WSDP Bulletin (31-10-2023)

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. IITM Pune demonstrates cloud seeding can produce rainfall READ MORE
2. Centre silent on ‘data leak’ from ICMR portal READ MORE
3. Tiny carbon ‘flowers’ turn light to heat at unrivalled efficiency, IIT team finds  READ MORE
4. RTI Act Will Become ‘Dead Letter’ : Supreme Court Directs States, Union To Fill Vacancies In Information Commissions READ MORE
5. COP28 Presidency: Triple renewable energy capacity, double energy efficiency by 2030 to limit global warming READ MORE
6. Forest Dept, Wildlife Trust to set up centralised mgt system to monitor crimes READ MORE
7. Akhaura-Agartala international rail link: First trial run of goods train between Bangladesh and Tripura completed successfully READ MORE
8. IEA World Energy Outlook 2023: Fossil fuel demand to peak by 2030, urgent investment shift needed READ MORE
9. India bans exports of some rice varieties: How this has impacted prices globally, in the country READ MORE

Main

GS Paper- 1

1. Service learning is a catalyst for social change READ MORE
2. What the rapid ice melt in West Antarctica means READ MORE
3. India’s, and the world’s, rivers are drying up READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Money, money, money: As SC begins poll bonds hearing, note that political funding is a challenge no democracy has solved READ MORE
2. Steel frame faces threat of irreparable damage READ MORE
3. State legislatures can do what the SC could not READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. AWWs have a role to play in mitigating NDDs READ MORE  
2. Crucial concerns READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. Towards stabilisation of U.S.-China ties READ MORE
2. India should have made efforts for a consensus on the Gaza vote at the UN READ MORE
3. India, China war of positions in Maldives READ MORE
4. UN resolution lays bare global divide READ MORE
5. Shaping up India-South Korea relationship READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Third party trade can push Re settlement system READ MORE
2. By 2047, a $30 trillion economy READ MORE
3. Aim at a tax-to-GDP ratio of 20 per cent READ MORE
4. Navigating the unemployment conundrum in rural India READ MORE
5. RBI must see crypto as assets, not currencies. No one’s using it to buy grocery READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Indians are choking on pollution. How can it be stopped? READ MORE
2. Noxious breath READ MORE

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. India’s space industry needs more private players READ MORE
2. Not humans, India should send less risky, cheaper AI-powered robots to space READ MORE
3. ISRO: Propelling India’s space industry READ MORE

INTERNAL SECURITY

1. Cyber attack: Preparation is the key READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. The expansion of settlements into flood-prone areas READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. In Search of Heaven READ MORE
2. Conquer condescension READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. According to a new study, the rapid melting of ice sheet in West Antarctica is now unavoidable. What is an ice sheet? Why does its melting matter?
2. India has always presented itself as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) but now, the intrusion of China in the IOR seems to be straining the arrangement. Examine the statement in the light of recent developments in IOR.
3. Critically analyse the recent developments in India-South Korea relations and discuss how with its pertinent pioneering streak it can play an active partake in India’s ambitious port modernisation, blue-economy and decarbonised green-shipping initiatives?
4. Discuss, how India’s Palestine policy evolved over the years and how in recent times India’ is seeking a ‘safe’ position, rather than taking a stand?

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Any attempt to solve a conflict has to touch upon its very core; the core, more often than not, lies in its history.
• India has frequently demonstrated its commitment to being the first responder in the neighbourhood during any crisis.
• India has always presented itself as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). So far, both the Maldives and Sri Lanka have been happy with the arrangement. But now, the intrusion of China in the IOR seems to be straining the arrangement.
• Service learning, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is essential for ushering in social change and development.
• Deep reflection empowers students to create positive social change with a clear understanding of community needs and systemic issues, shaping their future actions.
• Buoyant tax collections hold the key to keeping up the tempo of investment in building infrastructure and funding welfare schemes.
• South Korea with its pertinent pioneering streak can partake in India’s ambitious port modernisation, blue-economy and decarbonised green-shipping initiatives
• India’s abstention indicates a shift in the Modi government’s stand, seeking a ‘safe’ position, rather than taking a stand on the violence in Israel and Palestine.
• There is a glaring urgency to modernise transport and transit agreements between India and Nepal as per the changing fundamentals, aspirations and needs.
• The beauty and power of a parliamentary democracy is its capability for self renewal through periodic elections.
• Governments will come and go in a democracy. But once the permanent bureaucracy and institutions are sapped of their vigour of fair judgement, it will be almost impossible to repair these and the administration will forfeit people’s trust.

50-WORD TALK

• Indian Army should allow women Agniveers into non-combat arms to truly make itself a gender agnostic force. Armed forces in the 21st century cannot fall back on the centuries-old mindset that women cannot fight. There is no justification, including physical aspects, to deny entry to women in services, support arms.
• Supreme Court is justified in setting deadlines for Maharashtra assembly speaker Rahul Narwekar to dispose of disqualification petitions against Sena-NCP MLAs. He has been dilly-dallying it for too long. Speakers being non-partisan is a mistaken notion. It’s time to consider SC’s suggestion for an independent tribunal to decide disqualification cases.

 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.