Daily "The Hindu" Vocab & Editorial 16 February 2026 | English Notes for SSC by Bhragu Sir

The Daily The Hindu Vocabulary and Editorial session of 16 February 2026 is designed for SSC aspirants who want to improve their English step by step. The class combines motivation, vocabulary practice, idioms, grammar rules, and editorial analysis. The focus is clear: build strong basics and apply them in exam questions. The language used in the session is simple and practical. The aim was to make students confident in both objective and descriptive sections of the SSC exams.

This session is not limited to word meanings. It also trains students to think clearly while reading editorials. It connects vocabulary with real-life examples. It also explains how grammar errors can affect marks. The overall approach of the session is structured and exam-oriented.

 These notes strengthen both linguistic and analytical skills, helping candidates understand complex economic trends while enhancing verbal ability for SSC GD, SSC CGL, CHSL, RRB Group D, NTPC, ALP, and competitive exams.

Daily The Hindu Vocab & Editorial 16 February 2026

This session followed a clear structure. It began with motivation. Then it moved to vocabulary practice. After that, idioms and phrasal verbs were explained. Grammar rules were discussed. Finally, the editorial was analyzed in detail.

SSC exams test vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension in every paper. Many students lose marks because their basics are weak. This type of session helps in building strong fundamentals.

Regular editorial reading improves understanding of complex passages. It increases reading speed. It also improves the ability to understand tone and arguments. These skills are useful in comprehension questions.

Vocabulary practice helps with synonyms, antonyms, cloze tests, and error detection. Idioms and phrasal verbs are frequently asked in objective sections. Learning them daily reduces confusion in exams.

Key Vocabulary with Meanings

Here are the important words from today’s "The Hindu" editorial. These words often appear in SSC CGL, CHSL, and MTS exams.

Root Word Analysis: Ambi- / Amphi-

The root words ambi- and amphi- mean both or on both sides. Derived words include:

Ambidextrous: Able to use both hands equally well.

Ambivalent: Having mixed feelings.

Ambiguous: Having more than one meaning.

Amphibian: Living both on land and in water.

Ambiance: Atmosphere of a place.

Amphitheater: Circular or semi-circular open-air venue.

Root word study helps in understanding unfamiliar words. It improves guessing ability during exams.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

Idioms help you score high marks in the English section.

• Lie in the bed you have made: You must accept the results of your own actions.

• Force someone's hand: To make someone do something they did not want to do yet.

• In one go: To finish a task all at once.

• Play out: How a situation develops or ends in reality.

One-Word Substitutions

• To speak or act in an evasive way (to avoid telling the truth): Prevaricate. (Related terms: Reprehending and chiding mean to scold; Denouncing means to publicly condemn.)

• The final or eventual outcome or conclusion of a discussion, action, or series of events: Upshot. (Related terms: Derisory means expressing contempt; Puerile means childishly silly.)

• The ability to stay calm in difficult or dangerous situations: Sangfroid. (Related terms: Exasperation is intense irritation; Pugilist is a boxer. Ontology is the branch of philosophy dealing with the nature of being.)

Core Vocabulary: Editorial Analysis ("Poll Sop")

This section analyzes vocabulary from an editorial discussing pre-election incentives, often referred to as "poll sops."

1. Sop (Noun)

• Definition: Something given to please or pacify people, especially a concession offered to voters to gain their support.

• Synonyms: Concession, incentive, freebie, grant, benefit.

• Antonyms: Penalty, withdrawal, austerity, deprivation.

• Example: The government announced a tax sop before the elections.

2. Cynical (Adjective)

• Definition: Distrustful of the sincerity of others; believing that actions are primarily motivated by self-interest.

• Synonyms: Skeptical, pessimistic, distrustful, sarcastic.

• Antonyms: Trusting, hopeful, optimistic, idealistic.

• Example: Many voters were cynical about pre-election promises.

3. Surgical (Adjective)

• Definition: Extremely precise and carefully executed; well-planned and targeted. (The term "surgical strike" implies deliberate planning and precision.)

• Synonyms: Precise, calculated, strategic, targeted, deliberate.

• Antonyms: Random, careless, haphazard, reckless.

• Example: The leader took a surgical decision before the elections.

4. Envisage (Verb)

• Definition: To imagine, foresee, or plan for something in the future.

• Synonyms: Imagine, foresee, visualize, conceive, anticipate.

• Antonyms: Ignore, overlook, disregard, neglect.

• Example: The scheme envisages monthly financial support.

5. Entitlement (Noun)

• Definition: A right to receive certain benefits or privileges. (The phrase "entitled to vote" means having the right to vote.)

