Daily Newspaper Analysis | Sunday Special | 25 October 2026 | Current Affairs | #ssb #upsc

Summary

The presenter reviewed Sunday coverage from The Hindu, The Indian Express and The Times of India, noting that the papers featured magazine articles rather than editorials. The discussion covered international affairs, Indian politics, the environment, public services and student preparation.

International affairs

• Iran and West Asia: The presenter said Iran had warned the United States against another strike and that Iran’s parliament speaker had cancelled a planned Delhi visit for a BRICS-related meeting. He argued that Gulf states should pursue dialogue with Iran and develop their own regional security arrangements rather than rely on Washington. He also discussed reports of Israeli operations and displacement in the West Bank, Houthi military capabilities, and Iran’s economic hardship under sanctions and blockades.
• Ukraine and private technology: The presenter described Ukraine’s use of drones against Russian military and energy targets, saying this had challenged conventional military assumptions. He also highlighted reports that Starlink access had been restricted in some areas, presenting the episode as an example of the influence a private technology company can have in a conflict.
• U.S. and French politics: The presenter linked rising fuel costs in the United States to pressure on Donald Trump ahead of the midterm elections. He also discussed protests in France, which he said began over school conditions and broadened to include grievances about inflation and the cost of living. He described protest as a longstanding feature of French political life.

Indian politics and administration

• Electoral rolls: A major focus was the Election Commission’s special intensive revision of voter lists. The presenter said special camps were being organised to help people whose names had been removed re-enrol, and cited roughly 13.3 crore deletions across phases. He questioned the process and called for accountability. He also noted that nearly 48 lakh names had reportedly been deleted in Delhi.
• Ladakh: The presenter said talks between Ladakhi representatives and the Centre had stalled. He traced local dissatisfaction to expectations following Ladakh’s separation from Jammu and Kashmir, including demands for constitutional safeguards and greater local representation. He noted the creation of six additional districts but said local groups remained unhappy. He also described residents as important to border security.
• Other domestic tensions: The presenter covered a hunger strike and disruption to classes at Jamia Millia Islamia, as well as activist Neha Bora’s refusal to sign a peace bond. He also reported violence in Arunachal Pradesh linked to opposition to the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project, including damage to public buildings, and urged authorities to engage with residents before disputes escalate.
• Public services and corruption: The presenter highlighted a reported delay in the foundation course for 958 newly selected civil servants, linking it to a pending Supreme Court matter concerning OBC creamy-layer rules. He also discussed allegations of inflated procurement costs in Madhya Pradesh local bodies, including a viral video about the purchase of cleaning supplies, and criticised what he described as pervasive corruption.
• Farmers and digital services: The presenter welcomed the reported creation of unique digital IDs for 11 crore farmers ahead of schedule. He said the system could help farmers access loans, fertilisers, compensation and other government services.

Environment, health and cybersecurity

• Environment and air quality: The presenter criticised the polluted condition of the Yamuna, particularly the foam visible in Delhi, and argued that years of spending and promises had not solved the problem. He also discussed research on desertification and falling water availability in northern India, as well as unusually high Pacific sea-surface temperatures that could contribute to a strong El Niño. Citing a report on Delhi’s pollution sources—including vehicle emissions, road dust and waste burning—he warned that poor air quality compounds the harm from smoking.
• Cybersecurity: The presenter discussed a reported SBI data breach affecting the personal information of around 4,000 people and another reported leak involving film-certification records. He warned that data security is increasingly important as AI tools become more capable of altering or deleting information.
• Public health and social issues: The presenter highlighted concern about drug use among young people, including calls in Bihar for stronger action against narcotics. He also mentioned a deadly incident in Madhya Pradesh and stressed the risks associated with poverty and unsafe conditions.

Science, culture and sport

The presenter celebrated physicist Ashoke Sen’s recognition with a major physics honour and highlighted Bodhana Sivanandan, an Indian-origin chess player in Britain, as the youngest woman to attain the grandmaster title. He also noted a memoir by former Supreme Court judge Sanjay Kishan Kaul, which he said included reflections on the judiciary and former Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud.

Advice for students

The closing portion focused on student preparation. The presenter advised students to prepare for written exams while developing communication skills, general knowledge and personality for SSB interviews. He also encouraged young people to take responsibility for their career choices and recommended reading Gandhi’s autobiography and Ashok Pandey’s book on violence, non-violence and Bhagat Singh.

Presenters and contributors

• Presenter: Maj Gen Yash Mor
• Contributors and writers discussed: Neerja Chaudhary, Saptarishi Basak, Priyangi Agarwal, Sandeep Adhiya, Vasudev and Mukund, and Ashok Pandey.