Daily "The Hindu" Vocab & Editorial 3 February 2026 By Bhragu Sir (PW)

Daily “The Hindu” Vocab & Editorial  3 February 2026 brings together important English vocabulary and a clear breakdown of the day’s key editorial. The focus is on the 16th Finance Commission’s recommendations and their impact on fiscal federalism in India, explained in an easy-to-understand way. 

Along with editorial insights, the notes cover useful words, idioms, one-word substitutions, grammar rules, and exam-relevant concepts, making them helpful for SSC GD, SSC CGL, CHSL, RRB Group D, NTPC, ALP and other competitive exam aspirants.

Daily "The Hindu" Vocab & Editorial 3 February 2026

This provides a comprehensive English-language and current-affairs update, drawing insights from The Hindu editorials. It focuses on critical topics such as the 16th Finance Commission’s recommendations, especially fiscal federalism and the financial relationship between the Centre and state governments, while also covering key vocabulary and grammatical concepts important for competitive

Pictorial Vocabulary Warm-Up

Here are some essential vocabulary terms, accompanied by their meanings:

• Defused: Scattered.

• Multi-pronged: Having multiple aspects; diversified.

• Big Bang: Refers to radical reforms or major changes.

• Do away with: To abolish a rule or regulation.

• Comparative Structure: Abolish is used for rules and laws, while demolish is used for physically destroying something.

• Prudence: Wisdom; good judgment.

• Aimed at: Focused on a specific target or goal.

• Scattershot: Dispersed; spread out.

• Disruption: Turmoil; disturbance.

• Propelling: Boosting or encouraging.

• Adventurism: The practice of taking risks.

• Follow up: A subsequent action taken after an initial step, often to provide support or check on progress.

Idioms and Phrases

• Kept a stiff upper lip: remained expressionless and calm, especially in difficult situations.

• To cut no ice: To have no influence or effect.

• To keep one's powder dry: To be prepared for a future conflict or difficulty.

• To clutch at straws: To try any hopeless or desperate measure to save oneself from a difficult situation.

One-Word Substitutions

• A speech in praise of someone who has died: Eulogy.

• Comparative Structure: A eulogy is specifically for someone who has passed away. A panegyric is also a speech of praise but can be delivered for a living person. A dirge is a composition expressing grief or loss, not praise.

• About sheep: Ovine.

• Comparative Structure: Ovine relates to sheep, while Bovine relates to cows.

• Clues available at a scene: Circumstantial (evidence or clues based on the circumstances).

• Extreme pain: Agony.

Analysis of Editorial Vocabulary

This section provides a detailed breakdown of key terms from the editorial:

1. Nudge (Noun/Verb)

• Definition: A gentle push or encouragement.

• Synonyms: Prod, push, encouragement, spur.

• Antonyms: Deterrent, hindrance, obstacle.

• Example: The reforms were meant to nudge states towards better governance.

2. Structural (Adjective)

• Definition: Related to the basic framework or system of something.

• Synonyms: Systemic, fundamental, institutional.

• Antonyms: Superficial, temporary, minor.

• Example: Only structural reforms can ensure fiscal balance.

3. Fiscal Federalism (Noun Phrase)

• Definition: The financial relationship and division of fiscal responsibilities between the central government and state governments, referring to financial decentralization.

• Related Concepts:

• Devolution: The transfer of power from a central government to state or local authorities.

• Divisible Pool: The shared pool of tax revenues collected by the central government is distributed between the center and states.

• Synonyms: Financial decentralization, revenue sharing.

• Antonyms: Centralization.

• Example: Fiscal federalism ensures a fair distribution of resources.

4. Acknowledging (Verb)

• Definition: Accepting or admitting something as true.

• Synonyms: Admitting, recognizing, accepting, conceding.

• Antonyms: Rejecting, denying, disputing, ignoring.

• Example: The commission acknowledged the fiscal stress on states.

5. Recourse (Noun)

• Definition: The act of turning to something or someone for help or support, often as a last resort.

• Synonyms: Resort, reliance, option, alternative.

