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Vishal Parihar
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VOCABULARY + EDITORIAL 01 April 2024
Malefactors and misgivings (Editorial-1)
Malefactor (noun) a person who commits a crime or some other wrong(अपराधी)

Synonyms Criminal, wrongdoer
Antonyms: Innocent, law-abider
Sentence The community was relieved when the malefactor was finally
apprehended.
Alliance (noun) a union or association formed for mutual benefit, especially between
countries or organizations (संघ)
Synonyms Coalition, partnership
Antonyms Rivalry, antagonism
Sentence Several countries formed an alliance to address global
environmental issues.
Pursuit (noun) the action of following or pursuing someone or something (पीछा)

Synonyms Chase, quest
Antonyms Retreat, surrender
Sentence His lifelong pursuit of knowledge was inspiring to many.
Resilient (adjective) able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions (लचीला)
Synonyms Tough, flexible
Antonyms Fragile, weak
Sentence The community showed a resilient spirit in the aftermath of the
disaster.
Census (noun) an official count or survey of a population, typically recording

various details of individuals(जनगणना)
Synonyms Survey, enumeration
Antonyms Estimate, guess
Sentence The census data was crucial for planning the city's educational
services.
Viable (adjective) capable of working successfully; feasible(व्यावहाररक)

Synonyms Feasible, practical
Antonyms Impractical, unfeasible
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Sentence The committee questioned whether the proposal was economically

viable.
Coherence (noun) the quality of being logical and consistent (सुसंगति)

Synonyms Consistency, cohesion
Antonyms Incoherence, disorder
Sentence His argument lacked coherence, making it difficult to follow.
Irritant (noun) a substance that causes slight inflammation or other discomfort to

the body (जलन)
Synonyms Annoyance, aggravation
Antonyms Soothing, balm
Sentence The chemical acted as an irritant on the skin, causing redness and
itching.
Emulate (verb) to match or surpass (a person or achievement), typically by

imitation(अनुकरण करना)
Synonyms Imitate, copy
Antonyms Originate, innovate
Sentence Young athletes aspire to emulate the success of their heroes in the
sport.
MALEFACTORS AND MISGIVINGS (EDITORIAL-1)
It is now well understood that Indian politics is undergoing a phase that is termed the “Bharatiya Janata Party-
dominated political party system”, with the ruling party, the BJP, having the ability to effectively compete across
most States unlike others. The other large national party, the Congress, has a nation-wide presence but is
handicapped by severe weaknesses in quite a few States, which it seeks to overcome through State-wise
alliances. These alliances benefit the regional parties that are also finding it increasingly difficult to tackle the BJP
on their own. The INDIA bloc (Congress, regional parties and the Left) remains a selective State-wise alliance that
is determined by the need for unity against the BJP. This is particularly so in some States in western India
(Maharashtra for example) and the Hindi heartland (Uttar Pradesh and Bihar) whose polities include long-time
regional forces besides the Congress, and where the BJP had a close to 90% success rate in seat winning terms
in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. In Bihar, the INDIA bloc should fancy a fighting performance — the RJD is the single
largest party in the Assembly in seat and vote share terms and the Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) of the
RJD, the Congress and the Left came very close to upending the BJP-Janata Dal (United) ruling alliance in the
2020 Assembly elections. While Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s never-ending pursuit of alliance-switching has
meant that the alliance will lose out relatively on the support base that the JD(U) enjoys among non-Yadav Other
and Extremely Backward Classes, the RJD has shown the ability to remain resilient even as the Congress and the
Left add to an ideologically coherent anti-BJP voice. The Congress has grown closer to the Mandal parties by
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emphasising the need for a caste census while the Left remains a small but viable political entity in Bihar because
of its base among the poor.
As with other alliances in States such as Tamil Nadu, the ideological coherence and the compatibility of social
bases have served as the glue for the INDIA bloc in Bihar but the nature of the constituent parties and their recent
histories have thrown up irritants in seat sharing. The Congress’s welcoming of controversial former Member of
Parliament, Pappu Yadav, who has faced criminal cases, and his party into its fold, ill-behoves the party’s
messaging against the criminalisation of politics. The relative decline of the Mandal parties and the rise of the
BJP have made it imperative for the former to reinvent their positions to move beyond their reliance on strongmen
and narrow identity politics. While the Congress has done well to reorient its focus on social justice, bringing itself
closer to the RJD, it should avoid the temptation to emulate these aspects of old Mandal politics that prioritised
casteist identities as the basis for political mobilisation.
Compounding crises (Editorial-2)
Reservoir (noun) a large natural or artificial lake used as a source of water

supply(जलाशय)
Synonyms Basin, tank
Antonyms Drain, depletion
Sentence The reservoir supplies water to the entire city during the dry season.
El Niño (noun) a climate phenomenon characterized by the warming of the Pacific

Ocean near the equator, leading to global weather changes (एल नीनो)
Synonyms Climate anomaly, Pacific warming
Antonyms La Niña
Sentence The effects of El Niño can be devastating, causing both droughts and
floods in different parts of the world.
Erratic (adjective) not regular or predictable; inconsistent (अननयनिि)

Synonyms Unpredictable, irregular
Antonyms Consistent, steady
Sentence His attendance at school has been erratic, making it difficult to track
his progress.
Meteorologist (noun) a scientist who studies the atmosphere and weather patterns (िौसि
तवज्ञानी)
Synonyms Weather scientist, climatologist
Antonyms N/A
Sentence The meteorologist warned of a severe storm approaching the coast by
the weekend.
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Extraction (noun) the process of removing or obtaining something from a source

(ननष्कर्षण)
Synonyms Removal, mining
Antonyms Insertion, addition
Sentence The extraction of valuable minerals from the earth has significant
environmental impacts.
Encroachment (noun) intrusion on a person's territory, rights, etc. (अतिक्रिण)

Synonyms Intrusion, invasion
Antonyms Retreat, withdrawal
Sentence The new construction represents an encroachment on the local wildlife
habitat.
Catchment (noun) an area from which water is collected by the natural landscape into a
river, basin, or reservoir (जल संग्रह क्षेत्र)
Synonyms Basin, watershed
Antonyms N/A
Sentence The river's catchment area is vast, covering several hundred square
miles.
Precarious (adjective) not securely held or in position; dangerously likely to fall or collapse
(अनननिि)
Synonyms Unstable, risky
Antonyms Stable, secure
Sentence The hikers found themselves in a precarious position, stranded on a
narrow ledge.
COMPOUNDING CRISES (EDITORIAL-2)
There is only enough water to fill 23% of the holding capacity in all of South India’s reservoirs, The Hindu reported
last week based on an analysis of Central Water Commission data. This, according to the analysis, is nine
percentage points lower than the rolling decadal average, speaking to the certainty and the magnitude of the
impending crisis. The last time South India faced a summertime water crisis was in 2017. The crisis in the same
region this year is poised to be different, and worse, for a few reasons. First, the monsoons are influenced by
various factors; of these, El Niño events render them more erratic, even if isolating their influence thus is a
simplification. There was an El Niño event in 2014-16 whereas this time there is an ongoing event and among the
five strongest such events in recorded history. Second, after meteorologists recorded 2023 to be the warmest
year on record, they also said they expected 2024 to be worse. A team led by the U.K. Meteorological Office also
predicted a 93% chance that every year until 2026 will be a record-breaker. Third, millions in India will be spending
some additional time outdoors this summer to cast their votes in the general election. Fourth, this crisis has
happened before; yet, while (some) policies and forecasting have improved, preparedness and implementation
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of these policies on the ground have not. Other factors, including unplanned urban growth, over-extraction of
groundwater, low water reuse efficiency, insufficient community involvement, and encroachment and/or
degradation of catchment areas, persist.
Climate change will impose a deadlier cost on low- and middle-income countries such as India by creating
simultaneous crises. While the phenomenon changes the way weather events co-evolve, it also affects the
frequency of their occurrence such that two events may develop a greater chance of transpiring together than
they did before — such as a drought and a disease outbreak, which in turn will worsen socio-economic conditions
among marginalised groups. Any water crisis must be seen against this backdrop, where it is both a crisis in itself
and a factor that compounds the effects of another. That a region’s water situation becomes precarious after
one year of deficient rain is a sign governments are not learning their lessons or are ignoring them, even if the
deficit was considerable. No more information or context is necessary to understand this fact than what already
exists. But governments and policymakers seem to need reminding that this and future crises will neither be just
about the water nor the fault of climate change.
A REFORM WINDOW (EDITORIAL-1)
Trajectory (noun) the path followed by an object moving through space (प्रक्षेपवक्र)
Synonyms Path, course
Antonyms Stagnation, stillness
Sentence The scientist calculated the trajectory of the comet to predict its future
position in the sky.
Yield (verb) to produce or provide a natural, agricultural, or industrial product (उपज)

Synonyms Produce, generate
Antonyms Take, withhold
Sentence The fertile land yields a bountiful harvest each year.
Rollout (noun) the introduction or launch of a new product or service (लॉन्च)

Synonyms Launch, introduction
Antonyms Withdrawal, conclusion
Sentence The company announced the rollout of its new software next month.
Compliance (noun) the action of complying with a command, law, or request (अनुपालन)
Synonyms Adherence, conformity
Antonyms Defiance, disobedience
Sentence The factory was shut down due to its failure in compliance with safety
regulations.
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Interim (adjective) temporary and intended to be used or accepted until something

permanent exists (अंिररि)
Synonyms Temporary, provisional
Antonyms Permanent, final
Sentence An interim government was set up following the coup.
Discretionary (adjective) available for use at the discretion of the user (तववेकाधीन)
Synonyms Optional, voluntary
Antonyms Mandatory, obligatory
Sentence Employees have a discretionary bonus at the end of the year based on
performance.
Retrieve (verb) to get back something that was lost or taken (पुनः प्राप्त करना)
Synonyms Recover, regain
Antonyms Lose, forfeit
Sentence After much effort, he was able to retrieve the lost data from the
damaged hard drive.
Temptation (noun) a desire to do something, especially something wrong or unwise

(प्रलोभन)
Synonyms Allurement, enticement
Antonyms Repulsion, deterrent
Sentence Despite the temptation to cheat, he completed the test honestly.
A REFORM WINDOW (EDITORIAL-1)
The financial year 2023-24 appears to have ended on a high on the revenue front. Net direct tax collections rose
19.9% by mid-March to hit 97% of revised Budget targets, while the Goods and Services Tax (GST) has yielded a
robust ₹20.18 lakh crore. Gross GST revenues in March, for transactions undertaken in February, crossed ₹1.78 lakh
crore, the second highest tally since the rollout of the indirect tax six and a half years ago. The only month when
collection stood higher was in April 2023, aided by year-end compliances. There is a good chance the same
compliance effects will lift this month’s tally past ₹2 lakh crore, marking a fresh high. Average monthly collections
have grown 11.6% in 2023-24 to over ₹1.68 lakh crore. The growth may be lower than the previous year’s 21.8%
uptick but establishes a new normal for revenues that the coming year can build on. This should settle the
Centre’s concerns that the GST has not yielded expected returns. Central GST collections in 2023-24 have
overshot revised estimates presented in the interim Budget and the Finance Ministry may have to revise its 2024-
25 targets when it presents the full Budget as those can now be achieved even if growth slips below 10%.
Some of the increase in collections may well stem from tax demands raised for past years and tightening the
screws on known evasion routes such as fake invoices and fraudulent input tax credits. Yet, an uptick in growth
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of net GST revenues, which the government has started revealing since last month, and the rise in gross
collections from domestic transactions (17.6% compared with 13.6% in February) suggest economic activity has
been busy in the last quarter of 2023-24. Perhaps, the only worry is a 5% decline in GST on goods imports during
March, from an 8.5% rise in February, which may signal some cutbacks in discretionary consumption. Yet, the
overall GST trajectory should give the next government comfort to focus on much-needed reforms to the tax. This
must include retrieving the plan to rationalise its multiple rates from deep freeze, expanding it to excluded items
such as electricity and petroleum products, and reducing high levies on key products such as cement and
insurance. The GST Compensation Cess, now being used to repay the COVID-19 pandemic-era borrowings made
to recompense States, raked in ₹1.44 lakh crore last year, and it is likely possible to wind it down earlier than the
extended March 2026 deadline. It is critical to resist the temptation to replace it with a new levy except for truly
demerit goods such as tobacco. Taxing hybrid vehicles over 40%, for instance, makes no sense, either for India’s
green goals or boosting consumption and spurring private investments.
A NEW LOW (EDITORIAL-2)
Atrocity (noun) an extremely wicked or cruel act, typically one involving physical
violence or injury (अत्याचार)
Synonym Barbarity, horror
Antonym Kindness, benevolence
Sentence The world was shocked by the atrocity committed against innocent
civilians during the conflict.
Tolerance (noun) the ability or willingness to tolerate the existence of opinions or

behavior that one dislikes or disagrees with (सरहष्णुिा)
Synonym Acceptance, patience
Antonym Intolerance, impatience
Sentence A democratic society should be built on the principles of freedom and
tolerance.
Besieged (verb) surround (a place) with armed forces in order to capture it or force its
surrender; lay siege to(घेराबंदी की)
Synonym Surround, encircle
Antonym Release, liberate
Sentence The ancient city was besieged for months before it finally fell to the
invaders.
Massacres (noun) an indiscriminate and brutal slaughter of many people (नरसंहार)

Synonym Slaughter, carnage
Antonym Rescue, salvation
Sentence The history books recount the tragic massacres that took place
during the war.
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Stampedes (noun) a sudden panicked rush of a number of horses, cattle, or other

animals (भगदड़)
Synonym Rush, flight
Antonym Retreat, standstill
Sentence The sudden sound of gunfire caused a stampede among the horses.
Rhetorically (adverb) in a manner relating to or concerned with the art of rhetoric (वाक्पटु िा
से)
Synonym Oratorically, eloquently
Antonym Inarticulately, ineffectively
Sentence The politician spoke rhetorically, persuading many with his eloquent
speech.
Statesman (noun) a skilled, experienced, and respected political leader or figure

(राजनेिा)
Synonym Politician, diplomat
Antonym Amateur, novice
Sentence He was celebrated as a true statesman, admired for his dedication to
serving his country and its people.
A NEW LOW (EDITORIAL-2)
When it comes to Israel’s military atrocities, the U.S. has historically had high tolerance levels. It never questions
Israel’s nuclear arms. It ignores UN investigation reports that have accused Israel of committing war crimes. It
hardly does anything to hold Israel accountable for the continuing occupation of the Palestinian territories
flouting international laws and norms. But even by America’s standards, Joe Biden’s policy towards Israel’s war is
a new low for the ‘leader of the free world’. It took five and a half months of war, in which over 32,000 Palestinians
were killed, 70,000 injured and more than 90% of the besieged enclave’s population displaced, for the Biden
administration to let a UN Security Council resolution, demanding an immediate ceasefire, pass. But the U.S.,
which abstained from voting, did nothing to enforce the resolution. Ever since the war began on October 7, the
Biden administration has delivered more than 100 military sales to Israel. Just last week, when the world was
raising concerns about a possible Israeli invasion of Rafah, the southernmost town of Gaza, Washington cleared
the sales of more bombs and warplanes for Israel.
While Israel and the U.S. are arguably the closest two nation-states can get to each other, in the past, American
Presidents had used hard pressure to influence Israel’s decision making. In 1956, during the Suez crisis, U.S.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower threatened to cut off American aid unless Israel withdrew from Egypt’s Sinai
Peninsula. And Israel complied. In the 1970s, President Jimmy Carter’s carrot and stick policy played a critical role
in the peace process that resulted in the historic Camp David Agreement. In 1981, even Ronald Reagan, the
Republican President known for his pro-Israel policies, initially withheld sales of F-16s, asking Israel to withdraw
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from Lebanon. But, for some strange reasons, despite domestic concerns and international criticism, Democratic
President Biden continues to back Israel in one of history’s worst massacres of Palestinians. The UN has warned
that the enclave is on the brink of a famine. The Biden administration itself has admitted that nearly all Gazans
are hungry. And dozens are getting killed from gun shots, in air strikes, stampedes and under air drops of food
deliveries. If the U.S., which at least rhetorically takes pride in its commitment to human rights, cannot see this
suffering of over two million Palestinians, it will go down in history as an enabler of this violence. Mr. Biden must
start behaving as a statesman. His administration has the leverage to influence Israel’s behaviour. It should call
for an immediate ceasefire and more aid into Gaza and stop all arms supplies to the Jewish state if it continues
the war.

DANGEROUS GAME(EDITORIAL-1)
Throes (noun) a condition of agonizing struggle or trouble (संघर्ष की अवस्था)

Synonym Agony, pain
Antonym Comfort, peace
Sentence The country is currently in the throes of economic collapse.
Pivotal (adj) of crucial importance in relation to the development or success of

something else (केंद्रीय)
Synonym Central, crucial
Antonym Insignificant, minor
Sentence The next few months will be pivotal for the company's future.
Braces (noun) devices used to support, strengthen, or hold something firmly (ब्रेससज़)
Synonym Supports, fastenings
Antonym Loosens, releases
Sentence She wore braces on her teeth for two years.
Integrity (noun) the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles (ईमानदारी)
Synonym Honesty, uprightness
Antonym Dishonesty, corruption
Sentence The judge was known for her integrity and fairness.
Striving (verb) making great efforts to achieve or obtain something (प्रयास करना)
Synonym Endeavoring, struggling
Antonym Surrendering, yielding
Sentence They are striving to find a cure for the disease.
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Appraisal (noun) an act of assessing someone or something (मूल्ांकन)

Synonym Evaluation, assessment
Antonym Guess, estimation
Sentence The appraisal of the house put its value much higher than expected.
Spearhead (verb) lead an attack or movement (अगुवाई करना)

Synonym Lead, pioneer
Antonym Follow, trail
Sentence She was chosen to spearhead the new community project.
Ethos (noun) the characteristic spirit of a culture, era, or community as manifested in its
beliefs and aspirations (चररत्र)
Synonym Spirit, character
Antonym N/A
Sentence The company's ethos is all about customer satisfaction.
Pitfalls (noun) hidden dangers or difficulties (जोखिम)

Synonym Hazards, dangers
Antonym Safeties, certainties
Sentence Many pitfalls await the inexperienced investor.
Transcend (verb) to go beyond the limits of something (पार करना)

Synonym Surpass, exceed
Antonym Fall short, lag
Sentence The athlete's performance transcended all previous records.
Nuanced (adj) characterized by subtle shades of meaning or expression (सूक्ष्म)

Synonym Subtle, refined
Antonym Blunt, straightforward
Sentence Her poetry is known for its nuanced portrayal of complex emotions.
Encapsulate (verb) to express the essential features of something succinctly (सारांसित करना)
Synonym Summarize, condense
Antonym Elaborate, expand
Sentence The report encapsulates the project's success in a few key points.
Quest (noun) a long or arduous search for something (िोज)

Synonym Search, pursuit
Antonym Abandonment, cessation
Sentence The scientist's quest for knowledge was never-ending.
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DANGEROUS GAME(EDITORIAL-1)
In February this year, the Supreme Court of India issued a contempt notice against Patanjali Ayurved for
publishing misleading advertisements that were in direct violation of the Drugs and Magic Remedies
(Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954 and its Rules despite the company’s assurance to the Court in
November last year that it would not do so. On Tuesday, the apex court turned up the heat by threatening
Patanjali’s co-founder Baba Ramdev with perjury proceedings in addition to contempt. The two-member Bench
again came down heavily on the government, this time for turning a blind eye when the company was promoting
its products as a panacea during the COVID-19 pandemic, in blatant violation of the Act. While the Court has
asked the government to file an affidavit to dispel the impression that it was complicit, the fact is that the
government did almost nothing to inform the people that Coronil was not a “cure” for COVID-19 — as claimed by
the company in June 2020 — but only a “supporting measure in COVID-19”. In February 2021, the presence of Harsh
Vardhan, then Union Health Minister, along with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, at a press conference organised by
Patanjali to promote Coronil, made the company’s claims sound very credible.
Emboldened by the absence of penal action by the courts or the government for the false claim that Coronil
could cure COVID-19, the company went on an advertisement spree in 2022 claiming that its products could cure
many non-communicable diseases and conditions. The advertisements also denigrated and derided evidence-
based medicine (allopathy). On November 21, 2023 the Court warned the company not to advertise permanent
cures and threatened to impose a penalty of ₹1 crore on every product for which such claims were made. But, in
absolute defiance, the company held a press conference the next day to defend its products. In December last
year and January 2024, cocking a snook at the Court, the company again issued newspaper advertisements,
compelling the Court to issue a contempt notice in February. It is highly unlikely that the company could have
continued to act this way in the absence of at least tacit support from the government at the Centre and in
Uttarakhand, where the company is based. Independent of the Court, the absence of any restraining order by the
government to stop the company from freely advertising highly misleading claims only strengthens the
suspicion. In matters related to health and medicine, the government playing favouritism can be extremely
dangerous and harmful. Allowing commercial interests to override public health and safety can be perilous.
REDEFINING DEMOCRACY(EDITORIAL-2)
Override (verb) to use authority to reject or cancel (a decision, view, etc.) (अधधकार पूवषक रद्द
करना)
Synonym Overrule, annul
Antonym Uphold, confirm
Sentence The president has the power to override a veto from Congress.
Contempt (noun) the feeling that a person or a thing is beneath consideration, worthless, or
deserving scorn (अविानना)
Synonym Disdain, scorn
Antonym Respect, admiration
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Sentence He showed his contempt for his job by doing it very badly.
Perjury (noun) the offense of willfully telling an untruth in a court after having taken an oath or
affirmation (झूठी शपथ)
Synonym False testimony, lying under oath
Antonym Truthfulness, honesty
Sentence The witness was charged with perjury for lying about her whereabouts.
Panacea (noun) a solution or remedy for all difficulties or diseases (रािबाण)

Synonym Cure-all, universal remedy
Antonym Disease, ailment
Sentence Technology is not a panacea for all our problems.
Affidavit (noun) a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation, for use as evidence in
court (शपथ पत्र)
Synonym Declaration, sworn statement
Antonym Denial, refutation
Sentence The witness submitted an affidavit to the court detailing what she had seen.
Dispel (verb) make (a doubt, feeling, or belief) disappear (दूर करना)

Synonym Disperse, dissipate
Antonym Accumulate, gather
Sentence The sunshine did little to dispel the gloom that hung over the proceedings.
Complicit (adjective) involved with others in an illegal activity or wrongdoing (अपराध िें सहभागी)
Synonym Involved, conniving
Antonym Innocent, uninvolved
Sentence She was complicit in the cover-up of the scandal.
Penal (adjective) relating to, used for, or prescribing the punishment of offenders under the legal
system (दंडात्मक)
Synonym Punitive, corrective
Antonym Rewarding, compensatory
Sentence He was transferred to a penal institution to serve his sentence.
Denigrated (verb) criticize unfairly; disparage (बदनाि करना)

Synonym Belittle, disparage
Antonym Praise, commend
Sentence The actor complained that the tabloid had denigrated his character.
Derided (verb) express contempt for; ridicule (उपहास करना)
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Synonym Mock, ridicule

Antonym Praise, respect
Sentence His backwoods manners were derided by the more refined courtiers.
Tacit (adjective) understood or implied without being stated openly (िौन)

Synonym Implicit, understood
Antonym Explicit, stated
Sentence There was a tacit agreement that he would not enter the competition.
REDEFINING DEMOCRACY(EDITORIAL-2)
In the throes of 2024, democracy finds itself at a crucial crossroads, with half the globe's population poised to
exercise their electoral rights. India, hosting a quarter of these voters, becomes a pivotal stage for what is
arguably democracy's most rigorous examination to date. Yet, as India braces for this monumental event, its
democratic credentials face intense scrutiny from global indices, casting a shadow over its democratic integrity.
The V-Dem Institute's characterization of India as a severe "autocratiser" and the downgrade by several other
indices paint a concerning picture of India's democratic health.These indices, while striving for a comprehensive
appraisal of democracies worldwide, inadvertently introduce biases that may not fully capture the on-ground
realities of governance. India's proposed endeavor to craft its own democracy index, spearheaded by the
Observer Research Foundation, emerges as a response to these critiques. This move reflects a growing
dissatisfaction with international parameters, perceived as misaligned with India's democratic ethos and
realities.
However, the journey to a more equitable assessment of democracy is not without its pitfalls. The challenge lies
in crafting an index that transcends the limitations of its predecessors, ensuring a balanced and nuanced
representation of India's democratic landscape. The endeavor to establish a high degree of concept-measure
consistency, as advocated by scholars, underscores the complexity of encapsulating democracy in a singular
measure. As the world watches, the creation of an indigenous democracy index by India is not merely an
academic exercise but a statement of intent. It signifies India's determination to assert its democratic identity on
its own terms, challenging the prevailing narratives shaped by external assessments. While global democracy
indices offer valuable insights into global democratic trends, the quest for a more representative and equitable
measure is both necessary and timely. India's initiative to chart its own course in evaluating democracy
underscores the dynamic and evolving nature of democratic governance itself, reminding us that democracy, in
all its forms, remains a work in progress.

