with neighbours.
  • Following the Article 370 ruling, it appears that the court has inevitably acknowledged that despite its vast constitutional powers, its role has shrunk in the face of a powerful parliamentary majority.
  • the ruling party legislators splitting or defecting and the partisan behaviour of legislative functionaries which may be inevitable but leads to complications, that the judiciary may be tempted to get to the heart of it in the hope of establishing the importance of the fundamentals governing the people’s mandate in an electoral democracy.

ESSAY TOPIC

  • The truly happy ones, understand life.

50-WORD TALK

  • Maharashtra assembly speaker Narwekar ruling in favour of Shinde faction in MLAs’ disqualification case was on expected lines. His interpretation of Sena’s leadership structure and SC’s observation on legislative majority was ingenious and convenient. Anti-defection law has become ineffective. SC’s suggestion for independent tribunal for disqualification petitions must be implemented.
  • The islands remain largely inaccessible, tourist connectivity cumbersome and facilities limited. It’s time to unlock Lakshadweep’s potential. This round has gone to India; Maldives is busy controlling the damage after its ministers’ remarks on PM Modi’s Lakshadweep visit. But what comes next is an inconvenient truth: we haven’t leveraged the tourism potential of our archipelago.

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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