What to read in Indian Express
1 November 2025
| No. | Headline (as printed) | Page No. | GS Paper & Topic | Theme / Issue | UPSC Relevance / Analytical Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | India, US seal 10-year defence partnership framework, signal strategic convergence | Page 1 | GS 2 – International Relations | India–US strategic partnership | Strengthens defence cooperation, technology sharing, and interoperability; part of Indo-Pacific strategy. Highlights India’s balancing act between major powers and defence self-reliance. |
| 2 | Oct air second worst in 5 years | Page 4 | GS 3 – Environment | Air pollution & environmental governance | Shows worsening air quality despite policy interventions (NCAP, GRAP). Important for EIA, environmental pollution, and urban sustainability. |
| 3 | Xi vows to protect free trade at APEC as Trump skips key regional summit | World | GS 2 – International Relations | Global trade architecture, APEC diplomacy | Reflects shifting leadership in global trade; China filling vacuum left by US absence. Relevant to India’s trade diplomacy & Indo-Pacific multilateralism. |
| 4 | India & Superpowers (Editorial) | Page 8 | GS 2 – IR / India & Major Powers | India’s balancing diplomacy | Discusses India’s positioning amid global power competition (US–China–Russia). Useful for IR essays and Mains GS-2 strategic autonomy questions. |
| 5 | Anti-climate hoax (Editorial) | Page 8 | GS 3 – Environment | Climate denial & global climate policy | Critiques misinformation on climate change; underscores scientific literacy and global climate accountability. Relevant for environmental ethics & GS-4 themes too. |
| 6 | Bias in the classroom (Editorial) | Page 9 | GS 2 – Social Justice / Education | Educational equity & social bias | Examines systemic inequalities in schooling and teacher bias. Good for essays and GS-2 human resource development & inclusion topics. |
| 7 | Multilateralism, after UN (Editorial) | Page 9 | GS 2 – IR / Global Institutions | Reform of global governance | Explores post-UN multilateralism; evaluates institutions like G20, QUAD, BRICS. Vital for IR and essay on “reform of global institutions.” |
| 8 | US, Russia to be part of mega Indian Navy drill in February | Page 11 | GS 2 – IR / GS 3 – Security | Defence cooperation & maritime security | Illustrates India’s role as a regional security anchor; naval diplomacy enhances India’s Indo-Pacific strategic relevance. |
| 9 | India’s investment rate must rise to 34–35% for 7% growth | Economy | GS 3 – Economy / Growth & Employment | Investment & growth strategy | Emphasises the investment–growth linkage; links to fiscal policy, private capital formation, and Make in India initiatives. |
| 10 | Decoding India’s projected GDP | Page 16 | GS 3 – Economy / Inclusive Growth | Economic forecasting & macro policy | Analyses reasons for optimistic GDP estimates; connects with employment data, consumption trends, and fiscal stability. |
| 11 | Legal battle over MGNREGS: what happens after SC’s order | Page 16 | GS 2 – Governance / Social Justice | Welfare schemes & employment generation | Reviews SC’s intervention in MGNREGS payment delays; relevant for welfare delivery, decentralization, and labour rights. |