OVERKILL (EDITORIAL-1)
Overkill (noun) excessive use, treatment, or action; more than what is necessary or
appropriate (अत्यधधक)
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Synonyms Excess, superfluity

Antonyms Moderation, necessity
Sentence The use of nuclear weapons would be a dangerous overkill in response to
the conflict
Assuaged (verb) made (an unpleasant feeling) less intense; satisfied(शांि करना)
Synonyms Alleviated, mitigated
Antonyms Aggravated, exacerbated
Sentence Her fears were assuaged by the calm presence of her guide.
Malicious (adjective) characterized by malice; intending or intended to do harm(द्वेर्पूणष)

Synonyms Malevolent, spiteful
Antonyms Benevolent, kind
Sentence The hacker's malicious attack caused widespread damage to the system.
Standalone (adjective) capable of operating or being used independently of other systems or

components (स्विंत्र)
Synonyms Independent, self-contained
Antonyms Dependent, integrated
Sentence The app is designed as a standalone tool, requiring no additional software
to function.
Undergirded (verb) provided support or a firm basis for; strengthened (िजबूिी प्रदान करना)
Synonyms Supported, reinforced
Antonyms Weakened, undermined
Sentence The theory is undergirded by extensive research and data.
Suffice (verb) be enough or adequate (पयाषप्त होना)

Synonyms Satisfy, meet
Antonyms Lack, fall short
Sentence A simple apology will not suffice to repair the damage caused by his
words.
Pronouncement (noun) a formal or authoritative announcement or declaration (घोर्णा)

Synonyms Declaration, statement
Antonyms Retraction, silence
Sentence The judge's pronouncement marked the end of the trial.
Tampering (noun) the action of interfering with something in a harmful or unauthorized way
(छे ड़छाड़)
Synonyms Interference, meddling
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Antonyms Repairing, restoring

Sentence Tampering with the device voids the warranty.
OVERKILL (EDITORIAL-1)
The introduction and use of the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT), an adjunct system attached to the
Electronic Voting Machine (EVM), and the provision of counting VVPAT tallies from five random polling booths in
every Assembly constituency to be matched with the EVM vote-count, have not assuaged critics of the use of
EVMs in Indian elections. Some suggest the fact that the process could be more transparent if a machine audit
trail of all the commands that are executed is maintained in the system, beyond just the votes recorded in the
EVM’s ballot unit and the printed slips in the VVPATs, allowing for an audit to rule out any malicious code. This
could indeed make the system more robust and be considered as an upgrade to the existing machines. Others
suggest that the use of VVPATs has introduced potential vulnerabilities that did not exist with the standalone
nature of EVMs and the technical and administrative safeguards that undergirded the legacy system. This too
could be addressed by reworking the safeguards to ensure that the VVPAT-combined systems are as secure and
foolproof as the standalone EVMs were. But incomprehensible is the critique from many, including political parties
such as the Congress, that only a 100% recount of all VVPATs would suffice, instead of the current method of
sampling the number of recounts, in order to have full transparency. The Supreme Court of India has now listed
a series of petitions related to this demand.
Despite Cassandra-like pronouncements about malpractices and EVM-hacking, there has been no proof of any
actual tampering of EVMs so far. While EVMs, as any machine is bound to, have suffered glitches, and promptly
been replaced in the event of machine failures, the critique that they are prone to hacking or manipulation
despite the existing technical and administrative safeguards has not been made with any actual proof. The
sample counting of VVPATs, across both the general election in 2019 and several other Assembly elections for
instance, which allow the voter to confirm whether the mandate matches the choice made on the EVM, have
shown that the mismatch between the VVPAT recount and the EVM count has been minuscule — an outcome of
trivial errors such as non-deletion of mock polls in the machine before the voting process or errors in manual
recording of the final count from the machine. An increase in the recount sample to make it more statistically
significant, by making the selected number of Assemblies specific to each State/Union Territory based on the
size of the province, or, simply to increase the recount sample in seats where the margin of victory is narrow (say,
less than 1% of the overall votes) could be solutions. But to insist on a full recount seems an overkill and a clear
lack of trust in the EVM itself.
WIDE OPEN (EDITORIAL-2)
Reigning (adj) currently holding a title or position, especially in sports or a monarchy (राज कर
रहा)
Synonyms Current, incumbent
Antonyms Former, previous
Sentence The reigning champion defended his title successfully at the tournament.
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Prestigious (adj) inspiring respect and admiration; having high status (प्रतिष्ठिि)
Synonyms Esteemed, distinguished
Antonyms Disreputable, infamous
Sentence She was awarded a prestigious scholarship for her outstanding academic
achievements.
Conspicuous (adj) standing out so as to be clearly visible; attracting notice or attention (स्पष्ट)
Synonyms Obvious, prominent
Antonyms Inconspicuous, unnoticeable
Sentence The bright red door was conspicuous against the dull grey walls of the
building.
Wary (adj) feeling or showing caution about possible dangers or problems (सिकष)
Synonyms Cautious, careful
Antonyms Careless, incautious
Sentence He was wary of making decisions that could lead to unforeseen
complications.
Contingent (adj) occurring or existing only if (certain circumstances) are the case; dependent
on (आकस्मिक)
Synonyms Conditional, dependent
Antonyms Unconditional, certain
Sentence His agreement to the deal was contingent upon the approval of the board.
WIDE OPEN (EDITORIAL-2)
Candidates is a familiar word in these times of a general election, but over the next three weeks, it will appear
regularly on the sports pages of newspapers as well, across the world. The opening move of the Candidates
chess tournament was made in Toronto late on Thursday (IST). It is the mind game’s biggest event of the year,
and its winners — in the open and the women’s sections — will be eligible to compete for the World championship.
China’s Ding Liren and Ju Wenjun are the reigning world champions. They, along with the rest of the chess world,
will have their eyes set on the Canadian city to find out who will emerge as the challenger from among the men
and women there. The country that will follow the tournament with the keenest interest could well be India. For,
five out of the 16 contestants, eight each in either section, are Indians.
R. Praggnanandhaa, D. Gukesh and Vidit Gujrathi are fighting it out in the open tournament, while Koneru Humpy
and R. Vaishali are competing in the women’s tournament. Remember, only one Indian has played in this
prestigious event(open) before — Viswanathan Anand, a five-time world champion, continues to be an
inspiration. India’s conspicuous presence is a fair indication of how strong it has become in world chess. More
proof is provided by the latest World rankings, in which the highest ranked Indian (No. 9), Arjun Erigaisi, is not even
playing at the Candidates.
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None of the Indians started as a favourite in the open event of the Candidates, though. Two Americans, Fabiano
Caruana and Hikaru Nakamura, are the strongest players in Toronto. They are ranked second and third, behind
Magnus Carlsen, who has opted out of the World championship cycle, citing a lack of motivation.
Russian Ian Nepomniachtchi is another major contender, having won the tournament’s last two editions. Alireza
Firouzja, the Iranian-born French player, is another player the Indian men have to be wary of. Praggnanandhaa
and Gukesh are still in their teens, and this is likely to be only their first Candidates — they are more than capable
of surprising the toughest of fields, as they showed at the Chess Olympiad and the World Cup. Koneru Humpy is
by far the most experienced Indian in Toronto. A former World Rapid champion, she is one of the main contenders
in the women’s tournament. Vaishali, Praggnanandhaa’s elder sister, is one of the world’s fastest improving
female players. The women’s tournament, which features the former World champion Tan Zhongyi of China, looks
more open.

THE BIG FIGHT (EDITORIAL-1)
Battleground (noun) a place where a battle is being fought or has been fought; a subject or
sphere of conflict (युद्धभूसम)
Synonym Conflict zone, front
Antonym Sanctuary, peace zone
Sentence The city became a battleground during the civil unrest, with clashes
occurring daily.
Alliance (noun) a union or association formed for mutual benefit, especially between
countries or organizations (समत्रता)
Synonym Coalition, partnership
Antonym Rivalry, opposition
Sentence The two countries formed an alliance to strengthen their defense
capabilities.
Vying (verb) competing eagerly with someone in order to achieve something

(प्रततस्पर्ाष करना)
Synonym Competing, contending
Antonym Cooperating, assisting
Sentence Several companies are vying for the lucrative government contract.
Induction (noun) the process or action of bringing someone into a new role or position
(आरंसभक प्रसिक्षण)
Synonym Initiation, introduction
Antonym Termination, conclusion
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Sentence The induction program for new employees includes a tour of the
facilities and an overview of company policies.
Agrarian (adjective) relating to cultivated land or the cultivation of land (कृषर्-संबंर्ी)

Synonym Agricultural, farming
Antonym Urban, industrial
Sentence The country's economy is largely agrarian, with a majority of the
population engaged in farming.
Agitated (adjective) feeling or appearing troubled or nervous (बेचैन)

Synonym Disturbed, perturbed
Antonym Calm, composed
Sentence The missing child's parents were understandably agitated as the police
gave their report.
Constituents (noun) the people who live and vote in an area (मतदाता)
Synonym Voters, electorate
Antonym Representatives, officials
Sentence The senator held a town hall meeting to hear the concerns of her
constituents.
Coalition (noun) a temporary alliance for combined action, especially of political parties
forming a government (गठबंर्न)
Synonym Alliance, partnership
Antonym Disunion, separation
Sentence After the election, no party had a majority, leading to the formation of a
coalition government.
Pivot (noun) the central point, pin, or shaft on which a mechanism turns or oscillates
(र्ुरा)
Synonym Hub, fulcrum
Antonym Periphery, edge
Sentence The debate served as the pivot for the change in public opinion.
Erode (verb) to gradually wear away soil, rock, or land; to slowly reduce or destroy
something (कटाव)
Synonym Deteriorate, diminish
Antonym Build, enhance
Sentence The constant waves have begun to erode the shoreline significantly.
Viable (adjective) capable of working successfully; feasible (व्यवहायष)
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Synonym Feasible, practical

Antonym Impractical, unworkable
Sentence The company is exploring viable solutions to reduce its environmental
impact.
THE BIG FIGHT (EDITORIAL-1)
With 80 Lok Sabha seats, Uttar Pradesh is critical in all political calculations, and more so for the Bharatiya Janata
Party (BJP) which on its own won 71 seats from the State in 2014 and 62 in 2019. Fronts led by the BJP and the
Samajwadi Party (SP) are the principal poles in the elections spread over all seven phases. The Bahujan Samaj
Party (BSP) led by four-time U.P. Chief Minister Mayawati is going solo, even as it battles decline. The All India
Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) is trying to make its presence felt, in alliance with another regional outfit.
Several sub-regional outfits that largely draw their support from a single caste group in a confined area are vying
for autonomous space in alliances with other parties. The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) got a shot
in the arm with the induction of the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) which commands a considerable following among
the agrarian Jat community in western U.P. that had been agitated against the Centre’s farm laws. The Apna Dal
(Sonelal) led by Anupriya Patel, Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) led by Om Prakash Rajbhar and
Nirbal Indian Shoshit Hamara Aam Dal (NISHAD) party of Sanjay Nishad are other platforms that enable the BJP’s
outreach to specific subaltern communities.
The SP and the Congress, which are constituents of the INDIA bloc, have roped in the Mahan Dal led by Keshav
Dev Maurya. The outfit enjoys the support of some sections of Other Backward Classes such as Mauryas, Shakyas
and Kushwahas in central and eastern Uttar Pradesh. The broader rainbow coalition that the SP formed with
multiple sub-regional parties in the 2022 Assembly polls is missing this time and two of its former allies, the SBSP
and the RLD, have crossed over to the NDA. One faction of the Apna Dal is in alliance with the AIMIM. This front and
the SP-Congress axis are both pivoting around a social coalition of backwards, Dalits and Muslims to counter the
Hindutva consolidation behind the BJP, but similar efforts in the recent past have been largely ineffective. The BSP
is staring at a dead end, with its leaders joining other parties, and its social base massively eroded. Despite the
consolidation that the BJP has achieved in the last decade, U.P. politics remains fragmented along caste, religious
and regional fault lines. The State also happens to be home to the most strident form of BJP politics and the party
expects to make gains from the opening of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, and win more seats in the State than it
did in 2019. The Opposition needs to win a substantial number of seats in U.P. to be viable as an alternative at the
national level.
ESCALATION LADDER (EDITORIAL-2)
Escalation (noun) a rapid increase or rise, often leading to a more serious situation (वृष्ठि)
Synonym Surge, increase
Antonym Reduction, decrease
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Sentence The escalation of tensions between the two countries alarmed the
international community.
Complex (adj) consisting of many different parts and often difficult to understand (जरटल)
Synonym Complicated, intricate
Antonym Simple, straightforward
Sentence The problem we're facing is more complex than we initially thought.
Diplomatic (adj) relating to diplomacy; tactful and not likely to upset people (कूटनीतिक)
Synonym Tactful, discreet
Antonym Undiplomatic, blunt
Sentence Her diplomatic approach smoothed the negotiations between the
conflicting parties.
Spared (verb) to prevent someone from having to experience something unpleasant

(बख्शा गया)
Synonym Excused, exempted
Antonym Subjected, exposed
Sentence Thankfully, the village was spared from the worst effects of the storm.
Precision (noun) the quality of being exact and accurate (सटीकिा)

Synonym Accuracy, exactness
Antonym Inaccuracy, imprecision
Sentence The job requires a high level of precision to avoid mistakes.
Pronged (adj) having a specified number of parts or elements (शाखाओ ं वाला)

Synonym Branched, multi-faceted
Antonym Single, unifaceted
Sentence The company's strategy was three-pronged, focusing on quality,
efficiency, and customer service.
Throttled (verb) to choke or suffocate; figuratively, to suppress (घोंटना)

Synonym Strangle, suppress
Antonym Free, release
Sentence The new regulations throttled the growth of small businesses.
Lynchpin (noun) a person or thing vital to an organization, system, or project (आधार)

Synonym Cornerstone, keystone
Antonym Insignificant, nonessential
Sentence She is considered the lynchpin of the team, indispensable to its success.
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Graveyard (noun) a place where dead bodies are buried (कतिस्तान)

Synonym Cemetery, burial ground
Antonym Cradle, birthplace
Sentence The old graveyard on the hill has been there for centuries.
Nightmare (noun) a very upsetting or frightening dream; by extension, a very unpleasant

experience (बुरा सपना)
Synonym Horror, terror
Antonym Dream, pleasant experience
Sentence The exam was a nightmare, far harder than anyone expected.
Rogue (adj) behaving in ways that are not expected or not normal, often in a way that
causes damage (आवारा)
Synonym Unpredictable, renegade
Antonym Conformist, obedient
Sentence A rogue wave caught the sailors by surprise, capsizing their boat.
ESCALATION LADDER (EDITORIAL-2)
The April 1 attack on an annex of the Iranian embassy in Damascus was a major point of escalation in the
multifaceted conflict that has been spreading across West Asia since October 7, 2023. Iran blamed Israel for the
strike, in which 13 Iranians, including Mohammed Reza Zahedi, a top commander who was in charge of the Quds
Force’s Syria operations, were killed. Israel neither confirms nor denies claims that it was behind such attacks, but
it is an open secret that it has been carrying out operations across the region targeting Iranian military and
nuclear figures. On December 25, a suspected Israeli strike killed Razi Mousavi, senior adviser in Iran’s Islamic
Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), in Syria. What makes the April 1 attack different from Israel’s past strikes is that
an embassy complex was targeted this time.
Embassy and other diplomatic premises have a protected status under international law. Even during the Second
World War, diplomatic premises were spared by hostile powers. When the Chinese embassy in Belgrade was
bombed in May 1999 by the U.S., the then U.S. President Bill Clinton issued a public apology, stating it to be an
accident. But in the case of Damascus, the attacker’s precision strike was aimed at killing a group of IRGC figures.
Many in Iran see this as an act of war.
Even before the October 7 Hamas attack in Israel, there was a shadow war going on between Israel and Iran in
West Asia. After October 7, Israel launched a two-pronged offensive — a full-throttled invasion of Gaza, the tiny
Palestinian enclave of 2.3 million people on the one side, and dozens of air strikes in Syria and Lebanon against
Iran and its network of militias on the other. Israel sees Iran as the lynchpin of all the non-state militias of the
region, be it Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis or the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and seems determined to roll back
their influence in its immediate neighbourhood. Israel’s war on Gaza is not proceeding as planned. Six months of
fighting has turned Gaza into an open graveyard with a death toll of over 33,000, a majority of them women and
children. As Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s Prime Minister, under whose watch the October 7 attack unfolded, is
coming under increased pressure at home and abroad to cease fire and resign, he appears to be more eager to
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escalate the regional crisis. This is a dangerous slope. An open war between Israel and Iran, which could drag the
U.S. in, would be a security disaster for the whole region and an economic nightmare for the wider world. Iran
should not walk into the trap set by Israel. It should show strategic patience and restraint and the U.S., Israel’s
most important diplomatic and military supporter, should restrain its closest ally from acting rogue again.

WAYWARD ELEPHANT(EDITORIAL-1)
Impeding (verb) to slow the movement, progress, or action of (someone or something)

(बाधा डालना)
Synonyms Hinder, obstruct
Antonyms Facilitate, aid
Sentence The heavy snow was impeding traffic on the highway.
Durable (adj) able to withstand wear, pressure, or damage; hard-wearing (रटकाऊ)

Synonyms Long-lasting, sturdy
Antonyms Fragile, perishable
Sentence They invested in durable goods that would last them for years.
Stubbornly (adv) in a way that shows determination not to change one's attitude or
position on something, especially in spite of good arguments or reasons
to do so (जजद्दी िरीके से)
Synonyms Obstinately, persistently
Antonyms Flexibly, accommodatingly
Sentence He stubbornly refused to admit his mistake, even when presented with
evidence.
Posit (verb) to put forward as a basis of argument or assumption; suggest (िान ले ना)
Synonyms Propose, suggest
Antonyms Deny, refute
Sentence The theory posits that a rise in temperature will result in more extreme
weather patterns.
Anticipate (verb) to regard as probable; expect or predict (पूवाषनुिान लगाना)

Synonyms Expect, foresee
Antonyms Ignore, disregard
Sentence She anticipated the questions and prepared her answers in advance.
Assert (verb) to state a fact or belief confidently and forcefully (दावा करना)
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Synonyms Declare, affirm

Antonyms Deny, question
Sentence He asserts that he was not involved in the decision-making process.
Augur (verb) to predict a good or bad outcome (शकुन देखना)

Synonyms Foretell, predict
Antonyms Assure, guarantee
Sentence The end of the conflict augurs well for the region's economic future.
Discretionary (adj) available for use at the discretion of the user (तववेकाधीन)
Synonyms Optional, elective
Antonyms Mandatory, compulsory
Sentence Employees are given a discretionary bonus at the end of the year based
on performance.
WAYWARD ELEPHANT(EDITORIAL-1)
The RBI’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has opted to keep the benchmark policy repo rate unchanged at
6.5% for a seventh consecutive meeting citing food price pressures that are impeding its efforts to slow inflation
to the 4% target on a durable basis. Explaining the rate decision and the MPC’s resolve to keep the policy stance
focused on the withdrawal of accommodation, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das remarked that the ‘elephant in the
room – inflation’, which had hit a peak of 7.8% in April 2022, ‘appeared to be returning to the forest after having
gone out for a walk’. “We would like the elephant to return to the forest and remain there on a durable basis,” he
said, emphasising that in the best interest of the economy, it was essential to ensure that retail inflation continued
to moderate and aligned to the target on a durable basis. The monetary authority’s repeated emphasis on ‘a
durable basis’ underlines its concern that headline inflation and food price inflation in particular have remained
stubbornly unpredictable, with the headline Consumer Price Index-based reading stuck above the RBI’s 4% target
for 53 months through February 2024. Nor are the MPC’s projections for price stability in the new fiscal year
significantly reassuring in terms of the target CPI inflation is expected to slow slightly to an average of 4.9%
in the current quarter, then decelerate markedly and dip below target to 3.9% in Q2, before quickening again to
4.6% and 4.5% in Q3 and Q4, respectively.
The MPC is, however, more confident about the outlook for economic growth in the 12 months through March
2025, with the GDP expected to expand by 7% on average this year. For this it cites a multiplicity of factorsfrom
expectations of a normal south-west monsoon, that it posits will boost agricultural activity and rural demand, to
sustained momentum in the manufacturing and services sectors. It also points to the RBI’s March round of the
consumer confidence survey, which indicates that urban households are less pessimistic about the current
situation and anticipate improvements in one year’s time on all five key parameters surveyed. Monetary
policymakers assert that improving incomes and a rise in readiness to spend on non-essentials augur well for a
strengthening in private consumption, which has been struggling for momentum in recent quarters. It is the
expectation of strong growth that gives the RBI the policy space to focus on targeting inflation, Mr. Das said. Only
too aware that sticky inflation has not only dampened discretionary spending so far but also led to a sharp surge
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in personal loans for meeting essential expenditure, the RBI chief’s determination to send the elephant back to
the forest or risk seeing growth lose momentum again is well justified. Price stability can and must be non-
negotiable.
BEAT THE HEAT(EDITORIAL-2)
Advent (noun) the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event (आगिन)

Synonyms Arrival, onset
Antonyms Departure, exit
Sentence The advent of smartphones drastically changed how we communicate.
Vulnerable (adj) capable of being physically or emotionally wounded or hurt

(संवेदनशील)
Synonyms Exposed, susceptible
Antonyms Invulnerable, protected
Sentence The small village is vulnerable to flooding during the monsoon season.
El Niño (noun) a climatic change marked by the shifting of a large warm water pool
from the western Pacific Ocean towards the east, causing worldwide
weather changes (एल नीनो)
Synonyms Climate anomaly, weather pattern
Antonyms La Niña
Sentence The El Niño event led to unusual weather patterns, including droughts
and heavy rainfall in different parts of the world.
Laden (adj) heavily loaded or weighed down (बोजझल)

Synonyms Burdened, loaded
Antonyms Unburdened, light
Sentence The trees were laden with fruit, promising a rich harvest.
Portentous (adj) of or like a portent; ominous, suggesting something bad is going to

happen (अशुभ)
Synonyms Foreboding, ominous
Antonyms Auspicious, promising
Sentence The dark clouds were portentous of a coming storm.
Converse (adj) opposite in nature or character (तवपरीि)

Synonyms Opposite, reverse
Antonyms Same, similar
Sentence The results of the new study are converse to the initial hypotheses.
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Accord (noun) agreement or harmony (सिझौिा)

Synonyms Agreement, concord
Antonyms Disagreement, discord
Sentence The two countries reached an accord on the terms of peace.
Blistering (adj) extremely hot; or used to describe a pace or criticism that is very fast or
severe (िीव्र)
Synonyms Scorching, intense
Antonyms Freezing, mild
Sentence They made a blistering attack on the government's policies.
Perfunctory (adj) carried out with a minimum of effort or reflection (औपचाररक)

Synonyms Superficial, cursory
Antonyms Thorough, diligent
Sentence His smile was perfunctory, lacking genuine warmth.
Clement (adj) (of weather) mild or temperate; or(of a person or action) merciful
Synonyms Mild, merciful
Antonyms Harsh, severe
Sentence The sailors were grateful for the clement weather after weeks of storms.
(सौम्य)
BEAT THE HEAT(EDITORIAL-2)
With the advent of summer, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that more heatwaves are
likely than last year. Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra are expected to be particularly vulnerable.
Heatwave days are defined as when day temperatures in a place are at least 4.5° C above normal or greater
than 45° C on two consecutive days. For several years on the trot now, the IMD has been forecasting hotter
summers. The causes are multi-fold. India is battling an El Niño wave, that, in most years, dries up rainfall and
contributes to elevated temperatures. Though the El Niño and its converse, La Niña, are cyclical, there is also the
larger phenomenon of warming temperatures (El Niño) causing accelerated melting in the Arctic, a drying up of
moisture-laden tropical wind and, consequently, fewer clouds, and, thus, dry, baking ground temperatures.
This year, the weather agency’s warnings are more portentous as millions are expected to queue up outside
polling stations in India over several afternoons in April and May. Last April, at a mid-day, open-air public, political
function in Navi Mumbai, 12 people died due to dehydration and 600 had to be hospitalised. Some of the speakers
in fact congratulated the crowd for ‘braving’ the heat before the disaster unfolded. This highlights the degree of
disregard that the governmental machinery accords to the public-health impacts of heatwaves. This election
year, for instance, the Election Commission of India had already issued an advisory to its State electoral officers
— ahead of the IMD’s public heat warnings — to prepare for the polls amid blistering heat. The trouble is that these
advisories are too generic. There is a perfunctory note to provide for oral rehydration supplements and mothers
to avoid bringing children with them to the polling booths. There is no requirement that polling stations prioritise
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cooling beyond the confines of the rooms where the officers are seated. There has been, for many years, a
suggestion, even by prominent politicians, for elections to be held in the relatively more clement months of
February-March or October-November but it is one that loses traction almost immediately after the polls. India’s
size and logistical challenges have seen the electoral process innovate and adopt measures such as multi-
phase polling and even the use of electronic ballots. With temperature records collapsing every year and the
links between heatwaves, climate and health becoming even more explicit, it is time that the electoral process
mulls over creative ways to account for the crisis.