• Antonyms: Avoidance, rejection, neglect.

• Example: States had recourse to market borrowings.

6. Principal (Adjective)

• Definition: Most important; main or chief.

• Synonyms: Primary, main, chief, leading, foremost.

• Antonyms: Minor, secondary, trivial, insignificant.

• Example: Borrowing became the principal adjustment mechanism.

7. Criticized (Verb)

• Definition: Expressing disapproval of something or someone.

• Synonyms: Condemned, denounced, blamed.

• Antonyms: Praised, appreciated, endorsed.

• Example: Several states criticized the projections.

8. Sharply (Adverb)

• Definition: To a great, sudden, or significant extent; steeply.

• Synonyms: Significantly, dramatically, steeply, substantially.

• Antonyms: Gradually, marginally, slowly.

• Example: The weightage was sharply increased.

9. Resort to (Phrasal Verb)

• Definition: To turn to something as a final option when other measures have failed.

• Synonyms: Fall back on, depend on, turn to.

• Example: States resorted to borrowing.

10. Anticipated (Adjective/Verb)

• Definition: Expected or predicted in advance.

• Synonyms: Expected, foreseen, predicted, envisaged.

• Antonyms: Unexpected, surprising, unforeseen.

• Example: The recommendations were anticipated.

11. Tweak (Noun/Verb)

• Definition: A small adjustment or minor change made to improve something.

• Synonyms: Adjustment, modification, alteration, fine-tuning.

• Antonyms: Overhaul, major change.

• Example: A tweak was made in the formula.

12. Abrupt (Adjective)

• Definition: Sudden and unexpected.

• Synonyms: Sudden, sharp, hasty.

• Antonyms: Gradual, slow, smooth.

• Example: Abrupt changes were avoided.

Phrasal Verbs Quiz

• Scale down: To reduce in size or amount.

• Lashed out at: To attack someone verbally.

• Rounded up: To gather and arrest a group of people collectively.

• Brush aside: To ignore or dismiss something as unimportant.

Grammar, Antonym, and Spelling

• Grammar Rules:

1. Preposition + Gerund: A verb following a preposition (e.g., despite, in, on) must be in its -ing form (gerund).

• Example: "This is despite the commission acknowledging the fiscal space…"

2. Subject-Verb Agreement: A singular subject requires a singular verb.

• Example: "The growing mismatch… has led to…" (The subject "The growing mismatch" is singular, requiring a singular verb "has").

• Antonym:

• Derogatory (insulting, disrespectful) → Praising (complimentary, expressing approval).

• Correct Spelling:

• Systematically

Also Read:

• SSC Monthly Current Affairs
• SSC Weekly Current Affairs

Editorial Paragraph Analysis: "Cautious Nudge"

This section details the key recommendations of the 16th Finance Commission (FC) concerning the financial dynamics between the Centre and States.

• Vertical Devolution: The 16th FC recommended retaining the states' share in the divisible pool of central taxes at 41% for the 2026-2031 period. This recommendation stands even though states sought a 50% share.

• Acknowledgment of State Issues: The commission acknowledged the tightening fiscal space for states under the GST framework and the increasing mismatch between their expenditure responsibilities and assured revenues. This financial pressure compels states to resort to market borrowings as their principal adjustment mechanism.

• Horizontal Devolution:

• Despite criticisms regarding the vertical devolution percentage, many states have welcomed a tweak in the horizontal devolution formula, which governs the distribution of funds among the states.

• The 16th FC has redefined the "tax effort" criterion into a broader "contribution to GDP" criterion. Its weightage has been sharply increased from 2.5% (under the 15th FC) to 10%.

• This change aims to reward productive and efficient states, directly linking fiscal transfers to governance outcomes.

• Gradual Implementation: The commission explicitly states that any restructuring of horizontal devolution must be implemented gradually to prevent abrupt distributive shocks to states highly dependent on central transfers.

• Demographic Performance: The weightage assigned to demographic performance has been reduced. This reflects a shift in perspective, suggesting that penalizing states for population growth is no longer appropriate, especially as India approaches the peak of its demographic dividend.