What to read in The Hindu newspaper
17 October 2025
| Page No. | Headline / Issue | Relevance & Mapping Theme | UPSC Syllabus Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trump and MEA at odds over Russian oil imports | Energy security & strategic autonomy; India-US-Russia triangle; trade policy vs sanctions | GS II (IR) + GS III (Economy – Energy Security) + Prelims – Foreign Policy |
| 1 | Russia backs AMCA, offers to make Su-57 jets in India | Defence indigenisation, Make-in-India in arms sector, tech transfer diplomacy | GS III (S&T / Defence) + GS II (IR – India-Russia) |
| 1 | SC confident EC will reveal Bihar voter data, refuses order | Electoral transparency, judicial oversight vs independent institutions | GS II (Polity – Judiciary & Election Commission) + Prelims – Constitutional Bodies |
| 2 (States) | WHO standards a must to carry the ORS label: FSSAI | Regulatory governance, public health safety and consumer rights | GS II (Governance – Health Policy) + GS III (S&T – Standards & Tech) |
| 3 | ‘Studying space weather must be a major activity for humans’ (NASA PUNCH mission) | Space technology applications, solar research impact on Earth systems | GS III (S&T – Space Technology) + Prelims – NASA missions |
| 3 | Execution of Kerala nurse in Yemen stalled, Centre tells SC | Diplomatic intervention to protect citizens abroad; Sharia law context | GS II (IR – Diaspora / Consular Protection) + Ethics Case Study |
| 4 | ‘Anti-Indian stir in Australia is a fringe sentiment’: Minister Anne Aly | Diaspora relations and soft power management | GS II (IR – India & Australia / Diaspora) |
| 5 | Govt seeks to boost defence exports to ₹50,000 cr by 2029 – Rajnath Singh | Defence manufacturing ecosystem, private sector role, Atmanirbhar Bharat | GS III (Economy / Defence Indigenisation) + Essay – Self-Reliance |
| 7 (Science) | World Spine Day: From brisk walk to simple exercises | Public health behaviour / preventive healthcare model | GS II (Social Sector – Health) |
| 7 (In Brief) | South-west monsoon gave 8% surplus rain – IMD | Climate & monsoon trends; impact on agriculture and water resources | GS I (Geography – Climatology) + GS III (Disaster Management) |
| 8 (Editorial) | New Dawn – Peace in West Asia hinges on Palestine issue | India’s West Asia policy, regional security, Trump peace plan critique | GS II (IR – West Asia / India’s foreign policy) + Essay – World Order |
| 9 (Op-Ed) | Ensure safeguards for India’s carbon market | Climate governance, carbon trading, justice for farmers & communities | GS III (Environment / Economy) + Essay – Climate Justice |
| 10 (Text & Context) | Restoring fiscal space for the States – K. Shanmugam | Federal finance, GST impact, fiscal autonomy debate | GS II (Federalism) + GS III (Economy – Public Finance) |
| 13 (Business) | India in active talks for trade pact with U.S., EU, Oman: Piyush Goyal | Trade policy, bilateral & multilateral agreements (FTA strategy) | GS II (IR – Economic Diplomacy) + GS III (Economy – External Sector) |
| 13 (Business) | Some Indian refiners to move away from Russian oil | Energy transition pressures & geopolitical economy | GS III (Energy / International Trade) |
| 14 (World) | French PM survives two confidence votes days after re-appointment | Comparative politics, parliamentary systems and coalition instability | GS II (Polity – Comparative Governance) |
| 14 (World) | U.S. authorises CIA action against Venezuela | Global security and sovereignty issues in foreign intervention | GS II (IR – Global Governance / Ethics in IR) |
Mains Practice Questions
GS Paper II (Polity & IR)
- “Judicial restraint is as important as judicial activism in preserving institutional balance.” Examine the recent Supreme Court stance on the Election Commission’s autonomy.
- Discuss how India’s diaspora engagement strategy strengthens its bilateral ties and global image.
GS Paper III (Economy, S&T, Environment)
- Critically analyse India’s approach towards achieving defence self-reliance in the context of the Russia–India Su-57 collaboration.
- Carbon markets can drive climate action only when backed by social safeguards and transparent institutions. Discuss.