What to read in Indian Express
5 November 2025
| Headline (as printed) | Page No. | GS Paper & Topic | Theme / Issue | UPSC Relevance / Analytical Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IITs slip but India entries at record high, China surges | Page 1 | GS – Prelims: Current Affairs (Education & S&T) | Global university rankings and higher education reforms | Reflects global academic competition and India’s performance in QS/THE rankings. Connects to education quality, R&D funding, and NEP 2020 reforms. |
| Delhi sixth most polluted city in country in October | Page 4 | GS – Prelims: Environment & Ecology | Air pollution and urban environmental management | Highlights rising AQI levels due to stubble burning and vehicular emissions. Reinforces relevance of NCAP and Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM). |
| India, Israel ink pact on defence cooperation | Page 9 | GS 2 – IR / Bilateral Relations | Strategic and defence partnership | Expands cooperation in defence technology, intelligence sharing, and counter-terrorism. Reinforces India’s West Asia outreach and Make in India (Defence) initiative. |
| Once there was a Delhi winter, now we have a mask | Page 12 | GS 3 – Environment / Pollution | Health impacts of air pollution | A reflective editorial on urban smog; useful for GS3 air quality governance, health-environment linkage, and ethical governance topics. |
| IPO market is booming, but don’t ignore red flags | Page 12 | GS 3 – Economy / Investment | IPO surge, investor protection | Explains high retail participation and risk patterns in primary markets. Relates to SEBI reforms, investor confidence, and speculative trends. |
| A tale of two populisms: MAGA mines resentment, Mamdani hope | Page 12 | GS 4 – Ethics in Governance / Political Philosophy | Populism and political ethics | Contrasts resentment-based populism vs. constructive leadership ethics. Useful for moral politics, governance values, and ethical dilemmas. |
| Don’t call J&K UT inefficient, it’s federalism | Page 13 | GS 2 – Polity / Federalism | Centre–State relations | Discusses decentralization and autonomy under Article 239A. Relevant for asymmetric federalism, Union control, and challenges in J&K administration. |
| US sanctions on Russian oil are not about Ukraine, but its own shale industry | Page 13 | GS 2 – IR / Developed Countries’ Policies | Global energy geopolitics | Analyses US sanctions’ hidden motives; shows geo-economic competition and implications for India’s crude imports. |
| As Umngot water turns muddy, residents blame road project | Page 16 | GS 3 – Environment / EIA | Development–ecology conflict | Case study of Umngot River (Meghalaya): EIA lapses and sedimentation due to road works. Useful for sustainable infrastructure questions. |
| Mere disturbances of law and order are not sufficient for preventive detention: HC | Page 16 | GS 2 – Judiciary / Governance | Preventive detention jurisprudence | Reaffirms constitutional safeguards under Article 22. Emphasises distinction between “law and order” vs. “public order.” |
| Stop wildlife imports to India unless proper checks in place: CITES | Page 16 | GS 3 – Environment / International Conventions | Wildlife protection and trade regulation | Focuses on India’s CITES compliance; good for environmental treaties and bio-trade governance. |
| How Bill Gates is reshaping discourse on climate action | Page 20 | GS 3 – Environment / Sustainable Development | Philanthropy & climate innovation | Highlights role of global philanthropists and NGOs in climate financing. Links to CSR, SDG 13 (Climate Action), and private-public partnerships. |
| In Trump’s tariffs war, why the US Supreme Court is a battlefield | Page 20 | GS 2 – Polity / Separation of Powers | Judicial role in economic policymaking | Examines judicial checks on executive trade policy. Illustrates separation of powers and rule of law in comparative governance. |