PROMISE OR PERISH(EDITORIAL-1)
Perish (verb) to die, especially in a violent or sudden way (िर जाना)

Synonyms Die, expire
Antonyms Survive, live
Sentence Many ancient civilizations perished long ago, leaving behind ruins and
artifacts.
Manifesto (noun) a public declaration of policy and aims, especially one issued before an
election by a political party or candidate (घोर्णापत्र)
Synonyms Declaration, proclamation
Antonyms Concealment, silence
Sentence The party's manifesto promised to address economic inequality and
climate change.
Expansive (adjective) covering a wide area in terms of space or scope; extensive (तवस्तृि)
Synonyms Wide-ranging, broad
Antonyms Limited, narrow
Sentence The new museum's expansive collection features art from various
cultures and periods.
Primacy (noun) the state of being first in importance or rank (प्रधानिा)

Synonyms Supremacy, preeminence
Antonyms Inferiority, secondary
Sentence The primacy of patient care is a fundamental principle in the medical
profession.
Census (noun) an official count or survey of a population, typically recording various

details of individuals (जनगणना)
Synonyms Enumeration, survey
Antonyms Estimate, guess
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Sentence The census data helps the government plan for future needs in terms of
infrastructure, education, and
healthcare.
Determinant (noun) a factor which decisively affects the nature or outcome of something
(ननधाषरक)
Synonyms Factor, element
Antonyms Consequence, outcome
Sentence Access to quality education is a major determinant of a person's life
opportunities.
Apprenticeship (noun) a system of training a new generation of practitioners of a trade or

profession with on-the-job training and often some accompanying
study (जशक्षुिा)
Synonyms Training, internship
Antonyms Mastery, expertise
Sentence She started her career through an apprenticeship in carpentry, learning
the skills from experienced craftsmen.
Stipend (noun) a fixed regular sum paid as a salary or allowance (वृधि)

Synonyms Allowance, salary
Antonyms Debt, fine
Sentence The university offers a monthly stipend to its graduate research
assistants.
PROMISE OR PERISH(EDITORIAL-1)
Political parties offer voters a preview of their vision in manifestos ahead of an election. Personality-driven politics
and rapid changes in communication modes have reduced the import of manifestos, but still they offer a
structured documentation of a political party’s approach to governance and state policy. The Congress
manifesto for 2024, titled Nyay Patra (Document for Justice), is a pitch for the party’s political revival in the face
of the expansive ideological project of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The Congress has offered 25
guarantees under categories such as justice for youth, women, farmers, workers and for equity. The focus,
according to the party, is social justice, economy and the primacy of constitutional institutions, and a promise to
“reverse the damage,” allegedly done by the Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance government.
The most significant political promise is to remove the 50% cap on reservation for the Scheduled Castes,
Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes (OBC) and conduct a nation-wide caste census. The Congress is
wading into unfamiliar waters on this count, as it has for the longest time lived in denial of caste as a determinant
of politics, even as the BJP has expanded its base by addressing it. A new law to ensure that “‘bail is the rule, jail
is the exception’ in all criminal laws”, a review of all laws that interfere with the right to privacy and individual’s
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choice of food, dress or marriage, a self-regulation regime for the media and a law to preserve the freedom of
the Internet have been promised.
An unconditional cash transfer of ₹1 lakh a year to every poor family under the Mahalakshmi scheme, legal right
to the minimum support price (MSP), and the right to health with cashless insurance of up to ₹25 lakh under a
universal health scheme are among the raft of welfare schemes that the Congress is offering to voters. Further,
the party promises the right to apprenticeship with an annual stipend of ₹1 lakh, the abolition of application fees
for government examination and government posts, one-time writing off of all educational loans including
unpaid interest and a lot more. Whether all this adds up to a new vision that stands out in comparison with that
of the BJP, and has credibility against the backdrop of the Congress’s own track record in governance are
questions that remain. Welfare schemes have ceased to be differentiators between political parties as all of them
offer a mix of these. The Congress should have shown more imagination than was evident in its manifesto.
PERVERSE INTENT(EDITORIAL-2)
Perverse (adj) showing a deliberate desire to behave in an unreasonable or unacceptable way;

contrary (तवकृि)
Synonym Contrary, obstinate
Antonym Compliant, obedient
Sentence Despite clear evidence that smoking is harmful, some find a perverse pleasure in
it.
Persecution (noun) the harsh treatment of others, often due to race or religious beliefs (उत्पीड़न)
Synonym Oppression, harassment
Antonym Protection, support
Sentence The persecution of minorities in the country has drawn international
condemnation.
Arbitrariness (noun) the quality of being determined by chance, whim, or impulse, and not by necessity,
reason, or principle (िनिानापन)
Synonym Capriciousness, whimsicality
Antonym Reasonableness, fairness
Sentence The arbitrariness of the decision made it difficult for employees to understand the
new policy.
Endeavour (noun) an attempt to achieve a goal (प्रयास)

Synonym Attempt, effort
Antonym Laziness, inaction
Sentence Every entrepreneur understands that success requires a constant endeavour.
Humane (adj) showing compassion or benevolence (िानवीय)
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Synonym Compassionate, kind

Antonym Cruel, inhumane
Sentence Humane treatment of animals should be a priority for society.
Agnostics (noun) people who believe that nothing is known or can be known of the existence or
nature of God (अज्ञेयवादी)
Synonym Skeptics, doubters
Antonym Believers, theists
Sentence Agnostics often engage in deep philosophical discussions about the existence of
a higher power.
Warped (adj) twisted or bent out of shape; distorted (तवकृि)

Synonym Distorted, deformed
Antonym Straight, unaltered
Sentence The heat had warped the vinyl records, making them unplayable.
Linguistic (adj) relating to language or linguistics (भार्ाई)

Synonym Language-related, verbal
Antonym Nonverbal, silent
Sentence The linguistic diversity of the country is truly remarkable, with hundreds of
languages spoken.
Deliberate (adj) done consciously and intentionally (जान-बूझकर)

Synonym Intentional, calculated
Antonym Accidental, unintentional
Sentence The move was a deliberate attempt to destabilize the competition.
Oppression (noun) prolonged cruel or unjust treatment or control (दिन)

Synonym Suppression, tyranny
Antonym Freedom, liberation
Sentence Years of oppression have led to a widespread desire for change among the
population.
Refugee (noun) a person who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war,
persecution, or natural disaster (शरणाथी)
Synonym Exile, evacuee
Antonym Native, citizen
Sentence The refugees sought safety across the border, away from the conflict in their
homeland.
Afoul (adv) into conflict or difficulty with (उलझन िें)
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Synonym Against, in conflict

Antonym In accordance, harmoniously
Sentence The new legislation ran afoul of environmental regulations, causing a delay in its
implementation.
PERVERSE INTENT(EDITORIAL-2)
Offering citizenship to migrants who have fled their countries of origin because of persecution and have stayed
a sufficient time in their adopted country, is a humane endeavour by any nation-state and should be generally
welcomed. But by limiting this measure only to migrants from an arbitrary group of neighbouring nations and to
narrow the definition only to “religious persecution”, and to further constrict this to not include Muslims, atheists,
and agnostics among others, would suggest that the reasoning to provide this citizenship has less to do with
humanitarianism and more to do with a warped and perverse understanding of Indian citizenship. By its very
intent, the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, whose rules were notified by the Ministry of Home Affairs last month,
over four years since the Act was passed in Parliament, goes against the ethos of the Indian Constitution. It is a
short-sighted piece of legislation in its understanding that only religious persecution merits a reason for providing
asylum and citizenship. It is fairly evident that persecution can be due to other reasons as well, such as linguistic
discrimination in the case of Sri Lanka in recent years, and erstwhile East Pakistan from which Bangladesh was
born. Besides, as the case of the Rohingya from Myanmar shows, Muslims have also faced the severest form of
discrimination in recent years, with thousands killed, more than a million of them rendered stateless and lakhs
fleeing to other countries including India due to deliberate genocidal policies implemented by the ruling regime
in the country. Even in Muslim-majority countries and those professing Islam as the state religion, such as
Pakistan, minority Islamic sects such as the Ahmadiyyas have been subject to oppression and persecution.
The argument by petitioners against the CAA in the Supreme Court of India that the rules of the Act do not require
foreign applicants to effectively renounce citizenship of their native countries, and that this allows for the
possibility of dual citizenship which is directly violative of the Citizenship Act is also fair even if it is only a
procedural one. While India is not party to the 1951 UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1967
Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees, they have provisions that require signatories to provide refugee status
to those who are subjects of different forms of persecution beyond just due to their religion. Signatories must also
apply these provisions “without discrimination as to race, religion or country of origin” and it is clear that the CAA
would run afoul of them if India were a signatory. The Court must declare the CAA as unconstitutional and revoke
its implementation because of its arbitrary and selective norms for providing citizenship to migrants.

A DISTINCT RIGHT(EDITORIAL-1)
Distinct (adj.) clearly noticeable; that certainly exists or happens (षवसिष्ट)

Synonyms Clear, definite
Antonyms Ambiguous, vague
Sentence There are three distinct categories into which these artworks fall.
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Wholesome (adj.) conducive to or suggestive of good health and physical well-being

(स्वास्थ्यवधषक)
Synonyms Healthy, nutritious
Antonyms Harmful, unhealthy
Sentence The book is filled with wholesome advice on how to live a balanced life.
Vagary (noun) an unexpected and inexplicable change in a situation or someone's

behavior (सनक)
Synonyms Whim, caprice
Antonyms Constancy, steadiness
Sentence The vagaries of the weather made it difficult to plan the outdoor event.
Pit (verb) set someone or something in conflict or competition with (टकराना)

Synonyms Oppose, match
Antonyms Unite, ally
Sentence The championship pitted the two best teams against each other.
Conundrum (noun) a confusing and difficult problem or question (पहेली)

Synonyms Puzzle, dilemma
Antonyms Solution, answer
Sentence Finding a solution to this environmental conundrum will be our biggest
challenge.
Peculiar (adj.) strange or odd; unusual (तवधचत्र)

Synonyms Strange, bizarre
Antonyms Normal, usual
Sentence She has the most peculiar ideas about how the company should be run.
A DISTINCT RIGHT(EDITORIAL-1)
In recognising the right to be free of the adverse effects of climate change as a distinct fundamental right, the
Supreme Court of India has advanced the case for a healthy environment and sustainable development. The
apex court had long ago recognised the right to live in a clean environment as part of the right to life under Article
21 of the Constitution. However, the Court has now reasoned that the right to be protected from climate change
and the right to a wholesome environment are two sides of the same coin; and given the increasing threat from
climate change year after year, the time has come to treat the former as a distinct right. It has explained how the
vagaries of climate change have an adverse impact on life through factors ranging from rising temperatures,
storms and droughts to food shortages due to crop failure and shifts in vector-borne diseases. If environmental
degradation and climate change lead to acute shortage of food and water, the right to equality will also be
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violated, as the poorer, under-served communities will not be able to cope with the adversity. The Court’s
emphasis on climate change came in a case that pitted the concern over multiple deaths of the Great Indian
Bustard due to solar power transmission lines against India’s international obligation to meet its emission
reduction and increase its energy capacity through non-fossil fuel sources.
The context is a conundrum peculiar to some parts of the country. The Bench was faced with a plea by three
Union Ministries — Environment, Power, and New and Renewable Energy — seeking modification of the Court’s
April 2021 order that sought to protect the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard from being killed in collisions
with power transmission lines put up by solar energy companies in Rajasthan and Gujarat. The earlier order had
directed that all low-voltage power lines in both ‘priority’ (where the bird is known to live) and ‘potential’ (where
conservation efforts are going on) areas be laid underground and existing overhead lines converted to
underground lines. It had also directed that high-voltage lines in identified areas be shifted below the ground.
The modification was sought as conversion to underground lines was technically not possible and too expensive
and the renewable energy sector was adversely affected by the order, especially because the area had
considerable solar and wind energy potential. The Court has now asked an expert committee to decide on the
extent of underground and overground lines and recalled its earlier orders. It is unfortunate that the goal of
reducing the country’s carbon footprint and the need to protect a critically endangered species are at odds with
each other. The sooner a solution is found the better.
GROSS MISMANAGEMENT (EDITORIAL-2)
Acute (adj) having or showing a perceptive understanding or insight; sharp or

severe in effect; intense (िीव्र)
Synonyms Severe, sharp
Antonyms Mild, dull
Sentence The patient was admitted to the hospital with acute appendicitis.
Snowball (verb) to increase rapidly in size, intensity, or importance (बर्ष का गोला बनना या
बढ़ना)
Synonyms Escalate, mushroom
Antonyms Diminish, dwindle
Sentence The project's costs began to snowball once the initial estimates were
found to be too low.
Stockout (noun) a situation in which the demand or requirement for an item cannot be
fulfilled from the current inventory (स्टॉक ित्म होना)
Synonyms Out of stock, depletion
Antonyms Surplus, in stock
Sentence The retailer faced a stockout of popular items during the holiday sale.
Cascade (noun/ve a process whereby something, typically information or knowledge, passes

rb) successively from one participant to another (झरना / एक के बाद एक गगरना)
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Synonyms Waterfall, flow

Antonyms Drought, trickle
Sentence The news of the CEO's resignation cascaded through the organization.
Reek (verb) to smell strongly and unpleasantly; to give off or be permeated with a
strong or offensive odor (बदबू आना)
Synonyms Stink, smell
Antonyms Perfume, fragrance
Sentence The abandoned house reeked of damp and decay.
Unforeseen (adj) not anticipated or predicted (अप्रत्यासित)

Synonyms Unexpected, unanticipated
Antonyms Predicted, expected
Sentence The project was delayed due to unforeseen complications.
Extraneous (adj) irrelevant or unrelated to the subject being dealt with (अनावश्यक)
Synonyms Irrelevant, superfluous
Antonyms Essential, relevant
Sentence The editor advised cutting extraneous information from the article.
Condemnable (adj) deserving strong disapproval or censure (सनिं दनीय)

Synonyms Reprehensible, deplorable
Antonyms Praiseworthy, commendable
Sentence The politician's actions were considered condemnable by many.
Procurement (noun) the action of obtaining or procuring something (क्रय)

Synonyms Acquisition, purchasing
Antonyms Sale, disposal
Sentence The department is responsible for the procurement of medical supplies.
Abominable (adj) causing moral revulsion; very bad or unpleasant (षघनौना)

Synonyms Horrible, detestable
Antonyms Delightful, pleasant
Sentence The living conditions in the prison were abominable
.
GROSS MISMANAGEMENT (EDITORIAL-2)
With less than two years left to achieve the ambitious goal set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018 to
“eliminate” TB in India, the pharmacy of the Global South is once again struggling to treat patients with drug-
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sensitive TB. Shockingly, India is experiencing a TB drug shortage, with increasing frequency. Just seven months
ago, there was an acute shortage of critical MDR-TB drugs; disruptions in drug supply, which began with drug-
sensitive medicines in 2022 and snowballed to include MDR-TB drugs, lasted for nearly a year. Similarly, in
September 2021, India faced a stockout of MDR-TB drug Delamanid. Delay in diagnosis and treatment initiation
are already a huge concern in the TB care cascade. Patients who start therapy but fail to achieve treatment
success is another gap. However, addressing this gap, which takes drug availability for granted, will become
harder if drug stock outs become a recurring issue. A 2010 study found that non-availability of drugs was
responsible for 8% of non-adherent patients missing treatment. Making sure that medicines for different
categories of TB patients are always available across India is a no-brainer. That 14 years later and close to the
target date of 2025, there is still a shortage of drug-sensitive TB medicines, which are manufactured entirely in
India by multiple players, only underscores how poorly the national TB programme is being managed.
Renaming the National TB Control Programme as the National TB Elimination Programme in line with Mr. Modi’s
goal without addressing the fundamentals such as drug availability reeks of incompetence and a lack of
seriousness in the war against TB. What makes the situation worse is the Health Ministry’s permission to States to
procure drugs locally at the last minute, creating huge challenges at the field level. A March 18, 2024 Health
Ministry circular to all States mentions that the supply of certain drug-sensitive medicines may get “delayed due
to unforeseen and extraneous circumstances”. While States have been asked to procure drugs locally for a period
of three months, the circular also gives an option for States to reimburse the cost of medicines procured by
patients in case the district health facilities fail to provide them free drugs. If the last minute permission to States
for local procurement is condemnable, leaving it to the patients to buy medicines themselves, even as a last
resort, is abominable, given the poor socioeconomic background of most TB patients. Far from reaching the 2025
goal, India does not seem to have a handle on the most basic elements of TB control.

PANDORA’S BOX (EDITORIAL-1)
Compel (verb) to force someone to do something; to drive or urge forcefully or

irresistibly (मजबूर करना)
Synonyms Force, coerce
Antonyms Persuade, dissuade
Sentence The court can compel a witness to testify.
Naysayers (noun) a person who criticizes, objects to, or opposes something (नकारात्मक
व्यधि)
Synonyms Critic, skeptic
Antonyms Supporter, optimist
Sentence Despite the naysayers, the project was a huge success.
Aggregate (noun/verb) a whole formed by combining several elements (संचय)

Synonyms Total, sum (noun); combine, amass (verb)
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Antonyms Individual, separate

Sentence The aggregate amount of donations reached a new high.
Stipulated (verb) to specify a requirement as part of an agreement (ननधाषररि करना)

Synonyms Specify, demand
Antonyms Imply, suggest
Sentence The contract stipulated a deadline of 30 days.
Launder (verb) to wash or clean, metaphorically used for money to process it through
a legitimate business to conceal its illegal origin (धन शोधन)
Synonyms Cleanse, legitimize
Antonyms Soil, taint
Sentence The accused was found guilty of attempting to launder money.
Evasion (noun) the act of avoiding something or someone, especially in a skillful or

dishonest way (टालिटोल)
Synonyms Avoidance, dodging
Antonyms Confrontation, encounter
Sentence The politician's evasion of the question frustrated the journalist.
Emphatic (adjective) showing or giving emphasis; expressing something forcibly and

clearly (जोरदार)
Synonyms Forceful, assertive
Antonyms Hesitant, uncertain
Sentence Her emphatic denial put an end to all the rumors.
Apprehension (noun) anxiety or fear that something bad or unpleasant will happen (धचिं िा)
Synonyms Anxiety, dread
Antonyms Confidence, assurance
Sentence She felt a sense of apprehension before the interview.
Opaque (adjective) not able to be seen through; not transparent (अपारदशी)

Synonyms Cloudy, obscure
Antonyms Transparent, clear
Sentence The windows were made of opaque glass to ensure privacy.
Prod (verb) to poke or thrust abruptly (धक्का देना)

Synonyms Poke, nudge
Antonyms Pull, drag
Sentence She had to prod him to get him to move faster.
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PANDORA’S BOX (EDITORIAL-1)
In the last month or so, ever since the State Bank of India was compelled by the Supreme Court of India to release
information on donations via electoral bonds to political parties, emerging details have only confirmed the worst
fears of naysayers in regulatory and policy-making institutions about the scheme before it was introduced by
the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government in 2018. A joint investigation that included The Hindu found that
at least 33 companies that had aggregate losses of over ₹1 lakh crore from 2016-17 to 2022-23 had donated close
to ₹582 crore, of which 75% went to the ruling BJP. Loss-making companies were donating substantial sums;
profit-making firms were making donations exceeding their aggregate profits; some donor firms were not
reporting data on net profits or direct taxes; some newly incorporated firms were making donations before the
stipulated three-year period (after being formed) — the list of the rule-breaking and suspect sources of funding
is significantly large. The nature of these donations raises several questions. Were these loss-making firms fronts
to launder money? Were the firms that did not report profit/losses shell companies? Were donor firms that made
significant profits — but did not pay net direct taxes in aggregate for a significantly long period — engaged in tax
evasion? These supplement other questions raised earlier — was the fact that a number of firms, under
investigation by agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate and the Income-Tax Department, were significant
donors for the ruling party, an indication that these agencies were being used as a means to ensure quid pro
quo?
Reserve Bank of India and Election Commission of India officials were emphatic in their apprehensions that the
bonds scheme could be utilised in money laundering and tax evasion. Yet, the Union Finance Ministry went ahead
with the scheme. In the five and a half years of its operation, thousands of crores were encashed by political
parties via electoral bonds, with the BJP receiving the lion’s share. While the Court must be lauded for ending an
opaque scheme with serious issues, the fact that large amounts were donated from dubious sources before
every election is an indictment of the nature of campaign financing in place during this period. With the polity in
India busy campaigning for the general election, it is up to the electorate to assess the effects of the electoral
bonds scheme. But, more importantly, once the election is over and governance takes over, Parliament and the
regulatory institutions must conduct a thorough investigation into the nature of donations and whether the
donors and recipients broke laws. The judiciary must prod these institutions. A clean-up of campaign and
electoral financing is a must for a healthy democracy.
ASPIRATIONS AND REALITIES(EDITORIAL-2)
Turmoil (noun) a state of great confusion, disorder, or uncertainty (उथल-पुथल)

Synonyms Chaos, unrest
Antonyms Peace, tranquility
Sentence The country was in turmoil after the sudden resignation of its leader.
Plight (noun) a difficult and sad situation (दुदषशा)

Synonyms Predicament, dilemma
Antonyms Advantage, comfort
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Sentence The documentary highlighted the plight of the homeless in the city.
Salve (noun) a substance that is used to heal or protect wounds; metaphorically, something
that soothes or heals (िरहि)
Synonyms Ointment, balm
Antonyms Irritant, agitator
Sentence The kind words from her friend acted as a salve for her wounded spirit.
Persist (verb) to continue firmly or obstinately in an action in spite of difficulty (दृढ़ रहना)
Synonyms Endure, persevere
Antonyms Quit, surrender
Sentence Despite the challenges, she persisted with her studies and eventually passed
with high marks.
Exodus (noun) a mass departure of people, especially emigrants (पलायन)

Synonyms Departure, migration
Antonyms Arrival, influx
Sentence The war caused a large exodus of refugees seeking safety in neighboring
countries.
Malaise (noun) a general feeling of discomfort, uneasiness, or pain, often the first indication of
an infection or other disease (अस्वस्थिा)
Synonyms Unease, discomfort
Antonyms Comfort, well-being
Sentence There was a general malaise among the staff after the announcement of the
layoffs.
Quest (noun) a long or arduous search for something (खोज)

Synonyms Search, pursuit
Antonyms Disinterest, disregard
Sentence The scientist's quest for a cure to the disease spanned several decades.
Allure (noun) the quality of being powerfully and mysteriously attractive or fascinating (िोह)
Synonyms Charm, attraction
Antonyms Repulsion, deterrent
Sentence The allure of the mysterious island has captivated explorers for centuries.
Dichotomy (noun) a division or contrast between two things that are represented as being
opposed or entirely different (द्वैध)
Synonyms Contrast, division
Antonyms Similarity, agreement
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Sentence The dichotomy between science and religion is often exaggerated.
Fissures (noun) long, narrow openings or lines of breakage made by cracking or splitting,
especially in rock or earth (दरारें)
Synonyms Cracks, crevices
Antonyms Seals, closures
Sentence The earthquake caused several fissures to open up in the ground.
ASPIRATIONS AND REALITIES(EDITORIAL-2)
Amid the turmoil unleashed by the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, the plight of Indian medical students
caught in the crossfire brought to light a critical, ongoing challenge in India's medical education system. The
National Medical Commission's decision to permit 4,000 final-semester students to complete their internships
domestically was a temporary salve on a perennial wound. Yet, as hostilities persist, the subsequent exodus of
Indian medical students to countries in Central Asia, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe underlines a deeper
malaise. The surge towards nations like Serbia, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Georgia by 70% of these students not
only underscores the adaptability and determination of Indian MBBS aspirants but also starkly highlights the
inadequacies within our own borders. This exodus is not merely a quest for education; it is a reflection of the
aspirational surge within India's middle and lower middle classes, including a significant number from rural
backgrounds. The medical profession's allure has only intensified, with the number of NEET participants tripling
over the last decade. However, the grim reality of a brutally competitive examination system, where only the top
0.25% breach the echelons of elite institutions, persists.
The dichotomy of government versus private medical colleges, with the former being more affordable yet less
accessible, exacerbates the dilemma. Proposals have been made, including the Niti Aayog's suggestion to
affiliate private colleges with district hospitals to bolster medical services in underserved areas and to amplify
the role of paramedics and nurses to meet the non-specialist demands of the healthcare sector. Adopting
strategies from European models, where the transition to hospital internships for medical graduates is facilitated
by credit transfers, could offer insights into creating a more fluid educational pathway. Additionally, addressing
the rigorous examination for foreign-educated MBBS graduates seeking to practice in India is paramount. As the
government embarks on reforms across the educational spectrum, a focused endeavor to mend the fissures in
medical education is imperative. Enhancing the capacity and accessibility of medical education in India is not
just a matter of national interest but a crucial step towards fulfilling the aspirations of countless young Indians
determined to serve in the medical profession.

