The Hindu Editorial 8th October 2025 Vocabulary, Summary, Tone, Descriptive

The Hindu Editorial Vocabulary is highly useful for Bank and SSC exams, especially for the English section. Regular reading improves vocabulary, comprehension, and grammar. Editorials contain high-quality language, idioms, phrasal verbs, and advanced vocabulary frequently asked in exams. Learning 10–15 new words daily and reading the summary of the passage from editorials helps in scoring better in Cloze Tests, Reading Comprehension, Fill in the Blanks, and Synonyms-Antonyms. It also boosts your confidence in descriptive writing and interviews. Consistent practice with these words, along with usage in sentences, enhances retention. Hence, the Hindu editorials serve as a rich and reliable source for English preparation in competitive exams.

Reading Comprehension passages are an integral part of the English section of government exams. However, for beginners, such passages can seem difficult. The Hindu Editorial is an excellent tool to improve the reading and understanding of passages. The language is very similar to the passages that generally appear in the English section of government exams, and each paragraph is filled with exam-relevant vocabulary and real-world topics. First, go through the vocabulary section and read the meanings of the words, their Hindi translations, synonyms, and antonyms. Then read the summary of the passage provided to you. Once you know the meanings of the words, read the passage carefully, and you will feel that it is much easier to understand the main idea and tone of the passage. This method not only improves the understanding of reading comprehension passages but also builds a strong vocabulary base for cloze tests and sentence fillers in the exam. Doing this every day will boost your confidence in the English section and help improve your scores in sections such as Reading Comprehension, Cloze Tests, and Sentence Fillers.

The Hindu Editorial 8th October 2025

Radical tunnel: On the Physics Nobel 2025

The Physics Nobel exemplifies value of inquiry not driven by immediate utility

John Clarke, Michel Devoret and John Martinis’s experiments in the 1980s proved that the strange laws of quantum mechanics could govern not just subatomic particles but entire circuits visible to the eye. Their discovery of macroscopic quantum tunnelling and energy quantisation in an electric circuit won them the 2025 Physics Nobel Prize. This marks a significant interval since quantum mechanics last directly featured in a Physics Nobel, noticeable given the field’s enduring vitality, and at a time when the world anticipates profound revolutions in computing and communications. Their experiments at the University of California, demonstrated quantum behaviour in a circuit comprising two superconductors separated by an ultrathin insulating barrier, also known as a Josephson junction. In classical physics, a current flowing through this system would be trapped in a zero-voltage state unless it had enough energy to cross the barrier. But at temperatures near absolute zero, they found that the current could escape by ‘tunnelling’ through the barrier, a uniquely quantum phenomenon. The system also behaved as if it were a single large particle, with discrete energy levels instead of a continuous range. To ensure these effects were not artefacts of noise in the circuits, the team took elaborate pains to isolate them from stray microwave radiation. Their results confirmed that a superconducting phase difference, a collective property of the trillions of pairs of electrons that sustained superconductivity, behaved as a single quantum variable.

Josephson junctions are the foundation of superconducting qubits, which animate many of today’s leading quantum computers; superconducting circuits also underpin ultrasensitive magnetometers, quantum voltage standards and single-photon detectors used in astronomy and biomedical imaging. By confirming that quantum laws apply to objects “big enough to hold in your hand”, the laureates opened a new domain of applied quantum engineering. Today, the challenge is not to prove that macroscopic quantum behaviour exists but to preserve it long enough to be useful. Quantum states are exquisitely sensitive to their surroundings; research thus focuses on materials with lower loss, better filtering and cryogenic control and hybrid architectures that combine superconducting circuits with mechanical, photonic or spin-based systems. The 2025 prize also exemplifies the value of inquiry driven solely by curiosity about nature’s limits. When the laureates set out to test whether quantum mechanics could govern a macroscopic electrical circuit, no one foresaw its consequences. Their pursuit of a fundamental question produced the principles underpinning the pursuit of engineers today, including in India, of new technologies — and prestige for their host countries.

