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.
Practising compassion: On the stray dogs issue, Court order
Underestimating the cost of animal shelters undermines them
The Supreme Court of India’s proceedings on free-roaming dogs represent an earnest, even if inadequate, attempt to reconcile competing claims of compassion and safety. On August 11, 2025, the Court had directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi to round up strays and confine them in shelters. Eleven days later, it changed course, permitting release after vaccination and deworming, and that aggressive or rabid animals be retained. India bears one of the world’s heaviest burdens of rabies and anthropological accounts are clear that this threat shapes daily life, limiting children’s movements and forcing families into repeated medical expenses. Rabies also disproportionately kills those least able to navigate the health system. While the Animal Birth Control Rules were updated in 2023, experience shows that without 70% sterilisation coverage, they are ineffectual. The August 11 order was significant because it acknowledged that the present framework, however well intentioned, is inadequate for India’s dense settlements. Objections that shelters will be overcrowded and disease-ridden and that permanent impoundment will precipitate an ecological imbalance confront the same issues that undermine the Rules. Properly resourced and regulated shelters can be managed with veterinary standards, space norms and transparent oversight. India already maintains similar institutions for cattle on a large scale. But if canine facilities are in squalor — which may have motivated the Court to change course — it will be due to the same administrative neglect and policy fragmentation between States that have kept sterilisation coverage from crossing 70% in any major city, and which have been keeping alive fears of other species migrating into the ecological niches dogs once occupied.
Street dogs are woven into India’s urban fabric, even offering companionship to the homeless. Such perspectives deserve a place in cultural discourse but cannot override the human right to access public spaces without fear of injury. Compassion is not annulled if dogs are removed from public roads; they must still be compassionately rehomed, sheltered and, when incurably aggressive or ill, euthanised humanely. A modern statute must replace the outdated Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960. It should classify dogs as adoptable, shelter-bound or unfit and mandate municipal shelters with minimum standards. Crucially, governments should count stray dogs across States and determine the true cost of maintaining shelters rather than chronically underestimating it. This system should also have the support of the national veterinary cadre, better waste management and penalties for abandoning pets. Without these measures, urban India will keep trading visible menace for invisible neglect.
1. Undermines (verb)
2. Earnest (adjective)
3. Reconcile (verb)
4. Competing (adjective)
5. Compassion (noun)
6. Round up (phrasal verb)
7. Confine (verb)
8. Changed course (idiom/verb phrase)
9. Retained (verb)
10. Bears (verb)
11. Shapes (verb)
12. Disproportionately (adverb)
13. Navigate (verb)
14. Ineffectual (adjective)
15. Acknowledged (verb – past tense)
16. Impoundment (noun)
17. Precipitate (verb)
18. Norms (noun)
19. Transparent (adjective)
20. Oversight (noun)
21. In squalor (phrase)
22. Woven into (verb phrase)
23. Urban fabric (noun phrase)
24. Perspectives (noun)
25. Discourse (noun)
26. Override (verb)
27. Annulled (verb – past tense)
28. Euthanised (verb – past tense)
29. Statute (noun)
30. Mandate (verb)
31. Chronically (adverb)
32. Menace (noun)
The Supreme Court of India recently addressed the issue of stray dogs, balancing public safety and animal welfare. Initially, on August 11, 2025, it directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi to capture and confine stray dogs in shelters. Eleven days later, the order was modified to allow their release after vaccination and deworming, while retaining aggressive or rabid animals in custody. This shift reflects concerns over poor shelter conditions, inadequate resources, and administrative inefficiencies that have historically limited the success of sterilisation drives, which require at least 70% coverage to control stray populations effectively. India faces one of the world’s highest rabies burdens, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations and shaping daily life in many urban areas. Experts argue that the absence of proper infrastructure, transparent oversight, and accurate cost assessments undermines existing frameworks. They recommend a modern law to replace the outdated 1960 Act, classification of dogs based on adoptability, and establishment of well-resourced shelters with veterinary support. Additional measures like stricter penalties for pet abandonment, waste management improvements, and nationwide stray dog counts are considered essential to ensure public safety without neglecting animal welfare.
The Supreme Court recently dealt with the problem of stray dogs in cities. At first, it ordered Delhi authorities to capture and keep all stray dogs in shelters, but later changed this to releasing them after vaccination and deworming, except for aggressive or rabid dogs. The change was partly due to poor conditions in shelters and a lack of proper facilities. Stray dogs are a major issue in India because the country has one of the highest rabies rates in the world. Rabies especially harms poor families who struggle to afford treatment. Experts say the current system is not working because sterilisation efforts are too low and there is little coordination between states. They suggest creating better shelters with proper veterinary care, enforcing penalties for people who abandon pets, and replacing the old animal cruelty law with a new one. Accurate data on stray dog numbers and proper funding are also needed to make streets safe while treating animals humanely.