FINALITY AND JUSTICE(EDITORIAL-1)
Arbitrators (noun) individuals appointed to resolve disputes between people or

organizations (िध्यस्थ)
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Synonym Mediators, adjudicators

Antonym Litigants, disputants
Sentence The two companies decided to use arbitrators to settle their contract
disagreement.
Exorbitant (adj) exceeding the bounds of custom, propriety, or reason, especially in

amount or extent (अत्यधधक)
Synonym Excessive, steep
Antonym Reasonable, modest
Sentence The exorbitant price of the handbag made her reconsider the
purchase.
Concessionaire (noun) a person or company that operates the concessions at a venue

(ठे केदार)
Synonym Vendor, licensee
Antonym Owner, proprietor
Sentence The new concessionaire at the stadium offered a wider variety of food
and drinks.
Vindicate (verb) to clear from blame or suspicion (ननदोर् जसि करना)

Synonym Acquit, exonerate
Antonym Convict, incriminate
Sentence The evidence presented in court served to vindicate the accused.
Perversity (noun) a deliberate desire to behave in an unreasonable or unacceptable

way (तवकृति)
Synonym Contrariness, obstinacy
Antonym Compliance, obedience
Sentence The perversity of his actions led to widespread criticism.
Enumerate (verb) to mention (a number of things) one by one (धगनिी करना)

Synonym List, itemize
Antonym Estimate, guess
Sentence She began to enumerate the benefits of the proposed policy change.
Inexpedient (adj) not practical, suitable, or advisable (अनुपयुि)

Synonym Inadvisable, impractical
Antonym Expedient, advisable
Sentence It would be inexpedient to invest in the stock market without doing
thorough research.
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Statutory (adj) required, permitted, or enacted by statute (वैधाननक)

Synonym Legal, regulatory
Antonym Illegal, unauthorized
Sentence The company was found in violation of statutory regulations.
Err (verb) to make a mistake or to do something wrong (गलिी करना)

Synonym Mistake, misjudge
Antonym Correct, rectify
Sentence He erred in his calculation and overpaid the bill.
FINALITY AND JUSTICE(EDITORIAL-1)
The Supreme Court of India has used its extraordinary powers to set aside its own judgment of 2021 and relieve
the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) of an exorbitant burden of ₹7,687 crore in a dispute with a former
concessionare. The verdict vindicates the existence of the Court’s curative jurisdiction on the one hand, and flags,
on the other, a possible conflict between finality in litigation and the need for substantive justice. In this case, an
arbitral tribunal had ruled in 2017 in favour of Delhi Airport Metro Express Private Ltd. (DAMEPL), which got the
contract to construct, maintain and operate the line from New Delhi railway station to Delhi airport. DAMEPL had
invoked the termination clause in its agreement in October 2012, citing the DMRC’s alleged failure to cure some
defects. While the DMRC invoked the arbitration clause, DAMEPL halted operations in June 2013 and handed over
the line to the DMRC. Meanwhile, based on a joint application, the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS)
issued a certificate of safety that helped revive the metro’s operations. On appeal, a single judge of the Delhi High
Court upheld the arbitration award against DMRC, but a Division Bench set it aside, holding that the award
suffered from perversity and patent illegality. In 2021, a two-judge Bench of the Supreme Court restored the
award, reversing the High Court Bench’s findings in favour of the DMRC. A review petition was also rejected.
A curative petition is an extraordinary remedy, as it is filed after the apex Court refuses to review its judgment.
There are only two main grounds for entertaining such a petitionto prevent abuse of process and to prevent gross
miscarriage of justice, although it is not possible to enumerate all the circumstances that warrant it. It is founded
on the principle that the court’s concern for justice is no less important than the principle of finality. Under India’s
arbitration law, an award can be set aside only on limited grounds. It is normally inexpedient for arbitration issues
to have many levels of litigation — in this case there was a statutory appeal to the High Court, and appeals to a
Bench, the apex Court, a review petition and a curative petition. In the ultimate analysis, the DMRC case appears
to have been rightly decided as the earlier two-judge Bench was ruled to have erred in setting aside the Delhi
High Court Bench’s view that the CMRS certificate was a vital piece of evidence. The outcome only underscores
the importance of arbitrators and judges sitting on appeal over awards getting both fact and law right, lest
commercial litigants be discouraged from arbitration due to the constant stretching of the idea of finality. Not all
disputants can go up to the level of a curative petition.
HEPATITIS IN INDIA(EDITORIAL-2)
Grim (adj) भयानक (frightening or worrying in appearance or nature)
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Synonyms Bleak, dire

Antonyms Pleasant, inviting
Sentence India's battle against Hepatitis B and C presents a grim tableau of a health
crisis at large.
Ailments (noun) रोग (illnesses or health problems)

Synonyms Diseases, disorders
Antonyms Healthiness, wellness
Sentence India shoulders the world's second-largest burden of these liver ailments.
Abysmally (adv) बहुि खराब िरीके से (extremely badly)

Synonyms Awfully, terribly
Antonyms Excellently, wonderfully
Sentence Alarmingly, the detection rates for these infections are abysmally low.
Obliterate (verb) निटा देना (completely destroy or remove)

Synonyms Eradicate, annihilate
Antonyms Preserve, create
Sentence The National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme, with its ambitious goal to
obliterate Hepatitis C by 2030.
Morbidity (noun) रोगाणुिा (the condition of being diseased or the incidence of disease within
a population)
Synonyms Illness, sickness rate
Antonyms Healthiness, wellness rate
Sentence The programme's goal is to significantly curtail the morbidity and mortality
associated with Hepatitis B.
Galvanize (verb) प्रेररि करना (shock or excite someone into taking action)
Synonyms Stimulate, energize
Antonyms Deter, discourage
Sentence The WHO's recent findings serve as a clarion call for India to galvanize its
efforts towards these targets.
Juncture (noun) िोड़ (a particular point in events or time)

Synonyms Point, moment
Antonyms Continuity, duration
Sentence The programme is at a critical juncture.
Insidious (adj) कपटी (proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with harmful effects)
Synonyms Sneaky, treacherous
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Antonyms Beneficial, harmless

Sentence The insidious nature of these viruses, with carriers often asymptomatic for
years, complicates detection and containment efforts.
HEPATITIS IN INDIA(EDITORIAL-2)
India's battle against Hepatitis B and C, as starkly highlighted in a recent WHO report, presents a grim tableau of
a health crisis at large. With nearly 3 crore individuals grappling with Hepatitis B and over 50 lakh suffering from
Hepatitis C, India shoulders the world's second-largest burden of these liver ailments. The toll is heavy, with more
than a lakh succumbing to these diseases in 2022 alone. Alarmingly, the detection rates for these infections are
abysmally low—less than 30% for Hepatitis C and a mere fraction above that for Hepatitis B. The National Viral
Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP), with its ambitious goal to obliterate Hepatitis C by 2030 and significantly
curtail the morbidity and mortality associated with Hepatitis B, is at a critical juncture. The WHO's recent findings
serve as a clarion call for India to galvanize its efforts towards these targets. Yet, amidst the concerning data, the
WHO also offers a glimmer of hope, suggesting that a strategic "course correction" between 2024 and 2026 could
steer the NVHCP back on course.
The transmission pathways of Hepatitis B and C—through exposure to contaminated blood—pose significant
public health challenges. The insidious nature of these viruses, with carriers often asymptomatic for years,
complicates detection and containment efforts. Despite the availability of free testing and medication under the
NVHCP since its inception in 2018, a vast majority of those afflicted remain outside the purview of treatment and
the prevention strategies, particularly for Hepatitis B through early vaccination, are not reaching their full
potential. The fact that less than 50% of infants receive the crucial birth dose of the vaccine is a telling indicator
of the healthcare system's limitations, particularly in rural areas where institutional births are less common. The
situation with Hepatitis C, though somewhat more optimistic given the availability and affordability of effective
anti-viral treatments in India, is no less dire. The substantial proportion of patients escaping diagnosis points to
a broader issue—a healthcare infrastructure in urgent need of enhancement. To ignore this imperative is to risk
the health and well-being of millions. The WHO's report should act as a catalyst for India to intensify its efforts,
ensuring that the fight against Hepatitis and other infectious diseases is marked by resolve, resource allocation,
and a commitment to public health that leaves no one behind.

RISKY PREMISE(EDITORIAL-1)
Forecast (noun) An estimate or prediction of future events, especially coming weather or a

financial or economic trend. (भतवष्यवाणी)
Synonyms Prediction, projection
Antonyms Retrospect, recollection
Sentence The Asian Development Bank on Thursday raised its forecast for India’s GDP
growth in the current fiscal year ending on March 31, 2025, to 7%.
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Conspicuously (adverb) In a manner that is clearly visible or attracting attention; easily or readily
noticeable. (स्पष्ट रूप से)
Synonyms Obviously, prominently
Antonyms Inconspicuously, subtly
Sentence Most conspicuously missing from the ADB’s report, however, was the absence
of any comment on the controversies surrounding the integrity of India’s
national income data.
Flagged (verb) Marked for attention or notice; indicated as significant or potentially

problematic. (धचह्निि करना)
Synonyms Marked, highlighted
Antonyms Ignored, overlooked
Sentence Global country risk research firm BMI recently flagged the risk to consumption
spending from stretched household savings which are near all-time lows.
Heed (verb) Pay attention to; take notice of. (ध्यान देना)
Synonyms Observe, consider
Antonyms Ignore, disregard
Sentence Given the challenges flagged by the lender to global merchandise trade, India
must heed the ADB’s recommendations to integrate better with global supply
chains and improve its logistics infrastructure post haste.
Logistics (noun) The detailed organization and implementation of a complex operation, often
relating to the commercial transport of goods. (लॉजजस्टिक्स)
Synonyms Coordination, management
Antonyms Disorganization, mishandling
Sentence India must heed the ADB’s recommendations to integrate better with global
supply chains and improve its logistics infrastructure post haste.
Lender (noun) An organization or person that lends money, especially a large financial
organization such as a bank. (ऋणदािा)
Synonyms Creditor, financier
Antonyms Borrower, debtor
Sentence The regional multilateral lender also projected that India’s economy would
expand by 7.2% in fiscal 2025-26.
RISKY PREMISE(EDITORIAL-1)
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Thursday raised its forecast for India’s GDP growth in the
current fiscal year ending on March 31, 2025, to 7%, from 6.7% earlier, citing robust public and private investment
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as well as expectations of a gradual improvement in consumer demand as the rural economy recovers. The
regional multilateral lender also projected that India’s economy would expand by 7.2% in fiscal 2025-26. The ADB’s
latest growth forecast for India’s GDP is, however, still slower than the 7.6% pace that India’s National Statistical
Office has estimated for the 12 months that ended on March 31. Last year’s expansion too was driven by strong
investment while consumption remained muted. The ADB, however, cautioned that its forecast could be proven
wrong by global risks including a sharp rise in oil prices or prolonged high interest rates in the West to tackle
inflation. It estimated that India would likely be the economy most affected in Asia by the high interest rates due
to the greater sensitivity of the rupee to western interest rates. It also noted that while the Centre’s capital
expenditure spending had been strong and was projected to grow with rising budgetary allocation, project
completions in the private sector had failed to match rising project announcements. Most conspicuously missing
from the ADB’s report, however, was the absence of any comment on the controversies surrounding the integrity
of India’s national income data or concerns raised about the heavy influence of government tax receipts on final
GDP.
The lender also failed to make any mention of the absence of significant structural reforms in India, particularly
since the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the reasons the strong growth numbers reported by the government have
been questioned is that they have come at a time when economic reforms have taken a back seat. The ADB’s
assumption of a likely rebound in consumer spending to support its 2024-25 growth projection is also at risk of
being undermined. Global country risk research firm BMI recently flagged the risk to consumption spending from
stretched household savings which are near all-time lows. In any case, the Centre would do well to listen to the
ADB’s suggestion to create large-scale special economic zones with an easier policy environment to boost
exports. Given the challenges flagged by the lender to global merchandise trade, including the extremely volatile
situation in West Asia and the disruptions to the normal east-west shipping route through the Red Sea, India must
heed the ADB’s recommendations to integrate better with global supply chains and improve its logistics
infrastructure post haste.
FREE THE MESSENGER(EDITORIAL-2)
Ripple (noun) तरंग - A small wave or series of waves on the surface of water, often caused
by a single event.
Synonyms Wave, undulation
Antonyms Stillness, calm
Sentence President Biden's comments have sent a ripple of hope for Julian Assange's
family and supporters.
Extradition (noun) प्रत्यपषण - The official process by which one country transfers a suspected or
convicted criminal to another country.
Synonyms Deportation, handover
Antonyms Retention, asylum
Sentence Julian Assange is awaiting a British court decision on whether he can appeal
a 2022 extradition order.
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Redundant (adjective) अनावश्यक - Exceeding what is necessary or normal; superfluous.

Synonyms Unnecessary, superfluous
Antonyms Essential, necessary
Sentence Mr. Albanese's appeal to Mr. Biden may make that extradition decision
redundant.
Espionage (noun) जासूसी - The practice of spying or using spies to obtain information about the
plans and activities of a foreign government or a competing company.
Synonyms Spying, intelligence gathering
Antonyms Openness, transparency
Sentence The charges against Assange, many under the U.S.'s century-old Espionage
Act, pertain to the publication of classified documents.
Pertain (verb) संबंतर्त होना - To be connected or associated with something.

Synonyms Relate, concern
Antonyms Disconnect, differ
Sentence The charges, under the U.S.'s Espionage Act, pertain to the publication by
WikiLeaks of classified documents.
Trove (noun) िजाना - A collection of valuable items discovered or found; a cache.

Synonyms Cache, collection
Antonyms Scarcity, dearth
Sentence Assange's decision to publish the trove of documents put many lives at risk.
Castigate (verb) डांटना - To criticize or reprimand someone severely.

Synonyms Chastise, rebuke
Antonyms Praise, commend
Sentence To continue to prosecute a transparency activist, while castigating
governments worldwide for hounding whistleblowers, seems contradictory.
Hounding (verb) पीछा करना - To pursue or chase relentlessly.

Synonyms Harass, persecute
Antonyms Support, aid
Sentence The Biden administration has made the protection of democracy a priority,
and to continue to prosecute Assange, while castigating governments for
hounding whistleblowers, seems contradictory.
FREE THE MESSENGER(EDITORIAL-2)
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President Joseph Biden’s comments, made off the cuff at the White House this week, that his administration is
“considering” a request by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to drop charges against WikiLeaks founder
Julian Assange, has sent a ripple of hope for his family and supporters. Mr. Assange, an Australian citizen, is in the
U.K.’s Belmarsh Prison, and is awaiting a British court decision on whether he can appeal a 2022 extradition order
that would send him to the U.S. to face serious charges for the publication of U.S. government and diplomatic
cables in 2010. The court’s order is due on May 20, and it has asked the U.S. for assurances that he will not face
the death penalty. However, Mr. Albanese’s appeal to Mr. Biden may make that decision redundant. Mr. Assange,
52, has been punished quite a lot already, while seeking asylum and under arrest, and, according to his family, is
too ill and anxious about being extradited. Mr. Assange has faced a Swedish warrant for rape and assault,
charges he denied, and the case was dropped. In the U.S. he faces 18 charges that could total 175 years in prison.
The charges, 17 of which are under the U.S.’s century-old Espionage Act, pertain to the publication by WikiLeaks of
thousands of classified U.S. documents related to the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, many of which showed the U.S.
army’s methods in a bad light, and revealed U.S. government strategy.
To be sure, Mr. Assange’s decision to publish the trove of documents without check, and the revelation of names
of specific U.S. officials, employees, soldiers and civilians, put many lives at risk. Governments are entitled to have
their national security secrets, and confidentiality is respected for a reason. It is also true that, in several instances,
WikiLeaks did partner with media organisations to do the scrutiny required when confronted with secret
documents, to ensure that only those in public interest were revealed. But there was also some element of “data
dumping” bypassing any careful journalistic effort that may have earned it more protections. However, it is hard
for the U.S. to explain why it has thrown the book at Mr. Assange as the publisher, but not his source, U.S. Army
intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning. The Biden administration has made the protection of democracy
worldwide a policy priority, and to continue to prosecute a transparency activist, while castigating governments
worldwide for hounding whistle-blowers, free speech activists and public accountability NGOs, seems
contradictory. More than ever, the U.S. can show by example, in the Assange case, that it believes in democratic
freedoms, and not in “shooting the messenger” for shining a spotlight on the way its government works.

FLEETING RELIEF(EDITORIAL-1)
Fleeting (adj) lasting for a very short time (क्षजणक)

Synonyms transient, brief
Antonyms enduring, permanent
Sentence The chance for reducing inflation was fleeting, as various factors quickly
negated the gains.
Portents (noun) signs or warnings that something, especially something momentous or

calamitous, is likely to happen (पूवषसूचना)
Synonyms omens, forewarnings
Antonyms luck, fortune
Sentence Amid these pleasant portents, two critical problems persist.
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Perishable (adj) likely to decay or go bad quickly (नष्ट होने यो्)

Synonyms spoilable, decomposable
Antonyms non-perishable, durable
Sentence The ongoing heat waves remain a threat to perishable supplies.
Whopping (adj) very large (तवशाल)

Synonyms enormous, huge
Antonyms tiny, minuscule
Sentence Some key items are seeing a whopping 22 months in spices inflation.
Cereals (noun) grains used for food, such as wheat, oats, or corn (अनाज)
Synonyms grains, breakfast grains
Antonyms N/A
Sentence Cereals inflation picked up pace in March, breaking a seven-month
moderating streak.
Streak (noun) a continuous period of specified success or luck (जसलजसला)

Synonyms run, sequence
Antonyms interruption, break
Sentence Cereals inflation picked up pace in March, breaking a seven-month
moderating streak.
Elusive (adj) difficult to find, catch, or achieve (पकड़ िें न आने वाला)
Synonyms evasive, slippery
Antonyms attainable, accessible
Sentence A durable descent to its 4% target that has now been elusive for 54
months, remains tricky.
Tantalisingly (adv) in a way that arouses hopes or desires which may or may not be fulfilled
(िोहक िरीके से)
Synonyms temptingly, provocatively
Antonyms plainly, uninterestingly
Sentence For urban consumers, inflation eased tantalisingly close to the target in
March at 4.14%.
Faltering (adj) losing strength or momentum (लड़खड़ािे हुए)

Synonyms hesitating, wobbling
Antonyms steady, stable
Sentence The resurgence in crude oil prices and faltering hopes of interest rate cuts
pose fresh worries.
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Strife (noun) angry or bitter disagreement over fundamental issues; conflict (संघर्ष)
Synonyms conflict, turmoil
Antonyms harmony, peace
Sentence Strife-fuelled shipping cost spikes, pose fresh worries on the inflation front
in the months to come.
FLEETING RELIEF(EDITORIAL-1)
For the first time in five months, India’s retail inflation slid below the 5% mark in March, to 4.85%. While it constituted
only a marginal easing from the 5.1% recorded in February, this was the lowest pace of price rise recorded since
May 2023. The average inflation of 5% clocked in the final quarter of 2023-24 is not just in line with Reserve Bank
of India (RBI) projections but also the slowest in three years. For the full year gone by, consumer price rise
averaged 5.4%, as the RBI had forecast — a four-year low. Core inflation, excluding energy and food prices, has
been under the 4% mark for four straight months. QuantEco Research estimates that overall fuel inflation in India
hit a four-year low of -2.7% in March, which was the seventh straight month of disinflation in the segment. No
doubt, the ₹2 per litre cuts in petrol and diesel prices and the ₹100 drop in cylinder prices have helped, though
the full impact of these pre-poll steps will be seen this month. Amid these pleasant portents, two critical problems
persist — food bills remain problematically high, even as overall inflation is rising for rural consumers, already hit
by a weak monsoon.
Inflation, as measured by the Consumer Food Price Index, has averaged an alarming 8% through 2023-24, and
8.5% in the January to March quarter. And while some government interventions have helped check a few items’
prices and hopes of a normal monsoon this year could lift some pressure points, perhaps from July onwards, the
ongoing heat waves across large parts of the country remain a threat to perishable supplies. Moreover, some
key items are seeing deeply entrenched inflation trends — double-digit inflation has now been seen for five
months in vegetables, 10 months in pulses and a whopping 22 months in spices. Cereals inflation picked up pace
in March, breaking a seven-month moderating streak, while eggs, meat and fish are also seeing spikes. While the
RBI expects inflation to cool to 4.5% this year, it is projected at 4.9% for the first quarter. A durable descent to its
4% target that has now been elusive for 54 months, remains tricky. For urban consumers, inflation eased
tantalisingly close to the target in March at 4.14%, but it rose in rural India to 5.45% from 5.34% in January and
February. While a prolonged phase of high prices is already hurting consumption, the resurgence in crude oil
prices to a seven-month high of $90 a barrel this month, faltering hopes of interest rate cuts in the United States
and the European Union, and strife-fuelled shipping cost spikes, pose fresh worries on the inflation front in the
months to come.
BREACH OF CONVENTION(EDITORIAL-2)
Convention (noun) a widely accepted way of behaving or doing something that is specific to a
particular society, place, or time (परंपरा)
Synonym Norm, standard
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Antonym Abnormality, deviation

Sentence Ecuador’s raid on the Mexico embassy violated the Vienna Convention on
diplomatic relations.
Crusade (noun) a passionate campaign for a cause (अनभयान)

Synonym Campaign, movement
Antonym Cessation, inactivity
Sentence The cases against the former elites were part of President Noboa's larger
crusade against corruption.
Non grata (adj.) not welcome or no longer acceptable (अस्वीकायष)

Synonym Undesirable, unacceptable
Antonym Welcome, accepted
Sentence Ecuador declared Mexico’s Ambassador Raquel Serur Smeke as persona non
grata.
Sovereignty (noun) supreme power or authority over a territory (संप्रभुिा)

Synonym Autonomy, supremacy
Antonym Subservience, dependency
Sentence Mexico says its sovereignty has been breached by Ecuador's actions.
Expulsion (noun) the act of forcing someone to leave a place, especially a country (ननष्कासन)
Synonym Ejection, removal
Antonym Admission, acceptance
Sentence Mexico has moved the International Court of Justice demanding the expulsion
of Ecuador from the UN.
Marred (verb, impaired the appearance of; spoiled (तबगाड़ा हुआ)

past
tense)
Synonym Spoiled, damaged
Antonym Enhanced, beautified
Sentence Last year’s presidential election was marred by deadly violence.
Referendum (noun) a general vote by the electorate on a single political question (जनिि संग्रह)
Synonym Plebiscite, vote
Antonym Dictate, command
Sentence Ecuadorians are set to vote in a referendum that would give the government
increased security powers.
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Rogue (adj.) behaving in ways that are not expected or not normal, often in a way that
causes damage (दुष्ट)
Synonym Renegade, rebellious
Antonym Conforming, obedient
Sentence Going rogue inside the embassy of a neighbouring country is not going to help
Ecuador.
Myriad (noun) a countless or extremely great number (अनेक)

Synonym Multitude, plethora
Antonym Few, limited
Sentence Ecuador is facing a myriad of challenges, from diplomatic crises to violent
outbreaks.
BREACH OF CONVENTION(EDITORIAL-2)
Ecuador’s raid on April 5 at the Mexico embassy in Quito is a serious violation of the Vienna Convention on
diplomatic relations on which nations operate their missions in foreign lands. The raid was to arrest Jorge David
Glas, a former Vice-President in the administration of leftist and former President Rafael Correa, who has been
sentenced for corruption. Mr. Correa, now living in Belgium, has also been convicted for corruption. Mr. Glas and
Mr. Correa say the cases against them are politically motivated. But for Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa, the
cases against the former elites were part of his larger crusade against corruption. Tensions were high between
the two countries after Mr. Glas took refuge in the Mexican embassy in Quito in December, a month after Mr.
Noboa took office. Last week, Ecuador declared Mexico’s Ambassador Raquel Serur Smeke as persona non grata
after Mexico’s leftist President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s comments that were critical of Ecuador’s 2023
elections. Mexico also decided to grant asylum to Mr. Glas, which angered Ecuador. It termed the decision illegal
as Mr. Glas was facing cases in the country and, soon after, sent armed police officers to the embassy to arrest
him, triggering a major diplomatic crisis. Mexico, which says its sovereignty has been breached, has now moved
the International Court of Justice in the Netherlands, demanding the expulsion of Ecuador from the UN.
The embassy raid comes at a time when President Noboa is facing increased criticism at home over rising gang
violence. He came to power promising to tackle corruption and gang violence. Last year’s presidential election
was marred by deadly violence when presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio was assassinated during
the campaign in Quito. Mr. Noboa says he stays committed to fighting gangs and restoring order in Ecuador’s
cities, but his approval rating has sunk amid growing violence, especially in the coastal city of Guayaquil, which
was overrun by gangs in January. The situation is so bad in Ecuador that during the Easter weekend, the country
of 18 million people saw over 100 murders. Critics say Mr. Noboa is using the diplomatic crisis with Mexico to
strengthen his political fortunes. But he has merely triggered a new crisis without addressing the actual one.
Ecuadorians are set to vote in a referendum next week that would give the government increased security powers
to fight gang violence. The government has to get its act together in the war against organised violence, but it
should do that from within the limits of domestic and international laws. Going rogue inside the embassy of a
neighbouring country in the name of fighting corruption is not going to help Ecuador in tackling the myriad
challenges it is facing.
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NEW DATA LAW(EDITORIAL-1)
Impediment (noun) something that interferes with or delays action or progress (बार्ा)
Synonyms obstacle, barrier
Antonyms aid, facilitator
Sentence Government regulations may serve as an impediment to journalistic
freedom
Consent (noun) permission for something to happen or agreement to do something

(सहमतत)
Synonyms approval, agreement
Antonyms refusal, denial
Sentence Journalists must often seek consent before using personal data.
Interpreted (verb) to explain the meaning of information or actions (व्याख्या की गई)

Synonyms explained, construed
Antonyms misinterpret, misunderstand
Sentence The law was interpreted in a way that restricted access.
Confidentiality (noun) the state of keeping something secret or private (गोपनीयता)

Synonyms privacy, secrecy
Antonyms disclosure, exposure
Sentence Maintaining confidentiality is crucial for journalistic integrity.
Erasure (noun) the removal of writing, recorded material, or data (समटाना)

Synonyms deletion, removal
Antonyms preservation, retention
Sentence The right to erasure complicates the preservation of journalistic archives.
Discharge (verb) to perform duties or responsibilities (उत्सजषन)

Synonyms perform, execute
Antonyms neglect, abandon
Sentence Journalists strive to discharge their duties despite constraints.
Conducive (adj) making a certain situation or outcome likely or possible (अनुकूल)

