What to read in Indian Express
25 November 2025
| Headline | Page No. | GS Paper & Topic | Theme / Issue | UPSC Relevance / Analytical Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volcano erupts in Ethiopia after 10,000 years, smoke reaches India | The World | GS 1 – Geography / GS 3 – Disaster Management | Volcanism & transboundary environmental impact | Case study for plate tectonics, volcanism & atmospheric circulation. Adds value to Disaster Management answers on volcanic aerosols & aviation safety. |
| Why India needs national counter-IED policy | Explained | GS 3 – Internal Security | Terrorism & counter-insurgency strategy | Discusses need for comprehensive counter-IED framework, inter-agency coordination, and IED detection tech. Links to NIA, NSG, & LWE security reforms. |
| How Darwin’s Origin of Species laid basis for modern evolutionary theory | Explained | GS 3 – Science & Technology / Biology | Evolutionary biology & scientific advancement | Foundational reference for evolution, genetics, and biodiversity, enriching Science & Tech + Environment overlap questions. |
| What will it mean for Chandigarh if it is brought under Article 240? | Explained | GS 2 – Polity & Governance | Union Territories administration & federal balance | Examines Centre’s legislative control under Art. 240—useful for Centre–State relations and constitutional governance of UTs. |
| How Trump’s tariffs have run into affordability crisis | Explained | GS 3 – Economy / Trade Policy | Global trade protectionism & domestic inflation | Analyses tariff-induced inflation and impact on US–China trade & global growth. Useful for BoP, WTO, protectionism & globalisation essays. |
| Notify tiger reserve in Goa, recommends SC-appointed panel | 2 | GS 3 – Environment & Ecology | Wildlife conservation & judicial intervention | SC panel proposal under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Highlights Centre–State divergence on tiger corridors. Prelims: Protected Areas in India. |
| After 2-year standoff, India, Canada to resume trade talks | 6 | GS 2 – International Relations / Trade | India–Canada bilateral economic ties | Resumption of CEPA negotiations. Links to trade diversification & diplomacy amid global protectionism. |
| Justice Surya Kant takes oath as 53rd Chief Justice of India | 7 | GS 2 – Polity / Judiciary | Appointment of Chief Justice & judicial independence | Connects to Articles 124–128, collegium system, and judicial hierarchy. Useful for Mains answers on judicial accountability. |
| Afghanistan offers 5-year tax break for Indian investors | 6 | GS 2 – IR / Neighbourhood Relations | Economic diplomacy with Afghanistan | Aims to attract Indian FDI in energy, mining, and infrastructure. Reflects India’s strategic engagement post-Taliban. |
| Farmers must reap fruits of genetic engineering | 8 | GS 3 – Agriculture / S&T | GM crops & biotech in agriculture | Promotes science-based regulation (GEAC) for Bt cotton, GM mustard, and bio-fortified crops. Important for food security & agri-tech. |
| New labour codes cut red tape, now states have to act | 9 | GS 3 – Economy / Governance | Labour reforms & industrial policy | Analyses implementation challenges of new Labour Codes (2019–20) and Centre–State coordination for industrial ease. |
| Leopards in the backyard: Inside the conflict in UP’s sugarcane fields | 17 | GS 3 – Environment & Biodiversity | Human–wildlife conflict | Field case study on agricultural–wildlife interface. Use in GS3 Environment & Essay (Man–Nature Relationship). |
| Macroeconomic data suggests there is scope for repo rate cut: RBI Governor | 19 | GS 3 – Economy / Monetary Policy | Inflation control & growth trade-off | Reflects RBI–MPC coordination, macroeconomic trends, and monetary easing signals. Connects to growth–inflation dynamics. |
| Public sector banks gain lead in home, auto loans as retail credit demand rebounds | 19 | GS 3 – Economy / Banking Sector | Financial sector recovery | Indicates public sector credit dominance and improving retail consumption. Links to NBFC–bank dynamics & credit growth revival. |
| India, Canada to resume FTA negotiations | 19 | GS 2 – IR / Trade | Bilateral & multilateral negotiations | Parallel coverage reinforcing economic diplomacy; useful for trade & IR answer integration. |