Daily “The Hindu” Vocab & Editorial 31 Jan 2026 is very helpful for SSC and Railway exam aspirants. It supports regular learning of new words, strengthens grammar, and improves understanding of how ideas are presented clearly in editorials. Reading it daily builds a strong habit of consistent preparation and reduces last-minute exam stress. 

Over time, it sharpens reading comprehension and develops the ability to grasp arguments and opinions easily. This practice also enhances sentence structure, word usage, and overall language command. Gradually, students gain better confidence in tackling English sections in competitive exams. It is especially useful for candidates preparing for SSC GD, SSC CGL, CHSL, RRB Group D, NTPC, ALP,, Railway exams, and other government recruitment tests where strong vocabulary and reading skills are essential.

Daily “The Hindu” Vocab & Editorial 31 Jan 2026

Daily “The Hindu” Vocab & Editorial 31 Jan 2026  is a valuable resource for students preparing for SSC, Railway, and other competitive exams. It helps in learning new vocabulary, improving grammar usage, and understanding how ideas are logically structured in editorials. 

Regular reading develops consistency in preparation and enhances comprehension skills over time. To make learning easier and more effective, we have provided a detailed video below that explains important words and the main ideas from today’s editorial in a simple and clear manner.

Also Read:

• SSC Monthly Current Affairs
• SSC Weekly Current Affairs

Daily “The Hindu” Vocab 31 Jan 2026

Below, we have provided the most important vocabulary from the 31 Jan 2026 Daily Hindu Editorial:

• Equity
• Part of Speech: Noun
• Meaning: Fairness and justice in treatment and opportunity
• (Hindi: न्यायपूर्ण समानता / निष्पक्षता)
• Synonyms: Fairness, Justice, Impartiality, Equality
• Antonyms: Bias, Inequality, Discrimination, Partiality, Unfairness
• Example: Equity in education ensures equal opportunities for all students.

• Sweeping
• Part of Speech: Adjective
• Meaning: Very broad and wide-ranging in effect
• (Hindi: अत्यधिक व्यापक / बहुत दूर तक असर डालने वाला)
• Synonyms: Extensive, Broad, Far-reaching, Comprehensive, All-encompassing
• Antonyms: Limited, Narrow, Restricted, Specific, Partial
• Example: The court felt the rules were too sweeping in nature.

• Notified
• Part of Speech: Verb
• Meaning: Officially announced or informed
• (Hindi: आधिकारिक रूप से घोषित किया गया)
• Synonyms: Announced, Declared, Published, Issued, Communicated
• Antonyms: Concealed, Hidden, Suppressed, Withheld
• Example: The rules were notified after public discussion.

• Mandated
• Part of Speech: Verb
• Meaning: Officially ordered or instructed by authority
• (Hindi: अधिकारपूर्वक आदेश दिया गया)
• Synonyms: Ordered, Directed, Authorized, Commanded
• Antonyms: Forbidden, Prohibited, Cancelled, Revoked
• Example: The Court mandated the UGC to frame equity rules.

• Persisting
• Part of Speech: Adjective / Verb
• Meaning: Continuing to exist over a long period
• (Hindi: लगातार बने रहना)
• Synonyms: Continuing, Enduring, Lingering, Ongoing, Sustained
• Antonyms: Temporary, Vanishing, Disappearing, Short-lived
• Example: Caste discrimination is a persisting problem.

• Dilution
• Part of Speech: Noun
• Meaning: Reduction in strength or effectiveness
• (Hindi: कमजोर करना / प्रभाव कम होना)
• Synonyms: Weakening, Reduction, Lessening, Curtailment
• Antonyms: Strengthening, Intensification, Enhancement
• Example: Critics feel the new rules are a dilution of earlier ones.

• Oversight
• Part of Speech: Noun
• Meaning: Supervision to ensure correctness
• (Hindi: निगरानी)
• Synonyms: Supervision, Monitoring, Watch, Control, Surveillance
• Antonyms: Neglect, Inattention, Carelessness, Ignorance
• Example: Proper oversight can improve rule compliance.

• Compliance
• Part of Speech: Noun
• Meaning: Acting according to rules or laws
• (Hindi: नियमों का पालन)
• Synonyms: Obedience, Adherence, Conformity, Observance, Accordance
• Antonyms: Violation, Disobedience, Breach, Defiance
• Example: Non-compliance may invite UGC action.

• Bolstering
• Part of Speech: Verb
• Meaning: Supporting or strengthening something
• (Hindi: मजबूती देना)
• Synonyms: Strengthening, Supporting, Reinforcing, Boosting
• Antonyms: Weakening, Undermining, Damaging, Reducing
• Example: Strict action can help in bolstering compliance.

• Draw up
• Part of Speech: Phrasal Verb
• Meaning: To prepare or draft officially
• (Hindi: तैयार करना / मसौदा बनाना)
• Synonyms: Draft, Prepare, Frame, Formulate, Design
• Antonyms: Scrap, Cancel, Abandon, Discard
• Example: The UGC was asked to draw up new rules.