Synonyms favorable, helpful
Antonyms hindering, detrimental
Sentence
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The environment was not conducive to open discussions.
NEW DATA LAW(EDITORIAL-1)
In August 2023, India got its first comprehensive data protection law, the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP)
Act, 2023. The government is in the process of framing rules and regulations to operationalise the law and the
process is expected to be done after the general election. The law is largely based on users giving consent for
the processing of their personal data. It provides basic rights such as access to and erasure of data, places some
obligations on companies, and establishes a complaints body for grievance redress. However, the law might
have an invisible impact on journalistic free speech.
Typically, data protection laws exempt journalistic activities from privacy obligations such as notifying users and
taking their consent before using their personal data. Three previous drafts of the DPDP Act had exemptions for
journalistic activities, but the final law withdrew such an exemption. The Editors Guild of India also pointed to this
risk and in a letter to the government, requested that journalistic activities be exempted from the DPDP Act.
An impediment
Now you may ask, what does privacy have to do with journalistic free speech? Imagine that you are a journalist
writing about a Member of Parliament (MP) and his performance. For your story, you use information from their
lives such as the meetings they held, where, and with whom, the towns, villages, and cities they travelled to. How
often did they use a private jet or a chartered plane? What about their financial background and also the
investments made by their close family members? Most of this information is not available in the public domain
and needs a lot of research. All this information about an MP is their ‘personal data’, which is data protected under
the DPDP Act. Consequently, any journalist who wishes to use this data will have to get their consent before
publishing the story. Even after publication, the MP can exercise their right to erasure and request journalists to
delete such stories.
Further, the DPDP Act empowers the government to call for information from any data processor in India.
Depending on how this provision is interpreted and applied, this may impact the confidentiality that journalists
must maintain for their sources and research documents. Taken together, this need for journalists to get consent
before publishing their story, the potential for the subject to rely on the right to erasure to have the story deleted,
and the power of the government to call for information would likely impede a journalist’s ability to discharge
their role as the fourth estate — of holding the state accountable.
If this is a well-identified challenge, then why did the government remove such an exemption from subsequent
drafts? This remains unclear. Three previous drafts of the DPDP Act, one released by an expert committee on data
protection (2018), the other by the government (2019), and the third released by a Joint Parliamentary Committee
in 2021, contained clear exemptions for journalistic activities. In two subsequent drafts of the DPDP Act (2022 and
2023), the exemption given to journalistic activities was withdrawn without reasons being given.
No clarification
This instance of the end stage removal of the clause for journalistic exemption points to the need for adopting a
more robust and transparent public consultation process around proposed laws. One of the primary ways to get
feedback on a law is to institute an ‘open and transparent’ public consultation model. Although the Indian
government released three separate drafts of the data protection law for public consultation, none of the
comments received on the drafts has ever been released in the public domain. This impedes the ability of citizens
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to understand what different stakeholders were saying and who was finally heard in the final formulation of the
law. The government has also conducted invite-only town halls to gather feedback on drafts of the DPDP Act.
The withdrawal of exemptions for journalistic activities was not discussed in such town halls. And, no clarification
was provided by the government for its withdrawal. Unfortunately, these consultations and town halls are often
not conducive to enable open debate and deliberation on the proposed law and its provisions.
An appeal
Legally then, what are the solutions we can envision? In addition to enabling an open and transparent
consultation process, the government can swiftly remedy this problem via rules under the DPDP Act. Under the
Act, the central government has the power to exempt any data processor or ‘classes’ of data processors from
any provisions of the law. These give wide powers to the government to single-handedly provide and take away
an exemption — but it is the quickest route available in this case. Although an exemption for journalistic work
should form part of the core text of the law, the government must use this rule to exempt journalistic entities,
including citizen journalists, from any obligations under the DPDP Act. This will ensure that the DPDP Act does not
have negative consequences on journalistic free speech in India.
THE DOXXING DILEMMA(EDITORIAL-2)
Doxxing (noun) the act of publicly revealing previously private personal information about an
individual, usually through the internet (डॉक्सिं ग)
Synonym Expose
Antonym Protect
Sentence The woman's personal information was exposed through doxxing
Burgeoning (adj) beginning to grow or increase rapidly; flourishing (बढ़ता हुआ)

Synonym Expanding, thriving
Antonym Shrinking, declining
Sentence The digital crisis is burgeoning with increasing online harassment cases
Derogatory (adj) showing a critical or disrespectful attitude (अनादरपूणष)

Synonym Disparaging, demeaning
Antonym Complimentary, respectful
Sentence Her social media post was edited to add derogatory comments
Ordeal (noun) a painful or horrific experience, especially a protracted one (कष्टकर अनुभव)
Synonym Tribulation, trial
Antonym Relief, comfort
Sentence The ordeal began with a seemingly innocuous video of her dancing at an
event, which was then reposted with harmful intent.
Innocuous (adj) not harmful or offensive (हासनररहत)
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Synonym Harmless, safe

Antonym Harmful, dangerous
Sentence What started as an innocuous video led to unexpected troubles.
Perpetrator (noun) a person who carries out a harmful, illegal, or immoral act (अपरार्ी)
Synonym Offender, criminal
Antonym Victim
Sentence Despite her requests, the perpetrator, bolstered by a verified social media
account, refused to remove the video.
Repercussions (noun) unintended consequences occurring some time after an event or action,
especially an unwelcome one (पररणाम)
Synonym Consequences, aftermath
Antonym Cause, origin
Sentence The repercussions are profound, affecting individuals’ mental health, physical
security, and professional lives.
Profound (adj) very great or intense (गहरा)

Synonym Deep, intense
Antonym Superficial, slight
Sentence The impact on her privacy was profound.
Preempt (verb) take action in order to prevent (an anticipated event) from happening;
forestall (पूवषरोकथाम)
Synonym Prevent, forestall
Antonym Allow, facilitate
Sentence The reactive measures, although necessary, fail to preempt the harassment,
leaving the victims to suffer undue distress.
Cumbersome (adj) large or heavy and therefore difficult to carry or use; unwieldy (बोसझल)
Synonym Burdensome, awkward
Antonym Convenient, manageable
Sentence The legal process to address the issue was cumbersome.
THE DOXXING DILEMMA(EDITORIAL-2)
The recent case of a woman in Mumbai facing online harassment and doxxing underscores a burgeoning crisis
in our digital societythe unchecked abuse of privacy and the slow response by social platforms and law
enforcement to such violations. When this woman reached out to the police through social media to report
unauthorized sharing and derogatory framing of a personal video, she highlighted not just a personal violation
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but a widespread systemic issue. The ordeal began with a seemingly innocuous video of her dancing at an event,
which was then reposted with harmful intent, comparing her dance to sex work. Despite her requests, the
perpetrator, bolstered by a verified social media account, refused to remove the video. This incident spiraled as
the video garnered more unwanted attention and sharing, forcing the woman to lock her account due to
escalating harassment. This scenario is not isolated. Many face similar breaches of privacy, where personal
content is weaponized against them. The repercussions are profound, affecting individuals’ mental health,
physical security, and professional lives. Victims often have to engage in extensive damage control relocating
for safety, securing personal financial information, and managing the fallout with employers and family.
Social media platforms, while having policies against such violations, often act too late. The reactive measures,
although necessary, fail to preempt the harassment, leaving the victims to suffer undue distress. The law steps
in with measures like filing FIRs and the ability to request content removal, but these processes are cumbersome
and do not offer immediate relief. This incident calls for a stricter regulatory framework that holds both individuals
and platforms accountable before the damage is done. Social media companies must enhance their
surveillance and response strategies to address such abuses proactively. They need to move beyond mere
content removal to preventative measures that safeguard user privacy and deter malicious behavior and there
is an urgent need for widespread public education about the implications of sharing and commenting on
personal content online. Enhanced awareness and understanding of digital rights and responsibilities can
empower users to protect themselves and others from such invasive attacks.

STEP BACK(EDITORIAL-1)
Retaliation (noun) बदला action taken in return for an injury or offense.

Synonyms reprisal, revenge
Antonyms forgiveness, pardon
Sentence Iran’s massive drone and missile attack on Israel on April 14 night, in
retaliation against the bombing of its embassy compound in
Damascus.
Barrage (noun) गोलाबारी a concentrated artillery bombardment over a wide area.

Synonyms bombardment, salvo
Antonyms ceasefire, peace
Sentence But this time, Tehran’s weapons barrage from its soil targeted Israel
proper, escalating tensions to levels not seen in West Asia in
decades.
Restraint (noun) संयम, a measure or condition that keeps someone or something

under control.
Synonyms control, restriction
Antonyms excess, freedom
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Sentence The U.S. and other allies of Israel applauded Israel’s missile defence
system, and urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to exercise
restraint.
Morass (noun) दलदल, a complicated or confused situation.

Synonyms quagmire, maze
Antonyms order, clarity
Sentence In many ways, West Asia remains a geopolitical morass today.
Psyche (noun) मनोषवज्ञान, the human soul, mind, or spirit.

Synonyms mind, soul
Antonyms body, physicality
Sentence Hamas launched a murderous attack from the blockaded Gaza
Strip on October 7, 2023, leaving an open wound in Israel’s collective
psyche.
Vengeful (adjective) प्रततिोर्ी, seeking to harm someone in return for a perceived injury.
Synonyms vindictive, revengeful
Antonyms forgiving, merciful
Sentence Since then, Israel has been carrying out a vengeful, genocidal attack
of Gaza.
Rampage (noun) उन्माद, a period of violent and uncontrollable behavior, typically

involving a large group of people.
Synonyms frenzy, riot
Antonyms calm, peace
Sentence The U.S., Israel’s most influential ally, failed to rein in Tel Aviv when it
went on a rampage in Gaza and launched multiple attacks in the
region.
STEP BACK(EDITORIAL-1)
Iran’s massive drone and missile attack on Israel on April 14 night, in retaliation against the bombing of its
embassy compound in Damascus two weeks earlier, has pushed an already volatile West Asia to the brink of an
all-out war. Iran lost two of its generals, including Mohammed Reza Zahed, overseeing the Quds Force’s
operations in Syria and Lebanon, and five senior officers of the Revolutionary Guards, and an Iranian response
was expected. In the past, Iran has used its proxies or targeted Israeli assets in other countries in response to
Israel’s attacks on its officials. But this time, Tehran’s weapons barrage from its soil targeted Israel proper,
escalating tensions to levels not seen in West Asia in decades. Israel, with help from the U.S., the U.K., France and
Jordan, intercepted “99%” of the Iranian projectiles. Iran says its action was in “ self-defence” as a response to
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the embassy attack and that the matter is concluded for now. The U.S. and other allies of Israel applauded Israel’s
missile defence system, and urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to exercise restraint, avoiding a regional
war. But Israel has vowed that Iran’s aggression would be met with a response.
In many ways, West Asia remains a geopolitical morass today. Israel’s brutal, illegal siege of Palestinian territories
was ignored for long by regional and global players. Hamas launched a murderous attack from the blockaded
Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023, leaving an open wound in Israel’s collective psyche. Since then, Israel has been
carrying out a vengeful, genocidal attack of Gaza. The U.S., Israel’s most influential ally, failed to rein in Tel Aviv
when it went on a rampage in Gaza and launched multiple attacks in the region, including the extremely
dangerous bombing of Iran’s embassy compound. Iran, which backs Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis, also
failed to show any restraint. Now the region is on a cliff and a mild push is enough to trigger a calamity. Mr.
Netanyahu’s security and war policies have failed miserably. He could not prevent the October 7 attack. His war
on Gaza has turned the enclave into a graveyard but has failed to defeat Hamas and release hostages, and his
reckless bombing campaigns in the region have brought Iran and Israel to the brink of war. If an open war breaks
out, both Israel and Iran can wreak havoc on each other, turning the whole region, the energy basket of the world,
into a battlefield. Mr. Netanyahu should consider the remarkable performance of Israel’s defence systems as a
victory and stand down to avoid a regional war. If Israel does so, it would open a window of opportunity to dial
down tensions in West Asia.
NAVIGATING LIFE(EDITORIAL-2)
Discourse (noun) written or spoken communication or debate (तविशष)

Synonyms dialogue, discussion
Antonyms silence, quiet
Sentence Consumers with disabilities remain largely invisible even in the discourse
around consumer rights.
Pervasive (adj) spreading widely throughout an area or a group of people (व्यापक)

Synonyms prevalent, ubiquitous
Antonyms limited, confined
Sentence The pervasive inaccessibility encountered by consumers with disabilities
undermines their independence.
Pertinent (adj) relevant or applicable to a particular matter (प्रासंधगक)

Synonyms applicable, relevant
Antonyms irrelevant, unrelated
Sentence This situation brings us to the most pertinent questionwho is responsible for the
rampant inaccessibility?
Rampant (adj) flourishing or spreading unchecked (अननयंतत्रि)

Synonyms widespread, uncontrolled
Antonyms controlled, contained
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Sentence The most pertinent question ariseswho bears responsibility for this rampant
inaccessibility?
Locomotor (adj) relating to movement from one place to another (गतिशीलिा से संबंधधि)
Synonyms mobile, motile
Antonyms immobile, stationary
Sentence A person with locomotor disability encountered inaccessibility at a cinema
hall.
Deter (verb) discourage someone from doing something by instilling doubt or fear of the
consequences (हिोत्सारहि करना)
Synonyms discourage, dissuade
Antonyms encourage, persuade
Sentence The lack of dedicated rights for consumers with disabilities may deter them
from filing complaints.
Imperative (adj) of vital importance; crucial (अननवायष)

Synonyms crucial, necessary
Antonyms unimportant, optional
Sentence It becomes imperative to align the Consumer Protection Act with the Rights of
Persons with Disabilities Act.
NAVIGATING LIFE(EDITORIAL-2)
Every year, March 15 is celebrated as World Consumer Rights Day to create awareness about the rights of
consumers. One section of consumers who might remain invisible in these celebrations or even in the discourse
around consumer rights is consumers with disabilities.
Imagine yourself in the place of a person with visual impairment heading to the supermarket to buy a toaster.
You start by booking a cab ride through a mobile app, but since the app is not accessible, you seek external help
to book the ride. At the supermarket, there are no tactile pavements in the building, so you seek external help to
reach the electronic appliance section and buy a toaster. When you reach home, you realise the toaster is
defective and try to contact the customer support of the toaster company. But since the contact details are
printed on the outer pack, you seek external help to read them. Discovering that the company only accepts
written complaints via postal mail, once again you seek external help to send a complaint to the company.
Every single day, persons with disabilities face this struggle of seeking help for the most basic human activities,
and the consequent loss of dignity, independence, and privacy. The pervasive inaccessibility that they encounter
as consumers not only undermines their right to lead an independent life but also prevents them from equally
participating in society as others.
The potential change-makers
The situation discussed above highlights two major challenges for consumers with disabilitiesthe inaccessibility
of goods and services and the inaccessibility of customer support options. This brings us to the most pertinent
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questionwho bears responsibility for this rampant inaccessibility? Rather, who has the capacity to enhance the
consumer experience of persons with disabilities?
Businesses could be a starting point. Businesses generally don’t perceive persons with disabilities as their target
consumers. This is evidenced by their inaccessible offerings, which are typically designed for ‘mainstream’
consumers. In India, persons with disabilities account for 5-8% of the population (World Bank, 2009). Therefore, if
not out of generosity, businesses could consider making their offerings accessible just to broaden their customer
reach.
Another entity capable of making a difference is the government. The gap in sensitisation among businesses can
be abridged through effective policy measures. For example, FSSAI in October 2023 issued an advisory to all food
business operators for incorporating QR codes containing product information on all food products. This simple
yet effective step will allow people with visual impairment to ascertain crucial product information on their own.
While transformative, this measure is limited to one type of product. The government could consider bringing
comprehensive accessibility guidelines for all goods and services. India can build on the lessons from the
initiatives in countries such as Australia, the U.S., and Canada and integrate similar strategies into its policies.
Legal reforms
Persons with disabilities are also empowered by laws that safeguard their rights and interests as consumers. The
primary legislation in this regard is the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (RPWDA), 2016, which grants a
bouquet of rights including the rights to equality, accessibility, and reasonable accommodation. In particular, the
Act includes provisions for universally designed consumer goods and accessible services (Sections 43 and 46).
The Rules notified under the RPWDA also require all Information and Communications Technology (ICT) goods
and services to be accessible in accordance with the BIS standards laid down by the government. In case of a
violation of these rights, a consumer with disability can file a complaint with the Disability Commissions
established under the Act. For example, following a complaint by one of us (Rahul), the well-known healthcare
service provider Practo was directed to make its website and application accessible. Similarly, complaints
regarding accessibility barriers in services such as banking, insurance, and hospitality have also been filed.
However, Disability Commissions only issue recommendatory directions. So, they often fail to provide effective
redress.
Another avenue is the Consumer Protection Act (CPA), 2019, which not only details various consumer rights but
also empowers Consumer Commissions to impose penalties and award compensation against consumer
complaints. Consumers with disabilities have successfully obtained such remedies in numerous cases brought
before Consumer Commissions. For example, in S. Suresh v. The Manager i/c, Gokulam Cinemas, a person with
locomotor disability who encountered inaccessibility at a cinema hall was awarded a compensation of ₹1,00,000.
Unlike the RPWDA, the CPA has strong enforcement and compliance mechanisms. However, it lacks any
dedicated rights for consumers with disabilities contrary to the RPWDA, which may deter them from filing
complaints with Consumer Commissions. Hence, it becomes imperative to align the CPA with the RPWDA.
In addition to these legal reforms, it is crucial to raise awareness about the existing rights and resources available
to consumers with disabilities under the two chief legislations. While consumer awareness has been a key focus
of the state, particularly with the launch of the flagship Jago Grahak Jago Campaign, consumers with disabilities
have never received attention.
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MISSING MEDICAL COLLEGES(EDITORIAL-1)
Lofty (adj) extremely high or noble (उच्च)

Synonyms Elevated, grand
Antonyms Low, humble
Sentence Even lofty dreams can be felled by the nitty-gritty of implementation.
Plentiful (adj) existing in or yielding great quantities; abundant (प्रचुर)

Synonyms Abundant, copious
Antonyms Scarce, meager
Sentence These institutions have created plentiful opportunities for students.
Embittering (adj) causing someone to feel bitter or resentful (कड़वाहट भरना)

Synonyms Aggravating, exacerbating
Antonyms Soothing, pleasing
Sentence A project that has caused a further embittering of relations between the
central and State governments.
Contentious (adj) causing or likely to cause an argument; controversial (षववादास्पद)

Synonyms Disputable, controversial
Antonyms Agreeable, uncontroversial
Sentence The extraordinary delay in constructing the AIIMS became a contentious
issue during the 2021 Assembly elections.
Tardy (adj) delaying or delayed beyond the right or expected time; late (देर से)
Synonyms Late, delayed
Antonyms Prompt, timely
Sentence 150 students have already been impacted by this tardy implementation.
Altar (noun) a table or flat-topped block used as the focus for a religious ritual,
especially for making sacrifices or offerings to a deity (वेदी)
Synonyms Shrine, sanctuary
Antonyms N/A
Sentence Students not made victims at the altar of federal relations.
Federal (adj) having or relating to a system of government in which several states form
a unity but remain independent in internal affairs (संघीय)
Synonyms National, centralized
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Antonyms State, local

Sentence Students not made victims at the altar of federal relations.
MISSING MEDICAL COLLEGES(EDITORIAL-1)
Even lofty dreams can be felled by the nitty-gritty of implementation. Nothing exemplifies this as much as the
case of the Madurai AIIMS. The idea of starting a number of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) across
the country certainly comes from a clear need — to bridge the gap between demand and supply in India, and
set right the grossly inefficient doctor-patient ratio. In 2003, the Centre announced the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya
Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) with this precise goal. It was in 2006 that the PMSSY got off the ground and a total of six
AIIMS-like medical institutions were created in the country. Currently, there are 20 AIIMS institutions with functional
medical colleges and three are under development. No doubt, these institutions have created plentiful
opportunities for students and advanced the goal of taking affordable health-care education beyond metros.
But the intentions are more robust than implementation. At AIIMS Madurai, a project that has caused a further
embittering of relations between the central and State governments, there are persistent complaints of
inadequate infrastructure, facilities, and manpower constraints. A ‘prestige’ project for the Centre, Prime Minister
Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for construction at Thoppur, Madurai, in January 2019. From 2021,
undeterred by the lack of something as basic as a building, the administration invited applications from students.
The construction work is still not complete, and not one, but three batches of undergraduate students have been
accommodated at the Government Medical College and Hospital, in nearby Ramanathapuram district. Last
week, these students went on protest, stating that there was a ravine-like gulf between what was expected of an
AIIMS institution and their experience of it in Madurai — in terms of infrastructure, but also exposure to patients.
The extraordinary delay in constructing the AIIMS became a contentious issue during the 2021 Assembly elections
in Tamil Nadu, with Udhayanidhi Stalin of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, now a Minister, pointing to a single
brick as the sum total of construction activity there. While there are assurances that the project would be
completed soon and students shifted to Madurai, it is true that 150 students have already been impacted by this
tardy implementation. Meanwhile, the original issue behind starting AIIMS remains unresolved. As per official data,
the doctor-population ratio in the country stands at 1:834, worse in rural areas. It is the role of the Centre and the
State to work together to ensure that these medical institutions are able to provide high quality education, and
that students not made victims at the altar of federal relations.
WHEN OCEANS CHILL(EDITORIAL-2)
Phenomenon (noun) an observable event or occurrence that is remarkable or unusual

(घटना)
Synonyms event, occurrence
Antonyms normality, regularity
Sentence A surprising and deadly phenomenon has emerged.
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Precipitated (verb) to cause something to happen suddenly or sooner than expected (उत्प्रेररि
तकया)
Synonyms triggered, caused
Antonyms prevented, deterred
Sentence The unexpected drop in ocean temperature was precipitated by wind
and ocean current patterns.
Plummeted (verb) to fall or drop straight down at high speed (धगर पड़ा)
Synonyms dropped, plunged
Antonyms soared, rose
Sentence Surface water temperatures plummeted by over 10ºC in just a day or two.
Upwelling (noun) the rising of seawater, magma, or other liquid (उथल-पुथल)

Synonyms surfacing, rising
Antonyms sinking, settling
Sentence Upwelling typically occurs in coastal areas.
Exacerbated (verb) to make a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling worse (तबगाड़ना)
Synonyms worsened, intensified
Antonyms alleviated, mitigated
Sentence This process is exacerbated by strengthened environmental forces.
Inhospitably (adverb) in a way that is harsh and difficult to live in (असहायक रूप से)
Synonyms unwelcomingly, harshly
Antonyms hospitably, warmly
Sentence Species were unable to escape the swift onset of inhospitably cold water.
Fatalities (noun) deaths resulting from an accident or disaster (िृत्यु)

Synonyms deaths, casualties
Antonyms survivals, rescues
Sentence This indicates a grim realityleading to mass fatalities.
Overarching (adjective) comprehensive or all-embracing (सवोपरर)

Synonyms overall, comprehensive
Antonyms narrow, limited
Sentence The overarching trend may point to global warming.
Reiterate (verb) to say something again or a number of times, typically for emphasis or
clarity (दोहराना)
Synonyms repeat, reaffirm
Antonyms retract, rescind
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Sentence This study not only adds a crucial piece to the puzzle but also reiterates
the urgency of addressing the root causes of climate change.
WHEN OCEANS CHILL(EDITORIAL-2)
As the world grapples with the escalating effects of climate change, a surprising and deadly phenomenon has
emergedmarine coldwaves, as highlighted in a recent study published in Nature Climate Change. These events,
occurring with increasing frequency and intensity, underscore a stark deviation from the typically discussed
global warming narrative. March 2021 witnessed a devastating marine coldwave along South Africa's southeast
coast, claiming the lives of hundreds of marine animals, including vulnerable manta rays and robust migratory
bull sharks. This unexpected drop in ocean temperature, precipitated by wind and ocean current patterns,
plummeted surface water temperatures by over 10ºC in just a day or two. Such events, while cooling local marine
environments, pose severe threats to marine biodiversity, which are adapted to stable and predictable
temperature ranges. Climate change, ironically, while generally warming the planet, also enhances the strength
of winds and currents that drive these chilling phenomena. Upwelling, a process where deeper, colder water rises
to the surface, typically occurs in coastal areas and is exacerbated by these strengthened environmental forces.
This has been notably observed on the coasts of South Africa and Australia, where the frequency of upwelling
events has increased over the past four decades. The 2021 coldwave was particularly lethal, illustrating the brutal
impact of such rapid temperature changes on marine life. Notably, even species known for their resilience and
mobility, like bull sharks, were unable to escape the swift onset of inhospitably cold water. This indicates a grim
realityas these events grow more severe, the ability of marine species to adapt or escape diminishes, leading to
mass fatalities.
This phenomenon is a clarion call to recognize and prepare for the unexpected ways in which climate change
impacts our planet. The increase in marine coldwaves is a reminder that climate change's effects are complex
and multifaceted. While the overarching trend may point to global warming, regional and local deviations can
lead to catastrophic outcomes for biodiversity. As we continue to push the boundaries of our understanding of
climate dynamics, the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and investing in comprehensive
climate research cannot be overstated. It is imperative that we deepen our understanding of these phenomena
to mitigate future impacts and safeguard marine ecosystems, particularly as more species venture into new
habitats, driven by broader climatic shifts. This study not only adds a crucial piece to the puzzle of climate science
but also reiterates the urgency of addressing the root causes of climate change.

