What to read in Indian Express
27 November 2025
| Headline | Page No. | GS Paper & Topic | Theme / Issue | UPSC Relevance / Analytical Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest Survey had red-flagged but Govt took green shield off 90% Aravalli Hills | 1 | GS 3 – Environment / Conservation | Environmental degradation & deforestation policy | Highlights dilution of Aravalli notification protections and lapses in EIA & land-use regulation. Use in case study on eco-fragile zones, mining & forest governance. Links to NCF 2023 & Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act 2023. |
| State not following own policy for early release of convicts: HC takes strong objection | 4 | GS 2 – Polity & Governance / Criminal Justice System | Prison reforms & judicial oversight | HC flags executive apathy on premature release policies under Articles 72–161. Enriches answers on reformative justice & administrative accountability. |
| Let’s remember and remind the world of 26/11 | 10 | GS 3 – Internal Security / Terrorism | Counter-terrorism & security preparedness | Marks 26/11 Mumbai attacks anniversary; focuses on cross-border terrorism & international cooperation (Interpol, FATF, UN Resolution 1373). Good for GS3 IR + Security convergence. |
| Bringing back Indian-origin faculty will need changes in policy, culture | 10 | GS 2 – Social Sector / Education | Brain drain & higher education reforms | Discusses need for research incentives, tenure flexibility, and diaspora collaboration to boost India’s academic innovation ecosystem. Links to National Research Foundation (NRF). |
| India must choose digital sovereignty or submit to the new, subtle digital raj | 11 | GS 2 – Governance & IR / Digital Sovereignty | Data governance & strategic autonomy | Argues for data localization, AI regulation & cyber diplomacy. Use in Digital India, Data Protection Act, & AI Ethics answers. |
| Connect the dots: Mental health & reproductive rights | 11 | GS 2 – Social Justice / Health & Women Empowerment | Right to health under Article 21 & gender justice | Links mental well-being with reproductive autonomy; reinforces SC judgments (e.g. X v. NCT Delhi, 2022). Useful for GS2 + Ethics (empathy in governance). |
| China’s arbitrary actions in normalising ‘unhelpful’ ties, says India | 12 | GS 2 – International Relations / Neighbourhood | India–China relations | Reflects India’s calibrated diplomacy amid border standoffs and economic asymmetry. Connect to Wuhan, Galwan & BRICS cooperation challenges. |
| RBI planning monthly release of balance of payments data: Dy Guv | 15 | GS 3 – Economy / External Sector | Data transparency & macroeconomic stability | Enhances RBI’s data frequency & reliability. Links to monetary policy coordination, forex management, and statistical reforms. |
| IMF reclassifies India’s FX regime as ‘crawl-like’ | 15 | GS 3 – Economy / External Sector | Exchange rate management & macroeconomic policy | IMF’s shift from “floating” to “crawl-like” highlights RBI intervention to stabilize rupee. Important for BoP, CAD, and inflation management answers. |
| How November 26 came to be celebrated as India’s ‘Constitution Day’ | 17 | GS 2 – Polity & Governance / Constitution | Evolution of constitutional culture & civic education | Explains rationale behind Constitution Day (2015); highlights Ambedkar’s role & constitutional morality awareness. Great for GS2 intro/essay on constitutional values. |