The tone of the passage is balanced, analytical, and urgent with hints of critical concern.
Detailed Tone Explanation:
Balanced:
The passage presents both sides of the issue — public safety concerns caused by stray dogs and the need for humane treatment of animals. It neither advocates only for animal rights nor dismisses human safety, maintaining an even-handed approach.
Analytical:
The passage examines causes and systemic shortcomings, such as insufficient sterilisation coverage, poor shelters, lack of funding, and administrative inefficiency. It uses facts like rabies prevalence and policy gaps to support its arguments, making it more evaluative than emotional.
Urgent:
The references to rabies deaths, inadequate infrastructure, and the need for modern legislation highlight the pressing nature of the problem, implying that a delay in addressing it could have serious consequences.
Critical Concern:
While balanced, the passage criticises systemic neglect, outdated laws, and chronic underestimation of resources, reflecting a tone of disappointment with current efforts and a call for improvement.
Topic: Role of Banks in Supporting India’s Vision of a $5 Trillion Economy
India aims to become a $5 trillion economy in the coming years, and the banking sector is central to achieving this goal. As the backbone of financial intermediation, banks facilitate capital formation, credit flow, and efficient allocation of resources, which are essential for sustained economic growth.
Banks play a crucial role in funding infrastructure projects, supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and driving agricultural development through priority sector lending. Digital initiatives by banks, such as UPI, mobile banking, and financial inclusion programmes, have expanded access to financial services, especially in rural and semi-urban areas. This has not only enhanced consumption but also empowered entrepreneurs to participate in economic activities.
Furthermore, banks contribute to policy implementation by ensuring the smooth transmission of monetary policies, enabling credit support for key sectors, and facilitating government initiatives like ‘Make in India’ and ‘Digital India’. Strengthening the banking sector through robust asset quality, efficient risk management, and improved governance is vital for maintaining stability and investor confidence.
A resilient, technology-driven, and inclusive banking system can accelerate investments, enhance productivity, and create jobs. Thus, banks are not just intermediaries but pivotal partners in transforming India into a $5 trillion economy.
Topic: Impact of Artificial Intelligence and Automation on Banking Jobs and Services
The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation is revolutionising the banking sector by enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and customer experience. AI-driven chatbots, fraud detection systems, and automated loan processing have reduced operational costs and improved service delivery.
For customers, AI has enabled 24/7 assistance, personalised financial advice, and faster transaction processing. Banks benefit from predictive analytics that aid in risk assessment and decision-making, leading to better asset management and regulatory compliance.
However, the rise of automation has significant implications for banking jobs. Routine tasks such as data entry, cash handling, and basic customer support are increasingly being replaced by machines, potentially leading to job displacement in lower-skilled roles. On the other hand, it is creating opportunities in areas like cybersecurity, data science, and AI system management.
The challenge lies in balancing technological adoption with workforce transformation. Banks must invest in upskilling employees to adapt to changing roles and ensure that automation complements, rather than replaces, human expertise.
AI and automation are not threats but tools that, when implemented responsibly, can strengthen the banking sector. By embracing innovation while nurturing human talent, banks can deliver superior services and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving financial landscape.
Join our exclusive Telegram group, where our experts are ready to answer all your queries, guide you in banking exam preparation, and give personalised tips to boost your success. Get access to real-time solutions, expert advice, and valuable resources to improve your study journey.
Our Banking Preparation Package includes topic tests, sectional tests, rank boosters for prelims, previous year paper tests, e-books, CA tests, Quizzes, live tests, PDF Course, and more. Discover our banking and insurance packages in detail from the link provided below!
Read The Hindu Editorial Vocabulary to know difficult words with its meanings. We provide monthly…
Starting your SSC Selection Post Phase 14 2026 preparation? Learn about the new 15-minute sectional…
Read the latest current affairs today for banking, SSC & govt exams. Stay updated with…
Want to score high in your exams? Practice our free Daily Current Affairs Quizzes. Stay…
Practice the free Current Affairs Quiz for [April 15, 2026]. Check your daily GK score…
Understand all types of banking licences in India—Universal Banks, SFBs, Payments Banks, RRBs & more.…