WSDP Bulletin (28/10/2024)

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. How a tardigrade resists high levels of radiation, implications for humans READ MORE

2. Explained: SC rules that Aadhaar cannot be used as proof of date of birth READ MORE

3. How mangroves in Odisha likely reduced Cyclone Dana’s impact READ MORE

4. What is the livestock census and why is it conducted? READ MORE

5. Coral Triangle at risk: new report highlights fossil fuel threats and impacts on biodiversity and communities READ MORE

6. Experts urge a new global pact at COP16 to safeguard boreal and temperate forests READ MORE

7. GST classical example of cooperative federalism: CJI Chandrachud READ MORE

8. $25-million Pandemic Fund aims to curb ‘zoonotic’ diseases READ MORE

9. What does H5N1 in cattle, humans portend? READ MORE

10. Stem cell transplant recipients demystify the fate of donated stem cells READ MORE

11. Indian PM Modi warns against ‘digital arrest’ scam READ MORE

Main

GS Paper- 1

1. State coercion can’t shape demographics READ MORE

2. Cyclone Dana may be carrying intense rainfall; here is why READ MORE

3. Why India Needs to Incentivize Water Reuse READ MORE

4. Social uplift key to ending child marriage READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

​​1. Beyond intoxication: On alcohol regulation, judicial verdict READ MORE

2. Ensuring the people’s right to impartial Justice READ MORE

3. Federalism wins in alcohol tax verdict READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. Towards a coherent education policy READ MORE

2. Tweaks in drug formulations to extend copyrights is a public health challenge READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. ​​​India-UAE bilateral investment treaty can broaden scope of trade READ MORE

2. India, China must overcome trust deficit READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Web3, disintermediation and the future of global finance READ MORE

2. Rising import reliance amid regulatory challenge READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Why is Delhi’s air quality deteriorating? READ MORE

2. Managing air quality: Answer is in airsheds READ MORE

3. Come winter, Delhi chokes again READ MORE

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. India needs to focus on being a global AI power READ MORE

INTERNAL SECURITY

1. Cyber security: Time for India to be cyber-wise READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. Resilient India READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Karmayogi Saptah and Mission Karmayogi READ MORE

2. Exploring gradual unfoldment of microcosmic mind READ MORE

CASE STUDY

1. Rural employment under MGNREGS fell 16% in 1st half of 2024-25. TN, Odisha saw biggest dips—NGOs’ report READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. How far do you agree with this view that administrative control by high courts over the members of the subordinate judiciary impacts their independence in practice, particularly in the lowest rung of the hierarchy?

2. The anti-defection law has played a crucial role in political stability, but there are gaps which need to be addressed to make it more effective and impartial. Comment.

3. BRICS’ stance against west allies may be diplomatically polarising, but it promises of checks and balances in the international system. Discsuss.

4. If India wants to make the most of its demographic dividend or aspire to a developed status, it needs to nudge its women to take up paid employment. In the light of the recent PLFS data comment on the statement.

5. As India is becoming a digitally empowered nation, data sovereignty has assumed relevance for the restructuring of data governance. It is crucial for protecting privacy, supporting national and economic security and fending off threats of global surveillance. Comment.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

  • Parliament occupied the field of ‘fermentation industries’, but excluded alcohol for human consumption.
  • By encouraging people to contribute to local educational projects and decision-making processes, the State wants to foster a sense of ownership and responsibility.
  • Web3 is about ownership — of data, transactions, and assets. With smart contracts and decentralised systems, it has the potential to empower users.
  • Despite Government efforts to boost domestic production, policy constraints and pricing caps continue to stifle the energy sector’s growth.
  • At the heart of the judicial system is the ability of a judge to render an opinion without fear or favour. But what is of utmost importance is that citizens have confidence in the system.
  • Administrative control by high courts over the members of the subordinate judiciary impacts their independence in practice, particularly in the lowest rung of the hierarchy.
  • The Supreme Court took away the power of the government to appoint judges to the higher judiciary and vested it in the collegium system.
  • Appointments to special courts constituted under special statutes like the PMLA and the UAPA are important assignments and judges are hand-picked to deal with matters that provide fodder for news splashes.
  • No judge can be expected to function truly independently if his judgements are guided by factors relating to his promotion.
  • While calculating carbon saved is a fraught exercise, India must aim, through its research institutions and authorities, to evolve a transparent and fair policy that is on a par with the best internationally.
  • The anti-defection law has played a crucial role in political stability, but there are gaps which need to be addressed to make it more effective and impartial.
  • BRICS’ stance against the US and its allies may be diplomatically polarising, but it is also the promise of checks and balances in the international system.
  • Penalising farmers and subsidising costly fossil fuel-guzzling machines shouldn’t be the solution to NCR’s pollution crisis.
  • A return to manual harvesting will save water and curb pollution. In other words, the benefits of paying farmers to switch to manual harvesting extend beyond improving Delhi-NCR’s air quality.
  • If India wants to make the most of its demographic dividend or aspire to a developed status, it needs to nudge its women to take up paid employment.
  • If only India can address the job quality issue for its female workforce, it can set in motion a juggernaut of social and economic transformation that would be hard to stop.
  • Patience is a critical element of every faith because if our faith is strong, so will our patience be.
  • Opportunities are never lost, just found by those who clearly see the power of trends and timing.

ESSAY TOPIC

  • Arrogance diminishes wisdom

50-WORD TALK

  • If a CJI ends his long tenure annoying both sides, it’s a job well done. DY Chandrachud’s job was tougher given today’s polarisation. Electoral bonds was his legacy-defining order. He drew criticism from one side on Article 370 and Ayodhya. A please-all CJI would be the worst. Chandrachud wasn’t that.

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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