What to read in Indian Express
29 October 2025
| No. | Headline (as printed) | Page No. | GS Paper & Topic | Theme / Issue | UPSC Relevance / Analytical Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | HAL joins hands with US-sanctioned Russia firm to make regional jets in India | Page 1 | GS 3 – Science & Tech / Defence Indigenisation | Aerospace collaboration, strategic autonomy | Marks India’s continued engagement with Russia despite Western sanctions; aligns with Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India in civil aviation. Connects to S&T, diplomacy, and defence industrial base. |
| 2 | EU’s top leadership to be chief guests at next year’s Republic Day | Page 1 | GS 2 – International Relations / Diplomacy | India-EU strategic partnership | Reinforces India’s engagement with the EU on trade, technology, and green energy; showcases diversification of diplomatic outreach amid shifting global alliances. |
| 3 | Cabinet approves terms of reference of Eighth Pay Panel | Page 8 | GS 2 – Governance / Civil Services Reform | Public service pay structure, fiscal management | Establishes framework for next Central Pay Commission; important for debates on public-sector efficiency, administrative morale, and fiscal sustainability. |
| 4 | Montha makes landfall in Andhra, rain pounds Odisha | Page 9 | GS 1 – Geography / GS 3 – Disaster Management | Tropical cyclone impact and mitigation | Illustrates increasing cyclone frequency and preparedness levels under NDMA; connects to Sendai Framework and IMD’s forecasting reforms. |
| 5 | The Chimerica challenge (Editorial) | Page 10 | GS 2 – International Relations / Global Politics | US–China economic rivalry | Analyses decoupling and the evolving global trade order; useful for essay and IR answers on multipolarity and supply-chain reconfiguration. |
| 6 | SIR, More Inclusive (Editorial) | Page 10 | GS 2 – Polity / Governance | Electoral reforms, voter inclusion | Evaluates ongoing Systematic Information Revision (SIR) project for electoral rolls; links to RPA Act, inclusivity, and transparency in elections. |
| 7 | Exclusion, streamlined (Ideas Page) | Page 11 | GS 2 – Welfare Schemes / Governance | Targeted delivery & digital exclusion | Critiques digital welfare architecture and exclusion in DBT schemes; relevant for governance ethics and social justice questions. |
| 8 | Rethink the master plans (Ideas Page) | Page 11 | GS 1 – Urbanisation / GS 2 – Governance | Urban planning and inclusive cities | Highlights flaws in urban master plans — land misuse, displacement, and sustainability. Use in Smart Cities or urban challenges essays. |
| 9 | Your vote and the SIR (Explained) | Page 13 | GS 2 – Polity / Electoral Reforms | Electoral roll management, citizen participation | Explains process of SIR 2.0 (Systematic Information Revision) and how EC modifies voter rolls under RPA 1951 Section 21; key for Prelims + Mains polity questions. |