• Synonyms: Right, claim, privilege, authorization.

• Antonyms: Disqualification, ineligibility, denial.

• Example: The grant was projected as a social entitlement.

6. Populist (Adjective)

• Definition: Appealing to ordinary people, often by promising popular benefits to gain political support.

• Synonyms: Mass-oriented, vote-seeking, crowd-pleasing.

• Antonyms: Elitist, exclusive, conservative, restrictive.

• Example: Critics called the move a populist strategy.

7. Apprehension (Noun)

• Definition: Anxiety or fear that something bad or unpleasant will happen.

• Synonyms: Fear, anxiety, concern, unease, dread.

• Antonyms: Confidence, assurance, calmness, certainty.

• Example: There was apprehension about the scheme's suspension.

8. Unwarranted (Adjective)

• Definition: Not justified, necessary, or appropriate.

• Synonyms: Unjustified, baseless, groundless, unfounded.

• Antonyms: Justified, valid, reasonable, legitimate.

• Example: His fears were not unwarranted (meaning, his fears were justified).

9. Merely (Adverb)

• Definition: Only; just; nothing more than. Used to emphasize that something is small or insignificant.

• Synonyms: Simply, purely, solely, barely, just.

• Antonyms: Substantially, significantly, considerably, largely.

• Example: The move was not merely administrative.

Key Phrases from the Editorial

• Force someone's hand: To compel or pressure someone to act sooner than they intended.

• Play out: To unfold, happen, or develop in reality; for consequences to become clear.

• In one go: All at once; simultaneously.

Grammar Practice

1. Sentence: When welfare measures to uplift underprivileged sections is deployed as a political tool in an election year…

• Error: Subject-verb agreement. The subject "welfare measures" is plural.

• Correction: …are deployed as a political tool… (Deploy means to implement strategically.)

2. Sentence: …whether it is an instance of affirmative action or merely a cynical devices…

• Error: Noun number. The article "a" requires a singular noun.

• Correction: …or merely a cynical device.

Editorial Paragraph: Pre-Election Welfare Measures & “Poll Sops”

When welfare measures to uplift underprivileged sections are deployed as a political tool in an election year it raises the question whether it is an instance of affirmative action or merely a cynical device that plays out as a poll-eve incentive.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s surgical action of crediting ₹5,000 each in the bank accounts of over 1.31 crore women beneficiaries of the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam (KMUT), triggers exactly this uncomfortable thought.

The KMUT, in operation since September 2023, envisages a monthly direct transfer of ₹1,000 “rights grant” recognizing the dignity and contribution of women heads of families.

Notably 32% of its beneficiaries are SC/STs. Citing political and legal apprehensions that the scheme, which is being projected as a rights-based social entitlement and not as a populist freebie, could be suspended prior to the Assembly election, Mr. Stalin chose to give it the force of a political multiplier by disbursing ₹3,000 each for February, March and April in one go.

He also introduced a novel “summer assistance” of ₹2,000. Mr. Stalin’s concerns about the possibility of the scheme being stopped after the announcement of the election schedule are not unwarranted.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has not been consistent in its interpretation of what constitutes a violation of the Model Code of Conduct.

A recent precedent for voter incentivisation emerged during the 2025 Bihar elections, when the JD(U)-BJP coalition deposited ₹10,000 each to one crore women under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana.

1 The term “surgical action” in the passage suggests:

A) A medical emergency
B) A sudden and precisely timed move
C) A harmful administrative decision
D) A legal intervention

Correct Answer: B) A sudden and precisely timed move

2️ The Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam (KMUT) primarily aims to:

A) Provide employment to women
B) Offer agricultural subsidies
C) Grant financial assistance to women heads of families
D) Fund women entrepreneurs

Correct Answer: C) Grant financial assistance to women heads of families

3️ Why did Mr. Stalin disburse ₹3,000 in one go?

A) Due to budget surplus
B) To celebrate a festival
C) To prevent suspension of the scheme before elections
D) Due to court order

Correct Answer: C) To prevent suspension of the scheme before elections

4️ Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?

A) KMUT started in 2022
B) All beneficiaries belong to SC/ST category
C) ECI fully approved the scheme
D) 32% beneficiaries are from SC/ST communities

Correct Answer: D) 32% beneficiaries are from SC/ST communities

5️ The central idea of the passage is:

A) Welfare schemes are unnecessary
B) Election-time cash transfers blur the line between entitlement and inducement
C) Women empowerment schemes are ineffective
D) Tamil Nadu’s economy is weakening

Correct Answer: B) Election-time cash transfers blur the line between entitlement and inducement