The Hindu Editorial 8th October 2025 Vocabulary

1. Exemplifies
• Meaning: Serves as a typical example of; illustrates by example
• Part of Speech: Verb
• Synonyms: epitomises, typifies, personifies, embodies
• Antonyms: obscures, misrepresents, contradicts, conceals

2. Inquiry
• Meaning: An act of asking for information or a process of investigation
• Part of Speech: Noun
• Synonyms: exploration, investigation, probing, scrutiny
• Antonyms: neglect, disregard, conclusion, pronouncement

3. Driven
• Meaning: Motivated or determined by a particular factor or force
• Part of Speech: Adjective (used as a past participle)
• Synonyms: propelled, compelled, actuated, instigated
• Antonyms: unmotivated, undirected, aimless, uninspired

4. Govern
• Meaning: Control, direct, or strongly influence the actions or behaviour of
• Part of Speech: Verb
• Synonyms: regulate, dictate, command, superintend
• Antonyms: disregard, contravene, release

5. Interval
• Meaning: A pause or break in activity; a period of time between two events
• Part of Speech: Noun
• Synonyms: interlude, hiatus, lapse, moratorium
• Antonyms: continuity, simultaneity, permanence, conjunction

6. Enduring
• Meaning: Lasting over a long period; persistent
• Part of Speech: Adjective
• Synonyms: perennial, perpetual, resilient, steadfast
• Antonyms: ephemeral, transient, fleeting, evanescent

7. Vitality
• Meaning: The state of being strong and active; energy
• Part of Speech: Noun
• Synonyms: robustness, vigour, dynamism, exuberance
• Antonyms: languor, inertia, torpor, lassitude

8. Anticipates
• Meaning: Regards as a probable future event; expects or predicts
• Part of Speech: Verb
• Synonyms: foresees, presumes, prognosticates, envisages
• Antonyms: recalls, overlooks, misapprehends, discounts

9. Profound
• Meaning: Very great or intense; deep or insightful
• Part of Speech: Adjective
• Synonyms: immense, far-reaching, momentous, penetrating
• Antonyms: superficial, trivial, cursory, slight

10. Revolutions
• Meaning: A fundamental and often dramatic change in how something operates
• Part of Speech: Noun
• Synonyms: paradigm shifts, transformations, upheavals, seismic changes
• Antonyms: stagnation, stability, continuity, regression

11. Demonstrated
• Meaning: Clearly shown or proved
• Part of Speech: Verb (past tense)
• Synonyms: evinced, substantiated, attested, verified
• Antonyms: refuted, contradicted, concealed, disproved

12. Classical physics
• Meaning: Physics before quantum mechanics and relativity; macroscopic physics
• Part of Speech: Noun (compound term)
• Synonyms: Newtonian physics, macro-scale physics, conventional mechanics, deterministic physics
• Antonyms: quantum mechanics, relativistic physics, modern physics, high-energy physics

13. Uniquely
• Meaning: In a way that belongs or is connected to only one particular thing
• Part of Speech: Adverb
• Synonyms: distinctively, singularly, exclusively, unparalleledly
• Antonyms: commonly, universally, generally, routinely

14. Discrete
• Meaning: Individually separate and distinct
• Part of Speech: Adjective
• Synonyms: separate, disparate, detached, discontinuous
• Antonyms: continuous, connected, integrated, merged

15. Artefacts (or artifacts)
• Meaning: An object made by humans; in science, a result due to error
• Part of Speech: Noun
• Synonyms: spurious results, experimental errors, byproducts, unintended consequences
• Antonyms: genuine data, authentic effects, inherent properties, fundamental truth

16. Elaborate
• Meaning: Involving many carefully arranged parts or details
• Part of Speech: Adjective
• Synonyms: intricate, painstaking, meticulous, fastidious
• Antonyms: simple, crude, cursory, perfunctory

17. Pains
• Meaning: Careful effort; great trouble or care taken
• Part of Speech: Noun
• Synonyms: exertion, diligence, meticulousness, assiduousness
• Antonyms: negligence, carelessness, sloth, apathy

18. Isolate
• Meaning: Cause to be or remain alone; to separate
• Part of Speech: Verb
• Synonyms: sequester, detach, segregate, insulate
• Antonyms: integrate, merge, connect, combine

19. Sustained
• Meaning: Continued or maintained without interruption
• Part of Speech: Verb (past tense)
• Synonyms: preserved, maintained, perpetuated, upheld
• Antonyms: ceased, terminated, discontinued, intermitted

20. Foundation
• Meaning: An underlying basis or principle
• Part of Speech: Noun
• Synonyms: bedrock, cornerstone, substratum, premise
• Antonyms: superstructure, accessory, consequence, derivative