WAR OF ATTRITION(EDITORIAL-1)
Attrition (noun) the process of gradually reducing the strength or effectiveness of someone
or something through sustained attack or pressure (घर्षण)
Synonyms erosion, wear
Antonyms buildup, accumulation
Sentence Their unwillingness has ensured that the war of attrition continues.
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Cumulatively (adverb) in a manner that increases or accumulates by successive additions (संचयी

रूप से)
Synonyms collectively, aggregately
Antonyms individually, separately
Sentence They cannot cumulatively wipe out the threat of the insurgents.
Discontented (adjective) dissatisfied, especially with one's circumstances (संचयी रूप से)
Synonyms disgruntled, unhappy
Antonyms satisfied, content
Sentence The ability to win over some discontented sections of the tribals.
Ploys (noun) strategic moves or schemes used to gain an advantage (चालें )

Synonyms tactics, maneuvers
Antonyms frankness, honesty
Sentence The use of ploys such as arming tribals to take on the Maoists.
Tack (noun) a method of dealing with a situation or problem; a course of action or policy
(रणनीतत)
Synonyms approach, strategy
Antonyms neglect, disregard
Sentence Later, in a change of tack, the reach of the welfare state expanded.
Hitherto (adverb) until now or until the point in time under discussion (अब तक)
Synonyms previously, formerly
Antonyms henceforth, hereafter
Sentence Expanded into hitherto inaccessible areas in central India.
Exploitative (adjective) making use of a situation or treating others unfairly in order to gain an
advantage or benefit (िोर्णात्मक)
Synonyms abusive, using
Antonyms fair, just
Sentence Maoist propaganda about the Indian state being exploitative.
Anachronistic (adjective) belonging to a period other than that being portrayed (पुराना)
Synonyms outdated, obsolete
Antonyms contemporary, current
Sentence The Maoists have refused to give up on their anachronistic ideology.
Jeopardise (verb) to put something such as a plan or system in danger of being harmed or
damaged (जोखिम में डालना)
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Synonyms endanger, threaten

Antonyms protect, safeguard
Sentence Not a violent overthrow that jeopardises their lives.
WAR OF ATTRITION(EDITORIAL-1)
For a long-standing insurgency that peaked in the early to mid-2000s, the war against the Maoists has settled
into some sort of pattern. Recently, the insurgents suffered a series of blows from paramilitary and police forces,
which include the killing of at least 29 Maoists in the Bastar region in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday. Limited to the
jungles of central India and in places of sparse tribal presence with a weaker presence of the developmental and
welfare state relative to the rest of the country, the Maoists have been significantly diminished as a political-
ideological force with few takers for their party’s — the Communist Party of India (Maoist) — ideology or visions of
an alternative state. What they have retained, however, is an ability to target security forces — evident in the
killing of 22 paramilitary personnel in April 2021 and 10 jawans in April 2023. This has necessitated security forces
to use unconventional military tactics and new combing routes to target the armed Maoist cadres. While these
attacks weaken the military strength of the Maoists, they cannot cumulatively wipe out the threat of the
insurgents as claimed by the Union government. This is because the Maoists are in difficult hilly terrain and have
shown the ability to win over some discontented sections of the tribals, who are affected by the civil war.
After two decades of fighting the Maoists, whose strength peaked after two prominent Naxalite parties merged
into the CPI (Maoist), the Indian state has long realised that the only way out is to take them on militarily while
winning over tribals through welfare measures. In the late 2000s, the use of ploys such as arming tribals to take
on the Maoists through flawed campaigns such as the Salwa Judum backfired. Later, in a change of tack, the
reach of the welfare state and the bureaucracy gradually expanded into hitherto inaccessible areas in central
India and helped negate Maoist propaganda about the Indian state being exploitative. Several tribal people, tired
of the warfare and violence, refused to support the Maoists, leading to desertion in their ranks in other States as
well. In Chhattisgarh, however, the constant warfare has helped the Maoists tap into some discontent. Civil society
and peace activists have tried to initiate ceasefire talks between the Maoists and the security forces besides
asking the insurgents to use democratic means to take up tribal causes. But the Maoists, despite setbacks, have
refused to give up on their anachronistic ideology. Their unwillingness to accept that the poor tribals, whom they
claim to represent, only want better engagement and outcomes from the welfare and electoral system, and not
a violent overthrow that jeopardises their lives, has ensured that the war of attrition continues.
PALE GREEN SHOOTS(EDITORIAL-2)
Tad (noun) a small amount or degree (थोड़ा)

Synonyms bit, slightly
Antonyms lot, significantly
Sentence Exports were a tad higher than February’s figure.
Outbound (adjective) going out or away from a place(बाहर जा रहा)
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Synonyms departing, outgoing

Antonyms inbound, incoming
Sentence The tally for outbound shipments increased significantly.
Anticipate (verb) expect or predict (पूवाषनुिान)

Synonyms foresee, predict
Antonyms disregard, ignore
Sentence Demand was more resilient than earlier anticipated.
Cushioned (verb) to protect against something unpleasant (कि करना)

Synonyms softened, buffered
Antonyms exposed, aggravated
Sentence The trade deficit was cushioned by lower imports.
Mandarins (noun) influential officials, often in government or administration (अधधकारी)

Synonyms bureaucrats, officials
Antonyms subordinates, juniors
Sentence Trade mandarins believe in positive growth for exports.
Strife (noun) vigorous or bitter conflict, discord, or antagonism (संघर्ष)

Synonyms conflict, turmoil
Antonyms harmony, peace
Sentence Persistent strife has affected global regions.
Reckon (verb) to believe or conclude after calculation (िानना)

Synonyms estimate, calculate
Antonyms disregard, ignore
Sentence Global trade volume growth was reckoned lower than expected.
Tanked (verb) to fail completely, especially in a financial sense (धगरावट)

Synonyms plummeted, collapsed
Antonyms soared, succeeded
Sentence Trade volumes in 2023 tanked by 1.2%.
Spurt (noun) a sudden and brief burst of energy or activity (उछाल)

Synonyms surge, burst
Antonyms decline, slump
Sentence A healthy monsoon is expected to spur domestic demand.
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PALE GREEN SHOOTS(EDITORIAL-2)
India’s merchandise exports hit a 12-month peak of $41.7 billion last month, marginally lower than March 2023
and a tad higher than February’s $41.4 billion figure. Imports fell 6% to $57.3 billion, taking the trade deficit to an
11-month low. The last two months’ robust export numbers bolstered the tally for outbound shipments from $354
billion at the end of January to $437.1 billion for the full year, just 3% short of the record $451 billion performance
in 2022-23. Amid a decline in commodity prices, which averaged about 14% lower last year, this is a commendable
outcome, aided by demand proving more resilient than earlier anticipated in major markets. That imports dipped
at a higher 4.8% pace has also cushioned the trade deficit, and economists now expect the January-March
quarter to end up with a small but rare current account surplus. Services trade data for the full year will be
available later, but the Commerce Ministry estimates that total exports in 2023-24 were fractionally higher than
the previous year at $776.7 billion.
Trade mandarins believe goods exports have entered a positive growth cycle, having coped with persistent strife
— from Ukraine to Palestine and the Red Sea. Last week, the World Trade Organization (WTO) downgraded its
global trade volume growth projection to 2.6% from 3.3% reckoned earlier, with risks tilted towards the downside.
This is despite favourable base effects from its revision for 2023 trade volumes, which the WTO says tanked 1.2%
compared with a 0.8% dip expected earlier. Export volumes from Asia are expected to rise 3.4% in 2024, with
imports climbing 5.6%. In India, a healthy monsoon is expected to spur domestic demand, including for
discretionary imports. But sustained disruptions on two of the world’s key shipping routes — the Suez and Panama
Canals — along with geopolitical fault lines and an increasing scepticism about the benefits of global trade in
several countries, pose creeping risks that have not fully manifested yet. Exporters do not seem so sure about the
upbeat official outlook — they need to start raising prices soon to catch up with shipping cost surges, exposing
them to competitive pressures. For Asia and India, any prolonged friction in the Strait of Hormuz, a key supply
route for the region’s oil and gas imports, is the biggest threat to trade and macroeconomic balances. The spike
in crude prices already showed up in March as the petroleum trade deficit hit a record monthly high of $11.8 billion
while oil exports slid to an eight-month low. India’s high energy import dependence is known, and any spurt in
global energy and food prices would also derail hopes of global interest rate cuts and improved demand.

SOBERING ASSESSMENT(EDITORIAL-1)
Sobering (adj) causing one to feel serious or subdued (गंभीर बनाने वाला)
Synonyms serious, somber
Antonyms cheering, encouraging
Sentence The report provided a sobering look at the challenges ahead.
Spectre (noun) a ghost or something widely feared as a possible unpleasant or dangerous

occurrence (भूत)
Synonyms ghost, phantom
Antonyms entity, being
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Sentence The spectre of climate change looms large over our future.
Debilitating (adj) making someone or something physically weak (कमजोर करने वाला)
Synonyms weakening, disabling
Antonyms strengthening, empowering
Sentence The disease is known for its debilitating effects on the human body.
Undergirding (verb) providing support or a firm basis for (आर्ार प्रदान करना)
Synonyms supporting, bolstering
Antonyms undermining, weakening
Sentence The theory is undergirded by extensive research.
Woes (noun) great sorrows or troubles (दुि)

Synonyms troubles, sorrows
Antonyms joys, blessings
Sentence The economic woes of the country are worsening.
Saddled (verb) burdened with a responsibility or task (बोझ डालना)
Synonyms burdened, loaded
Antonyms unburdened, relieved
Sentence He was saddled with debts from his previous business venture.
Averred (verb) state or assert to be the case (दावा करना)

Synonyms declared, asserted
Antonyms denied, contradicted
Sentence She averred that the project would be completed on time.
SOBERING ASSESSMENT(EDITORIAL-1)
The global economy has avoided the spectre of a debilitating recession, with the IMF last week raising its forecast
for worldwide aggregate growth in 2024 to 3.2%, from the 2.9% it had projected in October. The IMF has underlined
the fact that the global economy has, with surprising resilience, ridden out several adverse shocks as well as
‘significant central bank interest rate increases aimed at restoring price stability’ and sustained the growth
momentum, largely on the back of advanced economies led by the U.S. undergirding demand. However, the Fund
has also pointed to a growing gulf between the economic north and south by observing“A troubling development
is the widening divergence between many low-income developing countries and the rest of the world. For these
economies, growth is revised downward, whereas inflation is revised up.” These poorest countries, in Africa and
including some Latin American, Pacific island and Asian nations, had also suffered the most scarring from the
COVID-19 pandemic in terms of estimated drop in output relative to pre-pandemic projections, and were
struggling to recover. To compound their woes, these economies were now saddled with a mounting debt service
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burden that was severely impairing their ability to spend on vitally needed public goods including better
education, health care and social nets to improve food security.
The IMF’s twin development lender, the World Bank, has, in a separate report, pointed out that for the first time in
this century, half of the world’s 75 poorest countries were experiencing a widening income gap with the wealthiest
economies, marking a “historic reversal” of development. As the World Bank Group’s Chief Economist Indermit Gill
observed in a blog post on the lender’s site, “[the 75 poorest countries] are home to a quarter of humanity — 1.9
billion people... and are home to 90% of people facing hunger or malnutrition”. More distressingly, while these
countries were midway through what he termed, potentially ‘a lost decade’, Mr. Gill averred that the rest of the
world was “largely averting its gaze” even as the governments in at least half these nations were mostly paralysed
by debt distress. Citing the examples of South Korea, China and India as countries that had transitioned from
being borrowers of low-interest loans from the World Bank’s International Development Association into
economic powerhouses that were today IDA donors, the Bank’s chief economist stressed it was imperative that
the world’s richer countries financially support the poorest nations. Given that the world needs to tap every
reserve of economic potential to achieve universal peace and prosperity, it can ill afford to turn its back on a
quarter of its people.
EKTA SOAM(EDITORIAL-2)
Stark (adj) complete and sheer, often in a way that is harsh or obvious (कठोर)
Synonyms blunt, harsh
Antonyms adorned, embellished
Sentence These events underscore a stark deviation from the typically discussed
global warming narrative.
Strewn (verb) scattered or spread untidily over a surface or area (तबखरा हुआ)
Synonyms scattered, dispersed
Antonyms gathered, organized
Sentence The beach was strewn with shells and seaweed.
Unyielding (adj) not giving way to pressure; hard or solid (अटल)

Synonyms inflexible, rigid
Antonyms flexible, compliant
Sentence His unyielding dedication to the project ensured its success.
Undeterred (adj) not discouraged or dissuaded by difficulties or setbacks (अतवचनलि)

Synonyms resolute, persistent
Antonyms discouraged, dissuaded
Sentence She was undeterred by the failures, continuing to work towards her goal.
Grit (noun) courage and resolve; strength of character (साहस)
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Synonyms bravery, tenacity

Antonyms timidity, cowardice
Sentence His grit and determination were evident in his eyes.
Repudiation (noun) rejection of a proposal or idea (अस्वीकरण)

Synonyms denial, rejection
Antonyms acceptance, approval
Sentence His blunt repudiation of the allegations shocked everyone.
Poignant (adj) evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret (िानिि क)

Synonyms touching, moving
Antonyms unaffecting, bland
Sentence The documentary ended with a poignant scene that left many viewers in
tears.
Daunting (adj) seeming difficult to deal with in prospect; intimidating (भयावह)

Synonyms intimidating, formidable
Antonyms encouraging, manageable
Sentence The challenge before them was daunting, but they were ready.
Encapsulate (verb) to express the essential features of something succinctly (संक्षेप िें प्रकट करना)
Synonyms summarize, condense
Antonyms expand, elaborate
Sentence The article encapsulates the events of the last week very efficiently.
Catalyst (noun) a person or thing that precipitates an event or change (उत्प्रेरक)

Synonyms stimulant, spark
Antonyms hindrance, deterrent
Sentence His arrival proved to be the catalyst for change.
EKTA SOAM(EDITORIAL-2)
In the heart of Uttar Pradesh's Village Pali, Ekta Soam’s ascent to a Probationary Officer at the Bank of India is a
narrative of relentless pursuit and profound resilience. Her journey is not just a personal triumph but a stark
illustration of the broader systemic challenges and the transformative power of providing equal opportunities to
all, irrespective of gender. Ekta’s path was strewn with obstacles—from the closure of her coaching center due to
lockdowns to the severe health crises of her mother. Yet, her resolve was unyielding. She adapted to online
education platforms like Unacademy, dedicating twelve hours daily to her studies, undeterred by the traditional
and superstitious hurdles suggested by a pandit’s reading of her horoscope. Her success is a testament to her
grit and a repudiation of the belief that adverse stars could dictate one’s fate. Her narrative is particularly
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poignant in a societal context that often sees women as liabilities rather than assets. Ekta’s message to parents
underscores a crucial call for gender equality"My message to all parents is to provide equal opportunities to your
sons and daughters because considering girls as liabilities is wrong. Give girls a chance; they too can become
assets and it's essential for them to be self-reliant."
This call for equality resonates deeply in a country where educational and professional opportunities are often
skewed by gender biases. Ekta’s triumph and her advocacy for gender equality challenge these biases and
demonstrate the potential of women when afforded equal opportunities. The backdrop of Ekta's story also
illuminates the ongoing struggle many Indian youths face in bridging the education-to-employment gap.
Despite various national skill enhancement initiatives, many young Indians still find the leap from academic
achievement to professional success daunting. This gap is more pronounced for women, who must not only
contend with skill mismatches but also societal expectations that limit their career aspirations. As Ekta embarks
on her career in the banking sector, her journey from a rural village to a national bank encapsulates the dual
narrative of personal victory and the imperative for systemic change. It is a clarion call for educational reforms
that not only focus on equipping students with market-relevant skills but also advocate for the dismantling of
entrenched gender stereotypes that hinder half the population’s potential.
Ekta's story, therefore, is more than an inspiration—it is a blueprint for what can be achieved when society
embraces equality as a foundational principle. Her success should act as a catalyst for continued efforts to
empower all young people, particularly girls, to pursue their dreams with vigor and without restraint. As we
champion her achievements, let us also heed her call to action, ensuring that every young individual has the
opportunity to turn potential into reality.

THE LONE CANDIDATE(EDITORIAL-1)
Gruelling (adj) extremely tiring and demanding(करठन)

Synonyms exhausting, arduous
Antonyms easy, effortless
Sentence The athletes faced a gruelling challenge during the final round.
Stature (noun) a person's natural height (कद)

Synonyms height, size
Antonyms insignificance, unimportance
Sentence Despite his small stature, he was known for his great courage.
Slumps (verb/N) sit, lean, or fall heavily and limply (ढहना), a period of poor performance
Synonyms collapse, fall
Antonyms rise, stand
Sentence The market slumps significantly after the announcement.
Resilience (noun) the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties (लचीलापन)
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Synonyms toughness, strength

Antonyms fragility, vulnerability
Sentence Her resilience in the face of adversity was truly inspiring.
Runaway (adj) having escaped or run away from somewhere (भागा हुआ)
Synonyms fugitive, escaped
Antonyms controlled, contained
Sentence The experiment quickly became a runaway success.
Feat (noun) an achievement that requires great courage, skill, or strength (करिब)
Synonyms achievement, accomplishment
Antonyms failure, defeat
Sentence Climbing the mountain in one day was an impressive feat.
THE LONE CANDIDATE(EDITORIAL-1)
Dommaraju Gukesh’s victory at the Candidates chess tournament in Toronto in the early hours of Monday (Indian
time) ranks among India’s greatest achievements in sport. Later this year, he will play China’s Ding Liren for the
World championship, as the youngest challenger in history. In chess, unlike in most sports, the World champion
has the privilege of defending his crown without playing a single game, while his challenger has to come through
the gruelling Candidates tournament. The field was expectedly tough in Toronto, where the World No. 2 and No.
3, Fabiano Caruana and Hikaru Nakamura, had begun as the favourites, followed by Ian Nepomniachtchi, the
winner of the last two editions of the tournament. Few would have imagined that a 17-year-old from Chennai
would finish ahead of them. Not only is Gukesh exceptionally talented but he also has a mature head on his young
shoulders. His victory further India’s stature as the fastest rising country in world chess. He was not the only Indian
in Toronto. There were fivethree in the open section and two in the women’s. And all of them did fairly well, despite
going through slumps in form at some stage or the other of the tournament. R. Praggnanandhaa and Vidit
Gujrathi had their moments though they lacked consistency.
In the women’s event, Koneru Humpy (second) and R. Vaishali (fourth),showed resilience after the
disappointments in the opening half. Tan Zhongyi was the runaway winner and she has ensured the women’s
World championship will remain in China her opponent is Ju Wenjun. Gukesh has an excellent chance to prevent
China from making it a double yet again. Now, though, it is time for India to celebrate his spectacular feat. Then,
the chess federation, the government and the corporate world could think of ways to retain India’s momentum
in chess. Gukesh had qualified for the Candidates after playing a Super Grandmaster tournament in Chennai in
December. That hastily conceived tournament served its purpose. Without it, Gukesh simply would not have been
able to make it to Toronto. But what is equally significant is the fact that it was India’s first ever tournament of its
kind. When the five-time World champion Viswanathan Anand was among the world’s top players for decades,
he had not got an opportunity to play even once in a tournament like that in India. The only world-class
tournament in India is the one organised by Tata Steel in Kolkata, but the format is speed chess, not the classical
variety employed at the Candidates and the World championship. There should be more elite tournaments in
India.
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JUSTICE DELIVERED(EDITORIAL-2)
Plight (noun) a difficult and unfortunate situation (संकट)

Synonyms predicament, dilemma
Antonyms advantage, fortune
Sentence The plight of the endangered species has garnered international
attention.
Dire (adjective) extremely serious or urgent (भयानक)

Synonyms desperate, critical
Antonyms mild, insignificant
Sentence The environmental consequences are dire if immediate action is not
taken.
Reprehensible (adjective) deserving censure or condemnation (ननिं दनीय)

Synonyms deplorable, disgraceful
Antonyms commendable, praiseworthy
Sentence The company's disregard for safety was reprehensible.
Ordeal (noun) a painful or horrific experience, especially a protracted one (करठन परीक्षा)
Synonyms trial, tribulation
Antonyms comfort, solace
Sentence Survivors of the disaster described their escape as a harrowing ordeal.
Enshrined (verb) to preserve or cherish (something) as sacred (संरनक्षि)

Synonyms preserve, protect
Antonyms desecrate, disregard
Sentence The rights of citizens are enshrined in the national constitution.
Precedent (noun) an earlier event or action that is regarded as an example or guide to be

considered in subsequent similar circumstances (निसाल)
Synonyms example, standard
Antonyms aftermath, consequence
Sentence The court's decision set a new precedent for future cases.
Stricture (noun) a restriction on a person or activity (प्रतिबंध)

Synonyms constraint, limitation
Antonyms freedom, permission
Sentence The new stricture on water usage was implemented due to the drought.
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Insurmountable (adjective) too great to be overcome (अजेय)

Synonyms overwhelming, unbeatable
Antonyms surmountable, achievable
Sentence The challenges ahead seemed insurmountable to the new team.
JUSTICE DELIVERED(EDITORIAL-2)
In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court of India, invoking Article 142 of the Constitution, authorised the
medical termination of pregnancy for a 14-year-old rape survivor whose tragic circumstances had pushed her
beyond the usual legal bounds. This decision underscores the Court's commitment to ensuring justice and
compassion override rigid legislative frameworks when critical human rights are at stake. The girl, a minor from
Maharashtra, found herself in a dire situation, carrying the burden of a pregnancy from a reprehensible act of
sexual violence. Her ordeal was exacerbated by the fact that she discovered her condition only after the
pregnancy had advanced beyond the typical legal limit for termination set at 24 weeks. This case highlights a
critical gap between statutory provisions and the on-ground realities faced by survivors of sexual assault.
The Supreme Court's intervention came as a necessary rectification to a High Court decision that denied the
young survivor the urgent medical relief she required. By setting aside this decision, the apex court did not merely
facilitate a medical procedure; it upheld the fundamental rights to health, autonomy, and dignity of the minor,
which are enshrined in the Constitution. Current restrictions under the Act often do not account for the
complexities involved in cases of sexual violence, especially where the survivors are minors unaware of their
condition until it is too late. India's judiciary has set a commendable precedent by prioritising the mental and
physical well-being of a vulnerable young girl over the procedural strictures that could have gravely harmed her.
However, the road ahead remains fraught with challenges. As the Court itself has noted, unsafe abortions are a
leading cause of maternal mortality in India, and many women continue to face insurmountable barriers in
accessing safe abortion services. This ruling should prompt a broader legislative and societal reflection on how
our systems can better support and empower women, particularly those who find themselves in similarly
vulnerable positions. It is high time for policymakers to heed this call and ensure that the protective umbrella of
the law is expansive enough to shelter every woman who requires its aid.

INSURING THE FUTURE(EDITORIAL-1)
Apex (noun) the highest point or top of something (सििर)

Synonyms peak, summit
Antonyms nadir, bottom
Sentence The climber reached the apex of the mountain.
Demographic (noun) a particular sector of a population (जनसांख्यख्यकीय)
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Synonyms population group, segment

Antonyms whole, entirety
Sentence The product appeals to a young demographic.
Underway (adjective) having started and in progress; ongoing (चालू)

Synonyms ongoing, in progress
Antonyms concluded, completed
Sentence Construction is underway on the new site.
Cohort (noun) a group of people banded together or treated as a group (समूह)

Synonyms group, band
Antonyms individual, lone
Sentence The study followed a cohort of 1000 patients for five years.
Precipitating (verb) to cause an event or situation, typically one that is bad or undesirable, to
happen suddenly, unexpectedly, or prematurely (उत्प्रेररत करना)
Synonyms trigger, provoke
Antonyms calming, soothing
Sentence The scandal was precipitating the leader's resignation.
Actuarial (adjective) relating to actuaries or their work of compiling and analyzing statistics to
calculate insurance risks and premiums (बीमा गणणतीय)
Synonyms statistical, analytical
Antonyms random, uncalculated
Sentence The actuarial data confirmed the trends seen in the market.
Inevitably (adverb) as is certain to happen; unavoidably (अवश्यम्भावी)

Synonyms unavoidably, necessarily
Antonyms uncertainly, avoidably
Sentence Inevitably, the conflict led to changes in the law.
INSURING THE FUTURE(EDITORIAL-1)
The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), the apex regulator of insurance
products, has asked companies to enable a wide demographic of citizens to benefit from health insurance. Most
significantly, it directs insurance providers to make health insurance available to senior citizens, as those above
65 are currently barred from issuing new policies for themselves. This is clearly an acknowledgement of
demographic changes underway in India. Though India’s population figures have not been officially accounted
for since 2011, estimates from the UN Population Fund and experts suggest that India’s is nearly level with China
and may have surpassed it sometime in 2023. The India Ageing Report 2023, which draws from UN projections,
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estimates that India’s cohort of seniors — those above 60 — will increase from about 10% of the population (149
million in 2022) to 30% (347 million) by 2050. That is more than the current population of the U.S. Several of the
most developed countries already have their senior demographic (65-plus) ranging from 16% to 28%. That is
already precipitating considerable worry within these populations on access to health care, affordable medicine
and appropriate care-giving infrastructure to support them. Some of these economically developed countries
have government-funded public health systems and others are entirely dependent on private health care, with
cost being a significant determinant in access to quality care. In many of these countries, there is no entry barrier
to health insurance policies, though, following principles of actuarial economics from centuries ago, health
insurance gets progressively, and sometimes exponentially, more expensive as age advances.
Already the small, single-digit percentage of India’s economic elite can afford the equivalent of “family floater”
plans that take care of individuals and their parents at a cost lower than what individual senior-citizen health
insurance would cost. If the only effect of the IRDA’s recent circular is to provide many more unaffordable health
insurance policies, it would be equivalent to admiring the icing on an inedible cake. Much has been made of the
next two decades being critical to India’s future, on the reasoning that this is the time that India must reap its
‘demographic dividend’. This is premised on a large proportion of the workforce moving out of agriculture and
inevitably followed by a breakdown of the traditional care-giving structure for the aged. The experience in several
southern Indian States is telling. Thus, broadening the eligibility of health insurance should be accompanied by
a massive upgradation of affordable health care.
THE INVISIBLE LABOR(EDITORIAL-2)
Harbor (verb) to give a home or shelter to (िरण देना)

Synonyms shelter, conceal
Antonyms banish, expose
Sentence The village harbors refugees fleeing from conflict.
Paradoxes (noun) seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statements that may have a

deeper truth (षवरोर्ाभास)
Synonyms contradictions, anomalies
Antonyms conformities, consistencies
Sentence His behavior is full of paradoxes that baffle his friends.
Peculiar (adjective) strange or odd; unusual (षवतचत्र)

Synonyms weird, unusual
Antonyms normal, typical
Sentence She has a peculiar way of looking at the world.
Deviance (noun) behavior that deviates from the accepted standards of society
(षवचलन)
Synonyms aberration, nonconformity
Antonyms conformity, normality
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Sentence There's a certain level of deviance accepted by every culture.
Setbacks (noun) a reversal or check in progress (बार्ाएँ )

Synonyms obstacles, hindrances
Antonyms advancements, progress
Sentence Despite many setbacks, she persisted in her studies. (असनसित)
Precarious (adjective) not securely held or in position; dangerously likely to fall or collapse
Synonyms unstable, risky
Antonyms stable, secure
Sentence The economy is in a precarious state.
Panorama (noun) an unbroken view of an entire surrounding area (पैनोरमा)

Synonyms vista, landscape
Antonyms close-up, narrow view
Sentence The mountain top offers a breathtaking panorama of the valley.
Holistic (adjective) characterized by the belief that the parts of something are intimately
interconnected and explicable only by reference to the whole (संपूणष)
Synonyms comprehensive, integrated
Antonyms partial, fragmented
Sentence The therapist takes a holistic approach to health.
Foster (verb) encourage the development of something (especially something

desirable) (पालन-पोर्ण करना)
Synonyms encourage, promote
Antonyms suppress, neglect
Sentence The club's aim is to foster better relations within the community.
THE INVISIBLE LABOR(EDITORIAL-2)
India's journey from a middle to a potentially high-income nation harbors paradoxes, particularly in the realm of
female labor force participation. Dr. Rosa Abraham's insights from the annual State of India Working 2023 report
illuminate a concerning trendthe decreasing participation of women in the workforce, especially in rural areas,
which starkly contrasts with global patterns where economic advancement typically invites greater female
workforce involvement. At an event last week, Dr. Abraham pointed out the peculiar trajectory of India's female
labor force participation, which fails to follow the expected U-curve—high in less developed economies, dipping
with economic progress, and rising again at higher development levels. Instead, India sees a persistent decline,
with only about 17% of urban women and an even smaller percentage of rural women engaged in paid
employment. This deviance is alarming and signals a wasted potential in half the population. The reasons are
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manifold. The Periodic Labour Force Survey Report 2022-23 cites a participation rate of about 37% among women,
hinting at a massive underutilization of available human resources. This shortfall is often explained through a
'supply side story' focusing on social norms, mobility restrictions, and a disproportionate care burden that
discourages women from seeking employment.
Moreover, the concept of the 'motherhood penalty'—often discussed in the context of high-income nations where
women face significant career setbacks post-childbirth—seems absent in India according to recent data.
However, this is not necessarily a victory. It reflects a dire scenario where women, especially in lower-income
brackets, cannot afford the luxury of stepping away from work post-childbirth. They continue to engage in
informal and precarious jobs, often under conditions that compromise both their health and that of their children.
This dismal panorama invites a critical question Is mere employment sufficient, or should the focus shift
towards the quality of employment and the holistic integration of women's roles as both breadwinners and
caregivers? As India stands at the crossroads of economic transformation, it must reevaluate its strategies not
just to include women in the workforce but to ensure they thrive without compromise. The time is ripe for
policymakers to craft a dual approach that addresses both the supply constraints and the demand failures,
fostering an environment where women's labor is visible, valued, and vested with the dignity it rightfully deserves.