• Litigation
• Part of Speech: Noun
• Meaning: The process of taking legal action in court
• (Hindi: न्यायालय में कानूनी कार्रवाई)
• Synonyms: Lawsuit, Legal action, Court case, Suit
• Antonyms: Settlement, Agreement, Compromise, Mediation
• Example: Litigation played a role in highlighting campus discrimination.

Idiom & Phrase

• Keep his cards close to his chest
Raman kept his cards close to his chest throughout the negotiation.
a. Played emotionally
b. Revealed all intentions
c. Took wild chances
d. Stayed secretive and cautious
Answer: D

• Be in the eye of a storm
a. Be in a situation which demands focus
b. Be in the middle of a difficult situation
c. Be very worried
d. Be in conflict with many people
Answer: B

• Brought the house down
a. Amused the audience greatly
b. Pulled down a building
c. Passed a bill unanimously
d. Defamed a family
Answer: A

• Tilt at windmills
Alka tends to tilt at windmills instead of solving real problems.
a. Engage in romantic daydreaming
b. Fight imaginary enemies or useless battles
c. Avoid all kinds of conflict
d. Get stuck in minor tasks
Answer: B

One Word Substitution

• The period between two reigns
a. Interregnum
b. Intermission
c. Hiatus
d. Parole
Answer: A

• The person who loves entertaining guests
a. Hospitality
b. Kindness
c. Hospitable
d. Entertainer
Answer: C

• To officially take something away from someone
a. Seize
b. Confiscate
c. Carried away
d. Capture
Answer: B

• To move hurriedly with short quick steps
a. Scurry
b. Skim
c. Whirl
d. Zip
Answer: A

Phrasal Verb Meaning

The plan ran into serious trouble.
Ran into means:
A) Encountered
B) Avoided
C) Resolved
D) Escaped
Answer: A

He made up for his earlier mistake.
Made up for means:
A) Denied
B) Compensated
C) Repeated
D) Justified
Answer: B

The crowd broke into applause.
Broke into means:
A) Stopped suddenly
B) Entered illegally
C) Began suddenly
D) Interrupted rudely
Answer: C

The soldier held out against all odds.
Held out means:
A) Surrendered
B) Resisted
C) Escaped
D) Ignored
Answer: B

Error Spotting

a. UGC figures shows
b. that the number of such complaints
c. has more than doubled in five years.
d. No error
Answer: A (figures show)

a. Caste-based discrimination is a persisting reality
b. and addressing it should be
c. a political, social and educational priorities.
d. No error
Answer: C (priority)

Vocabulary MCQ (Synonym-based)

Oracular
a) Sinister
b) Lucid
c) Written
d) Enough
Answer: B

(A) Pensive
(B) Apprehensive
(C) Meditative
(D) Appended
(Appended = add something to the end of a written document)
Answer: C

Daily “The Hindu” Editorial 31 Jan 2026

Stay the course: On the UGC’s Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions rules

On Thursday, the Supreme Court of India stayed the University Grants Commission (UGC)’s Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions rules, calling them “too sweeping”. Notified in January, the rules sought to address all forms of discrimination, in particular caste-based, on campuses after years of activism, litigation and tragic suicides such as Rohith Vemula that shocked the nation’s conscience. The Court had mandated the UGC to draw up these rules. HEIs had almost completely ignored the 2012 UGC framework on this issue.

Caste and caste-based discrimination is a persisting reality and addressing it should be a political, social and educational priority. Many students have faced it, leaving lifelong scars, and sometimes ruining lives. UGC figures show that the number of such complaints in HEIs has more than doubled in the last five years. The draft rules were made public last year for discussion and the rules have been notified with changes. There is a case that the new rules dilute the 2012 framework, which identified many more and pressing forms of discrimination, and had separate sections that dealt with problems faced by SC/ST students, such as not fulfilling reservation norms.

But what is different is that the new rules seek to implement the setting up of equal opportunity centres, equity committees, equity helplines and squads, and time-bound complaint resolution through better monitoring, oversight and representation in the inquiry committees. An HEI’s non-compliance with these rules can invite UGC action, potentially bolstering compliance.

1. What is the primary reason the Supreme Court stayed the UGC’s Promotion of Equity rules?
A. They ignored caste-based discrimination
B. They were considered too sweeping in nature
C. They conflicted with the 2012 UGC framework
D. They lacked public discussion

2. The mention of Rohith Vemula in the passage mainly serves to:
A. Highlight the failure of reservation policies
B. Emphasise judicial activism
C. Show the tragic consequences of caste-based discrimination
D. Criticise higher education institutions

3. Why did the Court ask the UGC to frame new equity rules?
A. Because the 2012 framework was outdated
B. Because HEIs failed to implement the 2012 framework
C. Because complaints had reduced
D. Because students demanded new reservation norms

4. According to UGC data, what trend is seen regarding discrimination complaints in HEIs?
A. They have slightly increased
B. They have remained constant
C. They have more than doubled in five years
D. They have declined sharply

5. Which of the following is NOT a feature of the new equity rules?
A. Equal Opportunity Centres
B. Equity helplines and squads
C. Time-bound complaint resolution
D. Removal of reservation norms