WSDP Bulletin (30-08-2023)

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. Gujarat hikes OBC quota in local bodies from 10% to 27% READ MORE
2. Scientists finally finish sequencing ‘weird’ male Y chromosome READ MORE  
3. More than 1,000 schools destroyed in Ukraine since war began, says UNICEF READ MORE
4. 41.1% NREGS workers out of Aadhaar-based wage system READ MORE
5. India, Kenya sign MoU for shipbuilding collaboration READ MORE
6. Dispel doubts among tribes over sickle-cell disease test: Munda READ MORE  
7.  Pragyan confirms sulphur near south pole of moon; search on for hydrogen READ MORE
8.  ‘Reroute rail track through gibbon sanctuary’ READ MORE
9. Why the Q1 GDP is projected to show an uptick READ MORE

Main

GS Paper- 1

1. Cyclone frequency may rise over Indian coast from the warming of Pacific: study READ MORE  
2. Staring at driest-ever August: Breaking down El Nino impact on the monsoon READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Why we need Basic Structure: The basic structure doctrine was unanimously reaffirmed by the SC. Parliament has also accepted it READ MORE  
2. Why governments must not turn to global consulting agencies for advice READ MORE
3. For a sense of us: As it told SC, only GOI can conduct a census. But just when is GOI going to conduct the 2021 census? READ MORE
4. Converting a state of India into a union territory READ MORE
5. India’s Scheduled Caste list must be religion-neutral. Muslims, Christians are also Dalit READ MORE
6. The reality of data protection READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. The need for loss of income cover: The missing piece of social security net READ MORE

 INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. India founded Brics. It should not disengage from the key grouping READ MORE  
2. In three world capitals, the gaze turns inwards READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Exports must clear non-tariff hurdles READ MORE
2. Questioning priority: Govt dues in IBC: Courts must safeguard the basic structure of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code READ MORE
3. Declining FDI READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Rising climate risks READ MORE  
2. Climate change threatens the rights of children. The UN just outlined the obligations states have to protect them READ MORE

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. The importance of states in space missions READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. Himalayan blunders that are ravaging the Himalayas READ MORE
2. India needs an integrated approach to flood management READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Accept the challenge READ MORE  
2. Nurse Letby case and the idea of being evil READ MORE
3. UP’s school of communal poison READ MORE

CASE STUDY

1. IAS officer alleges graft in Jal Jeevan Mission scheme in J&K, says he was harassed by L-G READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. Investing in early childhood development is not only a moral and social imperative but also important for ensuring a prosperous future for India. Comment.  
2. ‘Character is what makes a man’. In the light of the statement, discuss which three values can be considered important for a good character.
3. The long march of BRICS toward NAM-ification has gathered six new members, but BRICS can never be an anti-West platform for developing economy. Critically analyse the statement.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• India must estimate and publicise the large gap between the commitments of developed countries and their fair obligation for mitigation.
• Within India’s ground realities, it is essential to acknowledge the dominant presence of the informal sector, where a considerable demographic derives sustenance from daily wage employment.
• The utility of BRICS lies in the membership of developing economies, the alternative economic institutions, and the opportunity to further bilateral relations.
• India and the member nations must ensure that BRICS is not used as a geopolitical tool by China to further its hegemonic designs.
• China’s decoupling from the West is making it bend backwards to accommodate new partners in Asia, Africa and South America, however, India must try and bring countries like Singapore and South Korea into the folds of BRICS.
• Investing in early childhood development is not only a moral and social imperative but also important for ensuring a prosperous future for India.
• Gender and climate change require a holistic understanding. Prioritising gender adaptive strategies is the need of the hour.
• Traits of character can be taught to any age; easier in the young and a little more challenging in the old. One has but be willing to acknowledge the shortcomings and learn.
• Caste-based discrimination persists in India despite legislation and proactive police action and political will is the need of the hour.
• The G-20 summit in New Delhi is a crucial moment for the Heads of State and Government present at the meeting to adopt a strong leader’s declaration, committing to collective ambition to combat climate change.
• It’s an acknowledgement that only negotiations can resolve legacy disputes, even if tough rounds may lie ahead. A military face-off is too dangerous to drag on.
• Political rhetoric over shrinking government employment, without new job creation, will be disastrous.

ESSAY TOPIC

• Sustainable development is the pathway to the future we want for all.

50-WORD TALK

• First, a questionable agenda of a one-day session of the Manipur assembly, then an expeditious adjournment — it’s not all normal in the state. The session appeared to be a perfunctory act, with the deadline to convene proceedings ending September 2. This is another indication of breakdown of constitutional machinery.
• The government’s affidavit in Supreme Court on Bihar’s caste census says only the Centre has the constitutional authority to conduct such a survey. But the Centre has been reluctant to do the job. It can’t have it both ways. Either the Centre conducts it or let the states undertake them.

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.