HOT BUTTON(EDITORIAL-1)
Dissuaded (verb) to persuade someone not to take a particular course of action (हिोत्सारहि
करना)
Synonyms deter, discourage
Antonyms encourage, persuade
Sentence They were dissuaded from taking the shortcut due to the bad weather.
Deviations (noun) instances of departing from an established course or accepted standard

(तवचलन)
Synonyms divergence, departure
Antonyms conformity, adherence
Sentence The deviations from the project guidelines resulted in unforeseen
complications.
Accumulate (verb) to gather together or acquire an increasing number or quantity of (संधचि करना)
Synonyms gather, collect
Antonyms disperse, dissipate
Sentence Over the years, he managed to accumulate a significant amount of savings.
Exacerbate (verb) to make a bad situation, problem, or negative feeling worse (खराब करना)
Synonyms worsen, aggravate
Antonyms alleviate, mitigate
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Sentence The delay only served to exacerbate the tension among the team members.
Asphalt (noun) a mixture of dark bituminous pitch with sand or gravel, used for surfacing
roads, flooring, and roofing(डािर)
Synonyms blacktop, tarmac
Antonyms dirt, gravel (contextual antonyms based on road surfacing materials)
Sentence The new road was smooth, freshly laid with asphalt.
Tweak (verb) to adjust finely or make small changes to (something) in order to improve it
(संशोधन करना)
Synonyms adjust, fine-tune
Antonyms overhaul, revamp
Sentence He tweaked the settings on the device to get better performance.
Wrath (noun) extreme anger (क्रोध)

Synonyms fury, rage
Antonyms delight, happiness
Sentence The manager’s wrath was evident when he found out about the breach in
protocol.
Morbidity (noun) the condition of being diseased or the incidence of disease within a population
(रोगी होने की अवस्था)
Synonyms sickness, illness
Antonyms healthiness, wellness
Sentence The morbidity rate in the area spiked after the contamination of the water
supply.
HOT BUTTON(EDITORIAL-1)
The Election Commission of India (ECI) suspects ambient heat dissuaded voters from turning out in greater
numbers during the first phase of the general election, on April 19. It has since constituted a task force with
representatives from itself, the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare,
and the National Disaster Management Authority to assess local heat and humidity for five days before each
phase of polling and work with State electoral apparatuses to ensure adequate facilities at booths. The IMD
declares heat wave conditions in a region depending on whether one of a few conditions is met, centred on
deviations of the daytime temperature from the decade-long average. But these declarations are not concerned
with the people’s experience of ambient heat. Even without a heat wave, people of all ages are at significant risk
if the relative humidity increases the wet-bulb temperature beyond 30°C and they spend more than a few
minutes outdoors. Heat can also accumulate and persist in some locations more than others. For example, semi-
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planned or unplanned areas can exacerbate the risk of heat stress through poor ventilation, crowding, not
installing shaded resting spots, and overlooking heat radiated by asphalt surfaces.
Getting more people to vote is like getting more children to school, which the midday meal scheme contributed
significantly to. The ECI would do well to implement similar measures to incentivise voting by minimising heat
exposure. The physiological adversity a voter may suffer when commuting between home and polling booth can
be controlled to a limited extent by tweaking the polling dates and hours. (In the same vein, rescheduling the
elections to non-summer months may spare voters the heat but not the wrath of some other elements.) The task
force must ensure every booth has shaded waiting areas with seating; air flow; oral rehydration options; sanitary
facilities; fruits; updated first-aid kits; wheelchairs; accessible architecture; and medical services every dozen
booths or so. Some additional needs go beyond the task force. For example, the ECI’s pledge to increase voters’
awareness of heat management protocols and provisions at booths should not encroach on the duties or
resources of the Accredited Social Health Activists, and must instead bank on a separate cadre. The Health
Ministry must also collect and share data about heat-related morbidity and mortality as well as reconcile its
numbers with those of the National Crime Records Bureau, so that officials can identify problems and institute
reliable long-term countermeasures.
GUARDIANS OF THE WILD(EDITORIAL-2)
Implication (noun) a conclusion that can be drawn from something, although it is not explicitly
stated (सनरहताथष)
Synonyms inference, suggestion
Antonyms explicitness, clarity
Sentence The implications of climate change are far-reaching.
Demarcation (noun) the action of fixing the boundary or limits of something (सीमांकन)
Synonyms division, separation
Antonyms union, integration
Sentence Clear demarcation of marine protected areas is essential.
Emblematic (adjective) serving as a symbol of a particular quality or concept (प्रतीकात्मक)

Synonyms symbolic, representative
Antonyms unrepresentative, atypical
Sentence The polar bear has become emblematic of global warming's impact.
Fatality (noun) an occurrence of death resulting from an accident or disaster (मृत्यु)

Synonyms death, casualty
Antonyms survivor, escape
Sentence Each fatality in these marine events is a significant loss.
Grim (adjective) forbidding or uninviting (भयानक)
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Synonyms bleak, harsh

Antonyms pleasant, inviting
Sentence The grim reality of environmental changes confronts us.
Integral (adjective) necessary to make a whole complete; essential or fundamental (असभन्न)

Synonyms essential, fundamental
Antonyms supplementary, unnecessary
Sentence Coral reefs are integral to marine biodiversity.
Delicate (adjective) very fine in texture or structure; of intricate workmanship or quality

Synonyms fragile, fine
Antonyms robust, strong
Sentence The ecological balance of our oceans is delicate.
Blueprint (noun) a design plan or other technical drawing (नक्शा)

Synonyms plan, design
Antonyms improvisation, randomness
Sentence A blueprint for sustainable fishing practices was introduced.
GUARDIANS OF THE WILD(EDITORIAL-2)
In its recent deliberations on the escalating conflicts between humans and wildlife, the Supreme Court of India
issued a stark warning about the dire implications for both forest conservation and community livelihoods. The
Court's observations, rooted in a case concerning the boundaries of Assam's Pobitora wildlife sanctuary,
underscore the urgent need for a balanced approach that respects the rights and necessities of both wildlife and
local communities. The sanctuary, home to one of India's largest rhinoceros populations, lies at the heart of a
dispute involving the demarcation of its boundaries to accommodate the growing needs of the local population
and the equally pressing imperatives of wildlife conservation. The tension here is emblematic of a broader
national challenge how to manage the fragile interface between human settlements and wildlife habitats
without tipping the balance against the survival of either. The increasing frequency of human-animal encounters,
resulting in fatalities and loss on both sides, is a grim reminder of what's at stake. India hosts significant
populations of wildlife like elephants and tigers, integral not only to the country's ecological health but also its
cultural heritage. However, encroachments and habitat destruction have pushed these animals into closer
contact with human populations, leading to tragic outcomes.
The Supreme Court's directive to halt the government's decision to denotify the Pobitora wildlife sanctuary until
further review is a prudent measure, ensuring that any action taken is both legally sound and ethically
responsible. This decision sets a precedent for how India steers the delicate balance of human and animal rights
in its conservation efforts. Going forward, India's strategy must evolve from reactive conflict resolution to
proactive conflict prevention. Integrating technological innovations like AI-based warning systems, community-
driven initiatives, and comprehensive planning that respects ecological corridors can significantly reduce these
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encounters. The Court's call for a balanced approach is not just a judicial directive—it's a blueprint for sustainable
living in India's richly biodiverse yet rapidly changing landscapes.
VOCABULARY + EDITORIAL 26 April2024

COURTING ACTION(EDITORIAL-1)
Touting (verb) advertising or promoting something enthusiastically (प्रचार करना)

Synonyms promoting, publicizing
Antonyms condemning, criticizing
Sentence He was touting his new book at the conference.
Pseudoscientific (adjective) relating to practices or beliefs mistakenly regarded as being based on

scientific method (पािंडी वैज्ञासनक)
Synonyms unscientific, spurious
Antonyms scientific, valid
Sentence The article debunked the pseudoscientific claims made by the
wellness blogger.
Cognisance (noun) knowledge or awareness (सजगता)

Synonyms awareness, recognition
Antonyms ignorance, unawareness
Sentence The judge took cognisance of the defendant's history before
sentencing.
Sedentary (adjective) tending to spend much time seated; somewhat inactive (सनष्क्रिय)
Synonyms inactive, stationary
Antonyms active, mobile
Sentence A sedentary lifestyle can lead to numerous health problems.
Et al (abbreviation) and others; used in academic papers to denote that there are several
authors (इत्यादद)
Synonyms and others, and coauthors
Antonyms alone, solely
Sentence The research by Smith et al. provides insights into genetic mutations.
Chided (verb) scolded or rebuked (डांटना)

Synonyms scolded, rebuked
Antonyms praised, complimented
Sentence She chided him for his careless mistakes.
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Diminutive (adjective) extremely or unusually small (छोटा)

Synonyms tiny, small
Antonyms large, gigantic
Sentence He gave her a diminutive nickname that everyone loved.
Errant (adjective) erring or straying from the accepted course or standards ESTD 2016
HQ New Delhi
MD & CEO Pinaki Bhattacharyya
Synonyms misbehaving, wayward
Antonyms obedient, correct
Sentence The errant student was finally back on track after the guidance
counselor's intervention.
Retributive (adjective) relating to or marked by retribution; punishing (प्रततिोर्ात्मक)

Synonyms punitive, vengeful
Antonyms forgiving, pardoning
Sentence The judge's decision was seen as retributive justice.
Tedious (adjective) too long, slow, or dull; tiresome or monotonous (उबाऊ)

Synonyms boring, monotonous
Antonyms exciting, thrilling
Sentence The lecture was tedious and most students struggled to stay awake.
COURTING ACTION(EDITORIAL-1)
“The Union has to activate itself,” Justice Hima Kohli, who is heading the Supreme Court Bench hearing the case
against Patanjali Ayurved and its leaders Acharya Balkrishna and Baba Ramdev, observed on April 23 in the
context of the government not having taken any action against the company for publishing advertisements
touting untested, pseudoscientific cures for COVID-19, diabetes, and other conditions. The Bench also took
cognisance of a report that the baby formula Nestlé sells in India contains more sugar than its corresponding
product in Europe, and expanded the Patanjali Ayurved matter’s remit to include all fast-moving consumer goods
(FMCG) companies publishing misleading advertisements. India has been recording a
surge in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) thanks to the easy availability of ultra-processed foods,
together with sedentary lifestyles. Manufacturers have also been known to include some vitamins, say, in order
to escape scrutiny, but their product is still ‘junk’. In the last month, the apex court has sought public apologies
from Patanjali Ayurved et al. for advertising misleading claims even after the Court directed them to stop; the
Bench chided the defendants for publishing a diminutive advertisement. There is some uncertainty now over
whether the Court will accept the latest apology, but herein lies the rub.
The expectation that the Court will “activate” itself because the existing apparatus to regulate, report, and
sanction misleading advertisements is complaints-led as well as dysfunctional is dangerous. The Court asked
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the Ministry of AYUSH why it did not act on the allegedly bad advertisements the Advertising Standards Council
of India had flagged; the Council itself has no instruments by which it can force compliance. The Food Safety and
Standards Authority of India has specified the permissible thresholds of ingredients in various food products yet
is infamously reluctant to pull up errant manufacturers; it also remains understaffed, underequipped, and
underfunded. The task of regularly calling out unscientific claims has thus fallen to variously informed members
of civil society, from ill-qualified ‘influencers’ to licensed medical practitioners, yet they do not enjoy protection
from retributive, expensive, and tedious legal action. As such, FMCG marketing should be subject to prompt
enforcement and timely action. Its absence is responsible for the proliferation of unfalsifiable claims regarding
nourishment as well as the growing disunion between India’s concern about NCDs and the foods available to the
people. But the courts should only review legislation, not lead it. Quick, exemplary action against violators in the
cases before it, and not overenthusiastic encroachment of legislative and executive power, is what is expected
of the judiciary.
STABILITY IN MALDIVES(EDITORIAL-2)
Wield (verb) to hold and use a tool or weapon (प्रयोग करना)

Synonyms handle, use
Antonyms relinquish, surrender
Sentence He can wield influence over the decision-making process.
Archipelago (noun) a group of islands (द्वीपसिूह)

Synonyms island group, isles
Antonyms mainland, continent
Sentence The archipelago is known for its stunning natural beauty.
Scrap (verb) to discard or remove as useless(छोड़ना)

Synonyms discard, abandon
Antonyms retain, keep
Sentence They decided to scrap the old equipment.
Derogatory (adjective) showing a critical or disrespectful attitude (अपिानजनक)

Synonyms disparaging, demeaning
Antonyms complimentary, respectful
Sentence He made a derogatory remark that upset many people.
Mend (verb) to repair something that is broken or damaged (िरम्मि करना)

Synonyms repair, fix
Antonyms damage, break
Sentence She took the clothes to mend the tears.
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Frayed (adjective) worn at the edges or strained (धघसा हुआ)

Synonyms unraveled, worn
Antonyms pristine, intact
Sentence His old jacket looked frayed after years of use.
Oscillate (verb) to move or swing back and forth in a regular rhythm (दोलन करना)
Synonyms swing, sway
Antonyms remain, stabilize
Sentence The fan continued to oscillate despite the power fluctuation.
Detriment (noun) the state of being harmed or damaged Karnataka Bank Raises Rs 600 cr
Through Qualified Institutional Placement
कनाषटक बैंक ने यो् संस्थागि प्ले सिेंट के िाध्यि से 600 करोड़ रुपये जुटाए
Synonyms harm, damage
Antonyms benefit, advantage
Sentence Smoking is to the detriment of your health.
STABILITY IN MALDIVES(EDITORIAL-2)
There are several important messages from the win by Maldives President Mohammad Muizzu’s party, the PNC,
in this week’s parliamentary elections. The PNC’s “super-majority” — over 70 of 93 Members of Parliament or
People’s Majlis, including allies and independents — also eases Mr. Muizzu’s path to passing laws and even
making constitutional amendments. The opposition in the Majlis, led by the former ruling Maldivian Democratic
Party (MDP), that was perceived as “pro-India” won just 12 seats, while parties floated by the former Presidents,
Abdullah Yameen and Mohammad Nasheed drew a blank. Mr. Muizzu will be in the spotlight for how he wields
the near-absolute power, in a country which has seen authoritarian rule for decades. The results also indicate
widespread approval by Maldivians of decisions he has made since he was elected in November 2023 including
his international visits to China, Turkey and the UAE, and receiving U.S. senior officials, while keeping a relative
distance from India. During his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December, he insisted on a total
withdrawal of Indian troops maintaining aircraft for humanitarian operations in the archipelago, which he has
now enforced. He has also scrapped a hydrography agreement with India, while strengthening ties with China,
to “rebalance” and end dependence on any foreign power. Meanwhile, Maldivian leaders and commentators
have expressed concern over majoritarian trends in India. Derogatory comments about Mr. Modi by Maldivian
Ministers have added to the unease in India. Indian tourist figures have also dropped.
With the Maldivian results in, and the Indian election results in June, New Delhi and Male have an occasion to try
and mend their frayed ties. Relations have been traditionally good, and should not oscillate with changes in each
government. Unfortunately, this has been the trajectory for the past decade. Mr. Muizzu’s statement that rather
than “pro-India” or “pro-China”, he intends to build a “pro-Maldives” policy must be tested against his actions
while giving him time to prove that none of those actions is to the detriment of India’s security or regional peace.
Given Maldives’s economic troubles and development needs, its challenges with climate change, and its
geographical allure for the U.S. and China, it is only a matter of time that the relative comfort of stronger ties with
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India and its policy of sustainable financing and support, becomes apparent to Male. To be truly successful, a
mutual policy of “Neighbourhood first” can only be voluntary and based on mutual trust and interests.

TRUST IN MACHINES(EDITORIAL-1)
Irremediable (adj) impossible to cure or put right (असाध्य)

Synonyms irreversible, incurable
Antonyms remediable, reversible
Sentence The damage to the ecosystem was considered irremediable.
Lacuna (noun) an unfilled space or gap; a missing part (ररक्त स्थान)

Synonyms gap, void
Antonyms closure, fill
Sentence There was a major lacuna in the data collected from the experiment.
Concurring (adj) agreeing; having the same opinion (सहमत)

Synonyms agreeing, coinciding
Antonyms dissenting, disagreeing
Sentence The scientists found themselves concurring on the environmental
assessment's conclusions.
Reiterate (verb) to say something again or a number of times, typically for emphasis or clarity
(दोहराना)
Synonyms repeat, reaffirm
Antonyms retract, rescind
Sentence He reiterated the importance of early intervention.
Regressive (adj) becoming less advanced; returning to a former or less developed state
(प्रततगामी)
Synonyms retrogressive, backward
Antonyms progressive, advanced
Sentence The policy was criticized as regressive.
Apprehension (noun) anxiety or fear that something bad or unpleasant will happen (आिंका)
Synonyms anxiety, fear
Antonyms confidence, assurance
Sentence There was a sense of apprehension about the future outcomes.
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Tampering (noun) the action of interfering with something in a harmful or unauthorized way
(छे ड़छाड़)
Synonyms interference, meddling
Antonyms restoration, repair
Sentence Evidence of tampering was found in the voting machines.
Indispensable (adj) absolutely necessary or essential (असनवायष)

Synonyms essential, crucial
Antonyms dispensable, unnecessary
Sentence Water is indispensable for human survival.
TRUST IN MACHINES(EDITORIAL-1)
The Supreme Court of India’s rejection of the demand for 100% verification of the paper trail left by the votes cast
through electronic voting machines comes as no surprise, as there is no hard evidence that the current
verification system suffers from any irremediable lacuna. The two concurring judgments of the Bench reiterate
the faith the judiciary has so far reposed in the integrity of the electoral process, especially after the introduction
of the voter verifiable paper audit trail, or VVPAT. In the process, the Bench also rejected the idea of reverting to
paper ballots, as such a measure would indeed be regressive and negate the gains from the elimination of
vulnerabilities associated with paper ballots. This is not the first time that the Court has declined to interfere with
the system in place; it had earlier refused to order 50% verification of the paper trail in one case and 100%
verification in another. The Court has utilised this petition to review the administrative and technical safeguards
in the system and found nothing to impair its faith in it. The two directions given by the Court address the other
serious apprehensionsthat the symbol loading units be secured and kept in safe custody for 45 days after
declaration of results and that the top two losing candidates could seek a verification of the micro-controllers in
5% of the EVMs in specified polling booths so that tampering, if any, may be detected.
In a 2013 ruling, the Supreme Court held that “a paper trail is an indispensable requirement of free and fair
elections”. In another case, it favoured the increase in the number of polling stations in which VVPAT verification
would be done from one per Assembly constituency or segment to five. The introduction of a paper audit trail
itself was in response to apprehensions that voters had no way of ascertaining if their votes were recorded
correctly. It is somewhat ironical that the verification system put in place to address such fears itself has become
a bone of contention as to the extent to which the paper trail has to be verified. Justice Sanjiv Khanna, in his
opinion, has recorded suggestions that VVPAT slips may be counted through machines, and that symbols loaded
in the VVPAT units may be barcoded for easy counting in future. It ought to be clear that such technological
advancement alone can make the process suspicion-proof. A larger point to be made is that the apprehensions
and suspicions of possible manipulation indicate a level of mistrust in the Election Commission of India not seen
in the past. Voter confidence in the system of voting and counting is one thing, but the need for the election
watchdog to be seen as impartial is quite another.
AID FOR WAR(EDITORIAL-2)
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Bipartisan (adj) supported by two political parties that usually oppose each other's policies
Karnataka Bank Raises Rs 600 cr Through Qualified Institutional Placement
कनाषटक बैंक ने यो् संस्थागि प्ले सिेंट के िाध्यि से 600 करोड़ रुपये जुटाए
Synonyms cross-party, two-party
Antonyms partisan, one-sided
Sentence The legislation passed due to strong bipartisan support.
Resemble (verb) to look like or be similar to another person or thing (सिान ददखना)
Synonyms mirror, echo
Antonyms differ, contrast
Sentence The symptoms of the disease closely resemble those of another condition.
Omnibus (adj) comprising several items (तवतवध)

Synonyms comprehensive, collective
Antonyms specific, exclusive
Sentence The committee passed an omnibus spending bill.
Toil (verb) to work extremely hard or incessantly (पररश्रि करना)

Synonyms labor, grind
Antonyms rest, relax
Sentence They continued to toil under harsh conditions.
Isolationist (adj) favoring a policy of remaining apart from the affairs or interests of other
groups, especially the political affairs of other countries (अलगाववादी)
Synonyms non-interventionist, unilateralist
Antonyms internationalist, interventionist
Sentence The country's isolationist stance kept it out of foreign wars.
Rightward (adv) toward or on the right side (दाईं ओर)

Synonyms right, right-side
Antonyms leftward, left-side
Sentence The political party shifted rightward in its policies.
Nihilism (noun) the rejection of all religious and moral principles, often in the belief that life is
meaningless (ननराशावाद)
Synonyms skepticism, pessimism
Antonyms idealism, belief
Sentence His philosophy was often criticized as nihilism.
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AID FOR WAR(EDITORIAL-2)
After lengthy negotiations, the United States Senate has passed with bipartisan support a $95 billion programme
to send aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. The final vote tally was 79-18, with three Democrats voting alongside 15
Republicans against the bill. The aid package brings together four distinct bills that the House of Representatives
passed separately last weekend, respectively supplying almost $61 billion in aid for Ukraine, above $26 billion for
Israel, over $8 billion for the Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific region, and one bill relating to Tik Tok. In their current
shape, the bills closely resemble an aid package that the Senate had passed earlier this year, an initiative that
was ultimately shot down when House Speaker Mike Johnson refused to bring it to the floor of his chamber. Now
that it has been passed in the Senate, the legislation will move forward to the desk of President Joe Biden to sign
into law, as he has said he intends to do, thus opening the door to helping Ukraine to push back against Russian
aggression, to providing wartime assistance to Israel and humanitarian aid to Gaza, and to countering territorial
threats in the Indo-Pacific that are linked to China. The fact that the omnibus aid bills package passed with such
strength in the Upper Chamber of Congress constitutes a key win for Mr. Biden, Democratic lawmakers, and
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, who has toiled for long months to send aid to Ukraine, in the face of
opposition from the far-right wing of his own party.
That opposition, which threatens to spoil the plans of the Republican Party ‘mainstream’, includes the likes of the
House Freedom Caucus, comprising ultra conservative members of Congress who broadly support the agenda
of former President Donald Trump. They are especially opposed to aid packages, which they consider a threat to
their isolationist vision for the U.S. — to the point where Mr. Johnson had to introduce a ‘sweetener’ into the bill to
win their vote, a promise to ban Tik Tok if it did not divest itself of Chinese ownership within a year. That the far-
right segment was able to exert its influence on the agenda of Congress to this extent is remarkable, given that
it only has a slim majority in the House, and both the Senate and White House are in the hands of the Democrats.
In any case, this sizeable aid package is likely to be the last one that is approved for Ukraine and other U.S. allies
until after November, which will see the White House, the House of Representatives and one-third of the Senate
head to the polls. If Mr. Trump emerges victorious, the rightward slide of the Congress might gather considerable
momentum, giving the MAGA movement the teeth that it needs to carry forward its agenda of institutional
nihilism.