21. Animate
• Meaning: Bring to life or vigour; give a basis for existence
• Part of Speech: Verb
• Synonyms: galvanise, vitalise, actuate, quicken
• Antonyms: stifle, deaden, inhibit, impede

22. Leading
• Meaning: Most important; principal; at the forefront
• Part of Speech: Adjective
• Synonyms: foremost, paramount, preeminent, vanguard
• Antonyms: subordinate, auxiliary, negligible, trailing

23. Underpin
• Meaning: Support or justify (an idea or theory)
• Part of Speech: Verb
• Synonyms: corroborate, substantiate, buttress, reinforce
• Antonyms: undermine, destabilise, refute, contradict

24. Laureates
• Meaning: People awarded for achieving eminence in a field
• Part of Speech: Noun
• Synonyms: prize-winners, honorees, distinguished recipients, acclaimed individuals
• Antonyms: novices, aspirants, contenders, failures

25. Domain
• Meaning: A specified sphere of activity or knowledge
• Part of Speech: Noun
• Synonyms: realm, purview, sphere, compass
• Antonyms: periphery, outside, limit, exclusion

26. Preserve
• Meaning: Maintain in original or existing state
• Part of Speech: Verb
• Synonyms: conserve, safeguard, sustain, retain
• Antonyms: compromise, relinquish, degrade, abolish

27. Exquisitely
• Meaning: In a very beautiful, delicate, or sensitive manner
• Part of Speech: Adverb
• Synonyms: delicately, fastidiously, finely, acutely
• Antonyms: crudely, clumsily, robustly, insensitively

28. Set out to
• Meaning: Begin a task or project with a specific goal
• Part of Speech: Phrasal Verb
• Synonyms: embarked upon, commenced, aimed to, aspired to
• Antonyms: abandoned, neglected, refrained from, defaulted

29. Foresaw
• Meaning: Knew or predicted something would happen
• Part of Speech: Verb (past tense)
• Synonyms: envisioned, predicted, divined, portended
• Antonyms: ignored, overlooked, disregarded, was surprised by

30. Pursuit
• Meaning: The action of following or striving to achieve something
• Part of Speech: Noun
• Synonyms: quest, endeavour, undertaking, vocation
• Antonyms: abandonment, evasion, avoidance, capitulation

31. Prestige
• Meaning: Respect and admiration based on achievements or quality
• Part of Speech: Noun
• Synonyms: acclaim, standing, eminence, renown
• Antonyms: obscurity, ignominy, disrepute, opprobrium

Summary for Bank Mains Descriptive Practice:

The 2025 Physics Nobel Prize was awarded to John Clarke, Michel Devoret, and John Martinis for their work proving that quantum mechanics can govern macroscopic electric circuits. Their experiments, conducted in the 1980s using superconducting circuits called Josephson junctions, demonstrated two critical phenomena at near-absolute zero temperatures: macroscopic quantum tunnelling (where current escapes a barrier without sufficient classical energy) and energy quantisation (where the circuit behaves as a single quantum particle with discrete energy levels). This confirmation of quantum behaviour in systems “big enough to hold in your hand” opened a new field of applied quantum engineering. The discovery provides the foundation for current technologies like superconducting qubits in quantum computers, ultrasensitive magnetometers, and single-photon detectors. The award also underscores the profound value of curiosity-driven fundamental inquiry, which, despite lacking immediate utility at its inception, yielded the foundational principles for today’s technological revolutions in computing and communications.

Student-Friendly Summary for Easy Understanding

The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics recognised scientists John Clarke, Michel Devoret, and John Martinis for a groundbreaking discovery: the “weird” rules of quantum mechanics don’t just apply to tiny atoms, but can also control large, visible electrical circuits. Back in the 1980s, they used special circuits called Josephson junctions (made of two superconductors separated by a tiny gap) and cooled them near absolute zero. They observed two impossible-by-classical-physics effects:

1. Quantum Tunnelling: Electric current “tunnelled” through the insulating gap even without enough energy to jump over it.

2. Energy Steps: The energy in the circuit didn’t change smoothly, but jumped in discrete “steps” like a single giant particle.

This work proved that objects big enough to see could be in a quantum state. This finding is now the backbone of modern quantum computing (using superconducting qubits) and various advanced sensors. Essentially, their simple curiosity-driven experiments provided the essential scientific blueprint for today’s biggest technological race.

The Hindu Editorial 8th October 2025 – Tone Analysis

The tone of the passage is formal, laudatory, academic, and reflective.

