Daily "The Hindu" Vocab & Editorial 30 January 2026 | English Notes for SSC by Bhragu Sir

Preparing for SSC examinations requires consistent practice in English. One of the most effective ways to improve language skills is by reading and analyzing The Hindu newspaper. Editorials from this newspaper help students understand current issues, improve vocabulary, and strengthen reading comprehension.

In this session, Bhragu Sir conducted a detailed English class focused on vocabulary building and editorial analysis. The session was specially designed for SSC aspirants. The aim was to improve word usage, sentence understanding, and exam-oriented reading skills.

Daily "The Hindu" Vocab & Editorial 30 January 2026

Editorial reading plays a crucial role in competitive exams. SSC papers often include passages, sentence improvement questions, and vocabulary-based questions. Editorials expose students to formal English used in real contexts.

Through regular editorial analysis, students learn how words are used naturally. They also understand how opinions are structured. This helps in both objective and descriptive questions.

Bhragu Sir emphasized that understanding meaning is more important than memorizing words. Words should be learned with context. This approach helps in long-term retention. The vocabulary discussed in this session is useful for SSC GD, SSC CGL, CHSL, RRB Group D, NTPC, ALP,, and other govt. exams. The words are commonly seen in editorials and previous year questions.

Pictorial Vocabulary Practice

Here is a list of words with their meanings, useful for expanding your vocabulary:

• Derive: To obtain or receive something from a source.

• Accounted For: To constitute or form a part of a whole.

• Stand Out: To be prominent, noticeable, or distinct from others. (Synonym: Excel, Be prominent).

• Intractable: Stubborn; difficult to control or deal with.

• Pragmatic: Realistic and practical.

• Derail: To obstruct or be a barrier to progress. (Literal meaning: to go off the railway tracks).

• Burgeoning: Flourishing or increasing rapidly.

• Fervent: Enthusiastic, eager, or having intense passion.

• Counterparty: A partner in a transaction or agreement.

• Negotiate: To bargain or discuss to reach an agreement.

• Mature: Sensible, experienced, and fully developed; ripe.

Idioms and Phrases

Understand these common idioms and phrases:

• To be snowed under: To be extremely busy with a large amount of work.

• Elbow grease: A great deal of physical effort and hard work. (Memory Tip: Visualize rubbing your elbows from hard work.)

• Wrap one's brain around: To concentrate on something in order to understand it.

• Few and far between: Rare and not found often.

One-Word Substitutions

Expand your vocabulary with these one-word substitutions:

1. An expression of mild disapproval: Reproof.

• Related terms: Impertinence (insolence or disrespect), Denigration (unfairly criticizing), Euphemism (substituting a harsh word with a mild one).

2. To take secretly in small quantities: Pilferage.

• Related terms: Espionage (spying), Defalcation (embezzling money).

3. The action of driving or pushing forwards: Propulsion (e.g., rocket propulsion).

4. A paradise with perfect bliss: Elysium.

• Related terms: Inferno (hell), Encomium (high praise), Utopia, Eden.

Core Vocabulary from the Editorial

Understanding these terms is crucial for comprehending the editorial analysis:

1. Devolution (Noun): The transfer or delegation of power, authority, or revenue from a higher level to a lower one.

• Synonyms: Decentralization, transfer, delegation, handover.

• Antonyms: Accumulation, consolidation.

• Example: Tax devolution is essential for strengthening state finances.

2. Cess (Noun): A tax levied for a specific, designated purpose.

• Synonyms: Levy, tax, charge, duty.

• Antonyms: Rebate, refund, exemption, waiver.

• Example: The education cess is collected separately from regular taxes.

3. Surcharge (Noun): An additional charge or tax added to an existing tax.

• Synonyms: Extra charge, additional levy, supplementary tax.

• Antonyms: Discount, reduction, rebate.

• Example: The government imposed a surcharge on high-income groups.

4. Divisible Pool (Noun Phrase, Technical): The portion of central tax revenue that is mandated to be shared with the states.

• Note: Cesses and surcharges are typically excluded from this pool.

• Example: Cesses do not form part of the divisible pool.

5. Emergence (Noun): The process of coming into existence or becoming prominent.

• Synonyms: Rise, appearance, development, evolution.

• Antonyms: Decline, disappearance, vanishing.

• Example: The emergence of SDLs changed state financing patterns.

6. Exceptional (Adjective): Unusual; out of the ordinary.

• Synonyms: Extraordinary, rare, uncommon, remarkable.

• Antonyms: Ordinary, normal, typical, common.

• Example: Such borrowing levels were once considered exceptional.

