WSDP Bulletin (06/04/2024)

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. Food inflation keeps RBI worried READ MORE

2. India abstains at U.N. Human Rights Council on vote calling for Gaza ceasefire, arms embargo against Israel READ MORE

3. RBI to enable UPI for cash deposit facility, to allow foreign investors in IFSC to invest in Sovereign Green Bonds READ MORE

4. Bankers laud RBI’s focus on disinflation READ MORE

5. Why green hydrogen presents both major opportunities, significant challenges READ MORE

6. NATO at 75: Why the alliance was formed, where it stands today READ MORE

7. 4.8 magnitude earthquake hits New York City: why it is a rare event in the region READ MORE

8. Before SC’s 9-judge bench, question of whether states can levy excise duty on industrial alcohol READ MORE

9. Groundwater quality can be improved even when mixed with nitrate-laden surface water: Study READ MORE

Main

GS Paper- 1

1. Impact and dualities of Social Media READ MORE

2. Water levels in reservoirs at 35% of capacity; southern India’s at just 20% READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Parliaments past, a mirror to changing dynamics READ MORE

2. Euthanasia Debate | The right to live and die with dignity READ MORE

3. Work out measures to streamline the grant of bail READ MORE

4.  Striking a balance between state power and citizen rights holds the key to a democracy’s success READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. How not to improve the quality of higher education READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. Escalation ladder: On Israel’s offensive, and the danger ahead READ MORE

2. Soft power as comparative advantage for India READ MORE

3. Time for India to claim its seat at UN’s top table: Why and how READ MORE

4. Global conflicts in the new age: The role of ICJ READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Why RBI has been wary of declaring an early victory over inflation READ MORE

2. Credit policy focuses on stability READ MORE

3. Both dovish and hawkish READ MORE

4. Interim Budget 2024-25: Are we on track to achieve healthcare for all? READ MORE

5. Dilemma of the unemployed youth READ MORE

6. Towards growth READ MORE

7. Employment Gains? READ MORE

8. RBI must rectify and strengthen itself before turning 100 READ MORE

9. Measuring Trends in Multidimensional Poverty READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Human–Wildlife Conflict: Insights from Pilibhit Tiger Reserve READ MORE

2. By financing environmentally damaging projects, can Indian funders be held liable? READ MORE

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. ‘We are seeing a sign that dark energy is not a cosmological constant’ READ MORE

INTERNAL SECURITY

1. Tough stand on terror: National security remains paramount for India READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. Mitigating risks in infrastructure development READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Is faith a limitation or blessing of intelligence? READ MORE

2. Psychopathy among bureaucrats is a bigger threat than corruption READ MORE

3. Overcoming doubts READ MORE

4. Beyond belief READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. As terrorism continues to pose a global threat, collaborative efforts among nations are essential. In this endeavour, the US and India can play pivotal roles, leveraging their resources and expertise in the fight against terrorism. Comment.

2. A citizenship regime should be designed to accommodate the nuances of individual situations, fostering an environment where no one is left in the shadows of statelessness. Comment on the statement in the light of recent enacted Citizen Act.

3. The digital revolution opens new avenues for women’s economic participation, however, to ensure true inclusion, this revolution must be steered by gender-sensitive policies. Comment.

4. The US-India Great Power Partnership enjoys strong tailwinds, but its success is not inevitable. The relationship requires a considered understanding of the cultural, demographic, and political drivers at work in the two complex democracies. Critically analyse.

5. Investing in a green resilient and knowledge-based economy is crucial for sustainable economic development of the State. Comment.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

  • There is no logical way to the discovery of elemental laws.
  • The conduct of business in both Houses so far only points to the need for a revitalisation of legislative engagement and more constructive debate.
  • Changing parliamentary dynamics only point to the need to revitalise legislative engagement, where every opportunity should be seized to ensure accountability, foster constructive debate, and enact policies that prioritise the welfare of the nation and its citizens.
  • RBI has maintained its stance on policy rate citing food inflation. But tying policy to food prices may force economy to sacrifice growth.
  • Euthanasia applies to animals, not human beings. We need to learn to use other terms — but first, talking about death itself must no longer be a taboo.
  • The issue of unemployed youth has become a focal point in political discourse. The interpretation of unemployment rates and its politicisation are exacerbating the situation.
  • Soft power stands as a compelling force, often wielded through economic or cultural influence to shape global perceptions and agendas.
  • India being an emerging economy, will take time to stand tall against other developed nations in terms of hard power. But recognizing its strengths in soft power in varied forms, it should work towards further enriching its assets and using it for international trade, thus creating a niche for itself.
  • By allowing the mass production of customised realities, generative AI makes electoral systems vulnerable. Democracies can learn from Taiwan and EU in addressing the threat.
  • The highest constitutional court of the land must ensure that justice is done in every respect. If there seems to be an absence of sufficient evidence, prima facie, proving the guilt of the accused, the same must be recorded.
  • India has made significant strides in modernising its ports, enhancing maritime infrastructure, and expanding its maritime capabilities. Initiatives like Sagarmala and Bharatmala have been instrumental in boosting coastal and inland connectivity, facilitating trade, and driving economic development.
  • The Chanakya Niti of non-aggressive settlements; Gandhi’s non-violence movement; the Panchsheel pact of peaceful advancement and a good friendly policy towards its neighbours all exemplify India’s comparative advantage in soft power.
  • India finds itself at a crossroads, grappling with the dual challenge of sustaining growth momentum while addressing underlying structural constraints.
  • The glaring absence of psychological assessments in civil service recruitment processes renders the system perilously open to infiltration by unsuitable individuals.
  • The Global South is where the numbers rest, and so do much of the global problems, including massive cultural differences with the homogenised Western ways, but which is what has been pushed down their throats over the past decades—through the UN system and outside.
  • All democracies, irrespective of the government in power, must keep a balance between the powers of the state as against the remedies available to citizens.
  • While international law may lack enforceability in a traditional sense and exhibit flaws and frustrations, its influence remains significant in shaping the opinions and policies of nations.

ESSAY TOPIC

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

50-WORD TALK

  • NSA Ajit Doval has called out the elephant in the room by telling China-led SCO to shed double standards and hold accountable those who sponsor, finance and facilitate terrorism. China cannot talk about need to counter terrorism jointly when it works against UNSC designation of wanted terrorists staying in Pakistan.
  • A fresh political battlefront over the role of the judiciary is bizarre. It shows that instead of protecting the judiciary, there is an attempt to intimidate one of the pillars of democracy. The nation’s faith endures in a judiciary that remains committed to the Constitution, far away from political whims.

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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