Formal and Academic

The language uses precise, subject-specific terminology such as “macroscopic quantum tunnelling,” “energy quantisation,” “Josephson junction,” “superconducting qubits,” and “cryogenic control.” The sentence structure is complex and measured, typical of scientific or high-level journalistic writing.

Example: “Their results confirmed that a superconducting phase difference, a collective property of the trillions of pairs of electrons that sustained superconductivity, behaved as a single quantum variable.”

Laudatory and Commemorative

The passage praises the achievements of the laureates and highlights the importance of their work. It celebrates the Nobel Prize itself and its significance to the scientific community.

Example: “John Clarke, Michel Devoret and John Martinis’s experiments… proved that the strange laws of quantum mechanics could govern not just subatomic particles but entire circuits visible to the eye. Their discovery… won them the 2025 Physics Nobel Prize.”

Reflective and Philosophical

The passage goes beyond merely reporting the news; it pauses to consider the broader implications and value of the discovery. It emphasises the importance of fundamental, curiosity-driven research over immediate commercial utility.

Example: “The Physics Nobel exemplifies value of inquiry not driven by immediate utility… The 2025 prize also exemplifies the value of inquiry driven solely by curiosity about nature’s limits.”

Informative and Contextual

The primary goal is to inform the reader about the scientific basis of the award and its historical context within the field of quantum mechanics and technology. It meticulously details the mechanism (tunnelling), the setting (near absolute zero), and the applications (quantum computers, magnetometers).

Example: “Josephson junctions are the foundation of superconducting qubits, which animate many of today’s leading quantum computers…”

The Hindu Editorial 8th October 2025: Comprehension Exercise

Technology isn’t merely a collection of tools; it’s a fundamental extension of human will and intellect. From the first stone axe to the latest quantum processor, the impulse to innovate has driven our species forward. The current era, often termed the Fourth Industrial Revolution, is characterised by the blurring of lines between the physical, digital, and biological spheres. Artificial Intelligence (AI) stands as a centrepiece, transforming industries from healthcare to finance by processing colossal datasets and identifying patterns beyond human capacity. AI-powered diagnostics, for example, can detect diseases earlier, potentially saving millions of lives.

The rapid advancement of connectivity, facilitated by 5G and the burgeoning Internet of Things (IoT), is creating a truly interconnected global ecosystem. Smart cities use networks of sensors to manage traffic and optimise energy consumption, making urban life more efficient and sustainable. However, this technological leap is not without challenges. Concerns about data privacy, algorithmic bias, and job displacement due to automation necessitate a global dialogue. The ethical integration of technology is crucial. We must ensure that these powerful tools serve to amplify human potential and reduce global disparities, rather than exacerbate them. Ultimately, technology’s narrative is our own—a testament to our constant pursuit of knowledge and improvement. It is a symbiotic evolution, where each advancement reshapes humanity, and humanity, in turn, dictates the next direction of innovation.

Comprehension Questions and Answers

1. What distinction does the passage make between technology and a simple collection of tools, and what drives this ongoing development?

Ans 1. Technology is defined as a deep, fundamental extension of human intellect and desire, rather than just tools. This constant and powerful development is fundamentally driven by the inherent human impulse to innovate and improve.

2. What term is used to describe the current technological era, and which central technology characterises the blurring of the physical, digital, and biological realms?

Ans 2. The current era is referred to as the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which is centrally characterised by Artificial Intelligence (AI). This technology is key to integrating the physical, digital, and biological spheres.

3. Besides Artificial Intelligence, what other two interconnected concepts are mentioned as facilitating a globally linked ecosystem, and what is one practical application of this connectivity?

Ans 3. The two other key concepts are advanced connectivity (like 5G) and the Internet of Things (IoT). A practical use mentioned is smart cities employing sensor networks to efficiently manage traffic and energy use.

4. According to the text, what are three significant challenges or ethical concerns that have arisen as a result of rapid technological advancement?

Ans 4. The passage highlights three main ethical and practical concerns: data privacy regarding personal information, the issue of algorithmic bias in automated systems, and the societal problem of job displacement caused by increasing automation.

5. What ultimate role or goal should technology play in relation to humanity, as emphasised in the concluding thoughts of the passage?

Ans 5. The passage stresses that technology’s ultimate purpose is to amplify human potential across the board and actively work to reduce the disparities that exist globally, thereby ensuring it benefits all of humanity.

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