7. Eroded (Verb): Gradually weakened, diminished, or destroyed.

• Synonyms: Weakened, diminished, undermined, reduced.

• Antonyms: Strengthened, reinforced, enhanced, boosted.

• Example: Fiscal autonomy has been eroded over time.

8. Acute (Adjective): Severe, intense, or sharp.

• Synonyms: Severe, serious, intense, critical, extreme.

• Antonyms: Mild, minor, moderate, slight.

• Example: The problem is acute for industrialized states.

9. Gather Pace (Phrasal Verb): To increase in speed or intensity.

• Synonyms: Accelerate, gain momentum, speed up.

• Antonyms: Slow down, decline, lose momentum.

• Example: Borrowing trends gathered pace after 2020.

10. Lie Outside (Phrasal Verb): To be excluded from or fall beyond the scope of something.

• Synonyms: Be excluded, fall beyond, remain outside.

• Antonyms: Be included in, fall within.

• Example: Cesses lie outside the divisible pool.

11. Substantial (Adjective): Of considerable importance, size, or worth; large in amount.

• Synonyms: Significant, considerable, large, major, adequate, enough.

• Antonyms: Minor, insignificant, trivial.

• Example: A substantial share of GST is centrally collected.

Phrasal Verbs Practice

Practice these essential phrasal verbs:

• Back out: To withdraw from a commitment or statement.

• Step down: To resign from a position.

• Shot down: To reject something firmly.

• Crack down on: To take strict action against; to punish strictly.

Grammar, Antonyms, and Spelling

Strengthen your English grammar and vocabulary:

• Grammar (Error Spotting): The sentence "It was clear from the way they were behaving that they had lost their senses" is grammatically correct. It properly follows the sequence of tenses in the past.

• Grammar (Sentence Improvement): The phrase "People ask me why I decided to start a magazine?" should be improved to "People ask me why I have decided to start a magazine?". The present perfect tense (have decided) is more appropriate here as the decision's effect continues into the present.

• Antonym: The antonym for Fret (to be worried or anxious) is Relax.

• Incorrectly Spelt Word: The incorrect spelling is Imancipation. The correct spelling is Emancipation (meaning freedom or liberation).

Editorial Paragraph: Growing Dependence of States on Borrowing

The Union Budget is closely observed by State governments to understand their share in central tax devolution. Earlier, this revenue played a stabilising role in State finances. Over time, this role has weakened. Central transfers are no longer sufficient to support regular financial needs of States.

Evidence of this change can be seen in the increasing use of State Development Loans. These loans have emerged as an important source of funding for day-to-day expenditure. Many States now depend on borrowing to meet routine expenses. This situation would have been considered unusual in the past.

The situation worsened after the economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. During this period, central devolution was not adequate to handle financial stress. As a result, States increased their dependence on borrowing. This trend has continued even after economic conditions improved.

States are now relying not only on loans but also on borrowings through State public sector units and special purpose vehicles. These methods are being used even for regular revenue expenditure. This reflects sustained pressure on State finances.

This shift has occurred despite recommendations on revenue sharing. A major reason is the growing use of cesses and surcharges. These taxes are collected by the Centre and are not part of the divisible pool. Due to this, the actual flow of funds to States has reduced.

The problem is more serious for industrialised States. These States have a strong indirect tax base. After the introduction of GST, a large part of tax revenue is collected by the Centre. It is later redistributed through a formula. This process weakens the link between tax effort and financial reward for States.

Question 1

What is the central idea of the passage?

A. States are misusing State Development Loans for unnecessary expenditure
B. Central tax devolution has become insufficient, forcing States to rely on borrowing
C. GST has completely destroyed States’ revenue autonomy
D. Profit-making PSUs should stop borrowing money

Correct Answer: B

Question 2

According to the passage, State Development Loans (SDLs) are primarily used for:

A. Capital-intensive infrastructure projects only
B. Repayment of old debts of State governments
C. Day-to-day and even routine revenue expenditure
D. Welfare schemes sponsored by the Centre

Correct Answer: C

Question 3

The phrase “this shift gathered pace” most nearly means:

A. The change slowed down gradually
B. The trend became stronger and faster
C. The policy was formally announced
D. The situation became legally binding

Correct Answer: B

Question 4

Why did States’ dependence on borrowing increase after 2020–21?

A. Finance Commission reduced States’ share
B. GST collections collapsed permanently
C. Pandemic-related economic shock and inadequate devolution
D. States chose borrowing over taxation

Correct Answer: C

Question 5

Which of the following has reduced the effective flow of resources to States?

A. Increase in direct taxes
B. Expansion of capital expenditure
C. Growing use of cesses and surcharges
D. Reduction in GST coverage

Correct Answer: C