April 27, 2024

Lukmaan IAS

A Blog for IAS Examination

WSDP Bulletin (21/03/2024)

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(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. Ae Watan Mere Watan: The story of Usha Mehta and Congress Radio READ MORE

2. India to generate 600 kilotonnes of solar waste by 2030: What a new study says READ MORE

3. What is Nvidia’s Project GR00T, designed to create AI-powered humanoid robots READ MORE

4. ‘Lianas threaten Earth’s carbon sinks’ READ MORE

5. India was third-most polluted country globally in 2023, right behind top-ranking Bangladesh and Pakistan READ MORE

6. Centre Notifies PIB As Official Fact Checker For Online Content READ MORE

7. India’s top 1% income, wealth shares have reached historical highs: World Inequality Lab READ MORE

8. GRID-INDIA is now a Miniratna Company READ MORE

Main

GS Paper- 1

1. Politics of positive discrimination for the idea of India READ MORE

2. Violence, homelessness, and women’s mental health READ MORE

3. The depth of India’s water crisis, explained in charts READ MORE

4. One solution for challenges to India’s agrifood systems — safeguard forests better READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Electoral bonds: Amit Shah is right about return of black money; judicial activism has made perfect the enemy of good READ MORE

2. Global rights body must hold NHRC accountable for its silence on key human rights issues in India READ MORE

3. SC judgement on electoral bond brings transparency, but unqualified brouhaha is meaningless READ MORE

4. How global indices miss India’s chuckle READ MORE

5. The real question in the electoral bonds issue is – will cash make a comeback? READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. Skill India Mission: Short Courses, No Employable Skills and a Lack of Jobs READ MORE

2. How Maharashtra’s amendment to the Right to Education Act will foster ghettoization READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. India shows the world how to deal with hegemonistic China READ MORE

2. Changing contours of international relations READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Construction Workers’ Welfare: Anatomy of a Fall READ MORE

2. The return of high global oil prices READ MORE

3. Global supply chains make atmanirbharta take a back seat READ MORE

4. Why Punjab’s farmers are unlikely to diversify their produce despite MSP guarantee READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Climate Change: WMO’s Report Confirms 2023 Was Hottest Year READ MORE

2. World on the verge READ MORE

3. Poor air quality: India must take urgent mitigation measures READ MORE

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. The mission outlines plans to build a strong AI ecosystem in the country READ MORE

INTERNAL SECURITY

1. Why India’s defence deals with the Global South matter READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. Mitigating risks in infrastructure development READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. India’s voters deserve a bond — of probity READ MORE

2. Shame at Gujarat University READ MORE

3. The Enigma of Karma READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. In recent years, the National Human Rights Commission of India has largely abdicated its role, but the institution cannot be given a free pass to continue to abuse its mandate by its partisan silence. Comment.

2. While amending the law pertaining to political funding, India needs to ensure that it doesn’t revert to the old system of cash receipts, which will allow the return of corruption and muscle power to public life. In the light of recent Supreme Court Judgement, critically analyse the statement.

3. Fostering inclusive and equitable growth is paramount in addressing the root causes of global instability and conflict. In this regard, the role of technology and innovation cannot be overlooked in shaping the future trajectory of global affairs. Comment.

4. At the heart of Mission Karmayogi lies a profound philosophical ethos inspired by the Bhagavad Gita, advocating for duty and action without attachment to outcomes. Comment.

5. In an era where the dynamics of governance and public service are evolving rapidly, India has embarked on an ambitious journey to transform its civil service with the launch of the Mission Karmayogi scheme. Discuss.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

  • Mutual tolerance is a necessity for all time and for all races.
  • In recent years, the National Human Rights Commission of India has largely abdicated its role.
  • In India, the constituency which has mounted the strongest defence of human rights is civil society. There have been strong protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019 (CAA) as well as by farmers against the farm laws.
  • The NHRC must not be given a free pass to continue to abuse its mandate by its partisan silence.
  • We, as a democracy, have managed to cross the hurdles and provide full transparency to our citizens with regards to political financial contributions. This should be celebrated and not just used as a weapon for political mudslinging.
  • India’s quest to become a key player in the defence export arena represents a pivotal shift in its foreign policy and economic strategy.
  • It’s high time we recognised these indices for what they are: Not definitive markers of joy or despair but rather limited snapshots tainted by methodological biases and cultural myopia.
  • India has reiterated that it remains unconcerned about China’s objections, protests and criticism. It will not normalise ties till the situation reverts to pre-April 2020.
  • The failing social welfare boards, sitting on crores of unutilised funds, must reignite their efforts to serve building and construction workers.
  • The best way to handle political donations is a modified version of electoral bonds. Going back to the old system with huge amounts of cash collection would be a retrograde step.
  • While the Supreme Court’s ruling on electoral bonds is to be respected, it must be understood that the scheme has been a progressive step toward eliminating the use of black money in elections.
  • While amending the law pertaining to political funding, we need to ensure that we don’t revert to the old system of cash receipts. This would allow the return of corruption and muscle power to public life and encourage the use of illicit money to make political donations.
  • Despite repeated warnings from scientists and environmental experts, global efforts to curb emissions have fallen short of what is required to mitigate climate change effectively.
  • In a world fraught with geopolitical tensions and environmental concerns, the imperative for collaborative diplomacy has never been more pressing.
  • Fostering inclusive and equitable growth is paramount in addressing the root causes of global instability and conflict. In this regard, the role of technology and innovation cannot be overlooked in shaping the future trajectory of global affairs.
  • Embracing a culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, and knowledge-sharing is essential in harnessing the transformative potential of technology for the collective good.
  • Rising consumption expenditure will lead to greater capacity utilisation in factories and prompt businesses to create fresh capacity.

ESSAY TOPIC

  • Mutual tolerance is a necessity for all time and for all races.

50-WORD TALK

  • Formidable industry chambers undermine themselves when they say releasing electoral bond details will undermine ease of doing business. Is it even a suggestion that secrecy aids ‘ease of doing business’? If so, it’s shocking and shameful. The claim that disclosures are retrospective is weak. SC’s 2019 order was ample warning.
  • Zomato’s new plan for a pure vegetarian fleet is tone-deaf. It shows start-up founders come up with ideas without understanding their social realities, fallout. Adding ‘pure’ prefix to vegetarianism is loaded. Segregation measures reflect a mindset. How are tech start-ups any different from RWAs who issue notices against non-vegetarian residents?

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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