What to read in The Hindu newspaper
18 November 2025
| Headline | Page | GS Paper & Topic | Theme / Issue | UPSC Relevance / Analytical Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hasina, aide get death penalty over crackdown on 2024 student protests | Front Page | GS 2 – India & its Neighbourhood Relations | Political instability in Bangladesh | Highlights India–Bangladesh relations, internal politics affecting bilateral cooperation. Links to Teesta water issue, border management, trade & connectivity. |
| Trade impacts of climate action flagged at COP30 | News | GS 3 – Environment / Climate Change Prelims – CBAM | Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) & global trade | Explains how climate actions (EU CBAM, WTO rules) may affect India’s exports. Connects to climate justice, green industrial policy, and Paris Agreement mechanisms. |
| Centre reviewing SC ruling on forest laws and tribal housing, says Minister | News | GS 2 – Governance / Policy Implementation | Forest rights & housing for tribals | Discusses PM-JANMAN & DAJGUA schemes and constitutional balance between Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023 and tribal welfare (Article 46). |
| New digital schemes will ‘de-unionise’ workers: CWFI | News | GS 3 – Economy / Labour Reforms Prelims – Digital Labour Chowk Portal | Gig economy & digital labour reforms | Evaluates Digital Labour Platforms—their potential and risks of informalisation. Links to Social Security Code 2020 and ILO conventions. |
| Jaishankar holds talks with Russian counterpart | News | GS 2 – International Relations / Bilateral | India–Russia cooperation | Focuses on energy, defence, and multipolar world order. Links to INSTC, SCO, BRICS, and India’s balancing diplomacy amid global realignments. |
| Special revision of poll rolls to be conducted in Assam, says EC | News | GS 2 – Polity / Elections Prelims – Poll Roll Revision Types | Electoral roll revision process | Reflects Article 324 powers of EC and procedures under Representation of the People Act (1951) for roll correction and inclusion. |
| Nitish meets Governor as NDA prepares to form new government in Bihar | News | GS 2 – Parliament & State Legislature | Government formation process | Case study of CM appointment under Article 164 and Governor’s constitutional role. Links to constitutional morality & conventions in parliamentary democracy. |
| India-China ties improving, says Army Chief | News | GS 2 – India & its Neighbourhood Relations | Diplomatic & military normalization | Reflects India’s calibrated approach to border disengagement & economic re-engagement. Relevant for LAC management, Galwan aftermath, and regional balance. |
| SC says perennial GRAP is not answer to Delhi air pollution | News | GS 3 – Environment / Pollution | Evaluation of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) | SC critiques reactive environmental governance. Useful for case study on implementation gaps in NCAP/GRAP frameworks. |
| Apex court warns Maharashtra govt. on 50% quota limit | News | GS 2 – Indian Constitution / Basic Structure | Reservation cap & constitutional limits | Reaffirms Indra Sawhney (1992) precedent on 50% ceiling; connects to 102nd & 105th Constitutional Amendments and EWS quota debate. |
| Remembering Batukeshwar Dutt, the forgotten comrade of Bhagat Singh | Text & Context | GS 1 – Modern Indian History Prelims – Freedom Fighters | Revolutionary nationalism | Revisits contribution of Batukeshwar Dutt in Lahore Conspiracy Case; adds depth for GS 1 & Essay (freedom movement narratives). |
| The trajectory of anti-rape laws in India | Text & Context | GS 2 – Polity / Vulnerable Sections | Evolution of gender protection laws | Traces progress from IPC Sec. 375 to Criminal Law (Amendment) Acts of 2013 & 2018; relevant for women’s rights & law reforms. |
| The lower judiciary – litigation, pendency, stagnation (Editorial) | Editorial | GS 2 – Judiciary / Judicial Reforms | Case backlog & systemic reform | Discusses pendency in district courts, vacancies, digitisation, and need for judicial infrastructure mission. Useful for GS2 & Essay on justice delivery. |
| India needs to ‘connect, build and revive’ with Africa (Editorial) | Editorial | GS 2 – International Relations / Africa Policy | South–South cooperation | Suggests deeper engagement through energy, pharma, and education sectors. Links to India–Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) and neocolonial competition with China. |
| Power grab (Editorial) | Editorial | GS 2 – International Relations / Global Politics | Military coups & democracy erosion | Analyses implications of authoritarian power shifts in developing nations for India’s foreign policy & global order. |