TOWARDS A GREEN GROWTH(EDITORIAL-1)
Taxonomy (noun) the process or system of organizing things based on a predetermined

system (वगीकरण)
Synonyms classification, categorization
Antonyms disorganization, jumble
Sentence The study developed a new taxonomy for marine animals.
Counterfactual (adjective) relating to or expressing what has not happened or is not the case
(काल्पननक तवपरीि)
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Synonyms hypothetical, theoretical

Antonyms factual, real
Sentence The scenario was purely counterfactual and used for analysis.
Incorporate (verb) to include or take in something as part of a group, system, plan, etc.
(सिातवष्ट करना)
Synonyms integrate, assimilate
Antonyms exclude, omit
Sentence The new policy will incorporate recent research findings.
Vis-à-vis (preposition) in relation to; compared with (की िुलना िें)

Synonyms compared to, against
Antonyms —
Sentence The report discusses the new data vis-à-vis the old metrics.
Hysteresis (noun) the phenomenon in which the state of a physical system depends on its
history (अवस्था-तवलम्ब)
Synonyms lag, dependence
Antonyms immediacy, instantaneity
Sentence Economic policies often show hysteresis effects.
Ominously (adverb) in a way that suggests that something bad is going to happen
(अिंगलकारी ढं ग से)
Synonyms threateningly, menacingly
Antonyms promisingly, auspiciously
Sentence Clouds gathered ominously above the village.
Peer (noun) a person who is equal to another in abilities, qualifications, age,

background, and social status (सहकिी)
Synonyms equal, counterpart
Antonyms superior, subordinate
Sentence She respected the opinions of her peers.
A notable feature of the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI’s) latest Monetary Policy Report (included in its
April Bulletin) is the primacy given to “extreme weather events” and “climate shocks” affecting not only food
inflation but also likely having a broader impact on the natural rate of interest, thereby influencing the economy’s
financial stability. Natural, or neutral, rate of interest refers to the central bank’s monetary policy lever, which
allows it to maintain maximum economic output, while keeping a check on inflation. The report mentions a “New-
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Keynesian model that incorporates a physical climate risk damage function” being used to estimate the
“counterfactual macroeconomic impact of climate change vis-à-vis a no climate change scenario”. The report’s
authors go on to warn that the “long-term (economic) output” could be lower by around 9% by 2050 in the
absence of any climate mitigation policies. They ominously add that ‘if inflation hysteresis gets entrenched, it
may lead to a de-anchoring of inflation expectations, and the undermining of the central bank’s credibility would
warrant higher interest rates to curb inflation, leading to greater output loss’.
Beginning with its July 2022 discussion paper on ‘climate risk and sustainable finance’, the RBI has made
incremental progress to address the transition to a green economy, even while admitting that India requires over
$17 trillion to achieve its net zero ambitions by 2070. Its peers in advanced economies, most notably the European
Central Bank, have aided the formulation of a green taxonomy for the entire Eurozone’s economic value chain. A
green taxonomy is a framework to assess the sustainability credentials and possible ranking of an economic
activity. The RBI and the Finance Ministry could take inspiration from the developing world, especially the ASEAN
region, where a layered green taxonomy as a living document keeps getting updated with sectoral views of
possible sustainable trajectories. While the issuance of ₹16,000 crore worth of Sovereign Green Bonds and
expanding the resource pool by allowing Foreign Institutional Investors to participate in future green government
securities are welcome steps, the RBI must undertake a thorough-going assessment on the quantitative and
qualitative impact on economic and financial stability due to climate change. It must encourage administrative
consultation to begin populating a layered green taxonomy that is reflective of India’s fragmented
developmental trajectories. The effort should be to mitigate the transitional risks to the financial system as the
economy moves towards a sustainable future.
A THREE-DIMENSIONAL VIEW(EDITORIAL-2)
Minced (verb) to cut up or grind into very small pieces (कटा हुआ)
Synonyms chopped, shredded
Antonyms whole, intact
Sentence He minced the garlic finely before adding it to the sauce.
Unilateral (adjective) pertaining to one side only; done by or affecting one party (एकपक्षीय)
Synonyms one-sided, independent
Antonyms mutual, bilateral
Sentence The government's unilateral decision sparked controversy.
Barrage (noun) a concentrated artillery bombardment over a wide area (गोलाबारी)

Synonyms bombardment, salvo
Antonyms trickle, dribble
Sentence The troops faced a barrage of gunfire as they advanced.
Feeble (adjective) lacking physical strength, especially as a result of age or illness

(किजोर)
Synonyms weak, frail
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Antonyms strong, robust

Sentence His feeble health prevented him from traveling.
Volatile (adjective) liable to change rapidly and unpredictably, especially for the worse
(अह्नस्थर)
Synonyms unstable, erratic
Antonyms stable, consistent
Sentence The political situation was volatile and could change at any moment.
Doctrine (noun) a belief or set of beliefs held and taught by a church, political party, or
other group (जसिांि)
Synonyms creed, philosophy
Antonyms disbelief, skepticism
Sentence The doctrine of non-violence has many adherents.
De-escalate (verb) reduce the intensity of (a conflict or potentially violent situation) (शांि
करना)
Synonyms diminish, lessen
Antonyms escalate, intensify
Sentence The mediator helped to de-escalate the tension between the parties.
Embolden (verb) give someone the courage or confidence to do something or behave

in a certain way (प्रोत्सारहि करना)
Synonyms encourage, fortify
Antonyms discourage, deter
Sentence His words served to embolden the troops.
Scuttled (verb) to run hurriedly or furtively with short quick steps (िेजी से दौड़ना)
Synonyms scamper, dash
Antonyms stroll, amble
Sentence The mouse scuttled across the kitchen floor.
Annex (verb) append or add as an extra or subordinate part, especially to a

document (जोड़ना)
Synonyms attach, incorporate
Antonyms detach, separate
Sentence The country annexed the neighboring island.
Meek (adjective) quiet, gentle, and easily imposed on; submissive (तवनम्र)
Synonyms submissive, docile
Antonyms assertive, bold
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Sentence She was meek and always followed instructions.
Deterrence (noun) the action of discouraging an action or event through fear of the
consequences (ननवारण)
Synonyms prevention, discouragement
Antonyms encouragement, incitement
Sentence The country's nuclear arsenal is maintained as a deterrence against
attacks.
A THREE-DIMENSIONAL VIEW(EDITORIAL-2)
In March 2018, Benjamin Netanyahu was asked in an interview what the three greatest threats Israel was facing
were. “Iran, Iran, Iran,” responded the Prime Minister. “Iran is building an aggressive empire in the Middle East,” he
added. Mr. Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving Prime Minister, has never minced words about Iran. His opposition
to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, brokered by the Obama administration and unilaterally destroyed by Donald Trump,
was hardly a secret. He projected himself, to both his voters at home and allies abroad, as a tough leader who
could stand up to the Iran threat. Yet, it was on Mr. Netanyahu’s watch that Iran launched a massive barrage of
drones and missiles on Israel on April 14 — the first such attack on the Jewish nation by a state actor in over three
decades. Iran crossed a red line when it launched a direct attack on Israel. It shattered the Jewish nation’s
deterrence. The United States still reined Israel in. And Israel’s response to the Iran attack was rather “feeble”, as
Mr. Netanyahu’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir himself called it. After the first round, when both sides
step back from the brink, the multi-dimensional crisis reinforces Iran’s growing risk appetite in an increasingly
volatile and violent West Asia, America’s strategic reluctance and Israel’s near-total dependency on the United
States for its security.
The Biden doctrine
Ever since Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel, the Biden administration’s focus has been on preventing the Israel-
Hamas conflict from escalating into a regional war. President Joe Biden offered his full support for Israel’s military
operation in Gaza, but at the same time unleashed a diplomatic initiative to keep tensions low between Israel
and its neighbours. This approach, however, faced two challenges. One, while the Biden administration
successfully kept Israel-Arab ties stable, Washington had little leverage over Iran. Two, Israel fought its war in two
theatres — one in Gaza and the other in its neighbourhood where it sought to roll back Iranian influence. This set
the path for a potential Israel-Iran confrontation open.
When Israel bombed the Iranian embassy compound in Damascus on April 1, 2024, killing senior Revolutionary
Guard officers, this became a plausible scenario. The U.S. knew Iran would retaliate and had leaked its intelligence
to the press. Mr. Biden realised that if Iran carried out a successful attack and Israel retaliated, it would lead to a
regional war from which the U.S. could not stay out. A war with Iran and its proxies is not in America’s interests.
The U.S. has other immediate strategic priorities, in Eastern Europe and in the Indo-Pacific. So, the U.S. and its allies
helped intercept “99%” of Iranian projectiles, averting a disaster on Israeli soil. And then, Mr. Biden told Mr.
Netanyahu that the U.S. would not participate in any Israeli retaliation against Iran. The message from
Washington was clearde-escalate.
Netanyahu’s dilemma
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A shadow war has been going on between Israel and Iran for years. In recent years, Israel has carried out over
400 air strikes in Syria alone, targeting Iranian interests. It has also carried out operations inside Iran, including
the assassination of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, a senior nuclear scientist, in November 2020. These operations were
relatively cost-free as Iran never responded forcefully, emboldening Israel further. In other words, Israel kept
drilling tiny holes into Iran’s deterrence.
After October 7, Israel has stepped up this shadow war. On December 25, it killed Sayyed Razi Mousavi, a senior
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps adviser, in a strike in Syria. Once again, Iran’s response was muted. When the
Israelis got the intelligence that Mohammed Reza Zahedi, a top IRGC commander, was present in the embassy
compound in Damascus, Israel went ahead with the strike. Israeli officials later told American media that they did
not expect Iran to launch a direct attack when they carried out the Damascus strike. Iran’s retaliation has left Mr.
Netanyahu in a dilemma. He has always favoured force against Tehran. The Iranian attack, many argued, gave
him a perfect opportunity to hit the Mullahs hard. But the strategic reality in which Iran carried out its strike was
not favourable to Mr. Netanyahu. While Mr. Netanyahu favoured force against Iran, his plan has never been to
fight Iran alone. He wanted America’s lead, participation and support. But when Mr. Biden told him that the U.S.
would not join Israel’s retaliation, it limited Mr. Netanyahu’s options. He could still have gone ahead testing
America’s will to stay out of a direct Israel-Iran war. But Israel’s war in Gaza remained unfinished and it wanted
Mr. Biden’s continued support in the offensive. So, Mr. Netanyahu resorted to a largely symbolic strike inside Iran,
targeting a radar system, according to the American media, and did not even claim the attack. This was a rare
victory for the Biden administration as it reined in its ally to avoid a regional war. But from an Israeli point of view,
it was a weak response that did little to bolster its deterrence.
The Ayatollah’s calculus
For years, Iran has shown strategic patience in its shadow war with Israel. That was also because Iran had taken
a long-term view of its growing presence in the region. It has lost a host of senior officers and scientists in the
shadow war, but the Israeli strikes have hardly scuttled Iran’s influence. Its nuclear programme continues to
expand and its proxies continue to strengthen their muscles. But the Israeli bombing on its embassy annex seems
to have altered the strategic thinking in Tehran. After the attack, Iran has decided to impose a cost on Israel’s
continuing strikes on its officials. While the embassy attack was the trigger, a host of other factors seem to
influence the change. Iran today has better strategic ties with Russia and China. While its relationship with China
is largely economic, the strategic partnership with Russia is multilayered, especially after Iran started supplying
drones to Russia to fight the Ukrainians. Iran has also rightly assessed that the U.S. has a low appetite to get
involved in another prolonged war in West Asia, at a time when China and Russia are directly challenging
America’s leadership of the world.
And in West Asia, after six months of fighting Hamas, Israel is far from meeting its objectives, i.e., dismantling
Hamas, releasing hostages and strengthening its deterrence. Israel’s vengeful use of massive force on Gaza,
which has destroyed northern and central Gaza, killed 34,000 people, and turned nearly the entire population of
Gaza into refugees, has triggered an international uproar. There is a genocide case against Israel in the
International Court of Justice. Iran’s view was that the October 7 attack and the subsequent war on Gaza have
substantially weakened the state of Israel in a region where the U.S. security commitments are no longer as “iron
clad” as Washington claims it is. This has allowed Iran to change the rules of the game by launching an open
attack on Israel. And despite the collective defence of the U.S., the United Kingdom, France, Jordan and Israel,
some Iranian ballistic missiles still hit Israel proper.
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Israel’s meek response and its refusal to claim its attack, along with the call for restraint from its allies in the West,
all suggest that Iran’s risk assessment was relatively accurate. This is likely to embolden Tehran further. As of now,
Iran is the only country in West Asia to have launched missile/drone attacks against the U.S. and two of its closest
allies. In 2019, drones attacked two Saudi oil facilities, knocking off half of the kingdom’s output for days; in 2020,
Iran launched 12 ballistic missiles at America’s As-Assad air base in Iraq in retaliation against the killing of General
Qassem Soleimani. And on April 14, it attacked Israel. On all three occasions, Iran walked free, or with a tap on its
wrist, which speaks volumes of the new strategic reality of West Asia.

Heartland (noun) the central or most important part of a country, area, or field of activity
(केंद्रीय क्षेत्र)
Synonyms core, center
Antonyms outskirts, periphery
Sentence Policies crafted in the heartland often influence the entire nation.
Consolidation (noun) the process of combining a number of things into a single more effective
or coherent whole (सिेकन)
Synonyms unification, merger
Antonyms separation, division
Sentence The consolidation of smaller companies into larger conglomerates
continues to alter the market dynamics.
Manifesto (noun) a public declaration of policy and aims, especially one issued before an
election by a political party or candidate (घोर्णापत्र)
Synonyms declaration, platform
Antonyms concealment, silence
Sentence The party's manifesto focused on sustainability and economic reform.
Subaltern (noun) a subordinate, oppressed group of people

Synonyms subordinate, lower-ranking
Antonyms superior, dominant
Sentence The movement aimed to raise the voice of the subaltern communities in
the region.
Tampered (verb) interfere with (something) in order to cause damage or make

unauthorized alterations(छे ड़छाड़ की)
Synonyms meddled, manipulated
Antonyms restored, fixed
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Sentence Evidence suggested that the documents had been tampered with.
Interplay (noun) the way in which two or more things have an effect on each other
(अन्त:तक्रया)
Synonyms interaction, reciprocity
Antonyms disconnection, independence
Sentence The interplay between the natural environment and urban development is
complex.
Galvanise (verb) shock or excite (someone) into taking action(प्रेररि करना)

Synonyms motivate, stimulate
Antonyms demotivate, dissuade
Sentence The leader's speech galvanised the youth to become more politically
active.
Paradox (noun) a situation, person, or thing that combines contradictory features or

qualities (तवरोधाभास)
Synonyms contradiction, anomaly
Antonyms consistency, conformity
Sentence The paradox of being wealthy but unhappy puzzles many
.
The Hindi heartland, more often than not, decides who forms the government in Delhi. Of the 189 Lok Sabha seats
in the six States of Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, U.P. and Uttarakhand that make up the very
core of this territory, votes have been cast for 71 seats, in the first two phases. In Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh
and Rajasthan — where the BJP won the Assembly polls last year — the two principal national parties are in a
direct contest which could determine who gets to lead the next government. For the BJP, the general election had
begun on a high note with Prime Minister Narendra Modi setting the target of 400 seats for the party and its allies
to win, even before the poll notification on March 16. The very next day, he even asked the Cabinet to draft the
plan for the first 100 days of the next government which he is confident of forming. The Opposition on the other
hand, began its campaign from a position of relative weakness and far less enthusiasm. The constituents of the
INDIA bloc were still fighting among themselves on the seat-sharing formula. Developments since then have led
to fresh questions. The Supreme Court-dictated disclosure of electoral bond data, and the arrest of Delhi Chief
Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the ED, were two events that energised the Opposition’s low-key campaign and
highlighted the issues of economic downslide, inflation and unemployment.
The BJP is trying to counter this with a far sharper cry on nationalism, and Hindu consolidation. It terms the
Opposition as being ‘anti-Santana dharma”, and is targeting the Congress and labelling its manifesto as having
an “imprint of the Muslim League”. An apparent fear among Hindu subaltern segments with regard to the ‘400-
plus’ slogan has now put the BJP on the defensive. Statements by BJP leaders that a massive majority will enable
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it to rewrite the Constitution have been read as a threat by OBCs, Dalits and tribal communities. The BJP, with its
ears to the ground, heard the fear, reflected in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speeches ahead of polling for the
first phase, where he assured voters that the Constitution would not be tampered with. The BJP campaign is
focused on explaining that there is no threat to caste reservations from it. And it accuses the Congress of planning
reservations for Muslims. In the heartland where caste and communal identities are locked in a complex interplay,
the BJP’s success is determined by religious mobilisation that overwhelms caste. The Congress’s promise of
policies that advance economic and social justice are also at the centre of the campaign. While the Congress’s
hope is to galvanise the poor and the subaltern castes, the BJP is trying to instigate fear of a socialist dictatorship.
That it is addressing the poorest of the country with the fear of redistribution of wealth is a particularly striking
paradox of the heartland.
FROM INNOVATION TO INTRUSION(EDITORIAL-2)
Intrusion (noun) the act of intruding, especially into someone's privacy (अतिक्रिण)
Synonyms encroachment, invasion
Antonyms withdrawal, retreat
Sentence The new surveillance technology led to an increase in privacy intrusions.
Deepfakes (noun) highly realistic and manipulated videos or audio recordings produced by
artificial intelligence (डीपफेक्स)
Synonyms manipulated media, synthetic media
Antonyms authentic footage, genuine recording
Sentence Deepfakes pose a significant threat to political and social stability.
Cyberbullying (noun) the use of electronic communication to bully a person, typically by sending
messages of an intimidating or threatening nature (साइबर बदिाशी)
Synonyms online harassment, internet bullying
Antonyms support, encouragement
Sentence Schools are implementing programs to combat cyberbullying among
students.
Counterfeit (adj) made in exact imitation of something valuable with the intention to deceive
or defraud (जाली)
Synonyms fake, forged
Antonyms genuine, authentic
Sentence The market was flooded with counterfeit currency.
Havoc (noun) widespread destruction (िबाही)

Synonyms devastation, destruction
Antonyms order, harmony
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Sentence The hurricane wreaked havoc across the coastline.
Sinister (adj) giving the impression that something harmful or evil is happening or will
happen (अिंगल)
Synonyms menacing, ominous
Antonyms benign, harmless
Sentence There was something sinister about the deserted house.
Impersonate (verb) pretend to be another person as entertainment or in order to deceive

someone (बनावटी ढं ग से अनभनय करना)
Synonyms mimic, pose as
Antonyms be oneself, represent
Sentence He was arrested for trying to impersonate a police officer.
Distort (verb) pull or twist out of shape; represent in a way that is inaccurate or
misleading (तवकृि करना)
Synonyms warp, misrepresent
Antonyms clarify, represent accurately
Sentence The newspaper was criticized for distorting the facts.
Sway (verb) control or influence (a person or situation) persuasively or indirectly(प्रभातवि

करना)
Synonyms influence, steer
Antonyms repel, deter
Sentence He held enough sway over the committee to affect the decision.
Spearhead (verb) lead an attack or movement (अगुवाई करना)

Synonyms lead, pioneer
Antonyms follow, trail
Sentence She was chosen to spearhead the new environmental initiative.
Steadfast (adj) resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering (अरडग)

Synonyms loyal, committed
Antonyms fickle, unfaithful
Sentence His steadfast support for the project was crucial to its success.
Subvert (verb) undermine the power and authority of (an established system or
institution) (पलटना)
Synonyms destabilize, overthrow
Antonyms support, uphold
Sentence They plotted to subvert the government.
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FROM INNOVATION TO INTRUSION(EDITORIAL-2)
In the world of technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has not only transformed industries but also the way we
interact socially. The increasing use of deepfakes—very realistic fake videos—has started a new wave of
misinformation, which is especially concerning as India prepares for upcoming elections. A recent study by
McAfee shows that about 22% of Indians have come across political deepfakes that were initially convincing
enough to fool them. The concerns are manifold and significant. Cyberbullying, the creation of counterfeit
pornographic material, and scams were top worries among those surveyed, underscoring the personal and
societal havoc these AI-generated falsehoods can wreak. More sinister still is their potential to impersonate
public figures, erode trust in the media, skew electoral outcomes, and distort historical facts. The effects are deep.
Deepfakes could damage the democratic process by altering how voters see things and increasing societal
divides. India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has issued guidelines requiring AI companies
to get specific permissions if their systems could sway public opinion or disrupt the fairness of elections. This
move has led to criticism from those within the tech industry, sparking a larger discussion on balancing
innovation with regulation.
What is required is a robust, ethical framework that governs AI's application in public discourse. Entities like the
'Ethical AI Coalition Manifesto' spearheaded by startup founder Senthil Nayagam, which pledges to uphold
democratic integrity, are steps in the right direction. Such initiatives aim to balance the technological benefits of
AI, such as enhanced communication and engagement capabilities, against its potential for abuse. As we deal
with this new technological landscape, the ultimate responsibility lies with both creators and consumers of
content. Vigilance, critical scrutiny of information sources, and a steadfast commitment to ethical standards are
imperative to ensure that AI serves to enrich our democratic processes rather than subvert them. With elections
coming up, it’s crucial that everyone involved—government, businesses, and voters—stays aware of the dangers
of deepfakes to ensure a fair and honest election process.
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"The Hindu Editorial Session on Youtube (Bankers Way)"

VOCABULARY + EDITORIAL 01 April 2024

Malefactors and misgivings (Editorial-1)

Malefactor (noun) a person who commits a crime or some other wrong(अपराधी)

Pursuit (noun) the action of following or pursuing someone or something (पीछा)

Census (noun) an official count or survey of a population, typically recording

Viable (adjective) capable of working successfully; feasible(व्यावहाररक)

Sentence The committee questioned whether the proposal was economically

Coherence (noun) the quality of being logical and consistent (सुसंगति)

Irritant (noun) a substance that causes slight inflammation or other discomfort to

Emulate (verb) to match or surpass (a person or achievement), typically by

MALEFACTORS AND MISGIVINGS (EDITORIAL-1)

Compounding crises (Editorial-2)

Reservoir (noun) a large natural or artificial lake used as a source of water

El Niño (noun) a climate phenomenon characterized by the warming of the Pacific

Erratic (adjective) not regular or predictable; inconsistent (अननयनिि)

Extraction (noun) the process of removing or obtaining something from a source

Encroachment (noun) intrusion on a person's territory, rights, etc. (अतिक्रिण)

COMPOUNDING CRISES (EDITORIAL-2)

VOCABULARY + EDITORIAL 03 April 2024

A REFORM WINDOW (EDITORIAL-1)

Yield (verb) to produce or provide a natural, agricultural, or industrial product (उपज)

Rollout (noun) the introduction or launch of a new product or service (लॉन्च)

Interim (adjective) temporary and intended to be used or accepted until something

Temptation (noun) a desire to do something, especially something wrong or unwise

A REFORM WINDOW (EDITORIAL-1)

A NEW LOW (EDITORIAL-2)

Tolerance (noun) the ability or willingness to tolerate the existence of opinions or

Massacres (noun) an indiscriminate and brutal slaughter of many people (नरसंहार)

Stampedes (noun) a sudden panicked rush of a number of horses, cattle, or other

Statesman (noun) a skilled, experienced, and respected political leader or figure

A NEW LOW (EDITORIAL-2)

VOCABULARY + EDITORIAL 04 April 2024

Throes (noun) a condition of agonizing struggle or trouble (संघर्ष की अवस्था)

Pivotal (adj) of crucial importance in relation to the development or success of

Appraisal (noun) an act of assessing someone or something (मूल्ांकन)

Spearhead (verb) lead an attack or movement (अगुवाई करना)

Pitfalls (noun) hidden dangers or difficulties (जोखिम)

Transcend (verb) to go beyond the limits of something (पार करना)

Nuanced (adj) characterized by subtle shades of meaning or expression (सूक्ष्म)

Quest (noun) a long or arduous search for something (िोज)

Panacea (noun) a solution or remedy for all difficulties or diseases (रािबाण)

Dispel (verb) make (a doubt, feeling, or belief) disappear (दूर करना)

Denigrated (verb) criticize unfairly; disparage (बदनाि करना)

Derided (verb) express contempt for; ridicule (उपहास करना)

Synonym Mock, ridicule

Tacit (adjective) understood or implied without being stated openly (िौन)

VOCABULARY + EDITORIAL 05 April 2024

Synonyms Excess, superfluity

Malicious (adjective) characterized by malice; intending or intended to do harm(द्वेर्पूणष)

Standalone (adjective) capable of operating or being used independently of other systems or

Suffice (verb) be enough or adequate (पयाषप्त होना)

Pronouncement (noun) a formal or authoritative announcement or declaration (घोर्णा)

Antonyms Repairing, restoring

WIDE OPEN (EDITORIAL-2)

WIDE OPEN (EDITORIAL-2)

VOCABULARY + EDITORIAL 06 April 2024

Vying (verb) competing eagerly with someone in order to achieve something

Agrarian (adjective) relating to cultivated land or the cultivation of land (कृषर्-संबंर्ी)

Agitated (adjective) feeling or appearing troubled or nervous (बेचैन)

Viable (adjective) capable of working successfully; feasible (व्यवहायष)

Synonym Feasible, practical